Est. 2001 Principal s Message May 2018 #4 Visit Us on the Web At: www.icsannandale.org From Mr. Stone s Desk Greetings Immaculate Conception School Community, We re on a mission from God. This relatively well known pop culture movie phrase from The Blues Brothers (1980) can be utilized to reflect the essence of Immaculate Conception School s mission. Our school s mission is to help youngsters develop their individual relationships with Jesus ( spiritual growth ), learning and coming to practice Catholic faith-based values ( moral integrity ), all while integrating an appropriately challenging academic curriculum ( academic excellence ). Alternatively, I could take a more Catholic ministerial approach, referencing the Latin Christian phrase Missio Dei. This theological term refers to a community of God s people that defines itself and organizes its life around its real purpose of being an agent of God s mission to the world. The end result of such Missio Dei is the glorification of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (George W. Peters) As the big people within our school community the parents, staff members, volunteers, and friends we have our own mission. Whether Catholic or other Christian denomination, together we are called to help build the kingdom. Ours is a very important mission. We strive to provide our young people with a good education, with families often making large sacrifices, however this is not where our mission ends. We must also be proactive with respect to our communities at-large. Just last week, during one of our Morning Gathering sessions, we heard a reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark reference how Jesus has instructed his disciples to Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. (Mark 16:14-17) God is not looking for us to simply do our Catholic education best via the small pond that is Immaculate Conception School. Oh no my friends. God wants us to help spread the word. God wants us to love and serve others. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to grow and build His kingdom, both within our safe, comfortable school community and beyond. Not surprisingly, this quite obviously also happens to be in line with our own school interests. Immaculate Conception School wants and needs more families and students to join our community. Yes, it s a need, not just a want, representing both our being on a mission from God view and from a simple school operations perspective. Yes, once upon a time ICS had ~500 students. Yet, as Fr. Jay recently shared with me, demographics are changing. According to information he provided there are more deaths than births in our area, there has been a 20% decline in student enrollment across local school districts, etc. Still, regardless of current demographics or enrollment numbers of course we will always be advocating for and preaching a message of how more students are desired. Our goal, reflecting the purpose of our school, is to provide a Catholic education to as many young people as possible. Accessibility. Academics. Faith. All are welcome. From an operations perspective, the need is also paramount. Obviously a school that once had ~500 students can support more programs, more personnel, more opportunities than a school with fewer students. ICS is very fortunate to have a supportive parish which provides significant financial assistance to our school. The parish definitely puts their money where their values are so-to-speak. However, there are many needs within the parish community, many ministries, and fiscal resources can only go so far. Sometimes a situation can be self-evident. For example, we know this year s class of 8 th graders is the largest class in school (55) and hence enrollment would naturally dip a bit once they have graduated. Then, our 7 th graders are the next largest class in school (50), so once again we can forecast that upon their graduation in June 2019 enrollment would, could have a subsequent net decrease. Add in variables such as the information Fr. Jay provided, inevitable family relocations or other departures, and a self-evident challenge presents itself when it comes to maintaining or even seeking to increase school enrollment. What can we do? Prayer? Always. But what else?
I remember during my interviewing process for ICS s principal position how one committee member said, David, we need someone who will lead and take ownership of the school. He was right, of course, insofar as any leader should strive to take ownership for the mission and objectives of their organization. And yet, ICS is not just an organization. ICS seeks to continue being a community, continuing to be a program that is at the forefront of academic rigor and spiritual development. In order to maintain such we all need to put our best effort forward with respect to school enrollment related matters. Not just the leader. Not just our talented and hard-working Admissions Director, Mrs. Hillwig. Not just other faculty and staff members. Everyone, from the entire Immaculate Conception community, is needed. Please help. Finally, whether it s our new 10% off K-8 tuition recruitment incentive or your shared interest in helping to build the kingdom of God, please help Immaculate Conception School grow. Encourage folks to check us out, stop by and take a tour, review the school website for mission and registration info, etc. Your good word, representing your positive and personalized experience with ICS, is always our best appeal. Jake and Elwood Blues were cool cats but they have nothing on us. ICS is on its own mission for God. Missio Dei, a community of God s people. Thank you to all who selflessly choose to support our school. Your efforts are wanted. Your efforts are needed. Serviam, David 05/27 Trinity Sunday 05/28 NO SCHOOL Memorial Day 05/31 Talent Show -and- $1 Dress Down Day 06/03 Fr. Jay Installation Mass 12:00p.m. 06/07 First Thursday Mass at 9:00a.m. Dress Uniforms Early Dismissal at 12:15p.m. -and- Art Show 1:00p.m.-3:00p.m. MPR -and- Portfolio Day/Conferences 1p.m.-3p.m. Congratulations Fr. Edgar 3-Year Ordination Anniversary Congratulations to our own Fr. Edgar, who will be celebrating his third year of ordination to the priesthood on May 23 rd. We appreciate your humble service to the Immaculate Conception community and your support for our parish school. Prayer for Immaculate Conception School: Dear Lord, bless our Catholic school. Help us to continue to be a humble source of wisdom, always yearning to learn more about your tremendous love for us. May all who enter Immaculate Conception School be filled with the gift of your Holy Spirit, coming to know you in a more meaningful way. Guide us as a community that respects and welcomes everyone. May Catholic education continue to grow so that your good news can be taught to children throughout the world. In your son Jesus s name we pray, Amen. HOPE May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. -Romans 15:13
Immaculate Conception Orchestra students win honors at Music in the Parks Immaculate Conception fourth through eighth grade orchestra students participated in the Music in the Parks music competition, under the direction of Gena James, at Dorney park on May 18th. The orchestra brought home a trophy with a rating of good. After their performance at Fleetwood High School, the students had free time to enjoy the rides and attractions at Dorney Park. Immaculate Conception Orchestra also won an award given to only one group out of the entire competition: Esprit de Corps, which is presented to students from a school who demonstrated exemplary attitude of positive support and outstanding personal behavior throughout the festival. Personal integrity, quality character values, a desire for excellence, and a spirit of cooperation serve as the cornerstone qualities of the Esprit de Corps award. Students who are awarded the Esprit de Corps possess the qualities of highly successful people who are sensitive to the feelings of others, and applaud accomplishments, no matter if by one s own school or another school. Immaculate Conception won this top award, and accepted it with great pride. Great Job ICS Orchestra Students! Great Job ICS Music Teacher Mrs. Gena James!