Destinations

As winter exhales its final blustery breath, we look forward with anticipation to the changes just ahead.  But be careful!  Our longing for the freshness and color and life that these days will inevitably bring can block our view of the most amazing renewal of all: our own transformation as people of faith walking the journey of Holy Week.

The holiest of weeks invites us into deep companionship with Jesus - and into the incredible gift of his Divine Mercy.  Don't miss it!  I know that many of you will be hitting the road or the skies for wonderful family adventures during our Easter break.  As you make your final travel checklists, be sure to include the most fulfilling experience of the year on your itinerary.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday this weekend.  Lent ends on Wednesday, and on Thursday, we enter into the Triduum, or "Three Days" that recall Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection.  We are so blessed that we can join Christians anywhere in the free world for these very same rituals: The Mass of the Last Supper on Thursday night; remembrance of Jesus' suffering and death in the early afternoon of Good Friday; and our celebration of the resurrection at the Easter Vigil after sundown on Holy Saturday - a high liturgy complete with the blessing of fire and water, the story of salvation history, and the first, grand A*******s of the season!

This morning, an unknown visitor rang our school bell looking for assistance finding a church with a sunrise service on Easter - so she would be able to implement her Sunday morning travel plans.  Even in a Catholic community, it seems that this confident prioritization of lived faith is too rare.  So here's your challenge:  Don't be shy about joining with a church community wherever you find yourself during these high holy days.  It's your faith.  It's your destination.  Live it - and pass it on.

Wishing you safe travels and a deeply fulfilling Easter season.

Context matters

I've often quoted the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Optometric Association when reminding parents about the quantitative limits we should place on our children's use of screens.  The more ubiquitous screens become in our daily lives, however, the less effective a simple number is in providing adequate guidance in making these important parenting decisions.  

In just a few years time, we've moved from clear quantitative guidance - no screens before 18 months, no more than an hour a day between age two and five, no hand-held devices before age five - to having to consider the complex interactions of a host of factors.  

Just last year, in fact, researchers from the Oxford Internet Institute and Cardiff University found that there was no correlation between parents’ adherence to screen time guidelines and their children’s psychological wellbeing, concluding that it's the way we allow our children to use these tools that is decisive in impacting their wellbeing.

• Is the experience passive, as in watching a TV show or movie, or active as in video-chatting with a grandparent - or somewhere in the middle like playing games?

• Is the activity balanced with healthy amounts of active, creative, and social activity? 

• And always, what is the redeeming value of the media itself?

Not all screen use is equal.  Thirty minutes watching videos is very different from thirty minutes programming a robot with a coding app.  When children are negatively affected by technology, it’s not just that they are using screens, but the way they’re using them.

I've been triangulating information from a variety of sources on this topic for many years.  My own take-aways are these:

• Parents need to direct, guide and monitor the use of all media.
• Devices themselves are neither inherently good or bad. 
• The right kind of screen time can have a positive impact on development.
• The amount of media consumption, age of use, time of day, and type of device are factors that do impact neurological and physiological development and performance (e.g., quality of sleep).
• It remains wise to "consume with caution" and consider the intersection of quantity and quality.
• We need to preserve media-free times, activities, and locations.

So, we need to conclude that simplistic guidelines no longer serve us independent of context.  The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends the development of a Family Media Plan.  I agree that this is not only something we should all be intentional about, but something we need to revisit often.

See, do, and understand

There's an oft-quoted Chinese proverb that says, "Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand,"  or, more succinctly, "I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand."  Despite the wisdom of the ages, all effective instructional pedagogy is still based on this simple principle of active learning.  We know how to apply it in the classroom, but it's good, now and then, to think about how this principle applies to learning skills and forming character in the broader school of life.

Earlier this week, our parish staff shared some important take-aways from an Archdiocesan conference on the spirituality of stewardship. A discussion ensued about how we adults came to integrate this theology into our own lives.  It quickly became clear that generosity and the responsibility to care for the resources we have been granted is instilled by our families.  And it didn't take long for us to recognize that in this age of online giving, children no longer have ready role models or vehicles for the financial aspect of parish stewardship.

When most of us were growing up, both children and parents brought weekly envelopes to church.  One colleague mentioned that her family's church envelopes were kept on a table near the door so as not to forget them on the way out on Sunday morning.  Children were routinely taught that a portion of their weekly allowance was for church and followed their parents' example in dropping coins or an envelope into the collection basket. 

Today, even churches encourage online giving.  It's a good stewardship of everyone's time and resources.  But we haven't really considered how to replace the modeling lost to children's eyes - and somewhere along the way, as our adult habits changed, many families stopped teaching children how to allocate a defined portion of their allowances to charity in general, and church in particular. 

Fr. Peter Patrick brought a clarity of understanding in which lies, I think, a way to restore lost opportunities for this important formation of our children.  He explained that tithing and coming to church with an offering are two distinct responsibilities of Christians.  It seems that tithing based on our income can occur outside the context of liturgy, but an essential part of our participation in the sacrament of the Mass is to make an offering - not just the symbolic offering of the fruit of the earth and the vine and the work of human hands, but something tangible from each of us.  So, in truth, we should be bringing something of ourselves forward at the Offertory each week - even if we tithe or fulfill our designated pledge to church online.  This was, in truth, a revelation for me.

Stewardship, of course requires our time and talent and involvement as much as our treasure.  But we can't forget that it does require treasure, too. When we think about financial stewardship in this radically simple way, it doesn't seem so difficult to get back to the family ritual of weekly giving to church.  And it is precisely the rhythmic and ritual nature of this kind of giving from which habits are born and spirituality grows.

Our responsibility for the faith we've been given and the Church with which we've been entrusted requires that we give some thought as to how we can pass it on.  Let's be intentional in nurturing a theology of stewardship in our children by providing both a model and a vehicle for their generosity.  Let's let them see and do to make sure they will understand.

The snow comes in silence

Enjoy this beautiful reflection submitted by St. Robert Parish Life Coordinator, Merridith Frediani

Snow comes in silence.  As I lie in bed I have no idea what is happening in the world outside my window.  I wake to the surprise of a changed landscape, a softer surrounding.  Everything I know to be out there is still there, but it is different.  It is transformed and beautiful.  Edges are less sharp. Lines are blurred.  Trees glisten under the weight of snow.   

As we dig out, we reconnect with our similarly confined neighbors.  Those with snowblowers walk the length of the block sharing their bounty with others.  Teenagers are dispatched with shovels and younger children build snowmen and snow forts.  It feels like Christmas.

In preparing for Christmas in Italy, a family will assemble an intricate, detailed nativity scene called a presepe.  This custom was started by our beloved St. Francis of Assisi on Christmas Eve 1223.  The presepe goes beyond a mere stable to include a landscape of village and hillsides.  In addition to Mary, Joseph, assorted shepherds and wise kings who have often arrived too early, are villagers going about their daily chores.  The ordinary life of ordinary people is depicted.  What is not immediately part of the display is the Christ child.  In true Catholic tradition, the baby Jesus does not arrive until his appointed time of Christmas.

One tradition is to hide the babe somewhere in the village.  Viewers are tasked with trying to find him, a subtle reminder that Jesus can be anywhere, even in the mundane and prosaic.  The presepe is also a remembrance that our Lord was born without pomp.  The greatest thing to happen to the human race occurred quietly one night.  The next day, all but a handful of people went about their daily life with no change.  Men and women labored.  Children played.  No one knew that the Son of God was in their midst and the world was going to change.

The Son of God is still in our midst.  Men and women still labor.  Children still play.  Now we celebrate each year.  As we search the presepe for the Christ child we also slow down and search the world for him.  He is present in the people we encounter and the tasks we complete.  Like a snowfall, Jesus brings beauty and unexpected joy.  He softens the harshness of our lives.  He connects us to others.  Everything's the same but so much better.  He comes during the darkest time of the year and brings us hope and light.

If we still our minds and hearts, if we step back from the hustle, if we just pause and breathe, we will find him quietly beckoning to us, inviting us in.

The snow comes in silence.

So does Our Lord.

New tools, next steps

In discussing office systems with a candidate for our open administrative assistant position earlier this month, the candidate remarked, "We sure didn't have tools like these when I was in school!" I would add that we didn't have tools like these a few months ago!  With the release of our Alma parent accounts last month and our online directory last week, it is clear for even the casual participant to see concrete evidence of the shifts in the way schools do business.  As the world goes, so too must schools.

In anticipation of report card distribution next week, I'd like to take an opportunity to give you some background on the contemporary new tool from which our reports will be generated.

Alma is an integrated database and "learner management" system.  The database functions are sophisticated, including everything from more contemporary directory information (e.g., moms and dads are now separate entities) to medical and behavioral records, but it's the learner management side of the product that brings us to the next level of functionality.  With this tool, we take a significant step forward in the authenticity of the standards-based grading approach we have been implementing for the past eight years. 

Previously, we evaluated outcomes on course goals or "standards" by attaching these standards to assignments.  Although our software collected scores by standard, it was cumbersome for teachers or parents to track progress by standard because scores were reported in topical clusters.  In other words, performance on each standard was collected with others under a related topic and averaged as a simple mean to an "anchor standard" or umbrella topic further up an organizational hierarchy. These averaged proficiencies on sets of standards were what we reported on the report card.  The reason for reporting averages on clusters of skills was largely functional in that reporting out on every one of the 200 or so standards per grade level would have made our paper report card about eight pages long by the end of the year, which was simply not practical.

All that has changed with our new tool.  Now, we are grading standards instead of assignments.  We track each students' performance on every standard in a color-coded way that allows us to easily track mastery.  Our tool allows for digital archiving of all of our data, so report cards will be sent and stored electronically - allowing for us to report on every standard.  Most new, however, is that the mastery is calculated with a "decaying average" tied to learning theory.  The formula automatically weights the most recent assessment for each standard most heavily, with the understanding that it is more representative of a student's current mastery level than assessments from earlier in the cycle when large leaps of learning were still occurring.

These changes will take some getting used to for all of us, to be sure, but we can be assured that they will better support learning and report a more refined picture of your children's actual proficiencies relative to grade level expectations.

In addition to Alma, we recently added a digital parent directory to our arsenal of tools thanks to the generosity of the Home and School Association.  Directory Spot replaces our paper Blue Book and, if you install the app on your phone, works pretty much like your phone contacts and needs little to no explanation.  I hope you love it as much as we do!  If you need help logging in for the first time, just give the office a call.

This week our teachers and students started using the TADS Lunch module, replacing very antiquated lunch ordering and billing software tied to our old student information system.  With apologies for the delay in getting this up and running, you will soon have the capacity to see your lunch balance online - and we will have the capacity to assure you get auto-messages reminding you when it's time to reload your account.  We're hoping this improved communication will help us work together to better steward the school's fiscal resources.

Finally, we will launch the TADS Admission and Enrollment module with the opening of our January enrollment season.  This digital process will take paper out of the equation.  Stay tuned for more information just after the holidays.

At school, we're ever learning, ever growing - even in the office!

Great night out

Guest blog by school parent Susan Callanan

It's time for the St Robert School Annual Fund party set for 7 p.m., Friday, November 17, 2017. We hope you have the date circled in red on your calendar. If not, read on to find out why the Callanans do. 

This fall marks our 13^th year as a St. Robert family. We graduated two daughters, who currently attend Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. And we have a 5^th grader, Jane, who started as a 4K student and is now enjoying her first year of school sports and beginning band – i.e., the “big kid” activities. Over the years, we've always looked forward to the Annual Fund party and made a point of attending. Here's why. 

It’s a great night out! Parents enjoy an evening of gracious hospitality at a beautiful home with fellow friends of the school. This year you'll be welcomed into the home of Margaret and Michael DeMichele, parents of current 8^th grader Mio, as well as three older children who are all Bobcat alumni. 

You can make new friends. At St. Robert, we often spend a lot of time with parents in our own grades at those wonderful class parties and on the sports sidelines. At the Annual Fund parties, Liam and I have met some of our favorite St. Robert people that might not otherwise have crossed our paths.

Experience the depth of the St. Robert community. You may meet St. Robert supporters who actually have not set foot in the school in years. We have had the pleasure of meeting a number of alums, and even parents of alums, all of whom have wonderful stories and histories to share about the school. We can say thank you to them for continuing to help keep St. Robert financially strong. 

Learn more about the Annual Fund. This is one of the most critical financial pieces of St. Robert’s success. It’s the easiest tax-deductible way to support the mission of the school, and relies on the support of current and alumni parents, alumni, grandparents, parishioners, foundations, and friends. 

   

Cross one thing off your to-do list. Gifts and pledges to the 2017-18 Annual Fund will be gratefully accepted – and will make you eligible for a prize drawing that night! Even if you can’t commit anything the night of the 17^th, come by for a taste of community and camaraderie.

So uncap that red pen (or crayon) and circle November 17 on YOUR calendar! We look forward to seeing you and perhaps forging another new friendship! 

Saints and leaders

Guest Blog by Jennifer Luna, 2nd Grade Teacher

This year the Climate and Culture faculty leadership team and the Faith and Mission leadership team are joining forces to make some positive changes in our school.  Last Friday, we kicked off one of our initiatives with the very first meeting of our “Spirit Teams.”  The spirit teams are a mix of students in 4K-8^th grade and are led by a faculty member.  The teams will meet periodically throughout the year to do service together, pray together and have fun together.  Our last spirit team meeting will be on Field Day in the spring. Our spirit teams are a way to inspire the saints and leaders in our community. 

On Friday, we made banners to show our support for Veterans in our community in preparation for Veteran’s Day on November 11^th.  Teams had a lot of fun working together to create the banners.  Older students were naturally leaders for the younger students.  It was wonderful to be a part of this.  As Ms. Dahl said, it was very fitting that we came together as a school community on a day when we lost a beautiful member of our school family, Kate Almond.  Kate was a loving mother, and an incredibly supportive parent to us, the teachers.  She will be greatly missed by all those that knew her. 

During the first week of November, Catholics celebrate two feast days, All Saints Day and All Souls Day.  On November 1^st the adorable second graders inspired us to be more like the Saints, and on November 2^nd we remember those loved ones who have gone before us to be with the saints in heaven.  In our small school community, we have 11 students who have lost a parent in the past 5 years and many more students have lost loved ones.  As a way to show support for each other and in honor of all the loved ones we have lost, we will be having a “saints and leaders” memorial bulletin board during the month of November.  If you would like to send in a picture for the board, please include the name of the deceased, student’s name and relation to the student.  Pictures can be sent to school, attention: Mrs. Luna.  One of the messages I took away from a character conference I attended this summer is “It is more important who you are, than what you know”.  Let’s show who we are this year at St. Robert.  Let’s be saints and leaders.