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
