We Did It!

Class of 2021

Only a few days left of the 2020-21 school year, and then we can say, "We did it!" We made it through the year of the Coronavirus when schools all over the world shutdown to in-person learning. We didn't shut down. We stayed true to our families; touching the hearts and teaching the minds of our students. We followed the advice of the medical experts, planned fiendishly for the unknown, took precaution after precaution, all while demonstrating fortitude. 

No one could have predicted what would happen, but we didn't back down in fear. We did what was best and the results speak for themselves in high test scores, back-to-basics education, with advanced learning, all while participating in Mass and other religious activities, and providing our community with service. To me, the most wonderful part was St. Ann witnessing a substantial number of students (and several with their families) in all grades coming into the Catholic faith through Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. This has been an incredibly beautiful and challenging school year. Faith, science, planning, precaution, and courage prevailed.

Dr. Colleen Butterick is the head of counseling for the Catholic Schools of our diocese. This weekend, she shared a letter with the Catholic School principals. With her permission, I am sharing this letter with you, our Catholic School families, because Dr. Butterick hit the nail on the head with this letter.

Dear All,

When we began this journey together in March, 2020 we collectively decided that our main goal was to educate the children in our Catholic Schools.  We set forth a plan and steadfastly followed that plan, resulting in providing a full and solid academic year for our students.  While we have always been supportive of one another, this year has stood out as one where we were true colleagues in every sense of the word.  We supported one another, helped one another with decision making, and approached our decisions with every school's best interest in mind.  I have always been proud to be a part of this leadership team, but never as proud as I have been this year. You have been true educators and leaders.

There has been some discussion nationally that students have suffered due to this pandemic.  But, quite frankly, I think they have gained enormous emotional strength and emotional intelligence throughout this year.  Our students witnessed a devastating experience but they also witnessed all of us banding together and overcoming fears and conflicts to survive and carry-on.  Our children learned that when difficulties happen the answer is to have faith, tenacity, optimism and cooperation, and situations will improve.  They observed their parents, teachers, administrators and their friends collectively working together towards the common goal of keeping our schools open.  I believe that these students will be able, throughout their lives, to draw upon this experience and put in place what they have learned as they are faced with other life crises.  

Thank you for your leadership, dedication and selflessness throughout this year.  We did it!!

Thank you Dr. Butterick. We came together and prevailed! We (students, parents, volunteers, teachers, staff, and administrators) did it!

Have a great summer, and let's get ready for the 2021-22 school year!

God bless you and with much love,

Didier Aur, Principal

St. Ann Catholic School

I Chose You!

As the final week of this very unique (don't ever want to use the word unprecedented again) school year quickly approaches, I want to share with you an email I sent to the wonderful people who make up our St. Ann staff. Let's finish the 2020-21 school year strong! 

Dear St. Ann Educators,

As Jesus prayed for the disciples in today’s Gospel reading (John 17), I am reminded of our role as His disciples. As the disciples were sent out into the world, we have also been sent out into the world as Catholic School educators. “As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.” In John 15:16, Jesus said, “You did not choose me but I chose you.” We were chosen to do His work. So, the question for us today is: Jesus, what do you want me to do with my life today?

With the school year quickly ending, there appears to be a lot of tension and pressure mounting as we wrap up this most trying of school years. This is causing anxiety and uncertainty with students, parents, and educators alike. Let us remember that He chose us as Catholic School educators for a purpose. Let us deal with the anxieties and uncertainties by putting our faith and trust in Jesus and by moving forward as His disciples.

We have made it this far into this COVID-19 school year. We are tired! We are nearing our boiling point (if we haven’t reached it already)! We need for summer to hurry up and get here! We need for parents and students to calm down a bit (and for us to remember they too are tired and nearing their boiling point)!

Let us continue to focus on our work. The finish line is near, and you are all doing some amazing work. Be happy, loving, thankful, understanding, merciful, and be the disciples we have been chosen to be. Jesus loves you.

Jesus, what do you want me to do with my life today? Amen!

God bless you and love,

Didier Aur, Principal
St. Ann Catholic School