Principal Update

Dear St. Catherine Families,

I want to begin with another heartfelt thank you for your generous support of our annual Tiger Fund. Your contributions make a profound impact on our students’ education, directly enriching their experiences both in and out of the classroom. The Tiger Fund plays an essential role in our operating budget, allowing us to provide exceptional resources, educational opportunities, and programs that support our students’ growth and success.

It was truly wonderful to see so many of our families, staff and parish community gathered at our Harvest Festival last night! The energy, joy, and spirit of togetherness were a beautiful reminder of the strong, vibrant community we share. Thank you to our amazing Parent Club, parent volunteers, middle school students, and staff members in the dunk tank who gave their time and energy to make this event an absolute success!

As we head into parent-teacher conferences this week, we look forward to meaningful conversations with each of you. Together, as partners in your child’s educational journey, we are committed to fostering an environment that supports each student’s growth and achievement. Thank you once again for your generosity and ongoing partnership!

With gratitude,

Kathy Cox

Principal

I hope many of you were able to attend our first ParentEd speaker opportunity with Jonathan Haidt. Attending Jonathan Haidt's presentation on Anxious Generation provided valuable insights into the challenges facing today's youth and how we, as educators and parents, can respond effectively.

One of the key takeaways for me as a principal is the increasing prevalence of anxiety in young children, and the factors contributing to it, such as the rise of social media, overprotective parenting, and a culture that often avoids discomfort. Haidt emphasized the importance of fostering resilience in children by encouraging healthy risk-taking and problem-solving rather than shielding them from every challenge.

Another important point was the role of community in shaping a child’s mental well-being. Haidt highlighted how schools, families, and communities need to work together to create environments where children feel supported, but also where they can develop coping skills and independence. This resonates with my work at our elementary school, where nurturing a strong sense of belonging is key, but we also must equip students with tools to manage stress and anxiety.

Haidt's discussion on screen time and its link to anxiety was particularly thought-provoking. As a principal, I see how early and excessive exposure to technology can impact not only attention spans but also social interactions. This reinforced my commitment to fostering an environment that promotes face-to-face connections, physical activity, and mindfulness, as well as educating students on setting healthy boundaries with technology.

Overall, the presentation deepened my understanding of the critical role schools play in addressing the anxiety epidemic and how we can proactively support our students’ mental health through balanced challenges, strong community ties, and intentional guidance. I hope you gained some helpful takeaways, as well. (If any of you missed the engagement, you can access the presentation in the second button below in the ParentEd Video Library.)

The Parish Rosary Group recently joined us again to partner with middle school students in leading a collective praying of the rosary with students in grades 3-8. We focused on the Luminous Mysteries. Students prayed together, each with a rosary, as our middle schoolers guided each decade and shared personal reflections on each of the Luminous Mysteries - the baptism of Jesus, the wedding at Cana, proclaiming the Kingdom, the Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist.

• Dr. Alok, Kenojia: Level Up - Winning Strategies for Parents of Gamers - Parent Ed Virtual Talk
• November 7, 12:00-1:00 PM (sign up here Code: STCATHSCH)
• Dr. James Knight: Justice & Belonging Speaker (will be speaking with students @ St. C in grades 4-8 on 11/15)
• November 14th 6:00 PM (St. Catherine - Victoria Hall)
• Delaney Ruston, author, physician and documentary filmmaker of "Screenagers" - Raising Digital Natives: Solutions for Healthy Screen Time Habits
• November 19, 7:00-8:00 PM (sign up here Code: STCATHSCH)
  

This past week, our 7th and 8th grade students went on a three-day outdoor education adventure to Camp Orkila. Thanks to our amazing teachers Ms. Kelly and Mrs. Tremain, and to the many parents who gave of their time to chaperone and drive! Students have many opportunities during this time together to bond, build and exercise their leadership skills, and to take advantage of a range of activities. While all returned with sleepy smiles, it is always evident that learning and friendships outside of the classroom are invaluable!

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority at all times. We’ve recently added an additional security camera to enhance visibility in our Tigers and Cubs preschool play yard, further supporting the safety of our youngest students. I’m also pleased to share that our preschool program just completed its annual state licensing inspection, passing with full compliance in all safety-related standards.

Our school safety committee is currently digitizing a formal inventory of campus emergency preparedness supplies, which were fully updated and refreshed last year. These materials would provide the necessary resources for students and staff for a three day period of time. In addition, it contains supplies in the event of needing to facilitate a family on-site reunification.

Throughout the year, our students participate in regular safety drills, including fire, earthquake, shelter-in-place, and lockdown exercises, all conducted in a developmentally appropriate way. Annually, our local fire department also visits to do a campus fire safety inspection and to observe a drill from start to finish. Their visit in October went seamlessly well and the firefighters commended us on a silent, efficient implementation of our drill. These practices ensure that all students are confident with procedures to keep themselves and those around them safe in an emergency.

In the case of an actual emergency, please remember that you would receive updates through our emergency alert system in Alma as new information unfolds. We are grateful for your partnership in keeping our community safe.

No updates at this time.

St. Catherine of Siena Parish School is a welcoming, Christ-centered community, rooted in the Catholic faith and inspired by Gospel values. As an extension of the parish and with Jesus as our model, we are dedicated to lifelong growth in faith, love, and learning.

We recognize that the care and education of the child begins with the family and that parents are the primary educators of their children. In partnership with parents, we work to promote our students’ achievement and spiritual growth. Together we are committed to developing responsible, ethical leaders who think critically, act justly, communicate effectively, and serve willingly.

We are committed to providing a faith-filled, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment for all our students. Through our rigorous academic programs, our students will gain the cognitive, technological, and social skills necessary to become ethical, innovative leaders who successfully navigate the complex challenges of today’s world.