Experiencing the Holy Presence of God

Mrs. Cooper's Kindergarten Class

We just completed our third week of school, and still have another week to go before we see the end of August. Remember when school started at the end of August or even after Labor Day? We are about to start our fourth week, and some schools are just getting underway. I'm thankful to have the students at school a little bit earlier this year.

My arrival time at St. Ann is roughly 6:30 am. I want to arrive early enough to dedicate time to write the morning prayer. I start the prayer with an introduction of the Saint of the Day, which means I read several sources about the saint in order to know what I'm writing about. Following the introduction of the Saint of the Day, I write a prayer focusing on the work of the saint, and ask God to help us become more like the Saint of the Day.

We begin the morning prayer the way I was taught by the Christian Brothers, and have done now for so many years by reciting: "Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God." We end the morning prayer asking for the intercession of the Saint of the Day and St. Ann. This is followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, the St. Ann mission statement, the lunch menu, and announcing those celebrating a birthday that day.

James Newell Coating
the Fence

The reason I mentioned how we begin the morning prayer is that I am currently reading a book entitled Let Us Remember: Stories of the Holy Presence of God. It is a book about how Lasallians across the world have experienced the Holy Presence of God in their lives. While reading this book, I decided to share some of the ways I experience the Holy Presence of God at St. Ann.

I experience the Holy Presence of God:

• every morning seeing the students in the carpool line smiling as they arrive at school (most of the students really are smiling).
• knowing that the e-Care ladies arrive before I do, and are already taking care of some of our students.
• as the 1st graders leave morning care in a line heading off to the classroom under the guidance of Mrs. Harty.
• when Abe Abuelouf comes to St. Ann in the middle of the day to teach one religion class
• when Jimmy Crews shows up to teach a thirty minute coding class during Extracurricular Exploration at the end of every school day.
• seeing the daily volunteers such as those working the carpool line, repairing the gate, helping in the library, heading up the Knowledge Bowl team, working with the band, coaching the athletic teams...  Thank you volunteers. You help make everything and everyone better.
• seeing the Fall Festival leaders give so much of their time and creativity to support St. Ann Church and School.
• every time my 7th graders enter World Geography class.

  

  May Young Working
  Morning Carpool

• when one of our teachers puts in extra effort to meet the needs of the students.
• when Rebecca Holder at the diocese patiently helps me figure out Paylocity so we can all receive a paycheck. Thanks Rebecca.
• every time Mrs. Slattery laughs.
• when Memphis Catholic interns arrive.
• seeing John Moranville wait for his friends before entering the school.
• when Kate and Savannah Bannister greet me with a "Good morning Mr. Aur."
• when parents/grandparents roll down the car window to say "Have a wonderful day."

These are but a few instances of experiencing the Holy Presence of God on a daily basis. I hope you also experience the Holy Presence of God in your lives many times over. Remember to look for God in the little things in life.

Barry Wymore Repairing
the Gate

Momentum is really picking up for the St. Ann Fall Festival. The student contest for selling car raffle tickets ends on Monday, September 10th. If you need additional raffle tickets, you can come by the school office or contact Jamie Coggins at jawc1101@yahoo.com. For more information about the Fall Fest, check out https://stannfallfest.org/.

There are two weeks left in the first session of Extracurricular Exploration for the middle school students. We need some more creative ideas for the second session. Mrs. Griffith is considering switching from Robotics to Roller Coaster building. I still want to offer a baking class. That would be fun if we could only find someone to lead that class.

George Dhuy working
the Carpool line

Want to thank George "Paw Paw" Dhuy and May Young for helping with the morning carpool line. Your presence, actions, and smiles make a big difference.

Thank you also to Barry Wymore for rebuilding the gate between the school and cafeteria. The campus is looking better all the time.

Middle School Choir

It has taken three weeks, but I have finally cleared space on my calendar to get into the classrooms to do some observations. I observed nine classes, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our teachers do a great job. The first observation is an informal observation. It is more so that I can see what's going on. The second observation will be a formal observation. I'm hoping to observe every teacher twice per month. My role as an observer is to help teachers in lesson planning, preparation, and delivery. I enjoy working with teachers mainly because I enjoy teaching.

We have a development committee that meets every Thursday. The committee is made up of Lori Locke, Nick Scully, Angela de Jong, and me. In order to continue offering Catholic education, we need to plan for the future. Planning for the future should have started in 1960 when the school first opened. It didn't happen then so we are doing it now. Our hope is that we have enough time and support where we can strengthen and improve the school financially and academically so that St. Ann Catholic School will be here and viable for years to come. We plan to have a captain and co-captain(s) for every class starting with 1968, the first graduating class at St. Ann.

Catholic schools cannot survive without alumni involvement and support. The development committee is working to engage St. Ann alumni. That's why we invested in a new database. That's why we offer Monday Notes to anyone interested in staying up to date with what's happening at St. Ann. That's one reason I publish this blog every Sunday. We want everyone who is a part of the St. Ann community to be in-the-know. We want to be transparent in what we are doing. We want everyone to take ownership of the school.

That is why we are announcing a Fat Tuesday Alumni Party on March 5th! We will be hosting a dinner party for all alumni 21 and over. Please save the date. We will be sending out more information about this alumni party.

Please keep in mind we need your support. There are so many areas we could use your help. If you would like to know how you can help St. Ann Catholic School, please contact me. Great things don't just happen. We have to create a vision, plan for the future, work our tails off, and come together to make great things happen. Be a part of making great things happen. Get off the sidelines and get in the game. Join us as we work to produce excellence now and for the future. We need your support.

God bless you,
Didier Aur, Principal