Don't Say the A-word

Like many other TK–5 parents at St. Monica Elementary School, Easter has come early. Our children were let out of their tombs and returned to classrooms. The drop-off line has never been more cordial and organized. There's no fighting over jump ropes at recess because everyone has their own. The "Roomies" and the "Zoomies" (those continuing to stay at home) are once again adapting in outstanding ways. My gratitude this weekend goes to the spectacular teachers at St. Monica Schools.

There's a misperception—especially with neighbours like Carlthorpe, Crossroads, New Roads, and Rocky Roads (j/k)—that you get what you pay for. St. Monica is not expensive, and from what I have experienced, especially in the last twelve months, it has been priceless. Just this week, our family re-watched Mrs. Van, last year's long-term substitute in first grade, bid farewell to the class when Mrs. Joyce returned from maternity leave. We were few, but at Mass, this past Wednesday, Mr. Joyce (husband of aforementioned) and Dan O'Brien (former president of the PTC) were up in the loft with their guitars leading music. Where else, I ask you?

Leland's growing into a consciousness that will prevent me from writing about him for much longer. ("I don't want to be the most [in]famous kid in the school, Dad?!?") It's a time when we're mailing acceptance letters to new Mariner first-year students and preparing to welcome adorable mini-Seahawks into Mrs. Stickley's TK world-of-wonder. So we must rejoice and exclaim "A-------a!" to have a community where all of your sacraments and every grade of your college-prep academic career can take place in one five-acre block; as part of one family.

Support our schools by, of course, taking part in S.M.A.S.H., May 5. But more importantly, send students! It is a scarce and shrinking gift to have parish schools—and St. Monica is better than ever.