Dear Saint Mary School Community,
As we enter this Holy Week and prepare for the joy of Easter, we are reminded that this is a sacred time of reflection, renewal, and hope for our school community. There is so much to be grateful for, and even more to look forward to in the months ahead.
State of the School
Our school continues to move forward with purpose, grounded in our mission to form students academically, spiritually, and morally. This year, we have seen steady growth in student learning and a strong sense of community across our campus.
Our focus on strengthening reading and math is taking root, especially in the early grades where those foundations matter most. Just as importantly, our Catholic identity remains at the center of all we do. Whether through Mass, prayer, service, Angel of the Month and Academic Awards, or daily classroom life, our students are being formed not only as learners, but as people of faith and character.
Enrollment remains steady, and we are encouraged by the continued interest from new families - many of whom come to us through your personal recommendations. That speaks volumes about the strength of our community!
WCEA/WASC Accreditation Update
We are grateful to share that we successfully completed our WCEA/WASC accreditation visit last month. The visiting committee recognized many strengths within our school, and the process affirmed the good work happening each day in our classrooms. We expect full accreditation pending final approval from the WCEA Commission and WASC in June.
I also had the opportunity to serve on a visiting committee at another school in late March. Experiences like this provide a helpful perspective, and I can confidently say that our school stands strong in both mission and practice.
Academic Focus
As we move through the final stretch of the school year, our teachers remain focused on:
Strengthening reading and math skills
Preparing students for 3rd trimester assessments
Building habits of responsibility, kindness, and discipline
Looking ahead, we are continuing to strengthen how we support all learners.
Faculty Update
Next year, we will be expanding our academic support program to better serve students across all grade levels. Ms. Theilen will take on an expanded role as an Academic Interventionist, sharing her expertise in helping students grow in reading and math. She will work closely with both students and teachers to support learning and ensure continued progress.
As we continue to finalize our junior high structure, we are thoughtfully considering how to best utilize her broad education, experience, and many strengths in targeted academic support.
In addition, we will have a transition in our 4th grade classroom. Mr. Escobar will be pursuing a new professional opportunity, and we are grateful for the many ways he has shared his gifts with our school. His dedication, joyful witness of faith, and care for his students have been a true blessing to our community. We are currently in the process of securing a strong replacement and will share more information as it becomes available. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and continued excellence in the classroom.
These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to strong instruction and meeting the needs of all learners.
Facilities Update
Caring for our campus is an important part of our responsibility and stewardship as a school. During Easter break, we will be replacing the roof over the office and junior high part of the building. This area has recently developed leaks, and after careful consideration, replacement is the most responsible long-term solution. The renovation grant project that was completed in 2024 lacked the funding to include replacement of this last section of the roof, although it was included in the original plans.
The work will be completed over Easter break to ensure no disruption to student learning and to keep our campus safe and well-maintained.
Enrollment & Referral Program
Our school continues to grow through the strength of our families. Quite simply, the best ambassadors for our school are you! We are introducing a new referral program to encourage this continued growth. If you know a family who would benefit from being part of our school, we invite you to share your experience and encourage them to visit. Strong communities are built person by person, family by family - and we are grateful for the role each of you plays.
Summer Program
We are pleased to share that summer school is back this year. This will be a valuable opportunity for students to continue building their skills, particularly in reading and math, in a focused and supportive setting. More information will be shared soon, and we look forward to offering this opportunity to our students and families.
Parish Partnership & Service Opportunity
Our parish is currently in need of additional support for a parking and traffic ministry, especially during weekend Masses and special events. This is a simple but important way to serve. A reminder that up to 25% of required service hours may be completed through parish-based service, including this ministry. It is a meaningful opportunity for our families to support the wider parish while fulfilling service commitments.
PTO Appreciation
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our PTO Board for their continued generosity and care for our students. This year, they have increased per-class field trip support to $1,000, helping offset the rising cost of transportation, which now ranges from approximately $1,700–$2,000 per bus. Because of their support, our students are still able to experience meaningful learning opportunities beyond the classroom. This is no small gift, and we are truly grateful.
Community & Faith Life
One of the greatest strengths of our school is the sense of community we share. From school events to liturgies to everyday interactions, there is a spirit here that cannot be manufactured; it is built through relationships, faith, and a shared commitment to something greater.
A beautiful example of this was our annual school-wide Seder Meal during Holy Week. With our Student Council and Mrs. Robles leading the way, our students experienced the connection between the Passover of the Old Testament and the fulfillment of the Eucharist in the New Testament.
We are especially grateful to our Room Parents, who helped prepare and serve the meal and led the meaningful tradition of the washing of the hands for all students and staff. Their support brought this experience to life in a truly special way. To better align with parish scheduling, we moved the Seder Meal from Holy Thursday to Wednesday beginning last year, allowing us to continue this important tradition in a way that works well for both school and parish life.
These moments are a reminder that what we teach goes beyond textbooks - it is lived, experienced, and rooted in our faith.
Looking Ahead
There is still important work to be done as we finish the year. Our goal remains the same: to finish strong, stay focused, and continue forming our students with care and intention. At the same time, we look ahead with confidence. With dedicated teachers, supportive families, and a clear mission, our future is steady and strong.
Easter Blessings
As we prepare to celebrate Easter, we are reminded of the heart of our faith: the promise of new life, hope, and renewal through Christ. May this Easter season bring peace to your homes, joy to your families, and a renewed sense of purpose in all that we do. We are blessed to walk this journey together as a community of faith.
Wishing you and your family a blessed and joyful Easter!
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.
Warmly in Christ,
Mrs. Nennette Barriga | Principal