Thank God for Principals 6 �it twas was 1984, but I remember it like yesterday. I was sitting in Mrs.
Catholic Schools
Garnsey’s classroom, and I heard the worst news that any third grader could hear, “Sean Costello, please report to the principal’s office.” This was the first time I had ever been called to the principal. What have I done? I racked my brain trying to figure out what criminal act I was involved in. I wasn’t aware of breaking any major laws or starting riots, but this was going to be bad. Being called to the principal’s office meant that you were now Public Enemy #1. There was no escaping this reality for my classmates or me. Mrs. Garnsey excused me from class, and I could have sworn a student uttered under his breath, “Dead Man Walking.” We all knew that no good could come from this, and there was probably a chance that I might never return to our classroom alive again. I could feel my feet getting heavier and heavier as I walked to his office, only to have him meet me at the door to tell me that I needed to bring this packet of envelopes to my mother when I got home. This was the first time I realized that principals were not just the judges and executioners of students. Sometimes they’re just the person who is trying to make sure the school fundraiser is successful. To be honest, it wasn’t until I began to work under a Catholic school principal as an educator that I began to realize just how complex and difficult
their role is. We often forget how the principal, who is usually the first person to school everyday and the last to leave, has a hand in everything that is going on at school. They are responsible for ensuring that our students are formed and ready to take the light of the Gospel out into the world. They coach-up teachers to ensure that they are up to the great task of forming our students to be disciples. They have the responsibility to hear everyone’s complaints, concerns, and questions regarding everything that takes place, often being the last to find out. They are also asked to make real decisions in real time with limited information about the circumstances. As my father would say, “Nobody bats a thousand, but we sure expect them to.” Being a principal is a demanding profession that has become increasingly difficult over the last few years. It’s no wonder why fewer and fewer people are willing to step into this profession. However, after having been a school leader for many years, I can also assure you that it is a role that can be tremendously rewarding. It is a role in which you can have an incredible impact on our society, our community, and in the life of every student that we serve. Principals are often Christ for many with whom they interact, and they direct others to His Church. It is a position in which people share some of the most private parts of their life, seeking counsel, and principals are there to serve. It is a profession that is privileged in the ability to change lives, both for the students served in the building and through leading the community as a whole. This rare breed, that holds this title of principal, ought to be held in the highest of esteem, but often is not remembered by many. We often forget that in all those great memories we have of our school
Crucifixion School Wages Penny War Submitted by LORI DATTA
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rucifixion School in La Crescent does a service project for Advent. In the past, we have collected money for those in need. We have also collected food items, toilet paper, toiletries, diapers, clothes, socks, and shoes for those who were in need of these items. This year, we had a Penny War to collect money for our local food shelf. Each grade had a jar outside of the principal’s office. Students brought coins and bills to put in the jars. Pennies were the best as they counted toward a positive amount. Bills also counted towards a positive amount. Quarters, nickels, dimes, and half-dollars counted as a negative amount. So students would put their pennies and bills in their class jar and put the dimes, nickels, etc. in a different
First Grade February 2024 w The Courier w dowr.org
class jar. Some students got sneaky by hiding bills under the coins. Some students put silver in their brother’s or sister’s class jar. Fun was had by all. The result of this Penny War was amazing. The students raised $1,126.20 for our local food shelf! The students were thrilled by the amount, and they were even more thrilled by the amount their class made. The fifth-grade class raised the most in pennies and bills, but unfortunately, they came in second place after subtracting the silver. The first place overall winner was the first grade class. We have many blessings in our life, and our students (and their families) once again helped others during the Advent Season. Lori Datta teaches sixth grade at Crucifixion School in La Crescent.
Fifth Grade
Deacon Sean Costello
Superintendent of Catholic Schools scostello@dowr.org
years, there is a principal in the background of those memories who made sure that we had the opportunity to live those experiences. This February, for the first time in our diocese, all the principals will be coming together at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, MN, for two days. This will be an opportunity to spend time with our Lord growing in their relationship with Him through prayer and grace, and to spend time together as colleagues. This is meant to be an opportunity for them to step back from the burdens of their labors and to just be present to the One who has called them to this work. In your charity, I ask you to please remember them in your prayers daily throughout the remainder of this month, and if you have the opportunity, please take a moment to reach out to one of our Catholic school principals and thank them. Show your appreciation for these men and women who work so hard to ensure that the Faith is passed on to our next generation, so they are ready to set the world ablaze with the love of our Lord. ROCHESTER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS is thrilled to announce RCS middle school students have taken home First Place, two shared Second Place, and a Fourth Place out of 62 students, in the Minnesota Junior High Math League, Rochester Division, on January 8. This was the last of five meets stretching from October to January. Congratulations to: David, St. Francis of Assisi School (FIRST PLACE!); Ian, St. Francis of Assisi School, and Kylie, Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School (tying for SECOND PLACE!); and Ari, St. Francis of Assisi School (FOURTH PLACE!) In addition, the St. Francis of Assisi School "PIthons" came in FIRST for “Team”! Led by coaches Sandra Tischer and Jessica Wilkes, Rochester Catholic Schools’ two middle school teams meet once a week at their respective schools for practice outside of regular school hours from September until January. Coach Sandra believes that Math League offers an excellent opportunity for students to forge connections, engage their intellect, and acquire new skills! “A lot of students think that Math is only about getting the answers right, but it is so much more than that. Collaboration, learning from your mistakes and not giving up when it gets hard are skills they will need their whole life,” she said. Photo and caption submitted by Marketing & Communications Manager KAT BESTOR.
Team PIthon
