In the first few weeks of school, students focused on kindness in both words and actions. Teachers and administrators shared books and led activities to start our year with kindness. It is one of ten traits emphasized through Character Strong, the character education program we use with all students. As we begin October, our focus will shift to Respect. Through Character Strong activities and morning announcements, students will learn the definition and concrete ways to exhibit respect in the school community. In addition, we will be reintroducing our Eagle Award program next week. This program recognizes students for demonstrating kindness and respect as well as creativity, cooperation, courage, empathy, gratitude, honesty, perseverance, and responsibility (traits introduced through Character Strong later in the year). More information about Eagle Awards is included below.

We have a beautiful 3D mural in the school's lobby thanks to Ms. Buckley's art classes. After reading "Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood," students worked in small groups to paint a mural on a wooden block. The blocks have been stacked together in the shape of the school to showcase our school community and its collective creativity.

Fr. Evans celebrated our opening School Mass on Tuesday which included the inauguration of this year's Student Council. We look forward to their work this year. The Student Council has already held its first meeting and has many good ideas for the year. Our next School Mass will be in November when our nursery and K1 students will join us. During the month of October, Fr. Evans and Fr. Joseph will celebrate Teaching Masses with grades one through six.

All students gathered this morning in Parish Hall for a special performance. It was the first time we gathered as a full community for this school year. A musician from Mobile Ed Productions played the guitar and sang songs about community, kindness, and being a good friend to fit with our theme for the week. Students danced, clapped, and learned a little bit of sign language while singing along. Our performer asked for assistance from students from time to time. It was a great sight to see students of all ages and several students brand new to our school helping out. This capped off a week of community building activities.