Congratulations to Gabby Adams, Kayli Butler, Annabelle Czeiszperger, AJ Hart, Kallie Henning, Ellie Loar, Darcie Marry, Nathan Spangler and Aiden Tedora. The graduating class of SHS 2020 will take Sacred Heart School with them because they didn’t just come to school, they lived their days guided by the Holy Spirit.

Each one of our graduates knows that their worth and gifts are what make them perfectly special and close to God. These nine students are vastly different but they accept what is different about each other. In collaborating with each other through service and classwork, they have been enlightened to how unique each one is. These students understand diversity.

It is our true hope that, as they move on to their new school, each student is able to shine. But, even more important, is to remember that no award or accolade will ever define who they are or how important they are. Their worth comes from God. I believe these students truly understand that God has a plan for them and when they pray, they will find the answers. They will find hard times and failures. We know there is no way to avoid it but these students have developed a strong soul that will guide them through the challenges of the days ahead.

They have served their community with endless service projects: from serving on the altar to collecting food and clothing; and lots and lots of cleaning at the church and the school. They are excellent workers who were always fun to have on any task.

We will always remember the trips to Notre Dame, Sacred Heart Seminary, the Stranahan Theater, Lansing, Kimball Camp, and when we almost made it to Mackinac Island. We will remember all of the practice and performances, the Wax Museum, Saint Art Prize, Orchestra concerts, Appreciations, Life Skills, football, sewing club, and so much more.

I want to thank the parents and extended families for partnering with all of the teachers and staff at Sacred Heart School for your child’s academic and faith formation. We are blessed beyond words to have known you and your children. It is no exaggeration to say we are all great friends and mentors to each other. You are the gold standard for graduating classes from Sacred Heart and we are pleased to have been a part of your lives.

Students, may you always remember to pray and never doubt your special gifts from God.

God Bless,

Anne Atkin, principal

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Congratulations to Deacon John Amthor! He was ordained a Holy Deacon 9 years ago.

At Sacred Heart School, we have been blessed by Deacon John in so many ways. He has been my mentor and guide through my beginning years as an administrator and I am grateful for all of his support. His wisdom and experience has led the school down a road for stability and success. Deacon John’s presence at SHS is a major factor for how we are able to serve the community of Hudson and the 70 families who rely on us to educate and inspire the Catholic faith to their children. I started to list off the many hats Deacon John wears but quickly realized there are too many to mention. Just know that he cares about the school and follows a vision and mission of bringing Jesus to any family who chooses to raise and educate their child in the faith. This is not an easy task and requires grueling work behind the scenes. Deacon John does this work with very little recognition and his humility is contagious; creating the culture of the school that is driven by mission and not personal recognition.

Thank you Deacon John for creating a presence at the school that is inspiring and profound. We are so blessed by your call to serve our staff, children and families in ways that are both tangible and divine. We look forward to continuing our growth together and are excited about the unlimited future growth of Sacred Heart School. You have made a legacy here that we will preserve and hold dear to our hearts.

May God Always Bless You,

Anne Atkin, Principal

Dear Sacred Heart,

I know we are all missing each other terribly! As a Catholic school, we have developed a community that is guided by the Holy Spirit. During the school year, we cherish every morning that we can greet each other and pray together to get the day started. Morning prayer is when we share our deep concern for our loved ones, those who are hurting or mourning. We put God into the things in our lives that are bigger than us. We believe that God will take over and wrap the people or situation up in His love. It was the best part about being at Sacred Heart School. We use our gift of faith and open hearts to bring God to each day. Our students have a confidence about the way they pray; they know people are touched by God. We miss being together and we have felt lost. We simply cannot wait until we can be together again. As a staff, we continue to pray for our students, and we put God into their homes, the way He was here, at school.

Since March 13^th, our students have continued to learn and have continued to grow in faith. As a staff, we send out a weekly newsletter to every family with encouragement from our teachers. In the newsletter, we have lesson plans, resources, crafts, recipes, videos and ideas to inspire learning at home. Families have sent us pictures and texts about the work the students have completed. SHS continues to maximize learning with projects that can be at home. We connect with our students using the mail system, online meetings and online messaging to collaborate and complete projects. We’ve had success with art, music and PE assignments done at home too. Our families continue to partner with us to make learning a priority for their children. As a team, we will be ready for next year!

We are utilizing Edmentum’s Study Island for distance learning. Study Island is easy to use, has awards and games for motivation and, better yet, is aligned to our curriculum and standards. Teachers have assigned specific lessons for math, reading, science(K-6^th) and social studies (for older students). The lessons are taught with videos and online lessons that include flashcards and worksheets. This is a way for students to spend part of the day connected to Sacred Heart curriculum and they are accountable for their lessons. The plan for continued education proves that we can persevere through anything. Sacred Heart School is here to serve our community and we will continue to work together to inspire learning and faith.

God Bless,

Anne Atkin, Principal

Four Ways to Help Children Understand Easter, the Feast of Feasts.  By author Joyce Donahue

Easter is central to Christian faith. We are, as St. Augustine pointed out, an Easter people. How do we help students identify themselves as Easter people and claim Alleluia! as their song?

First, make sure they know the story of Easter.  Easter is the “Feast of feasts,” the moment when the Kingdom of God enters into our time (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1168‒1169). Jesus’ Death on the Cross and his Resurrection after three days shows us that death is not the end of our story. Use the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection, along with your textbook, storybooks (for younger students), or clips from age-appropriate movies (for older students), to share the details of this historical event, which was evidenced by the empty tomb and the Apostles’ encounter with the risen Christ.   Use role-playing and other creative teaching activities to bring the story alive for your students.

Second, help students to know how Easter shapes the Church and Catholic life.  Share with students the customs surrounding Easter. Explain that the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost is a special and joyful time. Churches are adorned with banners and flowers, the paschal candle burns brightly, we sing joyful music, and we hear readings at Mass from the Acts of the Apostles. Explain how every Sunday is a “little Easter.” At Mass, we experience the Risen Christ in the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We watch as the Body is broken and the Blood is poured for us just as it was on the Cross. We then receive the living Christ in the Eucharist.

Third, connect Easter to your students’ home life.  Suggest to parents to have a special family candle that they light at every meal during the Easter season. Show how common ways of celebrating Easter—wearing a special Easter outfit, coloring Easter eggs, and enjoying a special family meal—reflect the meaning of the Feast of feasts. New clothes help us remember our baptismal garments, colored eggs represent the end of Lent and beginning of new life, and a special Easter meal symbolizes both great celebration and the banquet in heaven.

Have a blessed Easter!

Anne Atkin, Principal

Creating a Sacred Space In Your Home

What does a sacred space look like?

A Sacred space is a designated space in your home where it is easy to sit in the presence of God. It is a very simple, quiet place with either a few or many religious items. It should be distinctly different from the rest of the house so that it is “set apart”.  However, different does not mean expensive. The sacred space is typically a table-top, like a small table set against a wall, possibly in a corner.  You could include a few religious items like:

Possible Items to Include

• Catholic Bible (picture Bible or board book for very little kids)
• Crucifix (small one to pass around for very little kids)
• Prayer Cards
• Sacred art (cutouts from previous year’s calendar or Christmas Cards)
• Rosaries
• Candles
• Statue of Mary or other saints
• Holy Water
• Intercessory Prayer Basket
• Pillows for sitting on the floor

Prayer journals for each family member (remember these are private)

Students can spend time in their sacred space writing in a prayer journal. Headings can be: Thank You For….Please Bless…..Please help me with….

God Bless,

Anne Atkin, Principal

Dear Sacred Heart Families,

It is hard to believe it has only been two weeks since we were all in school together.

Please remember to stay safe! I am sure Sacred Heart families are doing their part to social distance at this very critical time.

I know we are all missing each other terribly! Take a moment and send me a picture of how your children are filling their days with a caption of what is taking place. Send it to my cell at 517-403-2824 and I will post it on our Facebook page.

Beginning on Monday, March 23rd, SHS will be sending a weekly newsletter to every family with encouragement from our teachers. In the newsletter, we will have lesson plans, resources, crafts, recipes, videos and ideas to inspire learning at home. Families– it would be wonderful if you could keep a log of the work that your children were able to complete. We do not have the expectation that all of the work will be done but want to give you plenty of resources so you can keep your children busy.

We will be utilizing Edmentum’s Study Island for distance learning in the near future. Study Island is free and easy to use. Better yet, it is aligned to our curriculum and standards. Teachers will be able to assign specific lessons for math, reading, science(K-6^th) and social studies (for older students). The lessons are taught with videos and on- line lessons that include flashcards and worksheets. This is a way for students to spend part of the day connected to Sacred Heart curriculum and they are accountable for their lessons. You will be notified as soon as have this program ready to launch. Families are able to sign up for a free year of Study Island right now to try it out on their own. See the attachment for easy instructions.Study Island- student sign up.jpg

Thank you so much for your patience as we try to work out the details of suddenly being closed.

TUITION

We are still working on an end of the year tuition plan for K-6^th grade families. We will update you as we know more about the fate of the end of the school year. If you are not able to pay your tuition now, please contact Tammy at 448-6405 and she will suspend your payment.

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment for 2020-2021 is underway! Packets can be dropped off in the drop box outside of the Church Rectory (the big house next to the Sacred Heart Church). Enrollment papers are also available at sacredhearthudson.org or contact the school if you need a hard copy.

Spots in our Preschool/ Developmental Kindergarten and Kindergarten are determined by the date which we receive enrollment papers with special consideration being given to our current families.

The same is true for 1st-6th grade but those classrooms are not as likely to reach capacity this Spring.

REPORT CARDS

Report Cards will be sent home next week. Quarter 3 officially ended today, but was abruptly ended on Friday, March 13th. The teachers made sure that the grades given reflected a fair assessment of the grades that were in the grade book at that time.

Continue to follow Sacred Heart School-Hudson on Facebook for important announcements and resources.

CONTACTS

For Billing Questions– Tammy at thouser@sacredhearthudson.org

Enrollment or school related questions– Anne aatkin@sacredhearthudson.org

Remind your children that they have worked on virtue every day that they have been at Sacred Heart School.   They know how to be patient, kind, courteous, industrious, courageous, and they know how to persevere. It is a great time to put all of this virtue into practice!     I continue to pray for all of you and I would love prayers for our school!

May God Bless You,

Anne Atkin, Principal

Beach Party – Preschool- Developmental Kindergarten- Kindergarten

SHS will help you find the best start for your child.

Thursday, March 26^th ~ 5:00-7:00

Preschool – Religion is part of our daily morning work. The children gain an awesome foundation of the Catholic faith. We focus on learning letters and numbers, colors, patterns, but most importantly the children are learning obedience, honesty, patience, kindness and many other virtues. The children grow so much each year. Our class is deeply centered around God. We start the morning with school wide prayer where our little 3 and 4 year olds have the opportunity to share some heartfelt prayers with the entire school and staff.

Developmental Kindergarten & Kindergarten – The needs and interests of the students are important.  Each child is unique in his or her development and growth, and therefore need different approaches to learning.  Multiple methods and styles are put into action when working with our students.  Curriculum Goals: *Fine motor skills such as use of crayons, scissors, and pencils *Basic Technology use *Core Knowledge Sequence *Count to 100 by 1’s, 5’s and 10’s *Write and recognize numbers to 20 *Addition and subtractions to 10 *Oral Language *Development and Reading Skills *Rhyming, sound/letter relationships, word families and inventive spelling.

Tuesday, March 31^st ~ 5:00-7:00

Dinner and Music from Around the World by Guy Louis – K-6^th grade

Sacred Heart School offers special attention to each student. Our students are given individual, data based instruction. We combine project based learning, small group instruction and individual student work at every grade level. Every student is challenged and taught to persevere. Parents can expect their children to thrive in our culture of trust, love, virtue and discipline. SHS students are given opportunities to live the Catholic faith, speak in public, serve, research and explore, present projects, enjoy new experiences and grow stronger through the Holy Spirit. Our students are balanced: confident of mind, academics and Catholic Faith.

God Bless,

Anne Atkin, Principal

March is Reading Month

In March, Sacred Heart School celebrates reading. Our theme this year is “Around the World with a Good Book.”  The teachers have all chosen a country to represent during the month. Each class will research and collaborate to create a fun way to present the country to the whole school. The students will have the chance to visit each classroom and learn about the culture and history of the country. This year the teachers have chosen Japan, Mexico, Russia, Ireland and Germany.

We have also challenged the students to read 2,000 books during the month.  It is always a race to the end to see if we can reach the goal. I f the students are able to read 2,000 books by the end of March, they will win a Beach Party with games, snacks and music the Friday before Spring Break. Also, the class that reads the most books will win an ice cream party and a jean/jersey day. Competition can get pretty fierce!

To keep us motivated to read, we have added Buddy Reading, Mystery Readers, Bowling, A Visit from an Alligator Sanctuary, Crazy Sock Day and a Crazy Hair Day to our March calendar.

March is always a fun month at Sacred Heart School. We are challenging our minds to explore a world far beyond our own experience with great books. We plan many special events to keep us pushing through the end of winter into the spring, and we are preparing for the celebration of Easter. It is busy and we love it.

Sacred Heart School is the best gift you can give your child!

God Bless,

Anne Atkin, principal

UPCOMING EVENTS:

March 20 – Enrollment for 2020-2021 begins.  Alligator Sanctuary at 1:00

March 26 – 5:00-7:00 Preschool, Developmental Kindergarten, Kindergarten Open House.  It’s a Beach Party!

March 31 – 5:00-7:00 Open House PK-6^th Grade.  Music from Around the World Assembly featuring Guy Louis.  Taco Dinner before the event.

April 2 – 2:00 Beach Party if we reach the 2,000 book goal.

At Sacred Heart, we talk a lot about building a strong soul. A soul that is strong is growing in virtue. A person who seeks God prays for Divine guidance. Lent is a wonderful time to talk about why we need to grow a strong soul. We have been marked by Christ as his own. We are meant to be on his team and worthy of his sacrifice and love. We are meant to be tough and follow Jesus all of the way to heaven.

We spent last week preparing for Lent by thinking about gratitude. What makes my life special? What makes this day brilliant? Who brings me closer to God? The answer is everything and everyone! That is gratitude! As we thought about ourselves and our own happiness, we felt stronger and more capable. It is true that being grateful has made it easier for the students to do school work, enjoy friends, be obedient. But Lent takes us a step further.

The world is full of pitfalls. It is easy to become glutinous, or selfish. To be rash in our words and actions, or lazy of mind and body. Before Lent began, I wanted the students to think about what they could do to help them be closer to heaven. It is different for each of us and I wanted them to really pray about it. They came up with some pretty unique ideas: Be more obedient * Stop complaining * Go to church every Sunday with my family * Replace 30 minutes of electronics with reading every day *Eat healthy food * Give up soda * Give up being lazy * Make my bed every day.

I asked the students to think about why it is important to see our Lenten promise through all 40 days. The answer is because Jesus loves us so much and he wants us to wonderful. By making one small change, we are telling our soul that change is possible. We do not have to stay stuck with a bad habit or a wrong idea. We can be better. We can grow.

We wrote our Lenten promise on a piece of paper and Mrs. Schutte strung them together to hang down the center hallway where we gather to pray. We know we will need to support each other as we keep this promise. Let’s grow together this Lent.

God Bless,

Anne Atkin, principal