Students, teachers and staff are well into the school year. The Opening School breakfast held at Ramsi’s On the World Restaurant was a perfect start to the new school year. Over 100 people attended and enjoyed a delicious breakfast making over $700 for the PTO. Huge thanks to the Kamar family for their great food and hospitality. The second event of the year was the Italian/American Festival held on the grounds of St. James Church and School. Two TV channels (Fox 41 and WLKY 32) were here to interview staff with students singing and dancing. The festival was a big success and brought in many people to the Highlands area.

Student/parent/teacher conferences were held recently which signals the half way point for the trimester. A Scholastic Book Fair was held during the week and was one of the most profitable of the last few years. Big thanks to Mrs. Blanchard, librarian, and the many parents who volunteered their time to help.

Health screening was held last week. Grades kindergarten – 3rd were weighed, measured and screened for vision and hearing. The older students were also screened for scoliosis. Big thanks to the nurses from Norton Healthcare.

The preschool and pre-kindergarten classes are doing very well. It is so much fun to see the little ones in the hallway everyday ready for a day of school and full of energy. In order to accommodate more families wanting a spot in the preschool program, an afternoon session was started. It now has eleven students and is being taught by Mrs. Hoskins.

The school committee has taken on the task of updating and modifying the parent/ student handbook. If you have any suggestions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at school and I will forward them to the committee members.

The all-school liturgies are held every Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. unless there is a holy day that week. Everyone is invited to celebrate the mass with us. Each week a class is responsible for music and readings. Under the direction of our music director, Mary Beth Kamer, the children practice songs and lead the congregation in singing.

This is a wonderful time of the year when we give thanks for all the things God has given us. I try to remind students regularly of the beauty all around them and the gifts they have been given.

As always, thanks to the giving, loving parents on whom I depend every day.

Tom Schmitt, Principal