President’s perspective: First week of school and thoughts

September 2, 2016

Dear Mater Christi Families,

The first three days of school have been wonderful! Your children have begun adjusting to new teachers, routines and expectations. On behalf of our entire faculty and staff, I want to thank the large number of families who attended our first annual Meet Your Teacher Night! Nearly 95% of our families were in attendance on Monday when our front lawn became a temporary parking lot as your families flooded our hallways and classrooms to meet teachers and drop off school supplies. We loved the fact your families came out in large numbers!!!
During our all-school assembly on the first day of school I shared a few thoughts with our students about our school and the year ahead. I hope your children came and told you about our first day, but if they didn’t, here are a few of the thoughts I shared.
Mater Christi is a school where all are welcome. We are a school where each student is known by name, loved unconditionally, and encouraged to always do their very best. We are a school where the love of Christ is exhibited in our relationships with one another. We are a school that practices compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. We are school family where tears may be occasionally shed but where much laughter will be heard throughout our classrooms, hallways, dining room and playground. Mater Christi is a place where all are welcome!
As a Catholic school founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, I believe we are a family; a family that is connected by positive relationships with one another, faith and the ability to have fun in the process. My hope for the coming year is that we will live out our school’s core values as we exhibit care and respect for ourselves, others, and our school community. I am filled with hope that we’re going to have a great year together as look for the best in others and help each other as we learn and grow as a school family.
Speaking of families, next Friday, September 9 will be a busy family-filled day at our school.
At 1:30 pm next Friday we will have our opening Mass of the school year with Father David Theroux, a member of our school’s board of trustees and adjunct faculty member at St Michael’s College. If you can find the time, please join our school family as we celebrate the beginning of the school year.
Next Friday, September 9 from 5-7 pm, we will have our annual Back-to-School Carnival that is sponsored by our school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Please join us for an evening filled with fun, food and festivities on our school’s playground and athletic field. Tickets are $8 each or $30 max per family. You should have received information about how to register for this fabulous family event. I hope that your family can join us as we continue our celebration of the beginning of the school year.
I hope that your family has a relaxing and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. On behalf of our faculty and staff, we look forward to welcoming your children back for the second week of classes when school resumes on Tuesday.
Enjoy the weekend!

Pat Lofton

Patrick A Lofton

President/Head of School