THOUGHTS FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL, JOSEPH VORBACH:
This week has been full of reminders about the importance of building, valuing and sustaining our school community.
Our learning community gets stronger when our teachers have opportunities for professional development -- sometime attending local, regional and national conferences. All high school teachers in the Diocese spent the day at Saint Paul VI High School in Fairfax where several of the presentations were made by O'Connell faculty. Over the past two weeks, members of the O'Connell faculty have also made professional development presentations at sessions in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. Presenting at a conference always challenges the presenter to hone and clarify their argument and share their zeal for the topic at hand in a way that builds excitement for the audience. Some professional development takes place "in house", both formally and informally. Just yesterday afternoon, I joined a faculty organized roundtable discussion after school on the subject of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter Against Racism.
Our learning community also gets stronger when we challenge our students to examine more closely what God has called them to be. Yesterday afternoon, students gathered in the library after school to participate in a workshop on empathy put on by Dr. Nicholas Setliff, the Director of Mission and Ethics for the Bon Secours Richmond Health System. Dr. Setliff shared with the students the importance of developing empathy in his profession where health care professionals often assist individuals and families facing difficult challenges and choices. He then put the group through several exercises designed to highlight ways of improving one's capacity to be empathetic toward others in the community. It was a revealing opportunity for all involved.
Finally on this stream of thought, we grow stronger as a learning community when we introduce new members to it. Last night was "First Knight," the first chance to say hello to the students and families that will make up the Class of 2023. Getting ready for First Knight was an "all hands on deck" exercise for us, including so many parent and student volunteers who gave generously of their time to make sure we put our best foot forward. The "Knight" itself is a chance for all of us charged with accomplishing the school's mission everyday, to listen to the questions families ask and take to heart the hopes and dreams, goals and aspirations that lie beneath them. Last night was full of great energy and we are excited to continue the process of welcoming our new learners and their families into the school community.