Seeing the Big Picture as We Begin--Again!

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!!!