Catholic Schools Week

This week is probably the best week of the school year for our students.  As we celebrate the many aspects of what makes our school special, our days are filled with wonderful opportunities to celebrate and grow. 

Saturday we were proud to have four of our students receive prizes at the Diocesan Art Show.  We completely swept the category for mixed media bringing home a first, second and third place! 

Today it was fun to see everyone dressed in blue and white, our school colors.  It was impressive to watch the spelling bee.  Some of our youngest students lasted the longest, and they were so poised each time they went to the microphone!   The day finished with a Praise and Worship service for our Middle School students.  I could not believe how well they all sang!

I have been principal of Annunciation Catholic Academy for 18 years.  I am proud of our students and their many accomplishments.  It has been a wonderful blessing to watch them become faith-filled leaders.  We are only just beginning Catholic Schools Week and already I have seen them shine in the area of the fine arts, spirituality and language arts.  I can’t wait for tomorrow and all it will bring.

New Year, New Resolve

The new semester and the New Year offer us opportunities to look at how we are doing and try to make adjustments if they are needed.  As I talk to children in the cafeteria or courtyard, I am continually impressed by their wonderful spirit.  They are so spontaneous, so filled with life.  What a precious gift they are to all of us—home and school alike.

I cannot help but be concerned, however, when they tell me about their current interests.  They appear to spend so much time with electronics: games, videos, television programs, etc.  When I ask about time spent outdoors with family, or just time spent with family, I do not get positive responses.

I would like to challenge you all to find some type of exercise to do with your children on a regular basis: bike, roller blade, swim, run or walk.  The “what” is not important.  Just get out and do it together as a family!.

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to see hundreds of families have a wonderful time together.  It was the 5K Color Run in downtown Orlando.  Many families ran in the race.  Many families walked in the race.  Everyone had fun. I was so happy to meet so many ACA families at the conclusion of the event.  We were all covered with colorful powder, and we were all very happy.

I didn’t start running until a couple of years ago.  I did my first triathlon when I was 63.   It is never too late!