Dear Families,

 

Yesterday I was in the gym during kindergarten PE.  Ms. Parker had the kindergarteners practicing some of the activities they will participate in on field day.  Two groups of students were lined up at different basketball hoops shooting (or throwing) the ball, trying to make a basket.  It was apparent that some of our kindergarteners had practiced this skill and that others were attempting it for the first time. 
 
As I watched, one kindergarten student wildly tossed the ball towards the basket. It went in!  He froze, staring at the basket in disbelief.  Next, he started jumping up and down and whooping with delight.  He ran over, quivering with excitement and exclaimed, “That was my first basket ever!”  
 
I don’t remember ever celebrating someone’s first basket before. It brought a huge smile to my face and got me thinking of some other recent firsts.  The first time my grandson rolled over. The first time my granddaughter successfully navigated her way to the top of the slide on her own.  The Mass where our second graders received their first Communion.  Life comes with a plethora of firsts.
 
Life also brings a constant stream of lasts.  Last Saturday’s auction and gala was wonderful.  It was one of those perfect Seattle days and the venue and guests looked fabulous. People showed up and gave generously in support of our school. Our auction was a huge success. 
 
It was also the last auction, after eight wonderful years, that Dianna Leppa and Amy Rosenfield will co-chair together. Dianna’s daughter is moving on to Kennedy Catholic- I heard they have already reached out to  Dianna about their auction- and Amy will stay on as our school’s development director and the parent of a soon-to-be sixth grader. I am so grateful for these two amazing women and all that they have done for our school. Dianna and Amy will be an impossible duo to replace.  Their last auction, though a huge success, was also bittersweet.
 
Life is a series of firsts and lasts.  As the days of my last year as principal at St. Francis fly by, I am trying to remember to breathe and hold on to some of the best parts.  The first baskets ever. The “Good morning, Mrs. Leifer. How are you today?” The classrooms that are alive with learning, the problems being solved, and the hundreds of small and large ways our teachers, staff, students, and parents show up for each other, our children and our school.
 
Celebrate the firsts.  Treasure the lasts.
 
Breathe. Pray. Be kinder than you think necessary. Thank you for being a community that supports our students in their firsts, lasts and in-betweens.  Reach out if you need help or can help.

 

Peace and blessings,
Rosemary Leifer