New beginnings

Almost as long as children have been attending school on an agrarian calendar, common rituals have been associated with the return to school each fall: clearing out and cleaning up; fresh haircuts and shifting schedules; new pencils and new shoes; new friends and new beginnings.  This year is no different - and so different when we add to the list the new ways we must prepare to start afresh.  

Some new ways to prepare for school this fall:

1. Build mask-wearing stamina by wearing a mask indoors for gradually increasing periods of time

2. Establish routines for washing hands frequently

3. Practice maintaining safe distances from people outside of your family

4. Make a plan for child care in the event that you are informed that your child must quarantine for a period of time

5. Bring some special supplies

1. Stadium seat (Here’s a reasonably-priced one: https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000020281-Stadium-Seat/dp/B003399128/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=stadium+seats&qid=1596811043&sr=8-5 )

2. A baseball cap or sun hat to leave at school for outdoor classes

3. 5 masks labeled with day of week (M-T-W-Th-F)

1. Cloth or disposable only

1. No valves

2. No neck gaiters

3. No bandanas

4. No fleece (based on effectiveness studies)

2. Large ziplock bag for daily storage

4. 8 oz. pump-style hand sanitizer

5. Box of facial tissues

6. Durable, washable water bottle

7. A beach towel or yoga mat (for PE yoga classes)

Another part of a new year is new members of the community.  We are excited to welcome 60 new students from 45 families into every grade in the school!  We are also delighted to welcome these new teachers to our professional staff:

Ali Grindle, Special Education Coordinator

Ali comes to us from St. Dominic School in Brookfield where she served her children’s school community in a part time special education role after both regular and special education roles in public and Catholic schools in Lincoln, Nebraska.  She brings contemporary practices - and her four children - to St. Robert, where she is looking forward to leading a full inclusion Catholic School program.  Ali replaces the recently retired Marilyn Meservey.

Kathy O’Dell, Reading Specialist

Kathy is returning to St. Robert for the third time!  She was a school parent and a temporary special education teacher before joining our permanent staff this year.  She brings extensive experience in both Reading and Special Education and also teaches pre-service teachers at Marquette University.  She replaces Sue Klawans who resigned for personal reasons.

Samantha (Sam) Windsor, 4K

Sam is an early career teacher with a bundle of creativity and energy.  She comes to us from one of our Milwaukee Urban schools and is anxious to continue her professional journey in a program aligned with best practice philosophies.  Her position was added to accommodate enrollment interest at the 4K level.

Maggie Sather, 5K

Maggie grew up in the North Shore, but comes to us via Austin Texas, where she most recently worked in a primary school teaching in a curriculum based on the esteemed Reggio Emilio philosophy.  Her professional journey also includes a stint teaching English to preschoolers in the Czech Republic!  Her position was also added to accommodate new enrollment interest.

Eileen Day, 5th grade

Eileen comes to us after a short sabbatical from her 20-year career in the Mequon-Thiensville School District.  She has extensive experience in Readers and Writers Workshops and served in numerous leadership roles including leading her school to Blue Ribbon status.  She brings strengths in project management and a particular passion in the area of social-emotional learning.  Eileen is replacing recently retired Barb Dietz.

Kelly Steinberg, PE long-term substitute

Kelly is a certified yoga instructor who will bring a yoga program to our PE classes during the first three months of school when our beloved Mr. Jefferson is on a leave of absence.  We’re looking forward to accommodating stretching and breathing workouts that will not involve the heavy breathing associated with strenuous exercise; and we think this will be a great time to focus on mindfulness and self-regulation. 

Caroline Potter, Special Education Aide

Caroline is passionate about inclusion and Catholic education.  She is just finishing her Master’s degree in Special Education and looking forward to gaining practical experience in a school program.  She will fill a vacated position.

May our blessed Mother Mary, patron saint of Catholic schools, protect us and guide us in our studies and help us live and work each day in the glory of God.