Fall Fest and the School

The importance of transparency in the workplace cannot be overstated. I learned this years ago when I first became a school administrator. I quickly learned that being a Catholic School administrator is much more than knowing about curriculum, instruction, and student discipline. It is about being accountable to everyone, leading by example and faith, developing relationships, working with parents, building a development network, hiring the best people possible, creating a great team, and becoming a trustworthy leader.

In order to learn more about leadership, I turned to leadership experts for help. I started reading leadership books by John Maxwell, Jon Gordon, Stephen Covey, Jim Collins, Patrick Lencioni, Joel Manby, and The Arbinger Institute. I listen to Minute with Maxwell every morning when I arrive at St. Ann. Been doing that for years. My favorite leadership books are The Energy Bus and Soup by Jon Gordon and Love Works by Joel Manby.

These leadership gurus have many commonalities in their leadership styles. One of several commonalities that stuck with me was transparency. You have to be transparent in what you do or you are going to do whatever you do all alone with no support. No matter how good your idea, you will be on your own unless you keep your team informed and included on what's going on. If you want to succeed and do what's best for the company, you need to be transparent. Transparency creates trust and leads to success.

This brings me to the St. Ann Fall Fest and here's the transparency part regarding Fall Fest and the school budget. The budget for the the 2019-20 school year is a little less than $1.8 million. Most of the school's income comes from tuition. But, with 59% of the families receiving financial aid, there's a pretty big income gap that needs to be filled. The single biggest income gap filler is the St. Ann Fall Fest.

We projected the Fall Fest would make up $50,000 of the school's income gap. That's what it did last year, and hope to repeat that this year. We need for Fall Fest to at least make up that gap because that's what we put in the school's budget.

When the Fall Fest organizers ask the school families to sell raffle tickets, this is why. When they ask us to sell even more raffle tickets on top of the tickets already sold, this is why. The car raffle was the single biggest ticket item and income producer last year. Period! With the choice of one of two cars this year, we anticipate the car raffle ticket sales to be higher than last year. As of today, we are actually down by about $5,000 on the car raffle. That's 1,000 $5 raffle tickets less than last year.

If you haven't purchased car raffle tickets, please consider buying a pack of 10 tickets. We have them in the school office. Come on by.

If you have friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and/or relatives who would like a chance to win a car, please consider selling them tickets.

For more information, call the school office at (901) 386-3328 or visit the Fall Fest website at https://stannfallfest.org/. For more information regarding the car raffle and to purchase raffle tickets online, visit https://stannfallfest.org/home/schedule/raffle/.

If you are unable to purchase raffle tickets, come by this weekend and join us at the best party in Bartlett, TN at the St. Ann Fall Fest.

Thank you for supporting St. Ann Catholic School.

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

Click here to read previous blog.

What Joy Do You Bring To Others?

7th Graders in Ocean Springs

Today's blog might be a little shorter than usual. We will see how the writing goes. We got back from the 7th grade trip to Ocean Springs, MS late on Friday. I spent much of Saturday just getting caught up, and spent time today working. So, this doesn't leave much time for writing a blog since it is 8:30 pm already and tomorrow will be a long day with the start of the Advanc-ED accreditation process for the Catholic Schools of our diocese. I will need to get to work extra early tomorrow just to organize the day before everybody shows up.

Dissecting Sharks

At today's 11:30 Mass, Fr. Bill gave us a lesson on the parable of the Prodigal Son. When I was working on my Master's in Catholic Studies, my classmates and I broke down this parable because there are so many lessons to be learned from this one parable. What Father spoke about I had never heard, and I appreciated the lesson he taught us. His underlying question to this parable is what joy do you bring to others?

What joy do you bring to others? This question had me thinking about what joy I bring to others because as much joy as people bring into my life, I hope I'm doing the same for others.

Just this week alone, I was able to spend Tuesday through Friday with many of our 7th graders on our trip to the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS. The students and instructors brought much joy into my life as we learned about the aquatic life of the Mississippi Sound. I didn't even know there is a Mississippi Sound with its brackish waters providing a nursery for the Gulf of Mexico. I'm hoping that adventures such as these for our students will lead to the development of scientists and researchers who will make a positive difference for all of God's creation.

People brought much joy to my life on Saturday as well. Got to spend the day with Kelley, my wife, as we attended Mass at St. Michael with Fr. Ben Bradshaw. We wish him happiness and success on his trip to Our Lady of Lourdes in France. I asked him to say a special prayer for my mother and my mother-in-law while at Lourdes. What mother wouldn't appreciate prayers for them at Lourdes! Fr. Ben brought joy into my life.

Zac Brown Band

Saturday evening, Kelley and I were treated to the Zac Brown Band concert at FedEx Forum. What an incredible concert. They put on a show like I've never seen before. All the musicians in the band were beyond extremely talented. They have perfected their skills and talents through years of practice and performing. I never imagined musicians as talented as these guys. Hearing their songs on the radio is one thing, but seeing them live is a whole nother world. I hope to one day be as great a school administrator as they are musicians. The Zach Brown Band brought joy into my life. I've been singing their songs all day. Keep Me In Mind.

Boating in the Mississippi Sound

I do bring joy to others, but that is not always the case. Being a lead administrator doesn't mean I'm always the nice guy. When the ship is off course or listing, it is usually up to me to straighten the ship. Most of the time, this can be accomplished by communicating and working together. But some times, I have to make some hard decisions that don't bring joy to others. That's part of being the leader. The funny thing is that once things are straightened out, joy is usually a by-product.

What joy do you bringing to others? Are you the type that finds joy first or looks for a reason to complain first? Do people gravitate to you or avoid you? Are your stories happy or sad? Do you avoid drama or are you the center of drama? Do you find yourself smiling for no reason at all? Do you stand to greet people? Answer for yourself the question posed by Fr. Bill: What joy do you bring to others? If you do bring joy, thank you. You make the world a better place.

Student Spotlight:

Cassie Harmon

On March 22nd-23rd, the Rainbow National Dance Competition West Memphis Regionals took place. Cassie Harmon, fifth grader in Ms. Metaxas' class, performed in three dance routines and was honored with multiple high awards, two All Star invites, and an invitation for Dancer of the Year Nationals. Cassie receive three Double Platinum awards and had the highest score for each of the three routines she and her teammates performed. This was the first time she has ever competed in the intermediate division. She and her teammates placed in the overalls for all 3 of the routines as well. Cassie has earned many more dancing awards that I will feature in future student spotlights.

The accreditation process starts tomorrow. Actually, it started back in June. It is just that the Advanc-ED team will be here to finalize the accreditation. Lori Locke and Jimmy Crews will be representing the St. Ann parents at the accreditation meeting. Prayers on the success of this process are much appreciated.

God bless you,
Didier Aur, Principal

Doing Good for the Sake of Doing Good

Want to start this blog with some great news. The security cameras and all the wiring have been ordered and have arrived at school. The installation of the security cameras begins tomorrow morning! I'm looking forward to having the cameras in place to better protect everyone on campus. I'm also looking forward to the next step in making our campus more secure by adding the speakers to the hallways, gyms, cafeteria, and kitchen. After that, we will work on replacing the door locks.

My style of leadership is one where I work with people to get their input on what needs to be done. I don't lead in a vacuum. I want people's input and help in making decisions. When things go well, everyone gets credit. I think that is very important. And, I will take the blame when things don't go the way they are supposed to go. Hey, that's part of leadership. I'll throw myself under the bus, but I will do my best to never throw anyone else under the bus.

I say all this because there are some times where I have to make a decision without getting everyone's input. I don't like doing that, but I will make those decisions every once in awhile and move forward with that decision.

Select Members of the SAS Band
Performed at CBHS.

One of those decisions I've made recently has to do with the Extracurricular Exploration (EE). As part of the Advanc-ED accreditation process, I reviewed, reviewed, and reviewed our students' ITBS and easyCBM scores. I saw individual strengths and weaknesses. I discovered where our students can benefit from extra help and those who will benefit by giving extra help.


So, in organizing this latest EE, I added tutoring to the EE

classes. Except, I did not make this class an optional class for students. The middle school teachers submitted a list of students who need extra help in different subject areas. I confirmed the names on the list with the test scores. I did not ask the students on the list if they wanted to be in the tutoring class, I pretty much mandated it. But, I mandated it for a purpose, and that is to give our students another opportunity to improve academically. Student academic success is part of my job.

There is something else I did with the EE tutoring class. I reviewed the test scores and got the students with the highest test scores, who I felt would do a good job of tutoring classmates in helping those classmates improve academically, and made them tutors. I did not ask those students if they would tutor, I assigned them as tutors for that EE class.

I have several reasons for doing this. So, here's my explanation. Let me start off by saying that assigning these students as tutors is about as high a compliment as I can pay any student. If I know you have the academic ability to help other students succeed, and I believe you have what it takes to help other students succeed, you have won my confidence and trust. There are plenty of adults out there I wouldn't want tutoring in my school, but these students that have been selected to tutor, I want them to not only share their knowledge, I also want them to use the talents God has given them to help others. "To whom much is given, from him much is expected." (Luke 12:48) God gave you the talent, I'm giving you an opportunity to use your God-given talent.

At the school Mass last Thursday, Fr. Bill talked about how teaching is a witness. He even used the example of students teaching students. He said that when students teach students, they are doing God's work. In today's Gospel reading from Luke, we are reminded to "do to others as you would have them do to you." With that in mind, I'm going to do the best I can to help others because I sure hope they will help me when I need it. That's not the main reason I help others. The main reason I help others is because I was taught to see Jesus in all my brothers and sisters. I sure hope they see Jesus in me.

Also in today's Gospel, a part that stands out for me is "lend expecting nothing back." These tutors are lending their knowledge to their classmates, and together, their knowledge will grow. Your reward is knowing that you are doing God's work. In the end, "gifts will be given to you," for you are doing good for the sake of doing good.

I would like to thank Patrick Bennett, Jonathan Clowney, Brayan Garcia, Luca de Jong, James Kargauer, and Logan Wymore, for helping to tutor their classmates. I also want to thank Stacey Griffith and Teresa Ferrante for leading the Tutoring EE. Without all of you, this tutoring effort would be fruitless.

Student Shout Out:
This past weekend Jonah Odum competed in the TN-AAU Region 4 Championship and placed 4th out of 10 wrestlers. This qualifies Jonah to compete in the TN-AAU State Tournament where only the top 4 athletes from each region can compete. During Jonah’s qualifying match, he overcame extreme adversity. He was down four points with 30 seconds left. Jonah was able to flip his opponent and put him on his back where he then pinned him to earn his spot to compete at the state championship.  Congratulations to Jonah and good luck while competing at the state tournament in Knoxville, TN on March 2nd.

Parents, please share student shout outs with me so that we may recognize our students in my blog and morning announcements.

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

St. Ann Colts Since 1960

Fr. Ernie at the School Mass

Between St. Ann school and parish, well over 500 students receive religious education. The school teachers and Parish Religious Education (PRE) volunteers have a tremendous responsibility in supporting the parents in providing Catholic instruction to the children. Kathy Schober, the parish director of religious education, coordinates the school and parish religion classes to make sure both are using the same text books and religious curriculum. With all the school teachers PK3 through 8th grade and the couple of dozen parish PRE volunteers, the students are extremely fortunate to have so many outstanding Catholic educators teaching them about the Catholic faith. These teachers are definitely doing God's work at St. Ann.

Mass Lector

At this morning's PRE meeting, I was given the opportunity to speak before the parents about St. Ann Catholic School. Kathy didn't have to ask me twice about speaking because I am extremely passionate about Catholic education, and believe that anyone wanting a Catholic education for their child(ren) should not be denied. I let the parents know that there are scholarships available for PRE students if they want to pursue a Catholic education for their child(ren). As I mentioned at the meeting, if you are interested, please contact Angela de Jong in the school office. Thanks Kathy for allowing me to speak at your meeting.

St. Ann School Mass

Unfortunately, Catholic Schools across the country have had to price themselves to the point that middle and low income families cannot afford to send their child(ren) to Catholic Schools unless those schools have money available for financial assistance. All this to say that as people donate to the school, we have more financial assistance available to help.



Have you read Built to Last by James Collins and Jerry Porras? I read that book back in 2006 while I was president at Helias Catholic High School. Collins and Porras said that you should come up with a Big Harry Audacious Goal (BHAG) for your company. "A true BHAG is clear and compelling, serves as unifying focal point of effort, and acts as a clear catalyst for team spirit. It has a clear finish line, so the organization can know when it has achieved the goal; people like to shoot for finish lines." Along with my team at Helias, we came up with a BHAG for the school, and it worked. The goal was so Big, Harry, and Audacious that it would take several blogs to write about it. 

Helias After Our BHAG!
This was a wooded field in 2013.

Let me just say that I believe Fr. Ernie and I have a BHAG for St. Ann that will work. Fr. Ernie and I believe we have to change the way we operate our school. We believe we need to move to a tithing model school where parishioners don't pay tuition. Instead, all members of the parish increase their tithing. The increased tithing offsets tuition, and the parish community comes together to develop more life-long Catholics. This also means all parishioners send their children to St. Ann Catholic School and participate in tithing.

This models works in the Diocese of Wichita and Diocese of Jefferson City. I'm not saying this has to be done diocese-wide. I'm saying that St. Ann can be the start of this BHAG. If it works at St. Ann, the other parishes can follow along.

Students Workin on easyCBM

Our school has over 200 students. Our PRE has over 300 students. Just imagine what our parish would be like if over 500 students attended their parish school! We are working to build a great school. We cannot do it alone. If you want to be a part of building something great; let's do this thing together.

In a recent study by Georgetown University, they found that only 5% of Catholic millennials who never attended a Catholic School go to Mass weekly compared with 33% who attended Catholic Schools. They also found that 66% of Catholic millennials who never attended Catholic Schools are confirmed compared to 91% of millennials who attended Catholic Schools are confirmed.

Students Working on easyCBM

Am I bad-mouthing our PRE program? Never! No Way! I love the work Kathy and her army of volunteers are doing. They are fantastic. I was trying to figure out how I could volunteer and be apart of the St. Ann PRE army.  I cannot this first year.  Maybe next year I can help. I am saying that there is a better chance of building life-long Catholics if those Catholics attend Catholic Schools.

Now, here are some things that happened this past week.

We are just about finished taking the first easyCBM assessment. The 8th graders have a portion of the math assessment to take as well as some individuals who were absent this week. I hope to have everything finished by the end of Monday. Mrs. Slattery and Miss Ferrante have been a huge help in getting this accomplished. I still have a couple of easyCBM webinars to go through to be able to better use this assessment. The good thing is that Title II will pay for these webinars.

Click to Listen to Choir

The choir gets better and better every week. If I can figure out
how to add video to my blog, I will add two videos of the choir singing at Mass. I enjoy the school-wide Mass. The first grade earned a pizza party for being the class with the correct answer to Fr. Ernie's question. The question was: Why is Sunday observed as our holy day?  The answer: That was the day of the resurrection. Congratulations Mrs. Harty's first graders.

The new Extracurricular Exploration classes for the middle schoolers start tomorrow.  We have six classes this session.  They are:

Click to Listen to Choir

• Jazz Band (John Baum)
• Roller Coaster Building (Stacey Griffith)
• Blogging (Justin Kissell)
• PaSaRyu Self-Defense Class for Girls (Angela de Jong, Master in PaSaRyu) http://www.pasaryu.org
• Coding (Jimmy Crews)
• Flip Book Animation (Annmarie Ghio)

Do you want to use your talents, creativity, and energy to make a positive difference in our parish community? Volunteer to help with the Fall Festival. If the rest of us put in 5% of the effort that Stephanie Nichols, Jamie Coggins, and Kathy Shiavone are in helping with the Fall Fest, this would be the biggest and best party Bartlett has ever seen. I'm using my energy by volunteering for six hours on Friday. I'm also volunteering on Saturday. Just waiting to see where I'm needed.

Also, use your talents to help with the Home & School Hospitality Committee. We are only as strong as the volunteers who help make things happen. We have lots of events planned to help make St. Ann a better place for all. Please help make things happen.

I bought my wife a St. Ann pullover sweatshirt. Cold weather will be here soon. Don't forget to visit the Colt Spirit Shop.

Thank you for reading this blog. My blogs have been averaging roughly 1,500 readers per week. Your comments, suggestions, and ideas will help to make this blog more interesting and relevant.

Do you want to use your treasure to make a positive difference in the life of a child? Click on the school logo and contribute to the St. Ann School Annual Giving Society. Help students attend St. Ann by supporting them with a financial scholarship. Help us develop life-long Catholics.  Thank you.

God bless you,

Didier Aur, Principal

St. Ann Catholic School

Week Two Comes To An End!

What a great week! I asked St. Ann staff members to set a time for us to meet one-on-one. I've spent most of this week getting to know these wonderful people. At these meetings, we have pretty much stayed away from the topic of work. Before we are staff members at St. Ann, we are human beings. And, it is these wonderful human beings I want to get to know. I've learned so much about these folks.

Here are some of the commonalities I share with staff members:
Priscilla Williams loves to ride bikes.
Angela de Jong is a soccer nut.
Donnie Shea is a Brothers' Boys.
I coached Annmarie Ghio's brother, Jason at CBHS.
Deborah Harty and I grew up down the street from each other.
Stacey Griffith enjoys John Grisham books.
I taught Anna Slattery's son, Thomas, and my brother coached her daughter, Neely.
Like Selina Trouy, my daughter is named Celina, and my daughter shares her birth date (March 18th) with Selina's son, Samuel.
I taught and coached one of Erica Winchester's in-laws at CBHS.

Here are some things I found out about some of the staff members:
Angela Odum lived in Alaska.
Amanda Bannister is married to radio personality, Bill Bannister.
John Baum is a Civil War buff.
Katie Jones earned a Bachelor's and Master's from Memphis College of Art.
Kristen Sellers is from Hayti, MO (pronounced: Hey-Ty)
Tricia Cooper is a big fan of Disney World.
Wanda Sexton loves the Florida Keys.
Tracy Angotti has a daughter named Dominica; beautiful name.
Karen Otts graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in Overland Park, KS.

So far, I have met with 18 staff members. We have six more meetings lined up for Monday and Tuesday.

Next Tuesday, I will also meet with John Conroy, chairman of the finance council. So, what did I work on most of the day today? The school budget of course. I finished the first draft of the school budget, and of course it did not balance. We are at a nice little deficit. Ugh! We have actually been able to cut our expenses. The problem is the revenue side. We will get it worked out. God always provides.

Next Wednesday, I meet with an old friend of mine, David Stephens. David is the superintendent of Bartlett City Schools. He and I were classmates in the education department at the University of Memphis. He is a great guy and I look forward to seeing him again.

Along with many of the teachers, we have started to review the English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum to see where we need to improve. I've received a lot of input from many of the teachers. We will continue the review next week. I also received some input from some of the Catholic School principals. The principals are great to work with and are always available to help.

We are also looking to add Science and Social Studies to the IXL program. To see an example of IXL Science, CLICK HERE. To see an example of IXL Social Studies, CLICK HERE. IXL also has a great diagnostic tool parents can access. CLICK HERE to see this diagnostic tool in action. Several of our teachers have previewed IXL Science and Social Studies, and feel very positive about the benefits it can have for our students. Only problem is IXL Science and Social Studies are not budgeted items.

Here's a free resource parents can use: Edutopia. Most educators know about Edutopia. As an administrator, I have been reading Edutopia articles for years. Edutopia can help parents with their child(ren)'s learning. I receive their e-newsletters, follow them on Twitter, and like them on Facebook. I am constantly sharing Edutopia articles with other educators. I feel it is a fantastic educational resource many overlook.

Finally, there is lots and lots of work taking place at the school. The hallways are being painted and re-tiled, the kitchen is receiving a facelift, and doors are being re-finished. Stop by and take a look for yourself.

If you would like to support the work we do educating the students at St. Ann Catholic School, please CLICK HERE. Thank you

Getting ready for week 3!

God bless you,
Didier Aur

The Times They Are A-Changing'

In 1964, Bob Dylan wrote and released the song "The Times They Are a-Changin'." Dylan was right, the times are a-changin', constantly. The times for the Jubilee Schools are a-changing as well.

In 1999, St. Augustine was re-opened by the Catholic Diocese of Memphis as the first Jubilee School. The opening of St. Augustine was quickly followed by the opening of St. Joseph, St. John, De La Salle at Blessed Sacrament, Little Flower, and Holy Names. St. Patrick, Resurrection, Our Lady of Sorrows, and Memphis Catholic soon followed. That's a pretty incredible network of schools; the Jubilee Schools.

In 2002, this is when times were a-changing for me, and where I came into the Jubilee picture. I was hired by Dr. Mary McDonald to re-open Holy Names in North Memphis, and serve as its first principal. Of all the things I have accomplished in my professional career, opening Holy Names was the greatest. The four years I served as principal of Holy Names were the best. I was a rookie principal leading a bunch of relatively inexperienced educators. We worked hard with a lot of passion, and did some incredible things. Those were some fun times. We learned under fire, and it was sink or swim. And, we swam!

I have had the privilege and honor of serving as principal of Holy Names and Resurrection, head of school at Memphis Catholic, and development director for all nine Jubilee Schools. I have loved my time with the Jubilee Schools. It has been an adventure with no lack of excitement. Our students are incredible, and our teachers are passionate about educating our students.

The times they are a-changing for the Jubilee Schools once again.

This past January, the diocese announced the closing of all nine Jubilee Schools plus St. Michael at the end of the 2018-19 school year. That will mark the 20th year of Jubilee Schools. As Frank Sinatra sang, "That's Life." It is life, and it has been a great ride. No sour grapes; that's life. I've enjoyed making a positive difference in our community every day working in the Jubilee Schools.

Now, my job as development director for the Jubilee Schools will be eliminated. Time to move on to the next challenge in life, which will be as principal of St. Ann Catholic School in Bartlett. Fr. Ernie DeBlasio asked me to be the principal, and I graciously and humbly accepted the position. I will have the privilege of becoming a St. Ann Colt! I look forward to once again working with teachers, students, and parents, while remaining in Catholic education. I have been in education for 30 years, and served in school leadership for 16 of those years. Plus, I was the principal of Resurrection with Fr. Ernie. I look forward to working with him again.

Please do not forget the Jubilee Schools. Even though my position won't exist, the Jubilee Schools still have one more year. The Jubilee students need your support. If you currently support the schools, please continue to do so. For all the love and support you have shown the Jubilee Schools, thank you.

Thank you to all the administrators, teachers, staff, students, parents, and supporters I have worked with in the Jubilee School. Y'all are wonderful and I'm going to miss you. I would like to thank Bishop Emeritus Terry Steib, Mary McDonald, Janet Donato, David Hill, and Kristi Baird for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Jubilee Schools for so many years in so many different capacities. I am very thankful to have been able to serve the Jubilee Schools in so many ways. My heart will always be Jubilee.

For the past two years, I have served the Jubilee Schools by building relationships with our supporters. I have met so many incredible people. I never would have met these wonderful folks had I not served as development director. Many of you will hear from me again because I'm going to ask for your support for St. Ann. You aren't getting off the hook that easy. 😇 Blue Streak will also be hearing from me. I can never thank Blue Streak enough for years of Jubilee support. You have truly made a positive difference in the lives of our students.

The times they are a-changin'. That's life. See you at the next stop.

Please come visit me at St. Ann Catholic School. Just as everywhere else I've worked, all are welcomed.

God bless you,
Didier Aur

Enjoy the Challenge

“You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery, and always challenge yourself to try new things.” - Nate Berkus

From an early age, I learned the importance of being a team player. As a kid, I used to love playing baseball. I played baseball up through my junior high days at Richland Junior High (now White Station Middle School). What I really liked about playing for Richland was that I became the utility fielder. Every game I played a different position, and got the opportunity to play all nine positions. My coach put me where the team needed me most and I enjoyed the challenge.

When I was sixteen, I got a job at The Loft Restaurant. I became the utility worker. One day I was washing dishes, the next I was bussing tables, the next I was grilling steaks. When I turned eighteen, I added bartending to that rotation. I did everything from scrubbing pots and pans to waiting tables. My bosses put me where the team needed me most and I enjoyed the challenge.

 

Fast forward to my career in education. I have become the utility educator. I started off as a P.E. teacher and coach, moved from there to classroom teacher to director of admissions to principal to president back to principal to head of school and now the development director of the Jubilee Schools. My bosses put me where the team needs me most and I still enjoy the challenge.

Call it a sense of adventure or lack of sense; I enjoy doing what I need to do to help the team succeed. The desire to succeed is in my blood not for some sense of pride or an inflated ego. My desire to succeed is for the good of all team members from students to teachers to support staff to our donors.  I have a passion for the Jubilee School and all those involved.

“The challenge of the unknown future is so much more exciting than the stories of the accomplished past.” - Simon Sinek

The Jubilee Schools have an exciting future and a huge challenge ahead of us. Ugly rumors about our future have surfaced over the past year and they are just that; ugly rumors. We have over 1,500 students and roughly 200 staff members in our 9 Jubilee Schools.  We are going nowhere but up. We continue to improve classroom instruction, our test scores continue to rise, and our graduation and college attendance rates are at 99%, and most importantly, we are doing all this in areas of Memphis where children are given little hope for success.

The next challenge is for us to find ways to continue funding our growth. We want to continue building a solid future for our children and our community. We want to give every parent the opportunity to enroll their child(ren) in a Catholic School; to receive an education strong in academics and Christian values, all within a structured and nurturing environment.

As the development director, I not only want to help the students and community, I also want to help donors achieve their philanthropic goals.

In a speech given to the Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce, Geoff Calkins of the Commercial Appeal compared Memphis to other cities such as San Francisco and New York.  In those cities, it is what you can take from those cities.  You are really not making a difference there.  “In Memphis, you can make an impact.”

Memphians are making an impact. Memphis is the 2^nd most philanthropic city in the country and has been for years. Memphians support non-profits of all kinds especially those that help the children.

At the Jubilee Schools, we need your continued support to help our children succeed. Without you investing in our students and their future, the work we do cannot take place. With you, the future becomes that much more exciting. Those who support the Jubilee Schools are passionate about helping the youth of our community in providing them a brighter future. In providing our youth a brighter future, it also helps make our community a better place for all.

My challenge to you is to make an impact. If you currently support the Jubilee Schools; THANK YOU! If you would like to join us in supporting the Jubilee Schools, please accept my challenge in building a brighter future for our students and community. And together, let’s make an impact.

In the words of Conor McGregor, “Why go through life if you're not going to challenge yourself?”

Click Here to SUPPORTthe Jubilee Schools

Click Here to LEARN more about the Jubilee Schools.

Thanks and God bless you,

Didier Aur