Every year on May 7, our nation observes “Teacher Appreciation Day,” a day of recognition for all of the educators in our society.  From coaches and managers to classroom instructors, teachers guide the learning and development of students both young and old.  To teach is truly a calling from the Lord, as those entrusted with educational roles are challenged to imitate the greatest teacher, Jesus Christ.  Teachers must be patient and kind, always mindful of the needs of their students and the greater applications of their lessons and teachings.  They not only instruct, but also provide formation and guidance, often well after their students leave the classroom.

Here at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, we are blessed with a remarkable teaching staff of dedicated individuals who look after our children each and every day.  We would like to take time to thank each of them for their dedication, hard work, and unwavering faith.

Mrs. Rehm, Mrs. Boyden & Mrs. Abrams – you care for the littlest ones in our school and do so with such tenderness and compassion.

Ms. Walker, Ms. Avril & Mrs. Russo – you teach with such zeal and enthusiasm and truly instill in your students a love of learning.

Mrs. Mueller & Mrs. Brochak – you have a remarkable love for each of your students and strive daily to ensure all are challenged and celebrated.

Mrs. Gonzalez – you prepare our little ones to receive the beautiful sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist, inspiring their faith in Christ and His Church.

Ms. Flanagan – your passion for all things literary take your students to new worlds where they fall in love with characters and stories every day.

Mrs. Seitz – your creativity and commitment to hands-on learning creates a remarkable classroom environment where your students thrive.

Mrs. Casalino – your humor and heart are like no other!  You truly believe in each of your students and celebrate who they are daily.

Mr. Durkin, Mrs. Bahret, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. MacLean & Mrs. Lynn – you challenge the leaders of our school to be young adults eager to learn with hearts for justice.  Your commitment and patience form them into proud graduates of our school.

Mrs. Fonseca – Usted es un maestra maravilloso! Que gran alegría a sus estudiantes.  Estamos tan agradecidos por usted.

Mrs. Schaibly & Mr. Van Sant – you not only teach our children to play sports, but also how to be good sports, to play with integrity, and to work as a team.

Mrs. Donner & Mrs. Wong-Stark – you bring our children into new worlds through art and music, giving them appreciation and ability.

Mrs. Gross & Mrs. Brown – you truly exemplify the Parable of the Lost Sheep ensuring that every child is looked after and successful.

Our students are challenged to be respectful, thoughtful, considerate, and conscientious, but more than that, they are called to be people of virtue.  Every month, our school administration recognizes students who particular exemplify the cardinal and theological virtues of our Church.  Students develop an understanding of their baptismal calls, knowing that they are expected not just to follow rules, but to perform acts of service and charity that develop their character and morality.

At Our Lady of Lourdes, our students speak of vocations the way other schools may speak of careers.  From “spiritual adoptions” of seminarians and cardinals to research projects about saints and religious orders, students are exposed to the various possibilities of primary vocation and develop an openness to Christ’s call to faithful, loving service.  Lunches, field trips, and impromptu soccer games with our parish priests and seminarians promote relational ministry and spread the joy of vocational life.

We at Our Lady of Lourdes take seriously our mission of bringing up the new generation of Catholics and strive to ensure all of our students know they are loved by our community, by our Catholic Church, and most importantly, by our Savior Jesus Christ.  How blessed are we to live out this mission of parochial Catholic education!

As the faculty of Our Lady of Lourdes broke into small groups during their quarterly in-service in the Conmy Center, Dr. Michael Murphy, the leader of the professional development workshop, rushed back into the room.  “White smoke!” he shouted, “we have a pope!”  The faculty hurried into the gym where Father Gary had set up live stream Vatican coverage on the big screen.  As this was a half-day for students, few remained on campus, but Mrs. Brochak brought all of the students in After Care over to the Conmy Center to watch the special coverage.

Students, faculty, and staff held their breath and prayed in thanksgiving as they anxiously awaited the announcement of the new pontiff.  Pope Francis emerged from the Vatican to cheers and applause, both in St. Peter’s Square and in the Conmy Center!  The church bells rang and great celebration ensued as the Catholic world welcomed our new Holy Father.

The following day, students at OLL were hard at work learning as much as they could about Jorge Mario Bergoglio, or as he is now known to the world, Pope Francis I.  Students in second grade made conclave chimneystacks with white smoke symbolizing the successful election of a pope.  The first grade class set up their own conclave in the classroom, discussing the College of Cardinals and the voting process.  They even adopted a cardinal, Cardinal Josip Bozanić of Croatia, to pray for during the conclave.  Third grade watched videos of the conclave process and Pope Francis on the SMART Board, learning first about the traditions and procedures, then about Pope Francis himself.  In Middle School, students listed the characteristics they sought in a new pope, researching potential frontrunners and issues that greatly affect our Church.  After the election of Pope Francis, Middle School students watched his Inaugural Sermon on the SMART Board and discussed the overwhelming theme of humility and service that already prevails in his papacy.

All students are learning the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi, praying with and for our new Holy Father.  Habemus Papam – Viva il Papa!

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School recently wrapped up another nine weeks of Music class with Mrs. Wong-Stark, but the sixth graders had an experience unlike any they had ever had.  OLL’s Sixth Grade teamed up with the Dedicated Dulcimers of Dunedin, a ministry of the William E. Hale Senior Activity Center, to create a course in dulcimer instruction.  Students worked alongside volunteers from the Dedicated Dulcimers of Dunedin to learn how to play the instrument.  The group offered their first public performance at the School Mass earlier this month. They will play together again in May at an awards banquet.

Upon wrapping up the dulcimer instruction, the classroom roles will reverse!  For the next nine weeks of school, the sixth grade will teach the seniors of the Dedicated Dulcimers of Dunedin to play the hand bells.  The students, both Middle School and senior, have developed a very special bond over the past few weeks and look forward to spending another quarter together.  Dedicated Dulcimer Roxie Smith says, “Adult members have fallen in love with these students.  Club members talk openly about how much it has meant to them to be involved in the life of these sixth graders.  Many of us have grandchildren that live far from us, or we live in ‘adults only’ condos, so this contact with children is enriching on many levels.  It is the sweetest, feel-good program ever!”

The Tampa Bay Times will be covering the story in the coming days, so keep an eye out for a great article about this wonderful program!

Mrs. Kate Kelly, the Director of the Kimberly Home, came to speak to the OLL students to teach them about the ministry of her organization and how they help moms in need.  Students were surprised to learn that babies use thousands of diapers each year and that the average family in the United States can spend up to $10,000 on baby-related costs during the first year of a child’s life.  Students realized how daunting these costs can be to a new mom who might not have steady income or housing and saw the great ministry the Kimberly Home offers in providing not just clothing and diapers, but community support, temporary housing, and infant and toddler daycare for moms who need these services.  Mrs. Kelly also explained that some moms have never been taught how to care for their babies, so the Kimberly Home provides classes and resources about everything from prenatal care to infant care and adoption.

Students set forth on a two-week journey to collect diapers and pledges to benefit the moms and babies of the Kimberly Home.  As students collected diapers, they were stacked in straight lines to see which class’ donations would reach the ceiling first.  In the end, Kindergarten brought in the greatest number of diapers, 804 to be exact, a stack that more than surpassed the ceiling!  Total, the students of Our Lady of Lourdes collected 4,775 diapers which filled the entire Kimberly Home van!  Following the Great Diaper Race, as a part of Catholic Schools Week, students participated in our annual Walk-a-Thon.  Fernando from Spirit FM joined the students for this special event, playing inspirational music to keep students excited about the cause.  Volunteers from the Home and School Association passed out water bottles and freezer pops to keep students hydrated as they trekked around the soccer field, walking dozens of laps to raise money for the Kimberly Home.  At the end of the Walk-a-Thon, the students of Our Lady of Lourdes raised $4109.00 for the moms and babies of the Kimberly Home!

In a recent letter, Mrs. Kelly thanked the students of OLL for their remarkable dedication and generosity, remarking that they truly showed Christ’s love to those in need.

In mid-February, the teams from O.L.L. headed to the Odyssey of the Mind competition in Dover, FL. At the competition these teams used creative problem solving skills to produce solutions for a problem they have been working on since the beginning of fall.  All of our teams from O.L.L. presented their problems wonderfully and did an awesome job! Students received very informative and wonderful feedback from all the judges. Two of our Teams (Primary and Division II) will be continuing on to the State Competition this coming April. We wish them all the luck!

Also at the competition, one of our O.L.L. students Jackson Abernathy from the Primary team received a special award called the Omer award. Omer awards are given to team members, coaches or parents that have been nominated for something they did the day of competition that shows the “true spirit” of Odyssey. Jackson received his from the judges of his problem. The Primary team had a little bumpy beginning to their presentation, but the judges stated that Jackson stayed very calm trying to console his fellow teammates and he helped the team to finish their presentation. Congratulations to Jackson Abernathy!

Joseph Millheim and Adam Myerscough, both seventh grade students at Our Lady of Lourdes, joined Father Gary and Principal Fulford on the journey to South Tampa.  When they arrived at the station, located on the property of Christ the King Catholic Church, the four budding radio stars entered the elevator and rode to the top floor of the Mary Martha Center, where they were greeted by a number of Spirit FM staff members.

“The staff members were really nice,” recalls Joseph, “they took us on a tour of the entire building.  We saw the green room, where famous people sit on couches and wait to be interviewed on the air.  We also saw the lunchroom.  Jamie from The Way Home told us that all of the ‘big ideas’ happen in there!”

The OLL crew was at the station to celebrate a special Mass on the air.  “I think it was the smallest Mass in the history of the world,” remarked Adam.  “There were only 11 people there, and one had to stand in the hallway!  Everyone stood the whole time and our voices sounded super loud because of the radio acoustics in the room.  It was awesome.”  Eric Hoegestrom, OLL’s Life Teen Music Director, played guitar and sang for the special Mass.

After Mass, Jamie from The Way Home surprised the boys by sitting them down for an on-air interview.  The interview can be found at Spirit FM’s website, www.spiritfm905.com.  When asked what was the best part of their experience, both boys remarked, “Going to lunch at Five Guys with Father Gary after Mass!”  How blessed we are to have a pastor and diocese so committed to our young people, affording them opportunities to grow in their faith every day.

On Friday, Students participated in a day-long festival celebrating cultures from around the world.  Every class chose a country and spent several weeks learning about and working on projects based on that country.  During the morning, students also took a tour around the world by visiting each classroom, all of which had been transformed into their country of study!  In the afternoon, there was be a fashion show depicting trends from the different cultures studied by our students.