Celebrating First Responders
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This past week, Holy Cross School was closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day. We hope all of our students, families, faculty, and staff enjoyed a restful long weekend. After our first full week of school, the additional day offered everyone a welcome opportunity to pause, recharge, and prepare for the weeks ahead.
Tuesday and Wednesday were quiet days on campus as our students and teachers returned to their routines. On Thursday, however, our campus came alive as we celebrated our annual First Responders Day. We extend our deepest gratitude to Mrs. Barton for the tremendous amount of time and care she devoted to coordinating this event. Planning began last school year, and Mrs. Barton worked diligently to connect with first responders throughout our community and bring this meaningful experience to our students.
Our campus welcomed an incredible variety of agencies and emergency personnel. Students saw a Delaware State Police helicopter, mounted police officers and their horses, canine units, ambulances, the Dover Police Department bicycle unit, the Mobile Crisis Center, lifeguards from the Delaware beaches, and many others. They also participated in CPR simulations and learned firsthand about the important responsibilities of those who serve and protect us.
Many members of our school community have family members who work in law enforcement or emergency services. We are especially grateful for the opportunity to honor them and help our students better understand their dedication, courage, and sacrifice. Thank you, Mrs. Barton, and thank you to all the first responders who serve our communities each day.
On Friday, we commemorated the twenty fifth anniversary of the attacks of September 11. We began our morning with a prayer service honoring the innocent lives lost and the brave men and women who responded with extraordinary courage. A special thank you goes to our choir for singing “God Bless America.” It was a beautiful and moving moment that allowed us to remember our nation, its heroes, and all those whose lives were forever changed by that tragic day.
During the service, we also paused to remember Corporal Matthew “Ty” Snook and offered a special prayer for him and his loved ones. We were honored to welcome members of his family to our campus that morning.
Following the prayer service, students gathered throughout campus to cheer for the Delaware Law Enforcement Thank You Ride. Participating officers rode their bicycles across Delaware over two days to recognize and thank members of law enforcement. Many rode in honor of a fallen officer, including those who carried Corporal Snook’s name through our campus. Together, we cheered, prayed, and remembered. Although Corporal Snook lost his life last year, his legacy of service will continue to live on. We will keep him and his family in our hearts, memories, and prayers.
This week reminded us of the courage shown by law enforcement officers and first responders each day. They leave their families to serve others, protect our communities, and save lives. As a Catholic school community, one of the greatest gifts we can offer is our continued gratitude and prayer.
Next week, we are especially excited to begin with our Feast of the Holy Cross Mass, celebrating our school’s feast day. Our eighth grade students will lead us in procession and prayer as we honor the cross of Christ and the hope, love, and salvation it represents.
September is certainly a busy month on campus, but we are grateful for every opportunity to gather in faith, reflection, and fellowship. Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Holy Cross School. May God bless you and your families.
Mrs. O’Mara
First Full Week of School
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This past week marked our first full week of school for our preschool, elementary, and junior high students. We are incredibly grateful for such a successful beginning to the new school year. We would like to pause and thank our teachers, faculty, staff, families, and students for helping make the transition back to campus so smooth and positive. The joy and excitement throughout our halls have been a beautiful reminder of what makes Holy Cross such a special community.
Although our calendar is quickly filling with many exciting events and activities, this week provided our students with an important opportunity to settle into their classrooms, become familiar with new schedules and routines, and strengthen connections with their teachers and classmates. Monday through Wednesday were filled with learning, prayer, and the beginning of many new classroom experiences.
On Thursday afternoon, our faculty and staff gathered for a surprise bridal shower honoring one of our kindergarten teachers, who will be married later this month. We are grateful to our Sunshine Committee for organizing this joyful celebration and helping us recognize such a special milestone in the life of one of our faculty members. Moments like these allow us to celebrate not only as colleagues, but also as a family of faith.
On Friday, we concluded our week with our Back to School Prayer Service. This was a special opportunity for our entire school community to gather in prayer and reflection. The service centered on our Diocesan theme, “Lord, help me to see,” as well as the Corporal Works of Mercy. Together, we reflected on what it truly means to see one another as Christ sees us and how we can put our faith into action by serving those in need. While prayer remains at the heart of every school day, there is something especially meaningful about gathering as one school community and inviting God to guide the year ahead.
September will bring many wonderful opportunities for fellowship, prayer, service, and learning. As a gentle reminder, there will be no school on Monday, September 7. On Thursday, we will host our annual First Responder Event. On Friday, we will gather for a special prayer service commemorating September 11. Following the service, our students will cheer on the participants in the Delaware Law Enforcement Thank You Ride as they travel through our campus and across the state in honor of fallen officers.
Later this month, we will welcome families for our Back to School Nights, begin our first Renaissance testing window, host a breakfast for our newest Crusaders, and most importantly, celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
We are also introducing something new to our weekly newsletter and church bulletin. Beginning later this month, each edition will feature a reflection written by one of our teachers, sharing life at Holy Cross through the perspective of that teacher and their students. We will begin with Mrs. Allen’s Pre K 3 classroom and gradually make our way through each grade level to our eighth grade teachers. We hope these reflections will help our readers feel even more connected to our school and experience the faith, learning, and joy found within our classrooms.
We look forward with gratitude and hope to all that God has in store for our Holy Cross community this year.
God bless,
Mrs. O’Mara
Happy First Day of School!
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This past week, our campus was bustling with excitement as our teachers, students, parents, and families officially returned to Holy Cross. After months of preparation, there is truly nothing better than seeing our hallways filled once again with the people who make our school community so special.
On Monday, students from Pre K through eighth grade came to campus to meet their teachers, drop off supplies, and get a first look at their classrooms. This is always such a joyful day as students reconnect with friends, families greet one another, and our newest Crusaders begin to experience what it means to be part of our Holy Cross family. The excitement throughout the building was a wonderful reminder of all that God has in store for us this school year.
Monday evening, we welcomed our Pre K 3 and Pre K 4 families for Early Learning Center Back to School Night. Hosting this event before the first day of school gives our youngest Crusaders and their families an opportunity to become comfortable with their classrooms, meet their teachers, ask questions, and learn more about life at Holy Cross. Our Early Learning Center teachers and our new Early Learning Center Director enjoyed meeting and reconnecting with so many families as we prepared for a wonderful year ahead.
On Tuesday, our faculty and staff traveled to St. Mark’s High School to gather with fellow Catholic educators from across the Diocese of Wilmington for a day of prayer, reflection, and preparation. These diocesan gatherings are always meaningful because they remind us that we are part of something much greater than our individual school. Together, we share the important mission of Catholic education and the responsibility of helping our students grow academically while developing a deeper relationship with Christ.
During the gathering, several Holy Cross educators were recognized for milestones in Catholic education. Congratulations to Mrs. Arndt for 5 years, Mrs. Speed for 15 years, Mrs. Peek for 30 years, Mrs. Holzinger for 10 years, Mrs. Borden for 25 years, and Ms. Traynor for 5 years of service to Catholic education. We are incredibly blessed by their dedication to our students, families, and Catholic faith.
On Wednesday, our faculty and staff gathered once more to make final preparations for the arrival of our students. We took time to pray together, share a snack, connect as a team, and ensure that everything was ready for a successful first day.
Then came Thursday, the moment we had all been waiting for! We officially welcomed our Kindergarten through eighth grade students for the first day of the 2026 to 2027 school year. From morning arrival through afternoon dismissal, our campus was filled with smiles, excitement, and positive energy. On Friday, our preschool students joined us, and our Holy Cross family was finally complete.
Our hearts are full as we begin another year together. We hope everyone had a wonderful and restful summer, but school is officially back in session!
Next week, we look forward to our first full week of school and our Back to School Prayer Service as we ask God to bless and guide our students, families, faculty, and staff throughout the year ahead.
Please stay connected with us throughout the school year. We have so much to look forward to, and we cannot wait to see what God has in store for our Crusader family!
God Bless,
Mrs. O’Mara
It Is Almost Time, Crusaders!
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It is finally here! After months of preparation, prayer, planning, hiring, painting, organizing, cleaning, and countless hours of work throughout our campus, we are ready to welcome our Crusaders back to Holy Cross for the 2026 to 2027 school year!
This week brought incredible energy back into our building as our faculty and staff officially returned to campus. Classrooms that sat quiet throughout the summer are once again filled with teachers preparing lessons, organizing materials, decorating bulletin boards, collaborating with colleagues, and most importantly, preparing to welcome their students.
We began our time together in the best way possible, gathered as a faculty and staff for Mass. As a Catholic school community, beginning our year together in prayer reminds us that everything we do must remain centered on Christ and the mission He has entrusted to us. Following Mass, our newly established Home and School Association welcomed our faculty and staff with a wonderful homemade breakfast. We are incredibly grateful for the parents who have volunteered their time to strengthen the connection between our school, parish, teachers, students, and families.
Our teachers also had the opportunity to see their newly renovated Teacher Workroom. This project was made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Andrea Lewis and was dedicated in loving memory of her late husband. We hope this beautiful new space provides our teachers with a comfortable and welcoming place to plan, collaborate, recharge, and prepare for their students throughout the year.
As we prepare to begin another school year, we are especially excited to welcome the newest members of our Holy Cross family: Mrs. Clarissa Patterson, Early Learning Center Director; Mr. Sean Cannon, Third Grade Teacher; Ms. Brittany Rogers, long term Fifth Grade Teacher; Mrs. Courtney DeWitt, First Grade Teacher; Mrs. Sheri Healy, Second Grade Teacher; Mrs. Raven Armiger, Pre K 4 Teacher; and Ms. Samantha Minio, Morning Care Director and Kindergarten Aide.
Each of these educators brings unique gifts, experiences, and talents to our campus, and we are grateful that God has led them to Holy Cross. Please help us make them feel at home as they begin this new chapter with our school community.
We also have some bittersweet news to share regarding our music program. Miss Swartzentruber, our music teacher, has decided to move in a different direction for the upcoming school year. We are incredibly grateful for all she has done for our school, our students, and our music program. Miss Swartzentruber brought tremendous joy to our campus and generously shared her musical talents with our community. She will certainly be missed, and we wish her all the very best in her next chapter.
We are pleased to welcome Miss Caitlin Hernandez, who will serve as our long term substitute for this position. Caitlin’s background in choir and music will be a wonderful asset as we work to ensure that our music program continues to thrive and provide meaningful experiences for our students. Please join us in welcoming Caitlin to the Holy Cross family when you see her around campus!
It Is Almost Time, Crusaders!
With our teachers back in their classrooms, we are now counting down the days until our students return!
Monday, August 24 will be our Supply Drop Off. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to bring school supplies to campus ahead of the first day and help make that exciting first morning a little easier.
Thursday, August 27 is the first day of school for our Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Crusaders! We cannot wait to see our hallways filled with students again and officially begin another year of learning, growing, serving, and living our faith together.
Friday, August 28 will complete our first week as we welcome our Pre K students to campus for their first day of school. Once our youngest Crusaders arrive, our Holy Cross family will officially be together again!
There is something incredibly special about the beginning of a new school year. It is a fresh start filled with new friendships, new teachers, new challenges, new opportunities, and countless possibilities. As we open our doors once again, we pray that each child who enters them knows that they are loved, valued, and called by God to use their unique gifts for something greater.
Please keep our students, teachers, faculty, staff, and families in your prayers as we begin the 2026 to 2027 school year. May the Lord guide our work, bless our classrooms, protect our students, and help each of us to truly see one another through His eyes.
We are ready for you, Crusaders! Welcome back to Holy Cross!
God Bless,
Mrs. O’Mara
Principal
Meet the Teacher 2026!
- Details
This past week, our campus was bustling with excitement as our teachers, students, parents, and families officially returned to Holy Cross. After months of preparation, there is truly nothing better than seeing our hallways filled once again with the people who make our school community so special.
On Monday, students from Pre K through eighth grade came to campus to meet their teachers, drop off supplies, and get a first look at their classrooms. This is always such a joyful day as students reconnect with friends, families greet one another, and our newest Crusaders begin to experience what it means to be part of our Holy Cross family. The excitement throughout the building was a wonderful reminder of all that God has in store for us this school year.
Monday evening, we welcomed our Pre K 3 and Pre K 4 families for Early Learning Center Back to School Night. Hosting this event before the first day of school gives our youngest Crusaders and their families an opportunity to become comfortable with their classrooms, meet their teachers, ask questions, and learn more about life at Holy Cross. Our Early Learning Center teachers and our new Early Learning Center Director enjoyed meeting and reconnecting with so many families as we prepared for a wonderful year ahead.
On Tuesday, our faculty and staff traveled to St. Mark’s High School to gather with fellow Catholic educators from across the Diocese of Wilmington for a day of prayer, reflection, and preparation. These diocesan gatherings are always meaningful because they remind us that we are part of something much greater than our individual school. Together, we share the important mission of Catholic education and the responsibility of helping our students grow academically while developing a deeper relationship with Christ.
During the gathering, several Holy Cross educators were recognized for milestones in Catholic education. Congratulations to Mrs. Arndt for 5 years, Mrs. Speed for 15 years, Mrs. Peek for 30 years, Mrs. Holzinger for 10 years, Mrs. Borden for 25 years, and Ms. Traynor for 5 years of service to Catholic education. We are incredibly blessed by their dedication to our students, families, and Catholic faith.
On Wednesday, our faculty and staff gathered once more to make final preparations for the arrival of our students. We took time to pray together, share a snack, connect as a team, and ensure that everything was ready for a successful first day.
Then came Thursday, the moment we had all been waiting for! We officially welcomed our Kindergarten through eighth grade students for the first day of the 2026 to 2027 school year. From morning arrival through afternoon dismissal, our campus was filled with smiles, excitement, and positive energy. On Friday, our preschool students joined us, and our Holy Cross family was finally complete.
Our hearts are full as we begin another year together. We hope everyone had a wonderful and restful summer, but school is officially back in session!
Next week, we look forward to our first full week of school and our Back to School Prayer Service as we ask God to bless and guide our students, families, faculty, and staff throughout the year ahead.
Please stay connected with us throughout the school year. We have so much to look forward to, and we cannot wait to see what God has in store for our Crusader family!
God Bless,
Mrs. O’Mara
Joining the Holy Cross Family
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I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful start to the summer. I am delighted to officially join Holy Cross as your new principal, starting July 1st. My name is Mallory O’Mara, and I am excited to begin this journey with all of you.
