Life of the President of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School

The White House and Catholic Schools

2012-02-05T13:12:00.005-05:00

Two weeks ago I got an invitation to the White House. Of course, I was surprised and wondered what was happening to generate such an impressive social event on my calendar generally clogged with appointments with parents and alums of our school. I quickly found out that the event to which I was invited was a preliminary to Catholic Schools Week and featured a panel of Catholic School leaders who had been selected because they were perceived to be "champions of change." Honored to be included in such an illustrious group, I accepted. There followed a flurry of security checks and map questing. The day finally arrived, I found the location, made it through security, and found myself among a group of about 200 educators from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. who had been invited to hear the panel.
The panel members were diverse: a senior student highy involved with service, a Jesuit priest who helped create the Critso Rey model of secondary schools for low income students, a superintendent of an urban school district, and a principal who had developed various initiatives to increase the success rate for her multi-cultural students among a few others. Each panel member had looked at challenges with creativity and shifted the status quo. Each had taken a risk, initiated some changes in how things usually were handled, and each had succeeded.
The uniting factor that I found the most interesting and important was that every single panel member had remained true to his/her mission despite the changing strategies that were employed. In every case, success was measured by an improvement in meeting the needs of students. Whether the strategy increased the probability of a student being able to enroll in a Catholic school or increased the probaility of success while they attended, the focus remained on the child....just where it should be!
During our celebration of Catholic School Week, we often look at programs, our traditions and our history of sharing our faith, excellence in academics, and the response through service to our community. In recent years, as schools struggle with economic recession, pressure from local public school systems to focus only on testing data, and the turmoil within the Church itself, there is a temptation to lose oneself in the day to day need to survive. This year as we celebrate Catholic Schools we celebrate all the "champions of change" who recognize that, at the heart of our schools, are tenets which will never change--the value of every child and the belief that he/she can succeed in both school and life, the necessity to share an old faith with a new generation who are then inspired to serve and lead with integrity and hope, and a commitment to prepare our young people to develop a work ethic that will enable them to work toward standards of excellence in all that they do.
My trip to the White House was inspiring not because of the location but because it is always inspiring to become aware of good people doing great things for children for all the right reasons! During Catholic Schools Week, I hope you are inpsired by someone like that--our schools are filled with "champions of change" who remain committed to children, our faith, and the future.

Finding Balancing--The Continuing Challenge!

2012-01-05T08:35:00.006-05:00

Now that the frenzy and flurry of Christmas is settling down a bit, I can safely say that one of the discoveries of the season for me, is that as much as things change, they really don't! I was reminded of this on New Year's Eve when I was searching for a notebook in which I was planning to write my resolutions. It is the same notebook I use each year for this activity and when it was finally located, I was rather proud of myself...until I opened it! My unique resolution method is to define a project---above and beyond the day to day activities I always complete--for each month. There are always twelve initiatives that I plan to do during the year that often have to do with the long term goals I have. Some of them remain from year to year--lose weight, be healthier, pray more often. Others have to do with my use of time--read at least twelve books, clean out the upstairs closets, play the piano on a regular basis. This year when I opened the book and saw last year's list, I was disappointed to see that I had not accomplished a single long term initiative from last year. Since all were worthy goals that I would still like to accomplish, I changed the date on the top of the page and returned to my television to watch the ball drop to signal the beginning of 2012.
The more I thought about this situation, though, the more I realized it was all about finding balance in life between the nitty-gritty pace of everyday and the bigger goals we all would like to accomplish. For me, the day to day, took over last year and the bigger issues were neglected. I began to defend myself in my own mind--It is so busy each day, most of the tasks that I do are important, etc. The bottom line is that if we do not keep one eye and at least some energy on those bigger issues, we will miss the mark of reaching for (and maybe even accomplishing) some of the high impact, global goals that we value.
I think that the same is true of life and goals at school. The language may be different as we discuss strategic planning and curriculum initiatives as opposed to resolutions, but the outcome is the same. If we do not find ways to incorporate steps toward those bigger, long term initiatives into the work that we do each day, we will miss many opportunities.
Here is one example---At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the faculty and staff often discuss how to use the technology tools of today to support learning for students. We see even the youngest of our children playing Angry Birds on their parents' I-phones as they wait in restaurants or in grocery lines. Surely, technology is embedded already in these little lives! The question that remains, however, is what is the best way to incorporate new technology into the curriculum so that we can get beyond the bells and whistles to real learning? Doing our homework so that we are sure our school facilities and infrastructure can support the hardware is an important first step. Focusing on where and when to use the technology in the curriculum is a next step--Where can we get the biggest bang for the big bucks that new technology costs? Finally, are we sure that our teachers have the professional development to use the tools effectively?
I am tremendously excited about how we responded to these challenges at our school! This month we are launching a tablet pilot program at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. With the help of a partnership with Verizon, we have updated our infra-stucture, purchased a classroom set of Droid tablets, and trained the teachers at all levels in our science department to use them. The applications for the tablets are tremendous--everything from the virtual dissection of frogs to an astronomy application which is literally out of this world! During the next semester, our students across the grades will have the opportunity to use the tablets for something much greater than games. They will be able to stretch their learning and their imaginations with the assistance of new technology and under the guidance of trained faculty. I cannot wait to observe the learning that takes place.
My point, going back to balancing, is that the global initiatives--the educational dreams--we have must be integrated into the small steps of every day so that these bigger goals can be accomplished. Putting our educational resolutions on hold until we "get to them" after our day to day issues are complete, will not work. We will be left looking at our list of dreams without any accomplished as I did on New Year's Eve. Balancing the day to day with the dreams we have for tomorrow must be at the top or all of our resolutions lists!
So, at school, we will begin with the tablet pilot program which will grow to include teaching our children in new and wonderful ways. As time passes, there will be more tablets, more students using them, and applications which will dazzle and delight. At home, there will be more reading and piano playing so that next year, I can generate a truly new list of dreams to accomplish! Good luck keeping your resolutions and working toward your dreams,too! May we learn to balance all the goals we have--big and small!

Glimpses of Joy!

2011-12-15T15:09:00.006-05:00

Today I experienced some glimpses of what "joy" looks like. I attended two Christmas Concerts at our school. One of them was for the Upper School students--grades 6-12. The second was for the Lower School students--grades K-5. As you can imagine, there were singing groups and soloists of all ages. There were five year olds with jingle bells and some older more accomlished musicians playing in our newly created instrumental groups which include strings. Some of the faculty participated as well. The music teachers shared their flute and piano talents and wonderful role modeling was evident in the cello solo played beautifully by the high school chemistry teacher. The lesson, of course, is that music touches a deep core within all of us--no matter what our other talents and interests.
I think that there must be something that is an innate part of the human design that causes us to love music. Perhaps it has something to do with the inadequacy of words to capture our feelings. Music can convey love, anger,desire and every imaginable emotion. Today it conveyed the happiness of children--ten days away from Christmas! It also showed that sharing our gifts is appreciated despite our age. In our school, which encompasses all levels of childhood, it is affirming to see the younger children look up to the teenagers for good reasons. It is touching to see the teens root for the little ones and encourage the most timid of five year old efforts. It is reassuring to see middle schoolers, generally so focused on themselves, emulate the older students and try to assist the little ones.
From a broader educational perspective, I was so gladdened to see how many of our youngsters took part in the program. We have just this year resurrected our insturmental music program and I was so happy to hear the sound of progress as they played. In an era which is so focused on technology, it is increasingly important to emphaisze the aesthetic. Children need to recognize that which is beautiful just as much as they need to learn how to do research on the web. Music touches the heart and I am so pleased that, despite the challenges of our economy, we have been able to provide an expanded Fine Arts Program for our students.
This growth is, in no small part, championed by our faculty. Dr. Jeff Bunn, our Fine Arts Chair who has dual degrees in music and business, is equally comfortable playing the piano as he is playing the Stock Market! Margaret Mackie and Lauren Elfring bring out the best in our visual artists and the addition of Liz Young, the instrumental teacher, creates a cadre of professionals who are dedicated to children and their craft. I could not be more pleased with their ability to light the creative fires that are sometimes hidden within our children!
So, as I listened to the singng and playing today, I also watched. "Joy" looks like a seven year old playing the violin, a nervous fouteen year old performing a solo without a missed note, and a junior trumpet player who carried a fledling ensemble group through its first public perfromance. Joy, looked to me--as it often does--like Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School!

Once Upon a Time...and Yet Again!

2011-11-28T21:06:00.005-05:00

Last Saturday night I entered a time warp of sorts! I (after being inpired by the Carmel Class of 1971)decided to attend my 45 th high school reunion! The last one I attended was about 20 years ago and, at that time, it seemed as though too much time had passed. In the years that followed, life happened--My husband passed away, my children grew up and married, and grandchildren arrived. My job became increasingly demanding. When those invitations to reunions came, it seemed too difficult to drive three hours back to my hometown to re-connect...and of course there were those extra pounds and wrinkles that had not been shed in time.
This past September, though, I was privileged enough to attend the Carmel Class of 1971 reunion. Folks came from many states away and resumed friendships from years gone by--The reunion room was filled with laughter and stories. I was inspired by this gathering and got up the gumption to attend my own reunion. I am so glad that I did!
I grew up in rural Pennsylvania in a more peaceful time. Our community was made up of farmers and small business owners--all hard workers. Many of the parents including mine had not finished high school let alone gone to college. They were the generation of both Depression and war and had learned from "the college of hard knocks"--to quote my Dad. A diligent work ethic was passed from them to us and doing one's best was the norm and expected. We were also expected to do better, reach higher, and achieve more than our parents had been able to do. I realized at the reunion that we had done just that. There were doctors, psychologists, and teachers. There were business owners, authors, and accountants. Though the converstaions often turned to retirement and grandchildren, it was clear that my classmates had led full, busy, and productive lives...and they were still going for more!
There was something in those conversations that evening that kept reminding me of Carmel and it has taken me several days to figure out the common thread. Perhaps love is too strong a word (maybe not) in describing the care that we had one for the other. Even all those years later after way had led to way, there was affection and laughter, and empathy. I think that it was these bonds that allowed us to move on to the adult lives we led. It is these qualities that I beleive we continue to instill in our young people so that they can do the same.
When you think about it, these were the same virtues that our parents shared with us. They are the values that are held dear in families everywhere. Schools, though institutions of learning, are havens for growing too. If that haven allows tentative young people to feel safe, try that which challenges them, accepts them whether they succeed or not, and inspires them to reach higher,then the school becomes "family" in the best sense of the word.
I have spent most of my life in schools like that and understand that I have been blessed many times over. We are challenged to create school communities that continue to invite us back--even decades later--to revel in the family of our school community. We are challenged to be sure that what is remembered is worth coming back! So, Class of 1966--I think we lived up to our parents dreams for us. Now it is up to us to be sure that those dreams are possible for our grandchildren too!

It's a Sign---REALLY!

2011-11-01T21:35:00.004-04:00

Don't you love it when a plan comes together? Isn't it great when the "good guys" win and virtue is rewarded? I am still a sixties girl at heart with some leftover, world changing idealism that comes to the surface from time to time. Every once in a while something whets my imagination and brings back that "We can overcome and do anything" feeling. This wave of inspiration came once again last week from the installation of a sign. I am not talking about any sign. I am talking about an electronic sign that has been installed at the end of our driveway near the soccer field. Each time I drive past it and see it's red letters blinking and the messages rotating, I think of how that sign came to be. So, it is not really the sign that has given rise to my nostalgia and my sense that "good' will triumph, it is a story...a Mt. Carmel story.
For many years it has been the job of the members of the National Honor Society to change the letters on the sign at the end of the drive. The sign, installed in the mid-eighties, had movable letters in a plexiglass case. Over the years, the door to the message board (which opened up and out) had broken. There was a high possibility that when changing the sign, one could get bopped on the head or need to fight with the wind and rain to hold the sign up during the letter changing process. Overall, the signage job was less than glamorous. Last year, the two leaders of the Honor Society (also the two who got the signage job most frequently) came to me and asked if we could get a new sign--a modern sign. I looked at their eager faces and then at our check book and told them "No!" "Signs cost $17,000," I told them, "and there is no money budgeted." They looked back at me,and asked if they could earn it. I said they could try and the story continued.
The National Honor Society leaders whipped up the enthusiasm of the students and they raffled, fundraised, and begged the money for their sign. We ordered it in June and it finally arrived last week. The final act of generosity to make our sign funtional was that of a young family. They read about the sign project at Church, realized we didn't have quite enough money and volunteered to help with the installation. Though the dad worked for a rival sign company, this kind family made the installation happen saving us the last dollars we were short and allowing the task to get done. So, the end of the story may seem to be that the sign has been installed and is working. Though that is quite an accomplishment and a good story, that is not the REAL story. The real story is about persistence and hope. It is that story that is the sign I was looking for last week and it is the one that inspires.
The REAL sign for me is that people, especially kids, can get behind a cause and make change happen. If we believe in our goal and are willing to work hard, the mountainous tasks before us can be conquered. Who would have thought that two seniors could rally a community? Who would have thought that someone with the exact skills needed would read an announcement at the back of Church? Who would have thought that in this age of pessimism and doubt, people would rally in support? I think we all need a sign now and then to remind us that anyting worth while takes work and that good is not always accomplished easily or quickly. Congratulations Ally and Robbie--The sign is blinking away! Thank you Salyers family for your generous help! Three cheers that hope exists in the world--We have the sign to prove it!

Volunteerism at Its Best!

2011-10-25T09:42:00.003-04:00

A few weekends ago I witnessed a miracle of sorts! The Fall Festival, which is months in the planning stages, happened with a convergence of perfect weather, hundreds of volunteers, and the good spirit of an entire community. In this age of "all for me" and "I am out for myself", the good spirit of that weekend renewed my faith in the power of people to do good for a cause in which they believe.
Our Fall Festival which has happened on the first full weekend of October since the mid-sixties has a dual purpose. First of all, it creates tremendous spirit in the community of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Every group in the school and parish sponsors multiple booths of games or food. Rides are rented from a local amusement firm and the parking lot is transformed into a fair. The Festival is a full weekend of events and volunteers take shifts to man the booths. Over the course of the weekend hundreds of people participate. There are games for young children where everyone is a winner everytime. There are games of chance for lucky adults and there is food in abundance. The pit beef is to die for and there is nothing better than fried dough with powdered sugar covering nose to chin once a bite is taken. Friday evening has been dubbed Alumni Night and this year we renewed our relationship with more than two hundred graduates of our school. They came with stories of jobs and opportunities,introduced us to new spouses and children and reminisced about their days on campus. The value of this Fall ritual is priceless and everyone who particpates feels the energy and excitement that I like to call "Carmel Spirit."
The second purpose of the Festival is that it generates funds to support our school. The Carmel community understands that education is everyone's repsonsibility and people young and old work together to make the event a success. This year, though final tallies are not available, the Festival will generate money that supports students, upgrades technology and helps us maintain our beautiful but aging buildings. There are some families--the Brotzmans, the Satterfields,the Bonners, the Webers, the Cummins who give above and beyond for the success of this venture. There are many who do their share and more. For all of these generous folks I am grateful. We surely can put the funds they generate to good use! We can also look to them as examples of volunteerism at its best--Young people can benefit from the example of these volunteers who give both their time and their treasure for something in which they believe--the community of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

1971--It Was a Very Good Year!

2011-10-12T09:28:00.004-04:00

Two weekends ago I had the opportunity to attend the fortieth class reunion of the Class of 1971. It was a delightful event in so many ways! First of all, this group that graduated 51 strong, had never had a class reunion. Secondly, as they gathered, it was clear from their shrieks and shouts that they each had maintained a fondness for each other and still felt a connection to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. They shared many common memories of those formative years and stories abounded of the "senior cut day" that lasted only fifteen minutes, basketball, cheerleading and the selection of the cougar for the school mascot.(It sounded like the squirrel was in the running and I am certain that classes that followed were grateful for the choice of the mighty cougar!)Finally, the evening reminded me of the richness that every class brings to the ongoing story of our school and the value that alumni play in our future.
Members of the Class of 1971,diminished by the passing of six classmates, met in almost full attendance for an evening of good conversation, catching up, and sharing memories. Though several members of the class had remained in the Baltimore area, many came from afar for the reunion. Some arrived from Florida, Texas, and Virginia while some came from points north. The theme for their senior year was "Becoming" and many conversations of the evening centered on what they, in fact, became. The accomplishments of their adult lives were shared. Photos of children and grandchildren were passed from one to another. One class member did a great job of creating a booklet with recent biographical information that focused on "What We Became." What I saw that evening was a group of men and women who had shared their growing up years. In retrospect, they appeciated the caring teachers they had, and treasured the experiences in sports, plays, and in leadership roles that helped create the confident adults they became. Though many years passed, there was a bond that remained. As one classmate remarked,"We may not have done a great job of connecting over the years, but we were a class that got along and truly loved one another."
After I met the friendly and energetic members of the Clas of 1971 I began thinking of the dynamic that happens to all classes in a school. Each class is composed of diverse and unique individuals who achieve, accomplish, and succeed based on their own talents, determination, and gifts. Those individuals, however, form a class whose members bond. The class takes on a personality of its own! Some classes are known for their academic excellence, some for athletic prowess, and some for their sense of compassion and service. Each class contributes to the ongoing history and story of the school. Each class takes into itself what I like to call the "Carmel Spirit."
The Carmel Spirit includes the values that center on some foundational tenets. They include cherishing and building a sense of family in the school community, achieving academic excellence according to one's gifts, developing a willingness to serve others, and integrating faith into every aspect of life. This spirit is one which I hope all Carmel students "catch" and then create as they move forward in life. I could feel those qualities the other evening from the members of the Class of 1971 as I have from the classes with whom I have worked over the years.
It is my great hope that as young people graduate, reach adulthood and are able to reflect back on their Carmel experience with the wisdom of years, they appreciate what they learned. I also hope that they support the current efforts of the school to share the Carmel Spirit with a new generation of young people.
So, it was wonderful to meet the Class of 1971! Leonita and Margaret as well as others did a wonderful job of finding classmates, inviting, cajoling, and remembering. It was a special evening for all who attended including me! I know that the Carmel Spirit is thriving among the members of this class and I could tell--even forty years later--that 1971 was truly a very good year!

The Power of Prayer

2011-10-01T09:57:00.005-04:00

I was talking to our Athletic Director recently and he described some of the events of the past week as "surreal." In one sense he was correct, but in another it was a week that --as always-included the humorous, the happy, the generous, and the sombering. When you are surrounded with many students each day, each with their own ups and downs, there is always the possibility of drama both real and created! Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, serving as a "home away from home" to more than six hundred students is just like that.
Last weekend we celebrated Homecoming at our school, a weekend full of pep rallies and athletic games which generate both school spirit and excitement. Last Friday began with an out of uniform day and all the students could wear school colors or their school sports jersey. At the pep rallies, one for the Lower School (k-5) and one for the Upper School (6-12) there was a sea of blue and gold and LOTS of noise! Cheerleaders led a competition yelling match , grade against grade. This long standing tradition is great fun and it allows kids to really get into the excitement of the day as they chant at the top of their lungs, "Spirit, spirit, we got spirit! How about you!" In addition to the shouting, all the members of the sports teams are introduced and there are some fun games with volunteers from each class. Both of the pep rallies were great events and the little ones especially were quite impressed by the chance to cheer for their older classmates. Being a Cougar fan starts at a young age and lasts forever!
That evening included a "dress up" dance for the high school age students which was sponsored by the Student Government. Seeing the girls with their new outfits, fancy hair and high heeled shoes and the guys with shirts, ties, and adult attitudes gave a glimpse of the young adults they are and the grown-ups they will become. They had a great time with dance competitions, great food (graciously prepared by several of our dedicated teachers--nothing is too much for the kids!) and lots of time with friends. Perhaps the most impressive part of the night for me, was the willingness of all the student leaders to set up the dance, clean up the debris at the end, and cheerfully cooperate with one another so that everyone including the teachers could look back at the evening and smile. This was a great example of leadership in the making. Big jobs, little jobs, glamorous jobs and not so glamourous jobs were all done with enthusiasm and good spirit.
Though the weather interfered with game plans, volleyball and men's and women's soccer games were all finally played between the raindrops during the next day. Though scores were mixed each team fought hard, played with spirit and good sportsmanship, and had fun.
Our football team played on Saturday evening and this is when the real drama began. As the first quarter started, our team showed some gusto and skill and played well. Since this is only our second season, folks were pleased that the Homecoming game had the possibilty of a winning outcome. But, in the second quarter, a sombering event happened and everyone was snapped into a different reality. Our quaterback, Kory Puller, was hit and at the end of the play did not get up. Josh Lamont, our Athletic Trainer, was quick to respond and verified that the injury was serious. Time passed and paramedics and eventually the Shock Trauma helicopter arrived. Kory was flown out and the prayers began.
The bottom line is that,after a very frightening several days and many assesments, Kory is recovereing and the great hope is that he will be 100% before too long. The secondary, but also important lesson in this story, revolves around the way that the community responded to the scare. After Kory left the game, the team, though certainly shaken and worried, decided to finish the game. They finished it by playing hard but not getting any fouls called and playing with skill and sportsmanship. They should be proud of themselves for stepping it up and I hope they know that I am proud of their ability to contain any negative reactions and channel their energy into good, fair, clean play.
The other students and teachers spent the weekend texting news about Kory and praying for him. A petition was prayed for him at every Mass that weekend at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Every student in every class prayed for his recovery throughout the next week. Cards were made and signed and sent. Kory was on our mind and in our heart. He did get out of the hospital and late in the week, I got word that he was in the gym. Of course I went down to see him but was caught up short. There he was still dealing with the headaches caused by his concussion, in a neck brace, a back brace, and in a wheel chair. The sight of this young, basically healthy, happy athlete, so compromised did more than give me pause.
These are my thoughts--How great in a Catholic school and community is it that we could all support Kory through our prayers? How powerful are those prayers as they carry our hopes and dreams to a God who makes all things possible! How grateful are we that this great young man is on the mend! How wonderful is it to see him, despite his obvious pain and discomfort, cheering for his classmates! Being a Cougar is more than playing games and cheering at pep rallies. It is being part of a community where people truly care about each other and love each other especially when things are tough. It is a faith community where we all believe in the power of prayer.
Now that the worst of that frightening event is over,we all should add a petition of thanksgiving to our prayers. We thank God for Kory's recovery and for our community. We should never take health, friendship, nor faith for granted nor forget our vulnerability. Our prayer should always include, "Thank you God!!!"

Turn Around and You Have Grown....

2011-09-20T08:57:00.006-04:00

Last week I had an opportunity to take a good look at the end results of some of the work we have done at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with young people. I had a chance to attend our Athletic Association's Opening Day ceremonies for both the clinic (under six) group and, a few days later, the older students. As some of you may know Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is known as "soccer country" and children begin to learn the game almost as soon as they can walk! The Athletic Association is an organization of our parish which gives kids a chance to learn the game and play in age groups against teams from other parishes all over the Archdiocese. The group is energized by the volunteer efforts of hundreds of parents and others in the community who give untold hours of time coaching, selling consessions and cheering for these little athletes.
Last week I attended the Clinic Opening Ceremonies so that I could see my grandson, who is five, begin his season. I must say that the concept of soccer is still a little foreign to him--"Why won't that orange team share with us?" " Where do I run to score a goal?" "Why can't we run past the cones?" he asks. These questions come up on a regular basis as we try to explain the differences between sharing vs. competing and rules vs. free play! The process of learning how to play on a team is a long one and we are just beginning.
While at the game last week, one of my jobs was to keep an eye on my other grandson, who is fourteen months old, so that his mom could help coach. I spent lots of time on the playground making sure that mulch was not eaten and on the field making sure that no one toddled into the field of play! In the midst of this wonderful but exhausting activity, I looked up and saw the bleachers full of parents, grandparents and friends. That is when the song "Turn Around" flew into my head and I began to think about accomplishments.
Rarely does a person talk about Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School or parish without using the word "family" within the first three sentences uttered. We are a community that values family. We are a community whose members treat one another as family. And, we are a community which instills that value in our young people. That value results in spending time with one another, respecting one another, supporting one another's interests, and affirming the contribution we each can make to better our individual families and the Mt. Carmel family. When I looked over at the bleachers last week, I was thrilled to see so many of our former students with their young children. They were cheering for them, coaching them, and teaching them. Right next to those young parents, stood the grandparents--those parents with whom I worked years before when their children (now the parents) were young.
Two notions crossed my mind at that moment. I was so proud of those young parents for choosing to be involved with their children in our community. I could see the love they had for those little ones and sense the sacrifices they are willing to make for them. I recognized that these parents were already setting an example of leadership and service for their children as they supported the soccer program. These are some of the values we taught them so many years ago in our school and in our parish. Faith and family go together and form the foundation for everything else. Service and leadership are the concrete ways we express our faith. I was so happy to see these grown-up former students and so proud of the parents they had become.
My second thought was more nostalgic. How could time have passed so quickly? How could these kids I knew have children of their own? That moment was a reminder to value all the minutes we have with our chldren. The words of that old ballad ring true--"Turn around and they are tiny, Turn 'round and they're grown, Turn round and they're young wives with babes of their own..." It is truly a gift to be able to see the wonderful parents my former students have become! I wonder how they got so old and I didn't??? Did I???

Opportunity Knocks and New Voices Resound

2011-09-07T14:30:00.005-04:00

One of the positive aspects of my new job as President of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School is that I have the responsbility to share the great news about our school with others. Most of the time, I feel that I am "preaching to the choir" so to speak, because my listeners are often members of the Mt. Carmel community. I talk to parents, faculty, and students and often they already know the stories I am sharing. So, I was elated when Anna Renault, one of our Board members, invited me to be a guest on her blogtalk radio show. The topics included the benefits of Catholic education and, more specifically, the benefits of a Mt. Carmel education. I was in my glory!
Yesterday was the day that the live show aired. (Listeners can hear the show repeated at www.blogtalkradio.com/anna-renault/2011/09/06/kathysipes-)My excitement turned to nervousness when I discovered that the show was two hours long. All who know me would agree that I have the "gift of gab" but two empty hours looked fairly daunting as we prepared to begin! I should have realized that talking about all the programs available at our school and our great students could be a VERY long converstation! I also took some support help! Kevin McDonough and Kory Puller, our Student Government Co-Presidents, joined me for the on-air interview. Kory and Kevin added comments and personal anecdotes that were not only accurate and interesting but also affirmed all that we were highlighting about our school.
The two hours flew along as we talked about our goals for the students, the 95% who attend college each year, the college classes they can take before they graduate, the tremendous amount of service they do at every grade level,and the great faculty and staff that enable them to achieve success. Anna Renault was adept as she led us from topic to topic and emphasized many of the ideas we were sharing with personal anecdotes of her own.
Anna is an example of a "Mt. Carmel lifer!" Anna's mother taught in the elementary school. Anna and her siblings attended the elementary school and the high school, and she is now a member of the parish as well as a recent appointee to the School Board. She writes for the local newspaper and is a published author of an autobiographical book called Anna's Journey,which chronicles her life and faith journey as she battled several bouts of cancer. Anna credits Catholic education with her excellent writing skills. She also exhibits, without even realizing it, a true spirit of generosity,endurance,and commitment. I would like to think that some of those great qualities were nurtured at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel as well. We were so grateful that Anna invited us to share our Mt. Carmel story on her show yesterday. The opportunity she provided allowed us to tell a broader audience about the education available at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel--We serve children from six weeks old through Pre-School at The Caring Place Childcare Center. We serve elementary aged children from kindergarten through grade five in our Lower School and students grade six through twelve in our Upper School! Anna surely gave us the megaphone, and I think that Kevin, Kory, and I became the "voice!"
So, yesterday was a learning day for me! I discovered two important things: First, generous people, like Anna, provide opportunities when we least expect them. Secondly, I learned that when you have a great story to tell, filling up two hours is easy! I hope that you take time to listen to at least some of what we had to share! (www.blogtalkradio.com/anna-renault/2011/09/06/kathysipes-)

Seeing the Big Picture as We Begin--Again!

2011-08-31T13:34:00.005-04:00

It has been a very long time since I wrote anything new in this blog but that doesn't mean that there hasn't been a great deal about which to write! Actually, so much has happened that I can truly say that the world has changed--at least mine has! Since I last wrote, our school community has dealt with the illness of some key faculty members, a restructuring of our school, a new adminsitrative model, eathquakes, tornados, and hurricanes!(Many of those things happened within the last several weeks!) So, I am sorry about my long absence, but I do think I have some stories to tell and my new appointment as President of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School (Pre-K through 12 including The Caring Place Child Care Center with little babies,too)gives me a perspective which will make those stories far-reaching and informative. I also hope that I can share some of the stories that touch my heart and allow you to get a glimpse of the special community we have at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. That brings me to today...
I have no doubt that our community is special because of the wonderful children and families that we serve. Today was the first day of school. It was delayed because of the recent hurricane which means all our efforts at gradual entry and easing into new routines was for naught. Today had the potential to be a "grumpy" day with folks disgruntled because of the obvious confusion that comes from plans gone amuck. I was so pleased to note that parents were happy and polite as they dropped off students in the midst of new traffic patterns. Children were excited to see their friends and make new friends. Teachers pitched in to make sure everyone was safe and in the right place! All this good spirit, I think, stems from our mutual goal of having a positve, faith-filled learning year for our students. That sometimes means we have to "get over" the little changes of routine to appreciate the big picture.
I have been described as a "big picture" person and that is where I am comfortable landing. Seeing the many gifts and talents of faculty is so much more important than checking off duty rosters. Seeing the goodness and potential in every student is a truer picture than focusing on their attitude of the moment. Understanding the mission of our school--to enable students to become all that God intended them to be--is more significant than focusing on unpulled weeds in the garden or new traffic patterns!
So, as I write to you, I will be the one who notices all the little things about life at our school but who also reminds you of the big picture. In the largest sense, we work to build a future where our children's lives are better than our own. It should be a world where they understand that part of their responsibility is to make that world a better place for everyone! Such lofty goals are worth all the effort, cooperation, and good spirit we can muster.
After one day done, I think we are off to a great year! We will continue to build a foundation of faith, scholarhship, and service for each of our students just as we have in the past. I invite you to read this blog and join me to hear about all the great things that will be!!!

Life Lessons in the Library

2010-10-04T20:17:00.010-04:00

Did you ever walk into a convenience store and notice a sign that said, "No more than four teens allowed at a time" or something to that effect? Did that sign make you wonder exactly what had prompted the comment? Could it be the over-exhuberance of teens? Could it be fear of being overpowered by teens? Could it be the threat of theft or vandalism? I am not sure but I, for one, find signs like that not only insulting and disrespectful to our young people but also absolutely WRONG!!!!
I want to tell you a brief tale about four teens that I have come to know very well. Their story more than counters the slurs inherent in the sign I described. Their behavior, which is consistent and positive, more than balances any negatives created by their peers. Emily, Ally, Robbie, and Kelly are four Mt. Carmel seniors who elected to take an internship class called "Career and Leadership Development." For this class they have had to read, analyze,and discuss some materials on leadership, group dynamics, and organization. They are also required to create a project that puts this new knowledge and the inherent skills of managing people into action. What a grand job they have done!
All of these interns had been part of the great re-structuring project of last summer when they helped merge our elementary and high school libraries into one newly renovated learning space. Within this new learning space there is a children's room filled with what the interns refer to as "little kid books." The project was to provide a library experience, designed by the interns, for our kindergarten through second graders which would enable the little ones to visit the library, promote reading by sharing books, understand literature through activiites and discussion,and internalize the message of the book shared on that visit.
The interns started planning early in the year. Books (some favorites from years gone by) were selected. Activities were planned. A system for checking out books was devised. A calendar was created and invitations to the "little kids" were sent. Last week the first visits began.
Last Monday twenty kindergarten students marched in,took their places on a brightly colored carpet, and gazed in awe at Kelly, the very grown up "teacher" who read a story about the importance of sharing in families. Later in the week, Emily shared a story with first graders and noticed a little girl reading her newly checked out book--oblivious to everything and everyone around her. Emily, still a voracious reader, commmented that she had been a little girl "just like that" who loved books of every kind. Emily's story was about a man who loved a brightly colored coat which turned into a vest and then a scarf and then a button. She led a discussion about how we can hold on to those things that we love even when they change or look different. Of course,after that, there was much sharing about blankets and stuffed toys that had been battered by too many hugs! A day or so later Ally shared the story about a lady who swallowed a fly, a bird, a cow and a horse--Oh, my! Second graders made a collage and sang along with a youtube cartoon projected on a giant screen. Reading and technology was a grand combination! Today Robbie filled a rainy hour for first graders who learned a few word games a ended up designing a fanciful car for Ameilia Bedelia.
You probably think that I shared this project because of the excellent planning that went into it. True. You problably think that I am very proud of Emily, Ally, Kelly, and Robbie. True. You probably think that I am glad that all those little kids have books to take home and share. Also, true. Though all these statements are true, they are not the reasons I shared the project.
I shared the project because it reveals an important message about kids--the real lesson of this tale. If kids are given a chance to be leaders and provided with the skills necessary to successfully lead, they will rise to the occasion. If kids are given something valuable to do, they will do that task with respect and even love. If older kids are set up as role models for little ones, they will shine. As I watched my interns work on and implement their projects, I was touched by the energy they put into them, the care they took to accomplish their goals, and the sense of accomplishment they felt when the little ones enjoyed their lessons. I could glimpse the grown-ups they will be in just a few years--sensitive, knwledgeable, caring, generous. Though the interns shared valuable lessons, I think they learned some valuable lessons as well. "Don't eat flies, birds, cows or horses" must be near the top of the list but "Put your heart into what you do" has to be up there as well!

The Secret That All Good Teachers Know!

2010-09-25T09:26:00.004-04:00

I know that you have probably heard the old adage about "starting out running." This school year at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has started out racing, running, sprinting--or whatever the fastest motion word you can think of would be! Not only have I not had a moment to write a blog entry in a month, I feel as though I have hardly had time to take a breath or get any sleep. "Goodness!" you might ask, "What could be going on over on that campus?" Let me share just a little bit...
This year we restructured our school from two separate schools (one Pre-K through 8 and one 9-12) with a shared mission to one Pre-K through 12 school. Now, that may not sound like a big deal BUT just ask MSDE! Paperwork has been flying most of the summer and School Boards, parent groups, committees, and schedules have had to be changed. I believe that all this has been for the best and I sense that the enthusiasm on campus is more intense and positive than it has been in a long time. Bottom line, students at all levels are getting more attention and a stronger program than was possible before. That, of course, is a good thing!
Next, there is what I am calling "the technology issue." This year we were able to upgrade our entire infra-structure and add a great deal of state of the art equipment for our classrooms. We replaced old servers and added an additional T-1 line. We upgraded PC's in two computer labs, added several Smartboards, and purchased some VERY cool bundles which allow a combined tablet and document reader to transform a regular screen into an interactive board. Sounds grand, doesn't it? It really, really is BUT our wonderful Technology Director, Diana Fitzpatrick, had to have extensive back surgery. Guess when? It was a week before all the new equipment arrived. Close your eyes and imagine it!!!I am happy to say that mostly due to her great directions and generous spitit, we are finally almost fully functional but, oh, what a journey into cyberspace it has been!
And, then there is the new web site which will be magnificent once it is launched. The creators of the site at VIM Interactive call it a "monster" because of the huge amount of information it contains. Weeks of work for administrators and Tom Rose, our Development Director, MUST be completed by this week. Wait until you see this beautiful monster of ours! It is worth the wait and the work, but it has been work none the less.
And then, of course, there is the most important matter of getting students scheduled and into classrooms and the setting up of those classrooms and back to school meetings and parent conferences. All of ultimate importance in the educational cycle.
And then, of course, there is the beginning of althletic seasons, games galore, and this weekend (already) Homecoming. All of ultimate importance to kids, parents, and for the creation of great school spirit.
And finally, to the important secret that all great teachers know. Life in a school will always be hectic and overwhelming and too busy. The secret is that despite EVRYTHING else that is going on, the needs of the students have to come first! Those lessons have to be prepared and reflect the greatest expertise and competence of the teacher. Those papers have to be graded to give timely feedback to students who are setting new patterns for the year. Conversations must happen if a student asks for help or advice.
So then, of course, blogs have to wait. Web sites have to wait. Even expensive computer equipment has to wait. The personal interaction between teacher and student always takes precedence and that is what good teachers know and act upon. Mary Rocks in our kindergarden knows the secret. Donna Gmurek in third grade knows the secret. Cheryl Willanks in middle school knows the secret. Barb Petr, the chair of our English Department, knows the secret. Connie Flagg, our senior/senior advisor knows the secret. And, much to my delight as one of the leaders of our school, so do the other members of our faculty. I know that at Mt. Carmel, in every grade and at every level, the needs of our students come first! So, we will all have to continue to be patient regarding the other important tasks, challenges, and inititatives that appear on our "to do" lists. Our first priority must always be (and is) our children!

This May Be Our Year!

2010-08-28T08:32:00.004-04:00

I believe there are no people in the world who are more superstitious than athletes! They wear the same socks for an entire season because they think that last victory had something to do with their foot garb. They always wear the same number and use it for raffle picks,email addresses, and other such choices. They often follow a ritual before and after games that has to do with what food they eat, the hours of sleep they get, and the sequence of prepartaions for a game. The top rule in all this lore is that you NEVER predict the outcome of a season or even a game before it happens. If you do and things don't turn out, you will be blamed forever for a loss! Since I am one of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel's biggest fans (and clearly not an athlete) I need to try to abide by these "rules of engagement." That said, I think that this may be our year. I cite a few recent happenings to prove my point.
Last week our varsity boys soccer team had its annual game with alumni. Our team has many experienced upperclassmen on it and they are really talented. They also really know the game and are great leaders to the younger players. They are coached by Drew Ganzzermiller, an alum--Class of 2001 or so, who experienced the sweet taste of a championship and is a great coach. Since I know the "rules" I predict nothing about the win/loss record that will come and I only know that I expect to be cheering for a LONG season! The reason I mention this event, though, has to do with the spirit of the team and that alumni game.
We had many alums return to play and they represented a broad span of graduation years. That said, many of these men are holding their own in the "stay in shape" department....some not so much. All came to give it their best and the old guys ended up winning in a shoot out. The game was completely good natured and fun as much as is possible for competitive athletes. Our varsity team could not have been more respectful of their elders on and off the field. The neat thing that happened , though, is that there were two pairs of fathers and sons who played against each other. Both fathers and sons seemed to revel in that fact. Vince Schiavone, one of our senior leaders, played against his Dad, Mike, an alum from 30 years ago. They both did a great job,Dad kept up and I think it was a bonding moment for them. As they walked off the field I think there was a gulp or two from a few of us. It was just one of those moments that you remember.
The other father and son duo had a little more drama. Mikey Krannebitter who is also a senior this year is a great goalie. Mike, his dad who graduated in the late eighties, is an offensive man. You can guess the scenerio--Dad dribbles down the field, figures out his shot, and one flies past the goalie. BUT, there is a whistle and the goal is called back. There is a little "discussion" about the call and then, history repeats itself and there is a flash of yellow. This was the funniest part of the game and we all enjoyed the little drama as it played out. I enjoyed even more watching Mikey and Mike walk off that field smiling from ear to ear.
As is true many times after a sports event, the end of the game is not the end of the evening. Many of us gathered at Harvey's Pub on Myrth Avenue in Essex. This place is a hidden neighborhood treasure and the burgers are heavenly. Harvey's is owned by the Schneehagen family who are also Carmel folks. Jon went to our elementary school and his sister Jill went through both schools. Jon and his Dad, Gary, are our women's soccer coaches. They allowed our Athletic Department to invade that evening to do guest bartending and literally take over the place. It was so much fun! Mike Naunton, who is always giving 150%, was a gracious servant to all, some of our seniors did a kareoke routine, alums joined us with family and friends, and several televisions blared the Ravens game. As I looked around that night, I felt that this little event really captrued what happens at our school. Our community is in so many real ways--intergenerational. Current students sat next to former students. Families were together enjoying each other's company. Faculty blended with coaches and parents and kids. This is the Carmel spirit I love and this is the spirit that will make this year our year!
School is ready to start and this week teachers came back for meetings, parents met them, and the lower and middle school students had their first days of school. In the midst of the many changes that happended--different rooms, changed schedules,revised agendas--everyone from youngest to oldest was upbeat, positive and willing to work together to make sure everything would work. As furniture was reshuffled and computers hooked up,positive and upbeat banter could be heard throughout our campus. Everyone was and continues to be willing to give it their best to work through transition and end up with what is best for our kids. This is the the Carmel spirit I love and this is the spirit that will make this year our year.!
So, let me clearly say that I am abiding by all the rules and superstitions of every athlete and Carmel fan. I do not predict the score of a game nor the outcome of a particular season. I can say, without a doubt, that the good spirit, dedication, and love of school, community , and family that I see everywhere--soccer field, school corridor, classroom, and even pub--can only result in a great year for us. I revise my statement--This WILL BE our year--in all the best ways!

The Faces of Generosity

2010-08-12T18:44:00.005-04:00

I write this beneath a searing South Carolina sun. On one side of me I see my son attempting not very successfully to lure some fish from the surf. Glancing another direction I see my oldest grandchild splashing in the waves. Words like "respite,relaxation, reprieve" spill over me as I enjoy this much anticipated week of vacation. Thinking just a few days in the past, though, the word that comes to me , loud and clear, is generosity.
When I think of my summer experience this year at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, it is the word GENEROSITY that smacks me in the face. It is not the word that has such power, it is faces. This week I want to tell you about Carmel's faces of generosity. This is quite a challenge because the faces, each one, are unique and different from each other.
The first faces are adult. They are the faces of leadership, commitment, dedication and, yes...generosity. The first faces are those of Joe Bartenfelder and Russell Berk the owners of Bartenfelder and Chapel Hill Farms, respectively. Last Sunday they gave a tremendous gift to our school. They threw a fundraiser to help us launch a football program and generated $16000.00 plus for the cause. They also rallied helpers from friends, family, community, and the Bartenfelder campaign . The afternoon was a delight from beginning to end. There was a pig roast, animals for the little kids to see,feed, and pet and people with whom to chat and visit. It was a glorious afternoon and one which could have been shared with many causes. I was so tremendously grateful it was shared with us. This family atmosphere reflects the values of these community leaders. What is really important? The day said it all--family, friends, opportunties for our kids . Thank you Mr. Bartenfelder and Mr. Berk for setting a high standard for all of us as men of generosity and character.
The other faces of generosity I see are the faces of our students especially several seniors who have spent the summer at school with me. Our shared time does not reflect their best talents nor mine but it does reflect an understanding that our goals are not achieved without hard work that is low on glory and high on manual labor! Two of our students in particular, Ally Emerson and Kelly Aquilla, must have generated several hundred hours of service. They helped landscape the front of the school, clear a playground, merge two libraries into one, decorate several bathrooms, move lockers, and paint Cougar paws all over the place. There were several days that ended in exhausted "See you tomorrows" and many days that I was handed a list of chores to do before the next day--often involving buying things at Home Depot. Ally and Kelly were joined on many days by an assortment of friends and classmates who willingly lent helping hands. It was clear, though, that the vision we were following belonged to them. I am grateful for the generous service and hard work of all of all these kids and their sense of ownership. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is clearly loved and owned by our students. Isn't that just as it should be?
I have enjoyed this week thinking in retrospect about our summer of generosity. It is filled with hard work but it is also filled with laughter. I see Ally and Conner Naunton (whose dad Mike, our Athletic Director, was a constant summer helper too) coverd in red paint. I see Emily painting Cougar paws on any space she could find. I see the dismay of several students who tried often in vain to get the fiction books in our new library space in the right order--Who packed these anyway??? What I really see are the faces of young people who are willing to fight and work for their community. They have integrated into their values the notion that what we value is worth all of our effort. I am so proud of our kids and I am so grateful for them. These faces of generosity are the faces that I have come to love and appreciate beyond measure.
So, as the sun sets, I smile at the memories of the faces of generosity that I have seen this summer at Carmel. Remembering them with gratitude, all is right with the world!

Don't You Love It When a Plan Comes Together?

2010-07-25T09:11:00.006-04:00

I have spent 27 summers at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with sunny days filled with planning, meetings, ordering, moving materials,scrubbing, and renovating. Even in the midst of remembering all that work, this summer surely "takes the cake" so to speak! As the end of July approaches I do not think I can find one corner of the campus that is not in some state of upheaval! All this chaos, of course, will be resolved before our students return. It is important to focus on the upheaval as a means to the end of providing an even more positive Carmel experience for our kids. Let me share two big changes that seem, at last, to be coming together.
The first is the very exciting reconstruction of our web site. We will still be located at olmcmd.org but the current parish part of the site will be on a separate but linked domain of parisholmcmd.org. Tom Rose, our Director of Institutional Advancement, and I have been meeting all summer with the owners of VIM Interactive, Pete Karabetis and Steve Fickus. These guys really know their stuff! Not only have they done sites for several of the schools under the Johns Hopkins umbrella, several local companies, and currently campaigning politicians, they are alumni of Mt. Carmel High School!
I am always so elated when our kids do well and these men are achieving SUCCESS with more than a capital S! It is very exciting and heart warming for me for these alums to be giving back ot our school in such a generous way. They are literally transforming our current rather static site to reflect the vibrancy of our programs, our commitment to kids, and the new Early Childhood thorugh grade twelve configuration of our school. At every level there is a plethora of information for current members of the community and for those searching for a great school for their children. The site will be easy to navigate, information rich, and pleasing to the eye. Pete and Steve have been patient with my lack of expertise in this area and I am so grateful for their help. After going through this astoundingly detailed process (and learning lots about information architecture and analysis of content!),I understand why web design is costly. Our new site will launch on September 1 (fingers crossed) and be ready for the new recruiting season as well as the beginning of school. Please take a look--It is going to be great! This renovation of the web site is a crucial part of our effort to meet people where they are in today's fast paced, information rich society. Thank you to VIM Interactive and to alums with a desire to give back!
The second project has to do with our library. Up until a few weeks ago, there was an under-utilized library in the elementary building and another library/media center in the the high school. Both areas needed attention and it seemed a good idea to combine them into one fabulous library/media/ learning area for our kids. Little did I realize at the time that idea was uttered, how work intensive it would be. Literally several thousand books needed to be relocated in order to paint, moved again in order to put down carpeting, and then reorganized according to a very speciifc organizational code. I rue the day Dewey invented that system! Thank goodnes for the many hours or service given by our high school students who cleaned, moved books, cleaned some more and then moved books again!
Given all that moving around , I think we have created something great. There is a reading room for younger children which houses their collection. There is one media room filled with brand new PC's and another quiet work room with reference materials and computers. All these smaller rooms are off the main library which is now bright, open and inviting. This resource space is one which "invites" students to work at learning. It is bright, clean, and (fingers crossed) will be ready for business when school starts. There is an Open House to see the new library on August 29 from 11:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the high school. Please come see the results of a good idea and lots of hard work!
These are two of the many initiatives that we have taken on this summer but they are two that are coming together! I hope you take a look at both and that you come to agree that all this work is really a labor of love which will provide great oppportunities for our kids--They deserve the best we have to give!

"...Shoulder high we bring you home...Townsman of a stiller town"

2010-07-06T22:16:00.004-04:00

There are some events that make us stop and take pause in the business of life. There are some events that cause us to mull over all that has been and all that we hoped would be. And, there are some events that just seem to suck the life and breath right out of us. Yesterday was like that...
Early in the morning I got a call from our Athletic Director and as soon as I answered, I knew something was wrong. He tearfully told me that one of our students, John Crowder, had been gunned down in the streets of Baltimore the night before and had died from his wounds. It was and still is impossible for me to imagine that very tall, gangly kid who never stopped smiling, stilled forever.
John always reminded me of a big pup who was all limbs and legs who had not yet quite grown into himself. And, what a "schmoozer" he was! He could charm the attendance moderator out of multiple demerits for lateness without blinking an eye--He only had to smile and come up with any lame excuse. He could make his whole lunch table of sophomore boys burst into laughter because of a face full of donut powder or making generally non-acceptable noises at the lunch table. He could illicit the admiration of a teacher for hard work done or a discussion question sincerely asked. And, he could play basketball better than most guys who were older and had more experience.. He was a "natural"--a natural, wonderful, talented kid with a wonderful future within his grasp.
And, these positves were hard won. John had no parents and was being rasied by his grandmom and his uncle. He had experienced loss more times than most adults and recognized that life had sharp edges and black holes as well as promises and hopes. But, he generally chose the positve and kept right on smiling, learning to be a good student, sharing experiences with his many friends,flirting with girls, and, of course, playing basketball.
And, then in the midst of all that promise, this athlete died young. But, in this case, there was no cheering crowd carrying him "shoulder high." Instead, there was a dark street and a passing car and bullets flying.
How is there any possible way to make sense of this kind of tragedy? Yesterday afternoon, our basketball coach gathered his team in our cafeteria to help them process what happened and try to support them in their grief. Our school is small and most of our kids describe our community as "family." So, we had our family meeting and we talked a little and cried a lot and sat quiet when no words came. I hope our boys know how deeply we share their loss and how much we ache for them. So much was lost---John himself, innocence, trust in the world's justice....What kind of world is it anyway?
In answer to that question all the negatives apply--It is a world where life means too little to too many, a world where children have guns and use them on each other, a world where it is not safe to walk back to your grandmom's house...
We grownups who have been called to work with kids, are obligated to wade through all these terrible realities. It is our job to help kids (and ourselves as well) reach some steady ground so that we can use life's tragedies to make us live out a truer version of that same world...We have to live in a way that shows that life means EVERYTHING! We have to teach our children to stay out of harm's way without living in fear. We have to show them how to treat self and others with the respect we each deserve. We have to keep them safe and build them neighborhoods that truly are safe havens. We have to do our part to make the world the way it should be. We owe it to John and to all kids who deserve the best we can offer them--the best of our world.
In time we will come to "own" and teach about this better world. Right now, we are overwhelmed by "the silent sounds no worse than cheers" and are mourning our lad who has "slipped..away." Right now, it is enough to pray--God bless you dear John and may God already be holding you in his arms.

"Time, Oh, Good, Good Time..."

2010-06-13T20:30:00.005-04:00

My work has always been in the world of education and there is an ebb and flow of the activities of a school year. Though it is always busy, there are times when the pace accelerates. The creation of report cards and the parent conferences that accompany them, right before a holiday or the end of a term, and the end of the year are times in a school community when the activity level reaches a zenith. Nothing compares, though, with the week of graduation and exams in a high school! Emotions run high with the bitterweet leaving of our students and students, teachers, and families share a roller coaster ride of events such as awards, Mass, and graduation itself not to mention the anxiety of exam grades, grade point averages, and final college plans. At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, early June was such a time and graduation was accompanied just twenty four hours later with the five year reunion of the Class of 2005! What a whirlwind!
First of all, our graduates deserve so much credit for the poise and humor with which they dealt with the graduation "event." They paid attention as awards were given and laughed at some of the humorous traditions at school such as the senior bowling honor. They laughed at themselves as they watched a slide show that included photos taken over the last four years. Even the students were amazed at the changes that were so evident as children grew into adulthood. They listened to the advice of many and endured the tears of the adults who care about them even as their thoughts were turning toward graduation parties and the beach. Those of us who worked with them were proud of their grades, the college credits they already earned and the scholarship dollars (over 1.5 million) that have been promised to them. Most of all, it was a great feeling to know that they are ready to leave us and that they are prepared for the next stage of their lives. They are ready for the rigors of college classes and the decisions that accompany independent living. The Class of 2010 has made us proud and we smile with them as their adult journey begins.
And then, less than twenty four hours later, many faculty members joined the Class of 2005 for their fifth year reunion. It was a great evening and many class members attended. There were many recent college graduates, several graduate school students, and discussions of jobs, careers, and plans for the future. Class members seemed genuinely glad to see each other and their former teachers and marked the occasion as a right of passage. There is something about sharing a drink with a mentor or teacher that makes adulthood a reality. The conversation included the ususal "Do you remember?" and "What happpened to so and so?" but for me there was one conversation that said it all. A former student gave me a hug hello and whispered in my ear, "I wanted to thank you for supporting me and giving me the space to discover who I really am." Though I was happy to hear that she is now a professional woman with a degree, I was elated to see that she remains quirky, bright, and creative and now has added confident to the list of qualities that describe her. It was a lovely evening in so many ways.
And, this past week the underclassmen finished their exams and final grades are being computed. Tomorrow teachers will finalize this school year and simultaneously begin to work on the next one. In just a few weeks another group of youngsters will join our community and we will begin again. It is truly a blessing to journey through these formative years with students who become so much more than that word conveys.
And, as each year passes we value the time we spend with students and the time we take planning to provide the best in Catholic education for them. This year, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, there are big changes in the works. Our school will be reconfigured into an Early Childhood through grade 12 school. We will operate using an Upper School/Lower School model rather than as the three separate units we now have. The cohesion that will come from this reconfiguration will benefit our students through an improved use of resources including both personnel and space. Outward signs of this change are already happening. The library is being consolidated and the book collections decentralized for optimum use. Classrooms in our elelmentary building will be moved to allow students closer access to their assigned administrator. More challenging academic classes will be introduced at both the middle and high school levels. These changes and many others are outward signs of internal growth.
Our school community has been given the time to re-assess how we can best serve our children, of all ages, in a fast-paced, information rich, value poor world. There are exciting changes on the horizon but they will make for other stories yet to come. It is my hope that, in time, I can share all these new stories with you! I hope you decide to take the time to read along and join in the journey!

The Fruits of Our Labor!

2010-05-03T20:02:00.005-04:00

Most people who go into the profession of education do so because they love kids. They also share some fundamental beliefs about the human condition. They believe that people can change for the better. They believe in the infinite potential of children. They believe that learning about the past can improve the future. They believe that children who have acquired solid information about how to learn can take us quantum leaps into a better future. Educators are the harbingers of hope and include many of the last "hold outs" of idealism. Sometimes this vision of hope becomes dulled by dispassionate kids, uncooperative parents, and the world gone amuck. Very often educators never know of the good that they do. They never see the fruits of their labor because sometimes the benefits that they have inspired do not come to fruition for many years. Unless they happen to re-unite with former students many years after teaching them, educators often wonder if their labor matters at all. In recent weeks, the educators at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel have had two wonderful occasions to "see" the fruits of their labor of love and, both of those occasions were very, very good!
On April 21, 2010, our high school celebrated our fiftieth anniversary at a dinner celebration with several hundred people in attendance. There were alumni there from most classes including the very first class of 1963. There were current and former faculty members and parents from various eras at the event. There were current and former school and parish leaders, too, and as you can imagine, stories were being swapped for hours on end. The room was filled with chatter and laughter. Most of all, the room was filled with gratitude. As we honored representatives of each group--pastors, teachers, parents, students, Board members--each took their turn to give tribute to what our small school did for them. Those stories resonated an important theme--
Mt. Carmel High School made a difference in so many lives because excellent teachers gave their best to their students who deserved nothing less. Not surprisingly, no one mentioned the bricks and mortar of the place. They mentioned how much being challenged to excellence meant to them, how much being cared for mattered, and how much they learned about self, life, and faith as well as the world. It was and is a wonderful school--a small school that makes a big difference in the lives of people!
The second occasion that showcased how our former students were doing out in the world was Alumni Night at our recent Festival. Friday night of the Festival is always the night that former students gather to share their recent accomplishments,introduce their new heart throbs, and show off their beautiful children. This Festival was a banner year--both in the number of alums attending (over 200!) and their stories. Several recent college grads returned to get a much deserved hug of congratulations--There were teachers, a P.A., several nurses, an engineer and a former high school "technology kid" who works with and helps invent the gadgets at CNN. There were tales of law school, graduate degrees, and life in New York City. In the midst of these stories were the stories of weddings,new babies, and the perennial sentence starter--"Do you remember...?" And the answer from the many current and former faculty there was always, "Of course we do!" The bonds of relationships at a small school are powerful and often span the decades.
I am a firm believer that given time and nurturing, all kids eventually grow up in the sense of reaching maturity and developing the wisdom to make good choices. It is so wonderful to be in a place like Mt. Carmel where seeing this process from beginning to end is a frequent reality. There is no doubt that teaching is a craft, a profession and hard work. It takes long hours and it sometimes breaks your heart. But, it is also true that, though teaching is labor, it is a labor of love. Seeing the fruits of that labor--adults who are people of kindness, integrity, faith, and successful as well--is a joy!

The Anniversary Dinner--When is a Dinner MORE than a Meal?

2010-04-11T21:11:00.006-04:00

Next Wednesday on April 21, 2010, there will be a dinner celebrating the fifitieth anniversary of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School. The dinner will be held at Martin's East--the site of many a prom--and should provide an opportunity for a gathering of several hundred wonderful people. Many of these people will reconnect with others that they haven't seen in years. Others will renew acquaintances and share information that hasn't been updated since that last soccer game, baseball event, or graduation exercise. There will be former students and faculty and parents of alums as well as current students, parents, and faculty. The people attending will leap over the barriers of time and revel, for one evening at least, in a common theme.
The common thread that binds all of our dinner guests together is that each of them played a part in the history of our school. Many of our guests grew up in the classrooms and corridors of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School learning both important academic information and important lessons about life. Many of our guests are the men and women who provided the inspiration and guidance for that growth of mind and heart to happen. Many of the guests are loving parents who sacrificed so much and worked so hard on fund raisers and tuition challenges in order to provide an opportuntiy for their children. Many of the guests shared the joys of friendships that have lasted through decades. Many of the guests were supported in times of heartache and challenge by the loving community of Carmel and the faith on which that community is built.
It is my great hope that the dinner provides a special "moment" for all who gather to pause and think about what it is that we all share. I know that there will be memories shared of classroom antics, sports events, and individual accomplishments. Beyond that I hope there will be at least one moment when everyone realizes that we share several beliefs that are much more profound. These are some of the beliefs that we celebrate and share--
We share a belief in the importance and value of every child. Knowing that children come in all shapes, sizes, and with assorted gifts of mind and heart, we believe that they ALL deserve our love and attention.
We believe that education provides the stepping stone that indiviuals need to make life better for themselves and their family. Knowing that families struggle to provide for their children, we believe that we need to work together to support those who need assistance.
We believe that when excellent academic programs are combined with faith and a Gospel vision, students are inspired to be the people God intended them to be. Knowing that setting standards of quality and developing a sense of service are necessities for living a Christian life, we hold in high regard the contribution of every student and the development of their character.
We believe that Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has provided a "family" for many young people who have thrived and have reached adulthood with integrity. This year, on our fifitieth anniversary, we celebrate every successful young life our school has touched and every member of our school family who has helped that success to come to fruition.
Even as we celebrate the past, we look to the future. There are students today even more in need of the nurturing community at Mt. Carmel than ever. In these competitive times, post-secondary education is a must for all and our students need to be prepared. In these days of political and economic crisis, integrity is crucial to becoming a leader. In these challenging times, faith in a loving God is foundational as is the belief that we each have a part to play in making this world a better place. Today and in the days to come, more than ever before, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is a school and a community that is necessary!
At our anniversary dinner, it is these beliefs as well as the people who share them that will be celebrated. As you can see, our dinner will be a celebration dinner that is, oh so much more than a meal! (If you would like to attend our dinner that is so much more than a meal, call Laura Cummins at 410-686-4972 for ticket information)

Alumni: When Does It Ever End?

2010-03-20T15:05:00.005-04:00

This past week Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has been inundated with visitors. It has been wonderful to see our alumni come back to visit during the spring break of their colleges. Since 95% of our graduates go on to college, their midsemester break has become a traditional time for them to reconnect. The young women who return look a bit more polished and sophisticated. Young men are broader of shoulder and are often sporting their first ever beard,scruffy though it may be. That is where differences end. All of these recent graduates tell tales of courses they have loved, grade point averages that are respectable, and discuss career options and changes of major with their former teachers and administrators at out school. This past week we heard from a photography major at The Maryland Institute of Art, a political science and international studies major from St. Mary's College, as well as from several students in nursing, physical therapy,health care and related fields. We even got tickets in the mail from one of our alumna from the University of Southern California (a theater major) who is putting on a one woman show in Baltimore in a few weeks. Those of us at the school are elated to have these conversations and interactions. Seeing these graduates move forward with independence and success is one of the gratifications teachers share. I thought several times during these visits that our relationships last long after the final blessing of graduation is over. When do these connections end? I hope that they never do!
From the perspective of those of us who teach at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, as long as people remain who have known our former students certainly there are connections. Beyond that,though, there is a connection to the school itself that goes beyond individuals. Whether a former student attended in the sixties, the seventies, the eighties, the nineties,or in this new century, the experience of a small, nurturing yet challenging community where there is not only room to grow but an expectation to grow has been constant. In our fifty years of serving young people, the commitment to help them develop God's gifts and achieve success, happiness, and a life of faith has remained a priority. Our school has done her part!
In the past few weeks, in the aftermath of the school consolidation plan, there has been a great deal of noise made by alumni of various schools. It made me wonder if alumni really understand that they, too, have a responsibility to their former school that does not end. I wonder if alumni ever think about those expectations? If they do, is it only in a moment of need or crisis? Is it too often "too little too late?"
I believe that the first expectation of Carmel alumni is that they live their life in a way that reflects the values and information they have learned at Carmel. Are they good parents to their children? Are they leaders in their neighborhoods and communities? Are they using God's gifts in appropriate ways? Can we look at them and be proud of the adults they have become? I would hope that all our grads could answer, "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!"
The expectations go beyond that. Are our alumni advocates for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in the community? Do they articulate the news about the great education available at Mt. Carmel? Do they tell the same stories their teachers remember about how learning happens--sometimes the easy way, sometimes the hard way? Do they relate that in that process, they were never abandoned? If our alumni become advocates for our school in the community, they help make our school, small in size, stronger and less vulnerable to the econmic tides of the times. Our alumni need to "talk it up" about all that our small school is willing to provide in education of a young person's mind, and heart, and soul.
And, finally, our alumni need to support our school financially. When letters come asking for help with student scholarshps, Annual Appeals, or building projects, those alumni who have reached some success and security in their own lives need to give back. Being of service and supporting our community is a theme about which every Carmel student has heard. "It is not all about you, it is about our community, and building a better world," is a statement I have been making to kids for decades! Every Carmel alumni should be considering the extent to which they can support our school. As recent events have shown, it is too late to wait until crisis has descended. Now if the acceptable time!( If you haven't sent your Annual Appeal gift, now would be a great time to do so!)
I have come to be a believer that the world improves, if it does at all, a person at a time. Educators have a rare opportunity and responsibility to make that happen on a daily basis. But, help is needed from those who "get it." No one gets the importance of a Gospel based, Catholic education better than those who have benefitted from one. I know that our alums "get it!"
So, to get back round to the beginning-- The relationship between Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and her graduates--recent or not--never ends. It is also true that their relationship and responsibilty to our school never ends either. Live a "good" life, talk the good talk and dig into those pockets to support a wonderful school that supported you!

"Sometimes Ya Don't Know What Ya Got..."

2010-03-04T23:44:00.003-05:00

Over the last day or so the first line to the lyrics of an old song has been running through my head. The tune is lost as are the words to the rest of the song. The part I remember is "sometimes ya don't know what ya got 'til it's gone." I have been thinking about how false these words ring in our present school situation.
This morning Archbishop O'Brien announced that thirteen schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will not open next September but will be consolidated with other school communities. Many have suffered from enrollment decreases, the challenges of old buildings (some well over 100 years old!), money problems, and the changing populations in neighborhoods once filled with children. The plan was thoroughly done and based on solid research and projections. It is a valiant attempt to trim the number of schools so that there can be new growth and increased excellence in the schools that remain. The consolidation plan is an attempt to insure that Catholic education in Baltimore will thrive for now and for the future. This was quite a challenge! Given that painful challenge, there is no one involved at any level who does not know clearly and painfully what has been lost.
One of the great blessings of Catholic schools is that they are more than educational institutions. They are families in the best sense of that word. Certainly students learn not only the basics but also skills of leadership, lessons of faith, and the need to work for justice. All of this learning happens because of the relationships that exist within each school. Without sounding like a Pollyanna, I truly believe that where Catholic schools do their job, love abides. Educators love their kids. They love them enough to teach them, challenge them, go to all their games, chaperone their events, show up for advice sessions, retreats, and prayer services. They rejoice at the family celebrations of their students and support those same families when sadness comes to them. There is no end to the connections that bind one to the other--students,parents, teachers, administrators, priests and religious.
What happened today in Baltimore was not a failure of these relationships. In some cases the buildings failed and in many cases the finances failed but in no case was there a lack of love, caring, and dedication--one for the other--in those school families. That is why, though many realized that this day needed to come in one form or another or all could be lost, sadness abounds. I believe that for a time, that sadness must be allowed to happen and be respected.
It is the great hope that the children of these families who are now engulfed in loss,can find their way to a new Catholic school--a new family that will continue to teach, love, and nurture them. It will be in realizing that the Church is bigger than any one place and the spirit of one should permeate all, that will allow many to begin to move forward.
Something wonderful was lost today and everyone in our school communities knows it. Those who remain are obligated out of solidarity and respect to carry on the dedication, tradition, and excellence that have always been the marks of Catholic education. We also carry forward hope which is another mark not only of our schools but of our faith. Pope John Paul II said, 'There is hope for the future and its name is youth." We continue to teach, serve, and nurture our youth in schools of excellence knowing the great sacrifices and traditions that allow us to continue. We pray for those families and school communities who are grieving. We also pray that we always recognize and appreciate the blessings that we have in our school families and relationships--while we have them!

It's Flex Time!

2010-02-27T12:05:00.006-05:00

We returned from the blizzard with a week's worth of late starts. In a high school that means that all classes meet but for a shorter amount of time. So, students straggled into school by 9:45 a.m. and met quickly with all their teachers for about a half hour each and then went home. It was the end of the winter sports season and games were squeezed in where they could be and tournaments were modified to meet time constraints. All in all, it was not a perfect week! BUT, it was a week and we did accomplish something and perhaps learned a lesson that will be important in days to come.
In life, we need to learn to be flexible! Though things do not always go the way we plan, wish, or hope, they do move forward. At that point, we either "go with the flow" as some say or we become disgruntled, angry, and frustrated. I think the path of flexibility is the best. So, at school, we flew through that short week and just finished a more "normal" week with only one late start. All the events that were postponed because of weather have been re-scheduled and everyone is looking forward eagerly to them. Things tend to work out!
In a week or so, there will be a huge announcement about the future of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The report is the result of a great deal of research, analysis of current data about our schools, and deep reflection on the vision and mission of the schools as a whole. I am certain the the report will result in the need to change so that we can best meet the needs of our current students and our future students. The plan will generate high emotions and there will be mighty changes that should eventually result in a better, stronger system of schools.
At that point, there will be many educators who will need to not only be flexible, they will need to be energized to move forward and implement the changes (sometimes as unexpected and unpredicatable as several blizzards in one week!) that are called for with dedication, skill, enthusisam and faith. Learning the lessons of flexiblilty in little ways in life sometimes prepares us to handle the bigger changes as well. We need to remember that things tend to work out. It is also important to believe that in matters of faith, mission, and vision, the Holy Spirit does work!
As we continue to deal with this "winter to remember" with flexibility and good spirit, we will also be called upon to deal with the bigger issues of our lives in that same positive way. Things will work out according to "the Plan"--even if the plan is not ours but His!

It's F

2010-02-27T12:04:00.001-05:00

Out of Signt, Out of Mind--Not Even in a Blizzard!

2010-02-06T14:56:00.008-05:00

Yesterday at Mt. Carmel High School the excitement level was off the charts! It was Student Appreciation Day of Catholic Schools Week so kids were out of uniform. Baltimore County had decided early on to dismiss two hours early due to the impending snow. To top it off, Mr. Jim, our resident chef, decided to serve wings for lunch--What more could we all ask than the convergence of all these wonderful things!
So, we did enjoy the wings and then we all left early to await the snow. And, as we all know, the storm arrived with great force and now almost twenty-four hours later, it is still snowing!
Since I was snowed in this morning I decided to sort through some papers and straighten up a bit. I rediscovered letters that needed answering and bills that needed to be paid. I also found the Annual Appeal Brochure request that I received a week or so ago. When the brochure arrived, I looked at it rather carefully. It was eye catching and had great photos of students in both our schools. It also made a real plea to alumni and friends to support the schools. These are tough financial times for everyone, but Catholic schools have been especially hard hit because our families have been hard hit. At Mt. Carmel we continue to be firmly committed to providing a loving,faith filled environment where learning for a life time can happen. Our resolve is unwavering. The school, though, like everyone else needs to pay the bills--faculty deserve so much more than they receive, kids deserve the best that new technology has to offer, aging buildings need to be repaired, and then there is always BGE--Last month the high school gas bill alone was $10,000! I am aware of these facts and a million more that make me want to support our schools as much as I can. Yet, when that brochure arrived, I put it on the stack of "take care of this later" items and did not send my gift. That brochure may have been headed for the "out of sight, out of mind" stack had I not had some time this morning to rediscover it. I hope that each of you will rediscover that brochure and make a gift too. Our kids deserve the best and I believe that the education provided at Carmel--where heart, mind, and spirit are attended to each day--is the best! Be generous, my friends! Do not take Carmel for granted!
Now, there is another related issue that has been on my mind as I watched the snow accumulate and bury my car. There is no doubt in my mind that I will not be able to dig out until Monday which means no driving tomorrow and no Mass for me. I think that I am not alone. I know that these last several weekend storms have taken a toll on many people and businesses but I think that they must have taken the greatest toll on our Church. Please do not let your envelopes languish on the "out of sight, out of mind" stack of things to which you have to attend. Snow or not, the work of the Church continues. At Mt. Carmel, as at most churches, the only source of income comes from the generosity of our members. Whether we are present on Sunday or not, the bills need to be paid. Now, in addition to all the regular expenses, I am sure there are several whopping snow removal bills that have been added to the list!
So, I hope you are safe and snug and enjoying the beauty of this snowfall. I also hope that you are aware of the negative impact that can be part of the winter season on those institutions we know, love, and on which we depend. I hope that you have some time to sort things out ,too, and that you are generous to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Both our schools and our Church need the support of all of us!

Developing a Compassionate Heart--Right Now and Long Term!

2010-01-23T11:00:00.005-05:00

I shared an experience last night with millions of other people as I watched "Help Haiti Now", a global plea for help for the Haitian people who are reeling from the catastrophic earthquake that happened there. I was touched by the sincerity of the artists and the stories of search, rescue, treatment and tragedy. I felt a lump in my throat at the sight of a sweet, shy little boy who could not stop coughing from dust from the rubble under which he had been trapped for eight harrowing days. He had been saved from the rubble only to find out that his parents were dead and he is now an orphan. By the time Justin Timberlake sang "Alleluia", I had made my pledge.
This past week at Mt. Carmel there have been many discussions about how we, as a Catholic school, can respond to this disaster. Our kids,sometimes rough around the edges in terms of social skills and fairly self-absorbed as most teens are,remain always generous of heart. Many of them have a sense of empathy well beyond their years--I believe because they themselves have had to bear sadness and loss already in their young lives. So, I knew they would have some great ideas to help and they did! The Campus Ministry group, led so lovingly by Missy Lawrence, our Campus Minister, has pledged the profits from our annual pre-Lenten pancake breakfast to the cause. This event which is scheduled for February 14, 2010, in the high school cafeteria is a ticket at the door event. Come join us for pancakes, sausage, and eggs, served by the best teen "cooks" ever. The kids have dubbed the event "Pancakes for Port-au-Prince" and I know the breakfast will be a success.
Two senior girls are spearheading a raffle based on guessing the number of lifesaver candies in a huge jar. They liked the idea of lifesavers for life saving! There are also plans for a 50/50 raffle at Report Card Conference Night and there is always the rather self-serving Tag Day idea where kids can get out of wearing uniforms for a day by paying a dollar to a worthy cause. I think that all our ideas together will be a compassionate response to a great need. Since 80% of the people of Haiti are Catholic, I think our choice of supporting Catholic Relief Services is a good one. This sad event provides a life lesson for all of us that stems from a recognition that we are all one family on this earth and we need to take care of one another.
In thinking about our immediate "right now" response to this tragedy, I was mulling over the importance of developing a sense of compassion and service for the long run--not just when catastrophe strikes. It made me think of a little event shared by the faculty and staff recently. Our pastor, Msgr. Bob Hartnett celebrated his thirtieth anniversary as a priest this year. In honor of this milestone, he treated the faculties and staff of the entire Carmel complex--elementary school, high school, parish--to lunch on our annual dual retreat day in November. Always one to enjoy a good party, I think the event pleased the Monsignor! I think his words at the event, though, reminded us all of something important. He thanked all of us for sharing in his ministry and allowing "good" to come from the work that we share. There is no limit to all that can be accomplished when leaders, like Msgr. Bob, create environments where the mission is shared. When many people can say--"Here we are compassionate." "Here we work together for the good of the weakest among us." "Here we worry about the needs of people rather than who gets credit for what is accomplished."--a place for potential miracles is created. For us at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel I think that mission includes sharing faith and teaching young people to grow in mind and heart so that they, too, can be leaders who work for "good."
In conisdering both these recent events, I think there is a solitary lesson to be learned. In a situation like the one in Haiti, there must be an immediate response that overflows with generosity and compassion. In every day life, especially when we are reminded by the great example of leaders who have made a committment to the long race of building a better world--person by person--we need to learn to be generous and compassionate in the LONG run. I think we'd all like to say, at the end, along with another great leader and example--"I have run the good race, I have fought the good fight..."
So, if you haven't already donated to our brothers and sisters in Haiti, do so. Plan to come join us for pancakes on February 14 from 8:00-12:00. Most importantly, think about how to respond to the work of each day with a compassionate heart.

Beginning Again

2010-01-18T14:56:00.005-05:00

I spent this wonderful day off tying up loose ends. Still a bit saddened by the Ravens game over the weekend, I faced an equally dismal debacle when I gazed at my house this morning. There were remnants of Christmas all over the place as well as a stack or so of uncorrected exams. I always feel more in control of my environment when I make a list (though I know this is self-imposed trickery), so that is what I did. Now, several hours later, the last of Christmas has been relegated to the attic, the exams are graded, and I am thinking about what I need to jot down for my next list.
This time of year can be a little bit of a downer for everyone. The holidays are past, the weather is cold, it is dark both going to and coming from work and many New Year's resolutions have already gone by the wayside. I am a firm believer, though, in not giving in to these negative vibes. What we need to focus on is what is to come!
In a school, there is a great deal of time during these winter months given over to imagining what could be--How could we make programs better for students? How can we modifry schedules so that we can get the most out of every day? How can we use the resources that we have, limited as they may be, to help students be ready for the challenges they will face after graduation? Questions such as these certainly add excitement to what could be a down time of the year.
This week at Mt. Carmel we will be having a Strategic Planning meeting that will focus on several of these issues. The Planning Team is a group of about 25 dedicated people who have worked for the last several years to move our school into the future. The committee is composed of people who are dedicated to our school and who also have vision. They are community members, alums, students, faculty, Board members and parents. Every stakeholder group is represented. When a person leaves the committe, they are replaced by someone in the same stakeholder group so that all perspectives remain represented as we plan for the future. One of our big topics at our up coming meeting will be technology. We are ready to move into another phase of our plan as we renew/update our lease agreement. Thank goodness the price of some of the equipment is coming down because it is crucial that every student have access to resources that are "out there!"
We are so blessed at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School to have Diana Fitzpatrick serve as our Director of Technology. Diane is a real example of someone who is a life-long learner. She is constantly searching for new information and then sharing her discoveries with the faculty. She teaches at CCBC, too, and is able to offer some of our seniors two three credit courses in Multi-Media as electives. They get the benefit of her expertise right on our campus and get 6 college credits too! This is quite a deal,I'd say.
Recently, Diane has been working with the faculty so that they gain some new skills to use in the clssroom. The technology boom is here to stay and is moving forward exponentially. We are getting students ready for a world that is yet to be!
Knowing that our responsibilty in a Catholic school is not only to teach students to access all this new information but also to teach them to use these tools ethically with a focus on improving life in moral ways, adds several quite complicated layers to our task of education. Students (all of us really) have to consider issues of respect,privacy, collaboation and integrity as we journey down new roads and through uncharted territiory on the rod to the information society. It really is exciting to think about what the world will be like in the next decade or so--Think of all the changes in the last few!
As Catholic educators, we need to be committed to learning the most up to date techniques in order to allow our kids to grow to be their best--in both mind and heart! What an adventure remains!
I think I just talked my way out of my dismal, post holiday mood--There are wonderful adventures waiting just over the horizon! Now, if I could only learn how to use my Facebook account!

Adding a Blizzard to the Mix of Christmas Preparations

2009-12-29T08:55:00.006-05:00

The Christmas season (especially getting ready for the holiday) is a frantic, frenzied although fabulous time of year. It is even busier than usual and our emotions are pulled by present responsibilities, past memories and hope for what is about to be. Add twenty inches of snow to this already complicated formula and it takes more than a little focus to see solutions and find some answers.
The last week we had classes at Mt. Carmel before the blizzard was more than a little frenzied and included that strange mix of memory and anticipation so typical of the season. At the beginning of the week, there was a prayerful tree lighting ceremony out front near the grotto. It honored a fine young man. Last year on December 15 one of our students, Zack Shiflett, passed away. This year his class, now juniors, had an outdoor prayer service to mark the day. As an adult, there are not enough words to convey the injustice and heartbreak that surrounds the passing of a young person. His friends, though, were able throughout this very difficult year, to work through anger, loss, and sorrow and land at a place of hope. The entire service focused on the gift of Zack's life--his laughter, his silliness, and the joy that was his trademark. Our prayer that morning also pushed all of us to use what Zack taught to enrich our own lives and to see that, with faith "hope does not disappoint." I was so proud of our kids that morning. As tears ran down their faces, they stood with steely courage. The tree was lit and with the light came the memory of a life--too short--but well lived. The light reminds us always that darkness "wins" only when we allow it, and our faith brings with it the character, endurance, and hope which never disappoints. The lights on Zack's tree will remain lit until Easter when the months of darkness turn to light for all of us.
And, the the emotional roller coaster continued, as students and adults alike anticipated our Christmas Concert. The concert includes several solo performances by some talented singers. It also includes some of our Christmas favorites and there is more humming and singing along than is the norm for teens at a concert. By far, though, the highlight of the event is a rousing rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"--Mt. Carmel style! Homerooms are assigned the lines of the song and try to outdo each other in volume rather than harmony as the song progresses. By the end of the song, everyone is standing by turn and the church walls seem to vibrate with the energy of our songbirds. This grand tradition is one which really captures the excitement and energy of the holiday. Anyone experiencing this event can not recall it without a grin emerging unexpectedly at the thought of pipers piping and geese calling--loud enough to be heard miles away!
The school week ended on Friday with excited whispers about the coming snow. And, snow it did! School was cancelled on Monday and Tuesday and I know that the students were grateful for the extended holiday. Some enjoyed a reprieve from term paper outlines and final tests before our scheduled break. It did seem strange, though, not to be able to say a final Merry Christmas to everyone. That is one reason I was so happy to see so many of our students at Mass on Christmas Eve.
My Christmas Eve experience always includes two Masses. I help with the little kids Christmas pageant at the Children's Mass at 4:00 p.m. Students from the high school read the Christmas story as the second graders create a tableau of the Nativity. After that Msgr. Bob gives his homily and the older kids sit with the little ones mostly to make sure the shepherds don't hit each other with their staffs and the wise guys do not take back the gifts! It was grand to see the high school kids volunteer their time and set such a great example for those very excited little ones. Having the high school so connected to the parish allows for this wonderful intergenerational faith experience for everyone. I think the 700 plus folks at the Mass took away a very positive vision of teenagers along with the message of salvation!
At the midnight Mass, my favorite, all the elements came together with beauty and meaning. The music was magnificent and Marty Coffman, who is responsible for it, deserves a great deal of credit. The Mass was cantored by Kelly Aquilla, a junior at Carmel, and she really did sing with the angels. The service was crowded and people joined in all the songs and prayers. Msgr. Bob had a great homily and when he sings the Mass parts that are generally spoken, there is nothing more powerful. And so, Christmas came. I saw many alumni and their families there that night and am always grateful to know that for most of our students, our relationship of sharing faith continues long after they leave high school and reach adulthood. Achieving those life long connections is Carmel's aim.
So, ready or not, the season is upon us. When we return to school there will be some regrouping to do and exams will be happening before we know it. All that can wait a little bit. Right now, it is a time to take a deep breath and remember the lessons just learned. Hope never disappoints. Students, at every age, are filled with spirit at Christmas. Sharing faith knows no age limits or boundaries. And, a painfully learned lesson for me--when it snows twenty inches, let someone else do the shoveling!!!

The Cougar Classic and the Mystery of Wrestling

2009-12-05T16:40:00.004-05:00

This first weekend of December is always the date for The Cougar Classic. It is a weekend that showcases our winter sports teams: cheerleading, indoor women's soceer, men's basketball, and wrestling. Five out of the last seven years (including this year,of course), the first snow of the year has fallen on this weekend! Despite the complications that weather sometimes brings it is a great school spirit building weekend. There are always games and a pep rally. This year there was a sock hop as well--It was well worth chaperoning the dance to see one of our most macho basketball players in bunny socks!
The weekend is the result of many hours of planning and work by the Athletic Department. Led by Mike Naunton and including Heather Ganzman, Ashley Hanson, Drew Ganzzermiller, and a myriad of dedicated coaches, the group plans a weekend that provides competition, opportunity, and fun. Mike is always trying to find ways that the kids can have fun as well as play their sport. This year was a big success and I am grateful to this whole crew of dedicated Cougar devotees!
The mysterious winter sport that I am just beginning to appreciate is wrestling. This is only the second year we have had wrestling at Carmel and I must admit, though the kids loved it from the beginning, I was more than a little dubious. I wasn't a big fan of the uniforms and after seeing my first match last year, considered the entire event an injury generating nightmare. It seemed to me that at any second bones were going to break and muscles detach from their God given attachments! I have to admit I had no clue about scoring or skills, but I was frightened for the kids!
One strategy that Mike Naunton used to calm my anxious state was to introduce me to our coach,Tim Schoen. I was certainly impressed by Tim's wrestling credentials. Not only was he a champion wrestler himself in high school and college, he had coached teams that were ranked tops in the state. In 1999 he was recognized by the National High School Coaches Association as a Maryland State Coach of the Year. What settled my jangled nerves,though, was his calm demeaner and the way he spoke about our kids. He was appreciative of their effort, their determination to learn this new sport, and affirming of the good things they were doing in the rest of their lives--like doing well academically and taking leadership positions in the school. He was a Carmel kind of guy!
So, this is the second year of wrestling and I have just witnessed my third wrestling match. The second match was last week and I was lucky enough to sit next to one of the dad's who gave me a tutorial as we watched. I now understand the idea of pinning someone and the points you earn from throwing someone down and getting back up again. Obviously, I have a long way to go. The part I am beginning to like is the formal civility that is built into the sport. Every wrestler shakes hands with his opponent before and after every match and with the coaches after the match. The match itself is very focused and intense but the beginning and the end requires great self-control and sportsmanship too. I like that.
The other part that I really like is that wrestling gives everyone an opportunity. Because the matches go by weight and there are so many categories,kids of all sizes can be part of the team. Our smallest guy weighs only 103 lbs. and the biggest ones are problably over 200 lbs. That variation leaves lots of slots in the middle! I like this inclusive focus. What unites the guys has more to do with strength and determination than it does with size. I like that too.
So, I guess I have to say I am growing in my appreciation of wrestling. It is less a mystery but still a little frightening! I am glad we added this opportunity to our winter activities!
I am off to the last basketball game of the Cougar Classic weekend, the snow is falling,the cheerleaders are doing a super job, and there were no injuries at the wrestling match--which we won! Go Cougars!

Thanksgiving--Blessed Are We!

2009-11-28T14:10:00.005-05:00

Did you ever witness something and know, even as it was happening, that you would never forget it? That happened to me several times within an hour or so last Tuesday morning. We had what I hope will be our first annual Thanksgiving Breakfast. The meal was designed as a little thank you to some of our donors who support the Adopt-a-Student Program in the school. We invited about twenty donors--ten could attend. I also invited ten or so students who were recipients of the Adopt-a-Student funds. I thought that these two groups of wonderful people should know each other. I believe I was right.
First of all, the students did a great job of being themselves. They chatted about their lives and their dreams for the future. Without even knowing it , they presented the best of themselves and of Mt. Carmel--willing to work, able to succeed, and fueled by hope. I think the donors realized that their gifts, used to assist these students with tuitions, had been put to good use.
The donors were grand as well. They, truly all examples of humilty and generosity, talked to the students about what they were doing in life and about why they chose to give their money to our school. They, too, were eloquent as they spoke of the need to develop leadership for the future, the need to foster faith in our world, and the need to share ones blessings. Both students and donors taught each other many lessons just by their presence.
I had also invited two alumni to speak at the breakfast. Ally White is a freshman at The College of Notre Dame of Maryland who will major in structural engineering. Stephon Dingle, a sophomore at St. Mary's College, is already talking about graduate school. (Since he is the president of his class, perhaps we will be voting for him one day!) Both of these students spoke with great affection and gratitude for Mt. Carmel High School and the people who guided, taught and inspired them. They offered encouraging words to the students before them saying, "You can do it too--just keep on working."
The truth of the matter is that neither of these successful college students would have been able to finish high school at Mt. Carmel without significant help from the very people in the audience. They were living proof of how much the donations of many result in opportunities for young people.
The lump in my throat formed when I glanced out at the generations represented at that breakfast. I saw "connections" the way they should be. The young being cared for by the old and being inspired by those just several years removed. The older folks, realizing the great good that comes from sharing our blessings, interacting with students that truly are the future.
Pope John Paul II once said someting that I think continues to ring true. He said, "There is hope for the future, and its name is youth!" I have learned that this hope only comes to fruition with the help of many. I was privileged to share our little Thanksgiving Breakfast with people who really see that future and are willing to contribute to it--person by person and dollar by dollar.
During this holiday season, as we all appreciate our family and the things we love more than we sometimes do, you might feel a sense of generosity bubbling up within you. If you do, may I suggest supporting a great student with the gift of opportunity? Please contribute to our Adopt-a-Student Program and may you be blessed for your goodness if you do! (Contact Tom Rose in our Development Office to obtain details about the Adopt-a-Student Program--trose@olmcmd.org

The Saga of Two Bull Roasts

2009-11-22T22:10:00.002-05:00

One of the truths about Catholic schools is that in order to make things work, people have to work together. This dictum is true on many levels--students have to do their work, parents have to work hard and sacrifice to afford the tuition, everyone works to build the community, and we hope that the Holy Spirit "works" to make education of both heart and mind happen. As I tell you about the two bull roasts I attended over the last two weekends, I think you will agree that we hit on all of the above!
Last spring I was part of a conversation with our Development Team and we were talking about how difficult it was to have successful fall events in Cougar Land because so many groups were having events at the same time. Our high school and elementary school co-sponosred a Bull Roast/Auction, our parish and schools together held a huge Fall Festival, and our Athletic Association held a Bull Roast--all within two months of each other. Our conversation touched on the awful economy, the cost to young families who needed not only ticket money but also babysitting dollars, and the difficulty of trying to pick among several worthy causes. In that conversation, an idea was born. Why not combine the two Bull Roasts and split the profits among the schools and Athletic Association? The fear was that in such a tough economy there would not be enough profit to satisfy the needs of all. It was a gamble to be sure!
So, the Bull Roast/Auction to benefit all three groups was held last weekend and it was a huge success in every way. The attendance was great--better than either single event. The food was fabulous thanks to the culinary skills of our chef in residence, Mr. Jim Moore. The auction had many donated items and there were even some deals to be had. Most of all, it was so much FUN!!! Laura Cummins, Katie Fitzpatrick and Tom Rose, our Development Team, did a fabulous job of creating an atmosphere of unity, commuity, and fun. They deserve a great deal of credit for the success of the night. The attendees, who came from all parts of our school and parsih families, deserve the same. So--the budget needs were met, people had a grand time, and everyone was reminded that working together often doesn't feel like work at all. Don't you love it when a good idea comes to fruition?
The second event happened this weekend and it was the Annual Michelle Lee Bevans Memorial Scholarship Bull Roast. This event is close to the hearts of many of us who knew Michelle, a high school student who died during her junior year after a five year battle with cancer. She was a courageous and wonderful girl who loved school, her friends, and cheerleading--probably not in that order! Her family (which includes not only her parents and brother, Dan, but also countless aunts, uncles, and cousins)works together to hold this event and several others each year to fund a scholarhsip in Michelle's honor. The scholarship assists students whose families are struggling with tuition in our elelmentary, middle, and high school. Over the years, thousands of dollars have been given and an endowed scholarship is being funded as well.
Many of Michelle's classmates, all grown up and some with children of their own, always come to the event. So do many of Michelle's teachers. They are joined by friends and family and the group is generally 300 or so strong. At each bull roast, in the midst of the fun, there is a remembrance of Michelle. This event hallmarks a courageous and faithful family who show us how love transcends all boundaries. We learn this as we enjoy great company, feast on endless food, drink our fair share of brew, and dance away the night. It is amazing how much can be accomplished when people work together. Sometimes it doesn't even seem like work at all. And, as we do so often, we have come full circle! I think that is the thought with which this saga began!!!

High School Sports--The Way It Should Be!

2009-11-08T20:16:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow is an important day at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School. Our men's soccer team will play for the championship of the MIAA C Conference at 4:00 p.m. at Archbishop Spalding, a neutral site. There will be excitement building all day tomorrow in school. Students will wear the school colors of blue and gold instead of their uniforms. I am sure some faces will be painted blue and ponytails will be adorned with gold and blue ribbons. The school day will end with a pep rally and then the team will depart. They will be followed by a school van full of cheerleaders and a rented bus full of student fans. It has been several years since our team has gotten this far--to the very last game--on a championship run. Actually, the last time we won the big prize, our coach Drew Ganzerrmiller was a player! And, that brings me to the real reason that I write this commentary tonight instead of after the game tomorrow.
In recent years, professional athletes and even college level athletes seem to have lost something that all athletes used to embody. Most sports had a sense of purity now lost at these upper levels. High school sports, though,still has that magic . There is still something wonderful about high school athletics that causes the fan--student, parent, alum or principal--to yell with delight at a great play or get a lump in the throat when disappointment is a game's result. Our student athletes play because they love the game. Be it soccer, volleyball, lacrosse--you name it--they participate because they love the game and value the deep comraderie that results in working as part of a team. Athletics, at the high school level, still allows the loner to become part of things, allows the less skillful player to make a contribution, and allows the student leader to set a standard of sportsmanship and character that surpasses whatever number is on the scoreboard. Student athletes really care about each other. They care about their school and desire to bring "glory" to their efforts through hard work and cooperation. They want to win for the right reasons and they are willing to work hard to make that happen. (Our fall athletes began practice in mid-August and have put in two-three hours everyday since then training and practicing!)
I decided to write my comments while I was sitting in Church this morning! Today just happened be the Mass celebrating the children (ages 3-14 or so) who participate in our parish Athletic Association. This group includes coaches, parents, and kids that are part of the traditional CYO league. They play either on Saturday or Sunday during the fall and learn the skills I spoke about earlier including how to play soccer, how to share, how to accept a win with grace, and a defeat with sportsmanship. One glance at the flying helmets and late hits on television later on Sunday afternoon emhasizes just how important these life lessons are for kids who see great athletes some of whom have traded a love for their game for something else.
So,finally,here is the reason I chose to write my blog entry today! This morning I saw an example of high school athletes reaching the highest standard possible! Into the 10:00 a.m. Athletic Assoication Mass, marched our men's varsity soccer team. These high school boys were dressed in their uniforms and had decided to pray with the younger athletes before the last practice before their big game. They sat together as a team, toward the front of the Church. They were, every single one of them,reverent, respectful, and sincere. Fr. John wished them well and the congregation applauded. Better yet, the eyes of every little kid soccer player in that Church watched them. Those little kids saw prayer, respect, and community. They watched those older boys and looked up to them both literally and figuratively and dreamed of a day when they, too, might have a chance to play for a championship.
I think that in the bigger game of life, our boys have already won. They have dedicated themselves to hard work, doing their best, putting priorities in order, and setting a standard for others to follow. I am enormously proud of this team and the other athletes like them who may not have made it to a final championship game. Sports at Mt. Carmel remain close to what high school sports should be because our kids know what is really important--Striving to be the best without sacrificing who you really are! As for tomorrow, let's win that game! GO COUGARS!!!!

Open House Time

2009-10-26T18:45:00.003-04:00

One of the most important days of the fall for Catholic schools is the day of Open House. At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School it is a celebration day. Each department plans a presentation that conveys information about course options and also gives a sense of the creativity of the department. This year there was a fantasy Spanish/French restaurant, games about events in history, and a gooey science experiment that resulted in a homemade version of play-doh. There were also club displays,a dance performance, and athletic presentations. What a busy and excciting night for our school and for the middle school students who came to check out the program.
This year our Open House was well attended and good spirited! The best part of the evening for me was the presence of so many of our current students. Students volunteerd to lead the tours, participate in the presentations, and mingle with visitors. This year our students did an exceptional job--They looked poised and in uniform, and they spoke with knowledge and affection about our school. I was so proud of them! They are really our best resource as well as the reason we work so hard to "deliver" on our promise of an excellent, Catholic education for each of them.
Many parents also spent the evening sharing the Carmel experience with visitors. They, too, spoke about the community spirit so evident at Mt. Carmel. As I looked out at the crowd, I was so grateful for the positive relationships shared by all of us in the Carmel family. What a wonderful place to learn--where the presence of every student is valued!
So, our Open House event was a busy, exciting, and exhausting evening. I think those who visited were impressed by our programs and our community. Share the good news--If you know a middle school student who wants a "quality education with a a personal touch" please send them our way!

Festival Weekend: Enthusiasm and Dedication

2009-10-11T12:01:00.006-04:00

As many know, there is a weekend in October and a weekend in early May where a major transformation takes place at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. As parking spaces disappear, rides for young and younger as well as stands of cakes, games, and delicous food appear. The entire community--parish, elementary school, and high school--joins forces to create an "event." There are some parishioners (several who are still assisting) who have memories of festivals four decades ago! There are some families like the Heids, Donahues, Brotzmans, Copes/Bonner whose younger members are filling the big footprints of volunteerism set by their parents. The Festival is a strong, life-giving tradition!
For the past several years, the Friday night of the Festival has been designated as Alumni Night. On that evening between the beef stand and the beer stand, alumni gather to sign in, get their give-away mug and tee shirt, chat with former teachers and reunite with friends. It is a wonderful and growing gathering. This year the crowd was huge with alumni numbering between two and three hundred people. It was great to catch up, meet spouses, see new babies and hear of life changing accomplishments. There were two things that resonated to me--one was how successful most of our alumni are and the other was how genuinely happy they were to be "back" on campus. We heard from Chris who works for CNN and helped create the amazing map that Anderson Cooper and John King play with as they discuss politics. There is Nikki, always creative and talented, who is a graphic artist at NIH. There are several nurses, researchers, engineers, as well as plumbers, electicians and builders. The common themes they share are that they love what they do and that the first glimmerings of talents recognized, confidence built, and goals formulated began at Mt. Carmel. The Friday evening of the Fesival is one which makes me proud of our now grown-up kids!
I write this on Sunday as the Festival continues and I think of how many times blessed our community really is. Of course, there is the huge issue of good weather for the Festival weekend. It couldn't have been better this year. More importantly, there is the blessing of our people--the ones who love this community and are willing to share time and talent to build it, grow it, and preserve it. These, of course, are our most treasured blessings. The hundreds of peole who sell the food, bake the cakes, man the stands, and spread hospitality as they work are the real treasures. When I take a few minutes to think about this , I am grateful beyond words that I landed among such good people so many years ago and was smart enough to remain. Thanks be to God!
Now, off I go for one more beef sandwich! Happy Festival weekend!

A Few Weeks of Ambivalence

2009-10-04T19:38:00.005-04:00

This year I have the pleasure and the challenge of teaching junior English. "Ambivalent" was one of our recent vocabulary words and as we determined a definition, I recognized the past two weeks as ambivalence at its best!
Two weeks ago we learned of the passing of Linda Fannon who taught art (and life!) at Mt. Carmel for almost twenty years. As we prepared for her funeral, emotions ran high. As always at Carmel, it seems that the most difficult experiences bring out the best in us. So many teachers and staff helped prepare a Mass that I believe Linda would have loved. It was a tribute to her in every way. The music, under the direction of Dr. Jeff Bunn was powerful,and many alumni and current students sang. It could not have been more lovely. The readings described Linda as if the inspired Scripture author had her particularly in mind. Msgr. Bob's homily rang true. The celebration was a worthy send off!
As I sat in Mt. Carmel Church that day, I saw so many former students who came back to pay their respects and to say goodbye. At the viewing the day before, there was another outpouring of support. The presence of hundreds and hundreds of visitors, many of them alums, was a tribute to the love we have for Linda and the family. It was wonderful to see so many of you that graduated lately and many years ago. I was touched by your presence and so was the Fannon family. You did "good" during these sad days.
I started this by talking about ambivalence. Here it comes! Guess what else happended last weekend? You are right--Homecoming! On Friday night there was the traditional dance which was very well attended. Students looked grand as they danced the night away. Some things never change--Girls took off their shoes and yanked up their dresses while boys pulled down their ties. Fun was had by all and behavior,overall, was quite impressive!
The weekend continued with games all day Saturday. The morning hours were filled with volleyball contests and soccer games were played in the afternoon. The victories and defeats were mixed but the enthusaism was high all round. The weather held until the boys' varsity soccer game when the sky opened!
The new (and I hope first annual) event of the weekend was an Alumni Night. The plan was to begin outdoors and then move into the cafeteria for food and festivities during the evening. The rain made our move to the cafeteria earlier than planned! Old yearbooks were available and there were tours of the building as well as a DJ, food, and dancing. It was fun to watch people find themselves or friends in the yearbook and then burst into laughter. The times really have changed and so have styles!
Our very first graduating class, the Class of 1963, held their 50 th reunion at the Alumni Event. They had so much fun! They had stories about each other, their teachers, the building of the gym, and the rules they followed--or at least mostly followed. They also spoke of the deep friendships that were forged at Mt. Carmel High School, some that have lasted half a century. They spoke of the academic program and how prepared they felt to meet the challenges life had in store for them. They spoke of learning respect, self-discipline, and the importance of hard work. They also spoke of the inner strength that comes from having faith and applying it to all aspects of their life. They stated that, though they didn't appreciate it so much in their youth, the lessons taught at Mt. Carmel had provided them with a life time of values.
I know that the values of which they spoke remain priorities in our school today. Though the world is very different, some things remain true: faith is key to facing life's joys and challenges, success does not come without hard work, and discipline must come from within. It was a joy to meet the members of the Class of 1963! I hope that 50 years from now, our current students can share fond memories and such a positive testimony about their love for Carmel--even in these days of ambivalence!

Losing Linda

2009-09-21T20:41:00.006-04:00

There have been very few days over the past many years at Carmel that have broken my heart, but today was one of them. Today I had to tell our students that Linda Fannon, our friend and beloved art teacher, had lost her battle with cancer. Linda died on Sunday at her home surrounded by her family. She had refused earlier that day to return to the hospital and so fulfilled her wish to pass from this life to the next at her home with the people who loved her most. So be it.
I was in my office at school when I returned Bill Fannon's call. After hearing his news I walked across the hall to Linda's room--the 9-B homeroom she loved. Her presence in that room is overwhelming and it is impossible to tell where her things stop and Carmel things begin. They are and will ever be intertwined. There is artwork everywhere--some from many years past. There is still the upside down bike and the beautiful photo of Emily. There is a picture of Wish with no hair and several of Linda and Bill. Everywhere there are remnants of what Linda loved--color, beauty, the quirky and eccentric,the silly and the lovely. All the things in the room are connected most of all with the people she loved over the years...most particularly her students.
Linda was a teacher par excellence. She was personally talented and could teach those who were not. Most importantly, she saw in every student potential and she provided a haven where that potential could blossom. How many teen conflicts were discussed over pastels and charcoal? How much good advice was given while the smell of paint permeated the room? How many of you learned that service was part of life while making PB & J's for Beans and Bread? How many times did I observe her class and know that our students were experiencing the best that Catholic schools--any school really--could offer?
Linda was always known for her generosity and her optimism. Especially during her illness she set such a high standard for courage that it became impossible for any of the rest of us to complain. She was at school every day that she could physically attend. She said often,"We can do this." I thought she meant that we could get through the day or the particular problem at hand. I wonder now if she had much bigger issues on her mind.
About two weeks ago I went into the faculty room and found Linda resting on the couch. She seemed so small and frail and tired. As I walked in , she stirred,turned and smiled and said, "I am so happy to be here." It was one of the last days she was with us.
I have thought all day long about losing Linda. Her passing leaves a hole in our hearts and in our community that cannot be filled. So, I have decided to refuse to lose her. I know by faith that Linda is at peace and suffers no more. I know, too, that it is now our turn to learn from Linda and to honor the person that she was. In her honor, I choose optimism. In her honor, I choose hope. In her honor, I will be courageous. In her honor, I will teach. I have decided never to lose Linda and I hope you decide that too.

Living Through the First Week of School

2009-09-12T19:33:00.004-04:00

I know that for most people, the calendar year sets the pace of one's days. Other than the big holidays, one week is very much like another. The experience of all those involved in education, however, recognizes that New Year's Day is really in September when the new school year begins. The pace changes and accelerates for students, teachers, and parents. Everyone gets up earlier, feels and is busier, and tries to adjust to the responsibilities of the school year. It is often a tough transition!
I am happy to report that all of us at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel made it through our first week with good spirits and enthusiasm. We had fun! It was Welcome Week which is sponsored by Student Government. The week included the Opening of School Mass, a Clubs Presentation, Honors Assembly,PTSA Back to School Night, distribution of yearbooks, and an ice cream sundae social on Friday at lunch. Every activity was well planned and added to the excitement of the week.
At the Mass on Wednesday, Fr. Bob talked about living in "hope" and acting out of our faith. He talked about really believing in our own future and making good things happen for ourselves and our community. Several students spoke, too, about how important the support of the Carmel community has been for them as they faced some difficult decisions and situations. I am always amazed and touched by how articulate our students are and the maturity of their thinking. A community of people who care about each other is a joy in happy times and a real comfort in difficult ones.
The Honors Assembly was great too. So many students who earned honor status for last term last year got Honor Cards. Mr. Naunton also recognized scholar athletes who managed to play sports and earn honors. Many of you know how many hours of effort it takes to be on a team and the exhaustion that accompanies that commitment. I was elated to hear that more than half of our athletes are also on the Honor Roll.
When the yearbooks were distributed on Friday, there was plenty of commenting by returning graduates and current students. Even they could see how much they had grown up in a year! Mr. Bunn and his yearbook staff did a great job on the book and it is overflowing with great photos. It really is a keepsake.
So, this first week of school was overflowing with activities not to mention it was the first week of classes--and the start of homework-- for everyone. No wonder everyone was tired by Friday afternoon!
Our Student Government really did a great job of pulling the week together without disrupting the classes. I am very proud to say that our SGA has been recognized as a "Council of Excellence"--the only one in Maryland, I might add! This recognition comes from following the guidelines of the organization and going above and beyond in terms of leadership training, organizational planning, and character development. I am so proud of our young leaders!
Though this first week of school was exciting, I am hoping for a little more hum-drum next week. Some of us (me!) are still trying to get up early and not fall asleep before the evening news is over!

Here Comes the Class of 2013!

2009-08-31T16:42:00.004-04:00

There is nothing more exciting than the arrival of a new freshman class. Today 51 students arrived at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School to meet their teachers and each other. Though they were nervous and some were shy, most of them were very enthusiastic and positive.
About 20 of the older students planned the Orientation Day. They are the Campus Ministry Team. They have already experienced an overnight retreat in late July and a Leadership Retreat last week. At those events they focused on their own growing leadership and responsibilities as well as planned for the arrival of the freshmen.
Our day stated with "get to know you" activities which were fun for everyone. The older students took the new kids on a tour of the campus (Remember how some of you always said there was a swimming pool on the third floor???) and then delivered them to homeroom. There the freshmen struggled with the infamous lockers and the challenging combinations. Most of them were successful! Mrs. Fannon (still fighting against cancer) has already convinced her 9-B ers that they are the best homeroom ever!
After homeroom, we had lunch provided by Jim Moore, our new cafeteria guru. Wow! Can he cook!!! He served the best burgers around and everyone seemed happy with the lunch. Wait until they see the great menus for the year. The next session after lunch was a "talk" about handbook rules and uniforms etc. by Mike Naunton and Elaine Hartnett, the assistant principals. We ended the day in the chapel with a prayer service which the Campus Ministry Team planned. We ended with our daily mantra, "Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Pray for us!" With that shared prayer another group of students joined our little community!
It was a great day and I think what made it wonderful was not only meeting our new students (It is always a surprise to see how young they are and to sense how much they want to be older!) but also to see our older students volunteer their time to share their feelings about the school. One student said today, "You are going to love it here!" I hope that becomes true for every one of our new freshmen! It is also a joy to see how many of the upper level teachers came to meet the new students and say hello and welcome. Our little school remains a place of hospitality and welcome. Let's hope God blesses our new freshmen and that we have many more happy days with them!

The Teachers Are Back!

2009-08-25T15:24:00.004-04:00

We had our first faculty meetings of the year today. It was great to have all the teachers back and begin to get organized for next week when the kids arrive. Tom Rose, our Development Director, told everyone about the plans for our anniversary year and teachers signed up to help. We are going to try to contact all the former faculty members from years gone by and invite them to the big dinner on April 21,2010.
With the help of the archivist at the Mother House, I was able to get the faculty lists from 1959 through the eighties when most of the staff were Sisters of St. Francis! We will be able to list the names of all the Sisters who taught or administered the school from the first day the doors opened. Though plans are still being discussed, I am sure we will find a way to honor the Sisters for their service to the school. The Sisters gave so much to the schools and parish and we are so grateful for all the good that they did!
I was thinking today as I met with the teachers how much each faculty member gives of him/herself to meet the needs of our students. In order to be a great teacher, a person has to have two areas of "competence." Obvioiulsy they need to know their content material--and really like it! They also have to have a real dedication and belief in young people. The best teachers really believe that each child has gifts and potential and that, through them, the world can be a better place.
In a Catholic school, these beliefs are not just philosphical notions, they are a matter of faith. Catholic school teachers have to act every day out of the belief that all can be good, all can be successful, and all are not only gifted but called to serve. The Gospel becomes a reality on a daily basis when educators meet this standard.
I have worked with the most wonderful teachers at Mt. Carmel over the years and when we have not met our goals, it was not from lack of trying! I know that our current faculty will work for lofty goals too--all for the benefit of our students. We have a few more days to get ready and next week they will arrive. I know it will be a great anniversary year!

Parents are a Plus

2009-08-21T08:55:00.004-04:00

Last night I had the first meeting of the year with the PTSA (which stands for Parent/Teacher/Student /Association) Executive Board. It is one of the key organizations that support the activities of the school and it provides a way for parents to really help. Maggie Eshman, Lil Paepke, Patrice Brylske, and Anne Aquilla are the officers this year. What a great crew! We talked about calling new students to welcome them, inviting folks to be part of the upcoming Festival (October 9,10,11) and Auction/Bull Roast (November 14) We talked about how fast the summer flew by, getting kids ready for school, and our high hopes for the 2009-2010 anniversary year.
The part of these conversations I love the most is the very prominent undercurrent of how much these parents believe in and are willing to work for the school and their kids. No matter what the challenge they are willing to pitch in and help.
I've discovered over the years that this spirit of working hard and being welcoming is true for most of our parents. As I think back there are so many names I remember of people that I could really count on: Copes, Crum, Brotzman, Kriss, Dwyer, Odle, Lyons, Reed, Concordia, Bosse, Issenock,Greaver, Pfeiffer, Edebe, Fillius, Steck, Donohue, Kammen, Celmer! I could fill pages with names of families who have given hours of service to benefit our school and ultimately their chilren--all of our children! To me this is like the Litany of the Saints! I hope these families and all the ones I did not list as well ( and they are many) know how deeply grateful I am and will always be for the work that they did and the joy with which they did it. I think that parent support in a school is a crucial ingredient for success. Whew! I am glad we have it in abundance!
The other thought I had last night is the whole notion of how important "community" is to our school. At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel everyone and everything is somehow connected. It's like the "Six Degrees of Separation" game. Connections between elementary and high school, both schools and parish, and among families is always amazing. How wonderful that community is and what a support it has been in good times and bad. That will be a story for another day! Let's just say that the community of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has "saved' me more than once and I am truly grateful. Parents are an important ingredient in that community. Aren't we blessed!

The Anniversary Year Begins

2009-08-18T20:14:00.001-04:00

Today I finished signing several thousand (that's not even an exaggeration) letters that will arrive at the homes of alums, parents, and friends of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School in the next few weeks. My letter announces the 50th anniversary of our school. It is a time to look back at the traditions, joys, and struggles that our school family has experienced and a time to look forward to providing a great education, that touches both mind and heart, for students now and in the future.
It is my hope that this blog chronicles some of these experiences, past and present. Those of you who know me are sure to be a bit frightened at this moment because you know that I could talk for hours (that's not an exaggeration either) about Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. I came to the campus in 1983 as a young professional, fell in love with the people and the place, and have stayed forever it seems. I have watched many children grow up including my own and have gained countless experiences about what to do with what life throws at us-- good and bad. I have learned that it is our faith and our community that allows us not only to "make it through" but to live a life that is full and happy.
Tom Rose, our Director of Development, has convinced me that I should take technology head-on and communicate via this blog. He even believes that some of you will enjoy reading what I have to write. I hope so!
So, when your letter arrives and you look up this site I will be ready to greet you with memories and new information. There are many truths I have learned along life's way but I am certain that this one ranks high--Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School has been and continues to be a special place that is blessed by wonderful people(especially our kids). It is a school that has remained faithful to our mission to educate students in the ways of the heart as well as the head and to lead them to an understanding and appreciation of God, themselves, and their community. I have always found this mission inspiring and challenging. It's a good thing we have our patroness working for us!
So, welcome to the anniversary year chronicle! I have so much to tell you! Oh my goodness, I have taken the "blogging plunge" and we are off on a new adventure!