Falcon News, August 14, 2023

Dear St. Joseph Families,

As we begin the 2023-24 school year, I remind everyone that this is the month where we focus on the virtue of kindness. Please, take time to read the following page with your child. Maybe do so once a week. It is important that our children have a clear understanding of what it means to be kind to others, to live a life of virtue, and to imitate the teachings of Christ. Yes, I realize it is the job of a school to instruct children.

I do want to remind you that it is the job of every parent to take the leadership role in this with their own children. Ask your kids what they are learning. Ask them what they are reading about. Ask them something they heard at Mass that week. Ask them how things are going with classmates. If you ever get a simple answer like, “Yeah, its fine.” or “I’m ok.” You have the right as a parent to pry. Maybe they don’t have much to say. Maybe they’re tired from these long August days. Still, there maybe something else happening. Maybe they’re going through something tough.

Maybe they’re not experiencing virtue from others. It may be that they do not know how to handle a situation. You never know until you speak with your child. Please know that each and every teacher here wishes to support you. Many of us are parents too and know how critical these days are. We must partner together to ensure that virtues such as kindness are lived out everyday. Thank you for your commitment to excellence in such a manner and thank you for allowing us to partner with you on this matter. May God bless our children, the students of SJS, everyday. St. Joseph, pray for us.