Mustang Memo
A Newsletter for Saint Ann School Families
August 8, 2022
Table of Contents
- Spiritual Reflection
- Mark Your Calendars!
- Staffing Announcements
- Student Life Notes
One Body in Christ: Our Spiritual Theme
Our theme for the 2022-2023 school comes with a theme song: We Are One Body, by Dana Scallon and Matthew Willcott.
It's commonly played at masses during Holy Communion because it discusses the power of the Eucharist, but it also connects our Christianity to how we empathize with and serve others - how we strive to become like Christ. It's perfect for outlining Catholic Social Teaching, which is how we'll bring this theme to life for our students.
I invite you to take a prayerful moment to listen.
Mark Your Calendars!
August 18: New Student Social in the Celebration Garden, 5:30-7:00 pm
New Students & their families are invited to join us for crafts, fellowship, and ice cream & snowballs provided by Sweet Lucy’s & Cajun Snow
August 22: Teachers Report for 2022-23 Orientation Week
August 28: Regular Weekly Mustang Memos Begin (Distributed every Sunday during the school year)
August 29: First Day for All Students! Half-Day Schedule, 11:45 am Dismissal (Grades 1-8)
Regular Uniform Day
Students in Pre-K 3- Kindergarten should follow separate orientation schedule as outlined by your classroom teacher
August 30: After Care Program Begins
September 2: Half-Day Schedule, 11:45 am Dismissal - No After Care
September 5: Labor Day Holiday, School Closed
September 13: Opening School Mass
September 14: Band Instrument Demonstration Day, Grades 4-8
September 20: Back to School Night, 6:30-7:30 pm
Please join us in the Social Hall for an opening presentation, followed by classroom visits
September 21: Picture Day, Formal Uniform Required
September 23: Casual Day - $1 to Support Missions
September 27: First Day of Soccer Shots Fall Season (see below for details)
September 28: First Day of Band Instruction
October 10: Fall Break, School Closed
Special Note: STAR Testing will take place during the weeks of September 26 & October 3, 2022
Welcome, Mr. Graney!
Mr. Graney comes to us with a wealth of training and experience in education. He is an enthusiastic, student-centered professional educator who has served as a teacher at a Catholic elementary school in our diocese, youth leader, and personnel director. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Delaware and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Wilmington University. He is rated as a Highly Qualified Teacher by the Delaware Department of Education and also holds a certification as a teacher of exceptional students, K-12. Additionally he is an Apple and Google Certified Educator, and has a Podcasting Certificate from DTCC. He ardently pursues his own professional development and is eager to help students realize their own gifts and talents!
Mr. Graney has said of his teaching style, "Students entering my classroom are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the coalescence of interests, experiences, and skills they represent as individuals. By extension, students learn to recognize the diverse strengths of others - both in the classroom and the broader world. Drawing on sound research, a variety of learning styles and assessment modalities are acknowledged in the intellectual framework of my classes. Engagement and authentic learning are supported by the physical environment of the classroom. High expectations, both academic and moral, form the foundation on which my students' learning experience is scaffolded."
Mr. Graney understands what it means to be a committed member of a school community. He has contributed beyond the classroom in a variety of ways, from designing summer camp programs, to moderating clubs, to facilitating a mentoring program for young men. We also acknowledge and appreciate his contributions to Catholic Youth Ministry as a youth group moderator, catechist, and Parish Council Member.
Eighth graders and their families can look forward to hearing from Mr. Graney soon. He says he is thrilled and honored to join the Saint Ann's family! I am thrilled and honored to welcome him; I will look forward to all of the good things he and our eighth graders can accomplish together!
Welcome Back, Mrs. Hu!
Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Yi Hu back to SAS!
Mrs. Hu made the difficult decision to leave Saint Ann School when her family made plans to move out of state, but those plans have changed! We are blessed to have her return to teach Chinese - the language program she built from scratch at SAS - as well as Technology and Keyboarding in the upcoming school year.
In even better news, she'll be in school full-time, 5 days a week. This means she will also be able to offer a Chinese elective to middle school students who wish to continue studying the language, and she'll serve as an in-house substitute teacher, among other duties.
I ask you to join me in prayer for these new teachers & our entire faculty:
Thank you, Ms. Leriche
Ms. Leriche has said, "St. Ann is poised for continued success and I wish everyone the best of luck."
A prayer for Ms. Leriche:
Father in Heaven, please watch over Ms. Leriche, anoint her working life, so that she moves in your strength and not her own. May she be aware of your presence with her, a friend always beside her, and an advisor at her side. Fill her heart with hope and joy and her actions with integrity and wisdom so that others may see something of your spirit in her.
Amen.
Adapted from LivingPrayers.com
Saint Ann School is posting the Spanish Teacher opening on the CDOW Employment Page, and our own website. We will work diligently to ensure quality Spanish instruction continues in the coming school year!
Interested candidates can send a cover letter and resume to Ms. Rachael Casey at rcasey@thesaintannschool.org.
Student Life Notes
Don't forget to keep working on summer assignments! Please contact your grade level teacher with any questions or needs to ensure you do your best work. We can't wait to get started!
Yay Lunch!
SAS partners with Yay Lunch! to provide daily lunch options for purchase. For more information on menu and payment options, please visit: https://www.thesaintannschool.org/parents/lunch-program
After School Soccer: Pre-K 3 - 2nd Grade
Mustang Minis - 2nd Graders are invited to register for the Fall Season of Soccer Shots offered in the SAS Gymnasium on Tuesday afternoons, beginning 9/27! See below for information on the program and how to sign up. Space is limited!