St. Marys School April Newsletter

I hope that you are enjoying the blessed season of Easter. The Alleluia banners that we buried back in March on Mardi Gras are now hanging over the classroom doors. Before we left for Easter break, my class made “Resurrection Crosses” which are now hanging in our classroom. The crosses are decorated with brightly colored tissue paper and have a picture of the Risen Jesus on them.

On Monday, April 28, the Spring Spectacular will be held beginning at 6:30. It will be an evening of art, music and science. The fifth through eighth graders will present their science fair projects. There will be musical performances both by the primary students and the older students who will sing a selection of songs from the school’s spring musical, The American Dream. The students’ works of art will be on display on the upper level of the school. This year’s room sized diorama is a “Walk on the Prehistoric Wild Side”. Some of the creatures roaming about are a 12 foot T. Rex and a saber tooth tiger. (Relax! They are both made from paper mache!) The public is invited and admission is free. If you would like a preview of the art fair, you may visit on Saturday, April 27, from 6:00 to7:00 pm or on Sunday morning, April 28, from 9:00 am to noon.

April begins with April Fools’ Day, and the award for the best or meanest joke, depending on your point of view, goes to our principal Mr. Rosenbeck who “informed” our art teacher, Mrs. Meyers that someone had broken the tail of the T. Rex!

Several of the classes went on special field trips this month. On April 7, the fifth and sixth graders visited Sidney Lehman High School for a presentation on Energy Conservation. The fourth graders went to the Garst Museum on April 9 for a special program. This annual field trip is enrichment for their Ohio History class. Because of a misunderstanding about the schedule, the class had some extra time before the bus arrived to return them to school, so they were given a tour of the Lowell Thomas house, which had been relocated to the museum grounds.

On April 12 and 13, the seventh and eighth graders went to Chicago to visit the Precious Blood Center for Reconciliation. The center provides a safe haven for youths who have been involved in gangs, and wish to break away. As an alternative to entering the legal system, some youthful offenders are offered the chance to come to the center. The center offers a justice system based on that used by some Native American tribes. The victim, the accused, and family members of both are brought together to decide how the accused will repay the victim or atone for his actions. Finally the center offers support circles for mothers who have lost children to violence and to those mothers who have children who are incarcerated. Our students visited with some young people who have, as a result of their experience at the center, turned their lives around. These young men act as mentors for the youth currently served by the center. They also met with Father David Kelly who helps run the center. Fr. Kelly is an alumnus of St. Mary’s School.

Kindergarten screening was held on Friday, April 11. It is not too late to have your child screened for kindergarten. Just call the school and make an appointment. Be sure to ask about the government program to help with kindergarten tuition. You may be eligible to receive a grant to cover the entire tuition for kindergarten.

The second grade students received their First Holy Communion on Saturday, April 12. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade generously gave of their time to sing in the choir.

On April 17, Holy Thursday, the fifth through eighth graders participated in the annual Seder Meal. By joining in the Seder Meal, the students have a chance to explore and appreciate the Jewish roots of Christianity. They have a better understanding of the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His apostles.

Staff and students enjoyed a four day Easter break. School resumed on Tuesday, April 22. It is hard to believe, but May is just around the corner. Before we know it, I will be wishing you a happy summer! But until then, enjoy the Easter season.