Dear Parents,

I’d like to direct your attention to an article on the Mind/Shift website that reinforces what we believe as Sacred Heart educators: that development of the following 7 skills are essential for young people to become successful lifelong learners.

1. Formulate good questions.
2. Communicate in groups and lead by influence.
3. Be agile and adaptable.
4. Take initiative and be entrepreneurial.
5. Effective written and oral communication skills
6. Know how to access and analyze information.
7. Be creative and imaginative.

A link to the full article follows:

Becoming Successful Lifelong Learners

The second criterion of Goal II of Sacred Heart Education states that the school provides a rigorous education that incorporates all forms of critical thinking and inspires a lifelong love of learning.

In preparing our children for their future world, where they will be asked to solve problems which have not even been created yet, the memorization of content is much less important than instilling good thinking skills while inspiring them to be lifelong learners!

One example of a curricular program that exemplifies this aspect of Sacred Heart education is our Lower School Math Program. I love this program because it develops conceptual understanding as opposed to merely teaching a particular procedure (which might be memorized and easily forgotten).

Click to read about the Philosophy of Everyday Math

Learn more about Everyday Math Curriculum Features

I look forward to seeing many of you this evening at the Lower School Parent Meeting.

United in this great mission of education,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

Dear Parents,

Filled with the joy of new beginnings, I look forward to welcoming you back to the Academy for the 2015–2016 school year! I do so with great assurance that each new year is an opportunity for growth as both our children and we, the adult community, continue to progress on our life’s journey to deeper union with the God of Life and Love!

The summer has gone by quickly. In addition to our normal preparations for a new year, we have spent a great deal of extra time listening to concerns that some of you have. We have been seriously engaged in a process of data gathering during June and July. Once the data is gathered and analyzed, changes as needed will be implemented.

To that end, we will be providing you information that I think will be helpful in what we are calling our “State of the School Report.” It will be sent out some time next week.

I eagerly anticipate seeing many of you, and your children, at the Back-to-School Sale next Wednesday, and at Open House on August 17.

In the spirit of the time-honored wisdom that is the gift of Sacred Heart education, we commit ourselves anew to partnering with you in the raising of our collective children to become fully whole and holy human beings. Let us launch our year of partnership with a prayer that we are open, energized, and united in heart and mind for the journey of the year before us!

With Joy and Union in the Heart of Christ,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

Dear Academy Parents,

I hope that your children are enjoying these joy-filled summer vacation days. The “lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer” become such a wonderful part of one’s childhood memories! Hopefully you, too, are enjoying this more relaxing family time.

During the month of June we have been working to prepare for next year: creating class lists and schedules, updating handbooks, reviewing programs, and engaging in long-range thinking.

We are happy to announce some personnel shifts:

· Mrs. Beth Metcalf will be our school librarian.

· Miss Mary Furay has been named 7th and 8th Class history teacher.

· Mrs. Lisa Stoker will be our 8th Class literature and writing teacher.

In addition, there will be a change to the Fifth and Sixth Class faculty structure in the coming year, with a team of teachers instructing both grade levels. This parallels the way that Seventh and Eighth Class teachers work as a team to teach both of those grades. We are pleased to have such qualified, enthusiastic and engaging instructors as Mrs. Laura Craig, Ms. Sara Gaylor, Mrs. Megan Horner, Mr. David Putnam and Mrs. Tammy Strother, and are confident that a year of successful learning awaits our Fifth and Sixth Class children.

Finally, I hope you find the site work updates on the Academy web page helpful (look for “Construction Update”). The changes underway are part of the Academy’s long-range facility plan. This is an important moment in poising the Academy for both our 200-year celebration, and our future as we continue to educate the hearts and minds of our children.

Maureen Glavin, rscj

I often talk about the essence of an Academy education. It is founded on a strong academic program steeped in a place where love of learning and solid study skills are part-and-parcel of the program! However, an Academy education is not limited to that.

This education is enhanced by the constant messaging which is rooted in the theology and spirituality of the Sacred Heart. Such messaging does not reside in any one person nor in any one grade level nor in any one peak experience. Rather, it is the background which is also the core, the foundation and follow-up of everything we do.

And that message is this:

1. We are created and loved by Love’s Very Self (whom we know as God and personally experience in Jesus, the Christ)
2. We are invited to come to experience God’s Love in a very personal way.
3. We are called to live our lives as a flowing forth from that experience. In other words, we are called to lead lives that are loving, as a way of returning love for love.

Helping our children know themselves as loved and calling them to BE the face of Love to others is a journey which takes a lifetime.  This power-packed message helps our children to develop the gifts that they have. It helps them to accept that they don’t have to have every gift … it helps them allow others to have different gifts (with appreciation) … it helps them to accept their own struggles (with self-acceptance) … it helps them to accept others’ struggles (with understanding) … and it provides a foundation for a life of personal character and integrity!

This is our goal, our hope, and our aspiration. Last Saturday, as we launched our Eighth Class students into some of the best high schools in the St. Louis area, we launched some self-aware and well-formed individuals of whom we are proud!

Thank you for being a part of the journey this year. May your summer be filled with God’s Goodness and Grace! As I say to the children, I hope you get some time to rest a little, read a little, play a little and pray a little.

Blessings and Gratitude,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

As I am sure you are aware, May has a unique feel at the Academy! Field Day, Mission Day, May Crowning and Maypole, the Eighth Class Graduation Dinner, Prize Day Ceremony and Graduation Ceremony, and Closing Ceremonies are among the events which contribute to this month’s mix of faith, tradition, joy and celebration of love and learning with our students!

Through these events, the children are provided the opportunity to progress in some aspect of their development, are able to demonstrate their growth through engagement in the experiences/activities, and have occasions to be acknowledged and honored for their progress, maturation and achievements.

While parents are invited to some of our May events, one set of culminating moments in which Mrs. Renken and I are alone privileged to participate, are our Eighth Class end-of-year conversations. During these conversations, Mrs. Renken and I come to see, hear and experience the fruit of many years of Academy formation. The manner with which our soon-to-be graduates engage in the conversation, their self-awareness, the care with which they converse, the quality of their insights and the thoughtfulness with which they participate, all point to the quality of their very persons. Having begun these conversations this week, I am confident that we are launching our graduates well prepared to continue their journey of growth—a journey which, in every aspect of their being (spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and relational), will be a lifelong endeavor.

Let us continue to relish and enjoy these culminating May moments as we continue to pray for our children, that their journeys bring them to the point of being whole, happy, wholesome, courageous, confident and holy human beings!

I remain united to you in this common aspiration,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

Dear Parents,

In two days, the fruits of much labor will come together in the unveiling of Chemin de Fer 2015! We look forward to seeing many of you at this truly remarkable event.

Today is one of those times when my heart is filled with overflowing gratitude for your amazing generosity! Academy parents participate and partner in Sacred Heart education in many generous ways. During these past few weeks I have seen many of you on campus helping as field trip chaperones, service trip chaperones, and Chemin de Fer volunteers. Each time I see one of you doing something for the auction, my heart expands. Please know that we could NOT provide this education without the help provided through our fundraising events! THANK YOU!

With Deep and Prayerful Gratitude,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

Dear Academy Families,

Since my communication regarding Field Day, I have had a number of you share your perspective and provide some input regarding our plans. I thank those who have e-mailed, phoned or personally chatted with Mrs. Renken or me. The conversations have been helpful and have allowed us to nuance our plans to honor all aspects of the Field Day experience. As we continue to plan for the day’s activities and events, we have especially appreciated the feedback of our oldest students. The freedom the day allows for them, as well as their participation in self-selected events, were two elements that they value and are hesitant to forgo. Given the input received, our Field Day schedule on Friday, May 8, will be:

8:30 a.m.
Field Day Liturgy in Rauch Memorial

9:30 a.m.
Parade (led by color guard)

10:00–11:30 a.m.
Mixed grade level team events

11:30–12:15 p.m.
Lunch
Lunch of hot dog, chips and drink will be offered as a fundraiser by the Hospitality Committee. Online orders can be placed April 24 through May 6. Watch for the link in an email at the end of next week.

12:15–12:30 p.m.
Regrouping with homeroom

12:30–2 p.m.
Homeroom events for Classes 1–6
Individual running / field events for Classes 7 and 8

2:00–2:30 p.m.
Shuttle Relay
Classes 1–4 on Barat Field (lower field)
Classes 5–8 on Alumni Field (upper field)

2:30 p.m.
End-of-Day Announcements

My sincerest desire is that the essence of Field Day—celebrating our physical gifts and talents in community—continues to be honored. I anticipate the day with joy and look forward to spending it with our Sacred Heart family.

United in His Heart,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

Dear Academy Families,

“He disappeared from before our eyes, that we might find him in our hearts,” said St. Augustine of our Risen Lord.

May we each meet the Risen Christ in our hearts during these coming holy days. And, having met Him, let us proclaim with JOY and STRENGTH that He is Risen, through the lives we lead and the choices we make.

In union with that same Risen One whom we meet in each other,

Maureen Glavin, rscj        

Dear Academy Parents,

I hope your children are enjoying their Spring Break week! To live a balanced life, it is important to have periods of time when one can catch up on sleep and engage in a more relaxing and restful daily routine. Even St. Madeleine Sophie once said, “As for vacations, I think we should have them.”

Perhaps you, too, without the evening homework routine, can enjoy the week a little (even if you have to work).

May God’s Grace, Goodness and Love continue to fill your lives! See you all around the campus next week,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

P.S. You probably know that our Thursday Mail communication usually highlights student and curricular life prior to any necessary, but less student-centered, Advancement Office information. In this week’s Thursday Mail you will notice that we are highlighting our annual Chemin de Fer dinner auction front and center. Without our beautiful students here this week, it feels like an appropriate moment to do so. We are thrilled with the dinner auction plans that are underway and hope you might find some time this week to catch up with our Chemin news, notices, invitations and information!