Dear Friends:
As I write this, in homes all across Logan Square (and some beyond!), new uniforms hang neatly in closets, school supplies are carefully packed away in colorful backpacks and children are savoring their last bits of freedom – sleeping late, splashing around in the swimming pool, or just enjoying an afternoon with nothing much to do. At the same time, parents are heaving a sigh of relief at the thought of returning to early bed times and regular routines. Meanwhile, here at school, teachers are busily cleaning their rooms – clearing out last year’s clutter to make way for new textbooks and materials. They are preparing their class rosters, putting their lesson plans in order, firing up their computers and making everything ready for their students, who before long will fill our empty halls and classrooms. The air is charged with feelings of optimism and renewal. It is truly a great time to be at St. John Berchmans School!
Every fall, with the start of the school year, I consider the irony of this yearly “rebirth”. For more than thirty years, I have arranged my life around the academic calendar – as a student, as a teacher and now as a principal. So for me, the anticipation and revitalization that attend each fall seem natural. But in reality, nothing could be more “unnatural”. From nature’s perspective, fall signifies an end, marked by hibernation and a slowing-down – by decay and even death. So when I think about the juxtaposition of my hopefulness at the beginning of the school year with the poignant mood brought on by nature’s demise every autumn, I consider myself lucky. For me, the beginning of every school year feels like spring! Just like I watch for the crocuses peeking from the cold winter ground at the end of every February, at the end of every August, I keep my eyes peeled for all of the “newness” that will accompany the new school year – new teachers, new students, new textbooks and materials, new technology that will fill our empty seats and shelves. Just as the buds suddenly pop from tree branches and slowly (but surely) unfold into beautiful green leaves over time, our school community “pops” into action on the first day of school, and then slowly (but surely) grows into an environment rich with life and learning. Just like spring fills us each year with enthusiasm and vigor, in many ways the start of every school year feels the same.
This year, we will begin the school year with three nearly full pre-school classes, a total school enrollment that has grown (and continues to grow daily) by more than 10%, brand new science, social studies and reading programs, a digitized library and an enriched after school program which will offer foreign language (French and Mandarin Chinese) and music classes. Our teachers, new and veteran, have filled their lesson plans with fresh and innovative ideas and are driven by a commitment to help our students excel. We are focused on continuing the work we began last year on reflecting on and revising our curricula in order to both support and challenge our students in our instruction. I share all of this to give you a glimpse into the “spring” of our school year, and to invite you to share in our optimism and excitement as we begin. I urge you to join us as we journey through the year in any way you can – in our volunteer opportunities, at our Family Masses or school events like the spring concert, as a part of our fundraising efforts like Walk-a-Thon or Glimmer, or by encouraging and supporting a student in their studies. The “spring season” of school is set to begin, and I look forward to working with you as we watch, nurture and harvest the fruits of St. John Berchmans School in the months to come.
With warmth and gratitude,
Peggy Roket
Head of School
