On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Senior Administration, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our staff, students and parents. I hope that the summer provided each of you with peace, tranquility and the ability to engage in quality family time. It is a great pleasure to welcome all of our new students and families this year. You have chosen a divison that is both a faith and learning community and as such is committed to providing high quality Catholic Education to all. Thank you for choosing Holy Spirit Catholic Schools!
This is the second year of our Three Year Faith Plan. Our theme for the entire division is, “Do you love me?” It is the question asked to Peter by Jesus in John’s gospel (John 21:1-17). As a faith community we are constantly called to respond in word and especially action to that question. I would invite you to read my blog on our theme for more information.
Schools today need to prepare students for tomorrow and not yesterday. In order to do that we must utilize sound teaching practices and infuse technology to build relevance. 21st century learning is not all about technology but it is also not void of technology. We need to recognize the needs of our students by addressing 21st century competencies – problem solving; creativity; analytical thinking; collaboration; communication; ethics, action, and accountability. Without these skills, our students will have difficulty in a future world that is vastly unknown.
One of the first conditions needed to address those skills is to create an environment of risk taking. In my opening address to staff, I used the term, “Fail Forward.” It means that when we fail we learn from it and move on. Failing forward creates new opportunities for learning. It is a term that I hope all will incorporate in our division. Artists, musicians and athletes practice fail forward constantly as they hone their skills. Problem solving and creativity, possibly two of the most important 21st century competencies cannot be enhanced if we are not prepared to risk-take or think outside the box.
It truly is an exciting time to be in education. I invite you to become involved in your school community – be engaged in this excitement and watch how we prepare your children for their future.
God Bless!
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[…] Cycle 5 is part of an ongoing conversation about Educational Transformation. Beginning with our Superintendents’ Welcome Remarks in August and continuing through face to face transformation talks at each school, Superintendent […]