Grandparents' Day at St. John's Little Lights Preschool
Mary Ann Dircks, Little Lights Preschool Teacher

Little Lights Preschool celebrated Grandparents' Day in April. The Little Lights invited their grandparents to come and share some entertainment and a snack. Grandpa Pete, grandfather of Peter Heryla, provided us with some toe-tapping melodies on his accordion (see picture above é).

Grandpa Pete (he will always be Mr. Heryla to me) and I have a special connection. He was my high school economics teacher. For the past two years, I've been his grandson's preschool teacher. Whoa, talk about pressure! All kidding aside, it's been a lot of fun. Peter is so much like his grandpa: fun loving, full of life, a real "people person."

Contrary to popular belief, teachers are real people, too. We have families ("Do you have a mom?"), homes ("Do you sleep at preschool?"), and hobbies, among other things.

It is, indeed, a small world. While here at St. John's, besides my connection to the Heryla family, I've also taught the daughter of my brother's friend and school chum, and I've reconnected with my fifth grade teacher, Sister Ruth Margaret. These, among other "coincidences" and happenings, are reminders to me that everything is working out according to God's plan. I'm often not too certain about things, but this one I know for sure... I was meant to be here at St. John's Little Lights Preschool!

Twin Pillars of Support: Parents & Catholic Education
Mrs. Sue Clausen, St. John's School Principal

Before you read this column, please refer to the article by Gina  Champion on page 7.  è è è

Many opportunities await students at St. John the Baptist Parish School. A Catholic education is weaved throughout the curriculum during nine of the most important years of a child's life. Extracurricular activities such as Student Government, Guitar Club, Scouts, and Read Naturally provide students with the means to live their Christian lives through volunteer efforts that reach out to both the school and the community at large. Gina Champion is an example of a student fortunate to have good parents who live out their Catholic values.

Community service is one important aspect of being "good parents" according to Christopher Carstens, Ph.D., a psychologist and writer for Catholic News Service. Dr. Carstens states that, "Good parents are also committed to each other. And they are faithful, authoritative, active, and prophetic."

Faithful parents are those who recognize that raising children must be the number one priority in their lives, always. Raising children is far more important than self-fulfillment, our investment portfolio, catching up on our e-mails, or any television show. Good parents set and enforce clear rules for all to follow, they put homework ahead of themselves, and they guide and set structure to the family. Good parents say "no" and have children that understand what that word means.

Good parents show up at school to attend their children's events and parish activities. They teach their children about service in the community and how it makes a difference in their lives. Children of good parenting know what true love means,  and they can love God and their families with open and hopeful hearts. Good parenting is not an achievement, it is a journey to be traveled throughout life. Dr. Carstens reminds us to take a basic look at our parenting today:

J Do we listen to our children?

J Do we include them in service projects?

J Do we let them fail and help them understand what they  can learn from that failure?

J When you say "no" do they hear "no?"

Praise and encouragement will help to make our children better adults one day. Give it a try, and maybe you'll end up with  children (like Gina Champion!) who make "faith and school" their "top priorities." Enjoy the rest of your summer, and remember to have your children read and write about their adventures. If you have questions about how to enroll your child at St. John's, please call the following people. Thank you:

J Sue Clausen, Principal, St. John's School (K-8),
(651) 633-1522, ext. 1117.

J Mary Walus, Director, St. John's Little Lights Preschool,  (651) 633-8333, ext. 1227.