The Weekly Update #4

April 13th, 2025

Entering Holy Week with Open Hearts

Dear Parents,

Easter is almost here, and we now enter the sacred days of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday. Our Lenten journey reaches its most solemn and meaningful point, as all of creation prepares to welcome our Risen Savior.

This week, we are called to accompany Jesus on His path to Calvary. Let us stand beside Our Lady of Sorrows, offering her our comfort as she watches her beloved Son suffer and die on the cross for our sins. For over 2,000 years, Christians around the world have participated in a sacred liturgical remembrance of Jesus Christ’s final days on earth—days marked by love, sacrifice, and perfect obedience to the will of the Father.

The joy of Easter is near, but let us not rush past the beauty and depth of Holy Week. Beginning today, I invite you and your family to choose at least one meaningful way to spend time with our Lord and His Blessed Mother each day. Whether through prayer, reflection, or acts of service, let us remain close to Them.

As we enter the Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday—may we continue living out our Lenten commitments with sincerity and devotion. Our students have been blessed by the integration of the Hallow App into their daily prayer life, a practice that we hope will remain a source of spiritual strength throughout their time at St. Mary’s School.

I encourage you to talk with your child about their Lenten journey and their experience with the Hallow App. Ask them to share their experiences and moments of growth. Praying together as a family is not only a beautiful tradition but an essential part of our faith life. May the habits we’ve formed during these forty days continue to draw us closer to our Heavenly Father well beyond the Easter season.

Holy Week reminds us of the profound gifts Christ gave the Church: the priesthood, the sacraments, and especially the Eucharist, instituted at the Last Supper. These sacred gifts strengthen our faith and guide us in our Christian mission to share the love of Christ with our families and all those we encounter.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." – John 3:16

On behalf of Monsignor Bert Diaz and the entire administration, faculty, and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, we wish you and your family a blessed Holy Week and a joyful Easter!

In God’s Peace,
Ana E. Gomez, M.Ed.
Principal

End of Year NWEA Map Achievement Testing

Our students will soon be participating in the NWEA Achievement Testing (End of the Year) as part of our ongoing efforts to assess their academic progress and receive a snap shot of the year's growth this academic year.

The NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) Achievement Testing is an online assessment tool used to measure student growth and academic performance in key areas such as Math, Reading, and Language. These assessments help us to understand each student's strengths and areas where additional support may be needed. The data we gather from these tests plays an important role in shaping our instructional practices and planning to ensure every student reaches their full potential.

The End of the Year (EOY) NWEA testing will take place between April 23rd through April 25th and completed on April 29th. Schedules for students in grades 1st- 6th will be shared by their teachers. The final week of April will be used for any make-up testing. Students will complete the test during their regular class time, with accommodations provided as needed.

While the test is designed to be an accurate measure of each student's progress, there are several ways you can help prepare your child:

Ensure your child gets a good night's sleep before the test.
Encourage a healthy breakfast on the day of testing.
Foster a calm, positive attitude toward the testing process. Reassure them that this is an opportunity to show what they know and to continue growing.
Support your child in reviewing basic skills, but there is no need for extensive studying or cramming for the test.

EOY achievement reports will be shared with parents as in year's past with the IOWA Achievement.

We appreciate your ongoing support in helping us provide a learning environment where your child can thrive. If you have any questions about the NWEA Achievement Testing, the process and results please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher(s) or adminstration.

Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!