HEAD OF SCHOOL

Chance, likelihood, probability, and prospect. These are words that define “possibility” according to a basic Google search. There is another word, however, that resonates with me. Hope. As Catholics, it is a word associated with our faith in so many ways.

Hope is a gift that helps us to tackle even the most challenging of situations. It is the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” that reminds us of God’s promise.

Within the context of our PVI community, we have many possibilities in the months and years ahead. Our growth has been extraordinary. We are welcoming over 300 new Panthers to our campus in August. Thanks to our generous donors and volunteers, we have the ability to offer an authentic and affordable Catholic education to our students, awarding over $2.6 million in tuition assistance and over $100,000 in merit-based scholarships. In addition, we continue to expand our service opportunities, offering hope to those less fortunate, and providing new and innovative electives to provide real word experiences and applications. In the fall, we will have a state of the art robotics lab, a sewing and woodworking elective, and a broadcast journalism opportunity.

Our students never cease to amaze me, and the possibilities for service are endless. Students are seeking new ways in which to connect what they are learning at home and in the classrooms with others.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

• Through Directed Independent Studies, students pursued individual projects on sacred music, vocal performance, and radiation shielding; with another student developing a software add-on to Google Classroom.

• Students launched new service initiatives, including the creation of Braille Buddies for visually impaired students in India, an art supply drive for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental health awareness initiatives to support therapy dogs and programming at PVI.

• We had our first ever Easter egg stuffing community event in which faculty, staff, and students filled over 1,500 Easter eggs for needy families.

• Our Campus Ministry team prepared many students for their sacraments and these students were welcomed fully into the Catholic Church.

As noted by our patron saint, Francis de Sales, it is truly “a time for hope and praise” for our PVI family. As we continue to find new ways in which to engage our students and serve others, I thank you for your support of our PVI Catholic community. The possibilities of what lie ahead for our community are promising, and for that I am grateful.

Peace and blessings,

Laura H. Swenson, Head of School