THOUGHTS FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL, JOSEPH VORBACH:
Earlier this week as I enjoyed a show of fireworks with my wife and daughter, I found myself thinking particularly about the blessing of our opportunity to worship freely in this country and to educate our children in Catholic schools. Because this freedom has been enshrined and preserved, we probably do take it more for granted than we should. Certainly, we are reminded daily of the ways in which freedom of religion is denied to the faithful around the world.
It has been good to see new parents at our June orientations. Those meetings are a reminder for me of the urgency of our tasks as we work through the summer to ensure a successful 2017-18 school year. In just over a month, we will be ramping up the school year with fall sports activity, more orientations, and the return of our counselors and teachers.
There is usually some curiosity about what capital improvements are taking place at the school over the summer. The most noticeable to students will probably be the renovation of the Cafe Vaticano near Father Thompson's office. We are brightening up the space and making it easier to keep it open during times when students can use it. I think students will be excited to see the improvements. Going on behind the walls are significant electrical upgrades that are part of a multi-year process and that are best accomplished during the summer when it is easier to periodically shut the power down. We are also taking on a significant IT upgrade to expand bandwidth and improve the wifi network around the building.
I hope that everyone is enjoying the summer. We see some students at the school and get updates about summer jobs, academic enrichment opportunities, camps and summer sports teams. All that news is a reminder that summer may not always present the chance to slow down that everyone longs for and needs. I hope that in between all the activity there are opportunities for your families to get away, to spend time together, and to recharge your batteries. As a recent empty-nester, I am more aware of how quickly the time gets away.