Reflection for April:

One hundred and fifty one:  Think about that for a second, 151 days.  I hear a lot about how many days we have left (25 for those counting) and, while also significant, shouldn’t overshadow the fact that our students have been in school for 151 days during the 2020-2021 academic year.  So before we move forward, please let that marinate for a few minutes. 

Thank you to our families, teachers, coaches, and ALL our volunteers for making these past 151 days possible.  It didn’t look like we wanted it to for sure.  The year didn’t take on the feel of past years nor did it accomplish all that we accomplished in previous years.  We couldn’t have field trips, couldn’t rotate classes, were unable to bring in speakers and have assemblies, instruction had to be cut in half in order to balance the many different classes, and the overall stress and procedure development/changes were overwhelming.  However, through prayers and the diligence of many individuals we were able to open our doors, play sports regardless of how they scheduled out, had the Mardi Gras parade, attended mass during the week on a rotating schedule, and will receive First Communion, Confirmation and attend Graduation on time all while attending school 151 days and counting thus far. 

As I look back on this year just enough to remind myself that we still need to look forward, I know that there will be several things that will change moving into this summer and next fall.  The structure of the day, several procedures, the rotation of classes, creation of opportunities, recruitment of new students and staff, all these things will be able to create a more conducive and familiar look to what next year’s school year will be as we move onward and upward. 

At the same time, it’s almost impossible to compare many surrounding school districts and what they were able to accomplish to us and what we were able to accomplish.  I know that many of you, just as I do, have older children in other schools in our area.  I think about what many of those students have faced and wonder where we will be with them moving forward.  I think about how important it is to learn and move forward into next year.  I think about my last two years, my only two years, here at OLMC and all that they have encompassed.  I remember a quote I read from an old football coach that said “There are only four mental qualifications necessary for success – Aggressiveness, Obedience, Concentration and Determination.  Add to this Harmonious cooperation and you have the making of a real team.”  Once the upcoming 25 days are complete and the dust settles on this school year, we will need ALL of those same mental qualifications in order to move forward into the 2021-2022 academic year.  However, before we get there, it is only fitting and necessary to remember the many positive aspects which can be pulled from the past 151 days our students, staff and families were able to live in this past year. 

So thank you, congratulations, and as we finish this out, let’s grow forward together! 

Mr. Swann - Principal