Notes from Mrs. Nash March 29 2019

Posted on Apr 01, 2019

Dear SJF Families,

I hope you enjoyed your week. One of the things that I value most about this newsletter is that it allows me the opportunity to reflect on all of the things that we have accomplished, all of the things that we have struggled with and learned from and all of the things that we can do better. It allows me to start the following week with a fresh slate, focusing on our priorities.

This upcoming week’s priority is the ASPIRE test. The ASPIRE test impacts our students in grades 3rd - 8th and will be taken April 2nd – 5th. Though this standardized test is important in regard to measuring our students’ academic growth and progress as well as giving our school a gauge as to where we may be experiencing pitfalls in our curriculum, it certainly isn’t everything. I would like to encourage our students to be confident in their abilities, do their absolute best and to celebrate whatever their score may be, but to remember that it isn’t the only way to measure one’s intelligence. This test does not assess the fact that several of our students speak more than one language or can sing, dance and paint a picture. It doesn’t measure their ability to play a musical instrument or their success in an athletic competition. The test doesn’t understand that our students help their grandparents or an elderly neighbor, watch their siblings after school or that they are the glue that holds their friendships together and that the world is a brighter place simply because they are in it. So, please, as we approach the week of ASPIRE testing, please partner with me and remind your children that though this test is important, and we want them to do their absolute best, it isn’t everything because there are many different ways to measure their intelligence and what makes them uniquely wonderful.

One of our SJF parents, Kerry McNicholas, created a beautiful flyer, which is attached, discussing how much we appreciate your efforts in brining your little ones to church. We recognize how challenging it can be to attend church with young children, but we are so grateful for your efforts to guide and inspire your children each week. Thank you so much for attending mass with your family!

Please see the following pages to learn more about the Holy Name Society Food Drive as well as the upcoming clothing and house-hold items drive hosted by the FSA.

Thank you so very much for your continued support of Catholic education and specifically, St. John Fisher. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Maura Nash