June 6, 2014

 

Dear Saint Anne Parent,

 

At today's closing prayer service, we bid farewell to some of our faculty. We wish them well as each embarks on a new journey. I once heard the expression... "The only constant in life is change".  This statement really speaks to me as I look to the change that is occurring at St. Anne Parish School.  We are so blessed to have so many devoted teachers in this community that have served in this ministry as Catholic School Educators - some for many years.   Some of these individuals are at a place in their lives where they are answering God's call to begin a new chapter.  They may be at a place to retire from their full time teaching position, to travel or spend additional time with family and friends.  They may be at a place in their lives where they are moving out of state to start a new adventure. Regardless of the reason for leaving, I sincerely thank these fine women for their service to this community and to the wonderful children of this parish school.   While it may be hard for us to let them go, we must be happy for each one of them as all of these fine individuals are at an exciting place in their lives.  We need to think beyond ourselves and look to them and celebrate with them!!  Like many of our past teachers, I am quite certain we will be blessed with the presence of these individuals in other ways in our future - possibly as substitute teachers, volunteers, perhaps even part time faculty members.  I am confident that each one will remain in our hearts and in our lives far beyond this day. 

    

Today we send forth and bid farewell to Mrs. Kathleen Beening, Miss Amy Bilek, Mrs. Kathy Dioguardi, Mrs. Helen Gardner, Mrs. Donna Konie, Mrs. Jennifer Olsen, Mrs. Anne Rometty and Mrs. Susan Wagner.  On behalf of all of us at St. Anne Parish School we thank you for your gift of service to our school community, most importantly to our students past and present!  May God bless each of you.

 

To our student and parent community...while I know that some of these decision might come as a surprise to you...please know that these teachers will be around through next week so you may drop off a card or a note, should you choose, thanking them for their service and impact on your family's lives. 

 

I have unwavering confidence that God will provide  for our school as we make this great transition and please trust that God and I have been at work hiring teachers for these open positions.   To date, I have five new faculty members which I announce to you today.

 

Mrs. April Berry comes to St. Anne with teaching experience in District 25 and in the State of Missouri.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri - Columbia with an endorsement in Social Science History.  She will be quite an asset to our middle school.

 

Miss Laura Burnton holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University with an additional middle school license.  We look forward to welcoming Miss Burnton to the middle school team.

 

Miss Katherine Parker is an alumni of St. Anne Parish School.  She recently completed her student teaching here in Middle School.  Miss Parker is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with middle school endorsements in mathematics and language arts.  We welcome Miss Parker as a full time faculty member.

 

Mrs. Kathryn Polk comes to us with teaching experience in Winnetka, IL and in the state of Texas.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A & M University with teaching certifications in Texas, Illinois and in English as a Second Language.  She will be a wonderful addition to the primary unit of St Anne community.

 

Mrs. Anna Zasada may be familiar to you.  She spent this past school year as a preschool instructional assistant for Mrs. Meehan.  She also facilitated our new Bright Beginnings program for toddlers and parents.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  We are thrilled to have Mrs. Zasada as a full time teacher in our Early Childhood Program.

 

I look forward to the next school year as we continue to enhance the experience of all our students at St. Anne Parish School.  As our school year comes to a close, I wish all of our St. Anne families a safe, happy and relaxing summer. 

 

God's blessings today and always,

Mrs. Dawn Kapka

Principal