Middle School Parent Orientation

Dave and I spent last evening at the new middle school that Sarah will attend. It was a very nice night beginning with dinner, a guest speaker and ended with reviews of some policies. We left feeling very positive and excited for this coming year.

We are so glad that we chose this school for Sarah. As soon as you enter the building the feeling is one of being warmly welcomed. It is obvious that the faculty and administration are dedicated to the children. The school not only has a rigorous curriculum it has a very strong christian foundation. The teachers are committed to helping the children navigate their world that can be full of false friends, bad choices and criticism.

Dave and I have tried very hard to instill certain morals and values into our children. So far we are so pleased with the choices they've made, the friends they have and the foundation they have. We've always taught the kids to be kind, caring, empathetic and generous to others. We not only talk about giving to others who are less fortunate, we actually do it.

What we have not done is spent a lot of time in church. And of course, as Catholics, the bible is not something we were taught to read nor were we taught specific bible verses. Dave, nor I, feel a lot of loyalty to the Catholic church--for many reasons that I won't go in to. Because of that we don't really have a "church family". The girls haven't learned a lot of the organized part of religion. The girls know about God and why we have faith that his plan is the best plan for us. They know how important Jesus is and how we celebrate his birth. But, they certainly could learn more.

Which brings me right back to our excitement for Sarah and her up-coming school year. Oh, I'm excited that she is off to middle school where she will be more independent and learn (more) responsibility but more than that I am excited that she will be getting formal religious education. Now, more than ever, as she enters her preteen years she is going to be faced with many situations, choices and decisions that will challenge all that she has learned. Being in the christian environment will help her to make the right choices and also to be proud of the moral choices she makes.

As for Sarah, she is excited (and scared) to be moving to her new school. She is looking forward to chapel, bible classes and getting to know God in a way we just cannot teach her. But the absolute most exciting thing she is looking forward to? Having a locker!