Embrace the Drama

Middle school, the grades of self-discovery where drama becomes a much unwanted yet necessary part in the transition from elementary to high school. These are the days when students are learning how to deal with the good and bad we all face in day to day life. These are the days when parents are starting to let go a little bit in allowing their children some choices in developing their decision making process. Everyone needs to learn how to make their own decisions in how to handle life. We all need to learn how to deal with life, and middle school is a great place to start.

On last year's 8th grade trip to Washington D.C., Stacey Griffith and I just happened to have lunch at the same table as a retired middle school principal. We discussed middle school drama. The retired principal said we need to learn to embrace the drama. It is an important part of the middle school education process. Even though we think the drama is silly, she explained the drama and the issues surrounding the drama are real to the middle schoolers. Though the issues aren't that important to us, they are a huge part of of their lives especially the social-emotional aspects of who they are.

The manifestation of drama is caused by insecurities in the development process. Drama is a coping mechanism for the middle schooler. There are a lot of insecurities at this age. Who are my friends? How do I look? Am I good enough? Does he/she like me? Is he/she making fun of me? This is a time of sexual attraction. Many of the middle schoolers are starting puberty. Their hormones are changing. Even though they are quite a ways from becoming adults, this is the beginning of the changes. The changes are both physical and mental. The changes they go through can be intense and sometimes confusing. Welcome to adolescents. 

So, what's the best thing we can do? Embrace the drama! Know the drama is real! If we don't deal with it and teach our students how to deal with the drama, they won't know how to deal with the drama and it will be a perpetuating deal for the rest of their lives. If you think I'm kidding, look at all the adults around us who constantly perpetuate drama, and have a soul-sucking affect on those around them like the Dementors in Harry Potter. They take every opportunity to teardown what others have worked hard to build up. Best to deal with the drama early instead of ignoring it.

The drama usually starts in 7th grade (operative word here is "usually"). It is more visible with girls but don't kid yourself, it is pretty equal among the genders. The boys are usually more able to internalize the drama. I'm not sure that's a good thing. They all need to learn how to deal with the drama.

The students who are self-assured are the ones who are the most capable of dealing with the drama. If they know who they themselves are and have good self-esteem, they are more likely to handle the drama and the rumors that come with it. If they are confused about who they are and have low-self esteem, these are the students who are most likely to be affected by the drama and rumors that go along with the drama.

How do we deal with middle school drama? I have an open door policy with my students. The students know they can come in and talk when needed. And, they do. I take what they have to say seriously. I also know what they have to tell me is only part of the truth. The other part of the truth lies with the other student or group of students. They many times travel in packs. I bring everyone together and allow them the opportunity to speak their mind in a controlled environment. I don't keep secrets from parents. If I need to speak with parents about what's going on, I do so. I do my best to help the students find a solution and cope with the drama. I also meet with the classes when needed. We have to teach them how to act, behave, and be in a Christian manner. Who best to use as a model than Jesus and the Gospels.

My suggestion to parents, listen to your children. Don't just hear them, listen to them. They need for you to listen to what they have to say. You won't have all the answers. It doesn't matter. They will need some guidance on how to solve their problems. They are smarter than we think but don't forget their brains aren't fully formed until the age of twenty-five. I think that's part of God's sense of humor. Also remember there's another side to every story. Don't jump to conclusions. Think through the drama.

If you are one of the adults who has to deal with drama, listen to Fr. Ben Bradshaw's homily on dealing with difficult people. If you are that difficult person everyone has to deal with, for everyone's sake, please listen to his homily. Just CLICK HERE to listen.

I look forward to seeing my middle schoolers tomorrow. They are wonderful with plenty of surprises. Never know what the day will bring. Have a great week.

St. Ann...Pray for us!

God bless you,
Didier Aur, Principal
St. Ann Catholic School

Previous Blog:
https://didieraur.blogspot.com/2020/02/let-your-light-shine-before-others.html

Let Your Light Shine Before Others

Fr. Ernie usually ends his homilies by giving his parishioners an assignment. I see these assignments as a challenge for us to live Matthew 5:16. "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glorify to your Father who is in heaven."

At Mass last evening, Fr. Ernie talked about the need for hope and salvation, and how Rev. Billy Graham said those are two things we all need. We need to live our lives in such a way that we have hope in a salvation that there is more in store for us after our time here on Earth. Because of God's love for us, we received and continue to receive the gift of salvation through Jesus in the Eucharist. Life has little purpose and meaning if we do not have hope in salvation for eternal life.

Fr. Ernie then challenged us to live our Christianity. We are to model that hope in the way we live our lives, and that modeling is to begin the moment we leave Mass and encounter the world.

During his homily, I thought about the way I live my Christianity, and how I need to do a better job of living my faith. Those thoughts quickly turned to the many ways I see people living their faith through the school day. In my role at St. Ann, I am constantly on the move throughout the school doing my best to support the students, teachers, staff, volunteers, and parents. I try to not spend much time at my desk. Instead, I have the privilege of seeing "light shine before others" constantly.

During Mass, I whispered to my wife to please remind me that my next blog would be on how I see people live their Christianity every day. So, here is a list of thirty ways I see people living their faith at St. Ann Catholic School.

I see people living their Christianity when:

• May Young and George Dhuy volunteer every morning to work the carpool line no matter the weather condition. They greet each student and family with a helping hand and a smile.
• Jane Gillespie and Linda Garvey-Meisler are waiting at the classroom door at the end of the day to work with the Knowledge Bowl team.
• Kris Miller tells her 4th grade students the story during religion class about her conversion to Catholicism.
• Tricia Cooper's Kindergarteners sing Christian hymns as they do their seat work.
• Selina Trouy in a very motherly and loving way helps a student who is not feeling well or sternly yet compassionately deals with a student sent to the office for a much needed time out.
• I walk into the library and see Jim and MaryAnn Hall, Trena Kilp, Marilou Smith, Linda Sones, Jean Bedwell, Nancy Howland, and Marla Ferguson helping the students and teachers during library time.
• Annmarie Ghio organizes the monthly Rosary, St. Faustina Youth Society, and Eucharistic Ministers in promoting Catholic faith and charism.
• Angela de Jong goes the extra mile to organize the Band Trip, school play, Knowledge Bowl competition, and Pajama Drive for Catholic Charities.
• The Burns kids are piling out of their car with backpacks flying, a smile on their faces, and being fired up about school.
• Joner Tadrous and Amaya Bolton are walking together to their next class always laughing and full of life.
• The PK students are lined-up and greet me with a "Good Morning Mr. Aur."
• Savannah Bannister is the first student to enter the office each morning to turn on the lights and say good morning.
• Rocco Jimenez helps his little sister, Ivy, get out of their van and into the school building upon arrival.
• I get a high-five from the Petteys triplets.
• The middle schoolers escort the PK students to school Mass. Or, is it the PKers escorting the middle schoolers to school Mass?
• The Knights of Columbus put on extra fundraisers to help St. Ann families with much needed tuition assistance.
• Tony Mulrooney volunteers to help renovate the library, install security cameras, and build the set for the school play. Tony has many talents.
• Everyone in the carpool line gets a hug from Mahealani Siaulaiga.
• The 8th graders go to Ave Maria to spend time with the residents.
• My students sing in the youth choir on Sunday mornings.
• The school choir sings at the school Mass.
• The Knowledge Bowl team prays before each round of competition.
• 1st and 2nd graders answer Fr. Ernie's questions at Mass.
• So many of our 5th-8th graders are Altar Servers.
• Mariela Granados kneels to receive Communion.
• Stacey Griffith and Billy Gage serve as Godparents for an 8th grader being Baptized in preparation for First Communion and Confirmation.
• Teachers are in prayer before Mass.
• Enrique Montiel gives of his time, treasure, and talent to repair the kitchen equipment when needed.
• Abe Abuelouf and Anthony Maranise step in to team teach 8th grade Religion/Confirmation class.
• Parents sacrifice to be able to give their children a Catholic education. And, it is a sacrifice; a very worthwhile and important sacrifice.

St. Ann is a great Catholic School. Our students, families, and staff live their Christian faith daily. I see it in many more ways than these thirty ways. Every day I see it more and more. God continually blesses us in so many ways. It is up to all of us to thank him by letting our light shine and live our Christian faith.

God bless you,

Didier Aur, Principal

St. Ann Catholic School

Previous Blog: https://didieraur.blogspot.com/2020/02/another-great-catholic-schools-week.html

Another Great Catholic Schools Week

Student/Faculty Volleyball Game

Catholic Schools Week 2020 has come to an end, and what an exciting event filled week  we had highlighted by a Mass celebration with Bishop David Talley con-celebrating with Fr. Ernie DeBlasio.  And, what a fantastic Mass that turned out to be with our 2nd graders in charge and doing an awesome job as ushers, gift bearers, and lectors. I'm extremely proud of my students; all of them.  Bishop David was not too bad himself. Loved the way he brought the families together at the front of the church in describing how faith begins with the family and supported by the Church and School. His message was right on the mark. Perfect!

Bishop Talley and the
Montiel Family

I forgot to mention that Thursday was also Grandparents' Day at St. Ann. So, we had a packed house for Mass with the regular daily communicants, the students, staff, parents, and grandparents attending. The reception at the school was also packed. Grandparents and students were spending special time together creating lasting memories. Besides the donuts, bagels, coffee, and juice, grandparents were able to tour the school, visit the classroom, and purchase lots of books at the Scholastic Book Fair.

Catholic Schools Week started with our Open House and ended with the faculty once again coming out victorious in the Student/Faculty Volleyball Game. Thanks to the great play of Deborah Harty (the game's MVP two-years running) and great coaching from Tracy Angotti, the faculty made quick work of the students.

Selfie with Bishop Talley

In between those events, we had the Geography Bee, which was won by Vincent Ho (two-years in a row); Pajama Day, which brought in about 100 pairs of pajamas for Catholic Charities; School Spirit Day; Red, White, and Blue Day; Favorite Team Jersey Day; Student Talent Show, which was won by Zoe Geronimo; Priest Appreciation Day; Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day; and the Scholastic Book Fair, which raised over $1,000 for the school and promoted reading with our students, which is the single most important academic skill.

New 1st Grade Desks

Thank you to all those who took part in Catholic Schools Week. A special
thank you to Selina Trouy and Jennifer Burnett who keep the school going throughout all these events, taking care of students' needs, answering what seemed like hundreds of daily phones calls and emails, assisting dozens of school visitors, and making sure everyone is where they need to be. The work they do is immense and the love they do it with is immeasurable. Also, thank you to all the parents who help make Grandparents' Day a wonderful and joyous day.

Bannister Family at
Grandparents' Day Mass

In the middle of all these activities, the new 1st and 2nd grade desks and chairs arrived from Knowledge Tree. Thank you once again to the Stuppy Family Foundation for purchasing the desks and chairs for our students. Last year, the Stuppy Family Foundation purchased new students lockers for our 8th graders. They have been very good to our students and school. If you would like some of the old desks, come on by and pick up a few. They are yours for the taking while they last.

Support St. Ann Catholic School

This week, we are back to business as usual. Hoping to be able to not add to my to-do list, but I know that isn't going to happen.

Have a great week everybody, and thank God for all the blessings He has
bestowed on St. Ann Church and School.

God bless you,
Didier Aur, Principal
St. Ann Catholic School