St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy, A Private, Catholic School in Central Falls, RI. Holy Trinity School St. Matthew School Notre Dame School

Note from the Principal - February 2010

Dear Parents,

Another Catholic Schools Week is upon us. We start off the week with a Mass that brings us together in our common faith. Our week includes activities to share with our community, thank people in our lives and have some fun sharing our uniqueness and our similarities.

This is also the time of year we ask you to register for next year. I can tell you from my own experience that I value Catholic education. My parents were immigrant factory workers, but enrolled my brother and me into Catholic schools months after arriving in the United States. The first school I attended was St. Francis Xavier in East Providence, which reminds me of Seton. We also had many immigrant families who valued their heritage and their Catholic Faith. My own two sons attended Catholic schools until they graduated from high school.

I believe we do many things better at Seton Academy. Our students are respectful of others. They learn Christian compassion toward people in their community and around the world. I had a child stop me early the morning after the earthquake to ask me if we could send clothes or food to help the people in Haiti. I know we are continuing the work you have started at home with teaching them these Catholic values. I can also assure you, that the entire staff nurtures and truly cares for your children. We want to keep your children safe, and continually teach them life skills to enable them be the best person they can be.

I want to ask you to register your children at Seton in a timely manner. We lost a number of children last year in our school, but many things have changed in our school especially the atmosphere. When you walk into the school at the end of the day, in between the chaos, is a sound of laughter and obvious friendship among the students and teachers. As I have told many people, my door is always open for you to share your concerns. I will do my best to listen to your issues and try to resolve problems as they arise.

I have enjoyed my entire career in Catholic schools. As a classroom teacher I was impressed by how much a child grows intellectually and emotionally in one year and was proud to have contributed to their growth. Being a principal is a lot more challenging, but also rewarding as I get to know your children by tying their shoes and listening to their very important stories.

I pray that God will bless your families and the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School family as we continue this school year and start working on our future.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Rocheleau, principal, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy