Life Lessons in the Library

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!

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!

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

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?

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"

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..."

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!

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?

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?

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..."

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!

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

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

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!

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

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!