Saying Farewell to the Class of 2017
18
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
From our Superintendant of Catholic Schools
June 20 , 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Kathy Almazol Superintendant of Schools
Dear Friends of Catholic Schools
Once again , the end of the school year has arrived . The time from the beginning of school to the end of the year seems to get shorter each year ! I wonder if you are finding that same pace in your own lives ? As I watch the students graduate from our schools each year I marvel at their youth , their
energy , their commitment , and their accomplishments . Congratulations to each and every one , especially those graduating from our schools and moving out into different systems .
We hired eight new principals for the 2016-2017 year and they have been a source of energy and joy for us . These very talented and committed professionals have been attending the first year of a twoyear program for administrative leadership with our partners at Santa Clara University . The topics have ranged from budgeting to data assessment and reporting to personnel issues and tools to evaluate teacher performance for success . They meet monthly from September to May . This cohort is delightful to teach and to collaborate with at our meetings . As we look forward to next year , we anticipate they will continue to grow in their own role as leader of their schools . I know you join me in congratulating them on a great first year !
Our Drexel School System is growing and the students are excelling in all areas of school . We welcome three new schools to the Drexel System in the 2017-18 school year : Saint Mary School in Gilroy , Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Los Gatos and Saint Elizabeth Seton in Palo Alto . We are looking forward to our expanding system of schools now numbering ten ! Thank you to all of you for your prayers , donations and continued support as we grow this new model of Catholic education . We are saying farewell to a few principals :
• Bridgit McGarry , principal of Holy Family who will be a Vice Principal at Bellarmine College Preparatory .
• Steve Rummell , principal of Saint Simon , who will work for the Robotics , Education and Competition Foundation
We are welcoming to new positions :
• Maeve Hannon , principal of Holy Family
• Marty Proccacio , principal of Saint Lawrence Elementary and Middle School
• Matt Komar , who is transferring from Saint Nicholas to Saint Leo
• Ryan Roth , principal of Saint Simon School in Los Altos
• Jan Popolizio , principal of Saint Nicholas School in Los Altos Hills
Teachers make the difference in the life of every child who enters through their door each “ first day of school .” This year we are saying farewell and THANK YOU to three teachers retiring from our Catholic schools . Stephanie Lynott has been teaching fourth grade at Saint Mary in Los Gatos for thirty-nine years . Sarah Peters Tapay has taught third grade at Saint Clare for thirty-two years . And Martha Young , who started out at Catholic Academy of Sunnyvale in September of 1992 at what was then Saint Cyprian . She plans on traveling with her husband , renewing old hobbies such as painting , gardening and sewing . And of course playing with her four preschool-aged grandchildren . These three outstanding Catholic women have taught more than 1,650 students each in that time frame . I am sure there are smiles all over this Diocese as adults now remember the time spent with these teachers . Join me in saying a prayer of thanksgiving for Stephanie , Sarah and Martha and the many other women and men serving in our schools . Share a favorite story about your teachers with your children and grandchildren . Great memories deserve to be repeated .
Our opening convocation is August 14 , in the Mission Church . Then we start again ! We are counting on your continued support for Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Jose ! THANK YOU .
Joining the graduates of Holy Spirit School and , from left , Father Brendan McGuire , center left , Pastor and Father Angelo David , Parochial Vicar , along with principals Bob Graves and Peggy Krewson .
More information regarding Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Jose can be found at www . dsj . org / schools .
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Saying Farewell to the Class of 2017
On June 2 , Holy Family School said farewell to the Class of 2017 . As the 51 students embark on a new journey , we are confident that our work here is complete . We have watched them grow into the people they are today , and we could not be more proud .
Many of these young women and men came to Holy Family School as kindergartners and some joined the class during middle school , however , there are no limits to the bond they have shared during their last year together .
Individually they strived to give their academic best , receiving acceptances into their first choice of high schools .
As a group , this class grew in love and friendships . They ended their last months at Holy Family School celebrating their achievements and reinforcing their life-long relationships . Their celebrations included the eighth grade play , dinner dance , Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk trip , luau luncheon , Baccalaureate Mass , awards ceremony , school farewell Mass and of course , graduation .