As we start the new calendar year and put some of the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind us, this is a great time to slow down, turn off some of the stressful things in our lives, and focus on our faith and our families. One of my favorite ways to be at peace is by immersing myself in the adventure of a good book. With the cold weather and longer nights, it's the perfect time to get cozy and enjoy an engaging story together. To get you started, I've put together a short list of "Recommendations for Family Reading in 2022."
1. Horton Hears a Who - This book combines all the rhyming and silliness Dr. Seuss is known for with a beautiful story about the value of each individual person.
2. The Wind in the Willows - I love the characters in these stories. We witness the friendship of Mole and Rat, the quiet kindness of Badger, and of course, the loud, conceited, but loveable Toad.
3. The Book of Three - Loosely based on Welsh legends, the story follows the adventures of an assistant pig keeper and his friends as they face off against the sinister Horned King.
4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - The story of the Our Lord's sacrifice comes alive in a new way as the Lion, Aslan, lays down his own life for the person who betrayed him.
5. The Lord of the Rings - The hobbit, Frodo, journeys to Mordor to destroy the ring of power. If you liked the movies, the books are even better.
As a bonus, if you're looking for some spiritual reading, take a look at The Story of a Soul, the autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux.
I'll leave you with one final thought about peace from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians, "And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Remarkably, it's already that time of year to be talking about re-enrollment and registration. Our 8th grade students are meeting to go over high school courses. For current families enrolled in 3K-8, you will be receiving a registration packet in early February. Registration and Tuition contracts will be due March 4th, 2022. As we look ahead to next year, I think it's also an opportunity for us to look back at all the blessings of this past semester. To me, one of the greatest blessings has been the opportunity to continue with in-person education. We are all grateful to be back to a routine. I appreciate that the teachers are able to instruct without the limitations of virtual learning. The kids, of course, are most thrilled to be back in the same classroom with their friends, even if they may sit a little apart. We are also blessed that thanks to the dedication and caution of our parents, COVID-19 has had a small impact on our school community. As I recall the blessings of this school year, it reminded me of the Scripture passage, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). Please know how grateful I am for each one of you and the gift that you are to our school community.
Blessings,
Mrs. Longden
