A FAREWELL MESSAGE
I cannot tell you how devastated I have been to miss almost all of the last two weeks with the students and families! I struggled and fought and called and pleaded and did everything I could to get the medical help I needed to return, but all my efforts did not bring productive results until the morning of graduation when I received the epidural. It was all too late. I’m so sorry to have let you down and to have had to make such an ignominious exit from this very special job.
I would like to thank you for the lovely messages I have received and the care and concern that have been expressed. I was able to experience that community spirit of which we so often speak, where we come together to help each other in times of need. And the sweet messages in retirement cards from students and parents have meant the world to me.
Thanks, too, for the lovely retirement reception that I know my sister and son enjoyed on my behalf! I have been able to see the video of this event, enjoy the songs of the children, and be humbled by the very nice remarks of the presenters. Thanks to Amy Graham, Pauline Henne, and Connie Mendolia for providing this lovely event; to Missy Haskamp, Tamara Everly, and the students for the lovely singing; to the speakers for the lovely tributes; and to Julie Willets for the photo montage.
Andrew Myler is a lucky man to inherit this fine group of people – a very professional faculty and staff; sweet, talented students; caring, supportive parents; a hardworking, dedicated board of trustees, and a wonderful, working relationship with the church. I know he’ll have new ideas and new directions to pursue, and a strong base from which to launch those ideas.
Several of you have asked if I’ll be around next year, attending school functions. I want you to know that I will not – but it is not because I want to leave this experience and move on. I strongly believe that I need to stay out of Andrew’s way in his first year as Head. I will be available to him, if he has questions for me, but he’ll have a whole staff of people who know the routines, traditions, and protocols, so I don’t expect him to need to call on me. I plan to stay in Kansas City for another year and hope to run into you at the grocery store or library, tennis court or gym, theater or restaurant. You will never be far from my thoughts and will always have a special place in my heart.
Liz Barnes
Congratulations St. Paul's Graduates!
The class of 2014 gathered on Friday, May 23rd for their graduation ceremony. Families, friends, teachers and staff shared their support of the class as they move forward to high school.
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Bishop Miege High School
Grace C.
Deer Creek High School, Edmond, OK
Mille N.
Hyman Brand Hebrew Adademy
Nina G.
North Kansas City High School
Kendall I.
Notre Dame de Sion
Catherine H.
The Pembroke Hill School
Daniel B., Oliver C., Zach J., Emma L., Ella L., Sean M., Will P., Caroline R., Caroline S., Sean W.,
Roy W.
Rockhurst High School
Matthew A., Jordaan A., Adam K., Gorge M., Connor T., Zach T., Liam T.
Shawnee Mission East High School
Daisy B., Max M., Larkin M., Charlie M., Whitney P., Jensen P., John John R., Ben S., Johah W.
Shawnee Mission South High School
Carol-Ann G.
St. Teresa's Academy
Maddie A., Allie D., Catherine E., Natalie K., Anna Louise S., Layne S.
Staley High School
Sydney H.
Burr Oak Woods
May 7th marked the fifth annual sixth grade fishing trip to Burr Oak Woods in Blue Springs. Students culminated our study of Missouri’s Aquatic Ecosystem with a field study day which incorporated the concepts learned throughout the unit. The opportunity was sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation. While fishing was the highlight, students also investigated macroinvertebrates in the pond to help test water quality, and they went on a nature walk looking for plant and animal diversity, as well as the impact of water runoff in the watershed.
Spring Break Trip to Haiti
Several graduates of St. Paul’s accompanied Chaplain
Castellan and other members of St. Paul’s Church on a trip to our sister
school, Holy Cross School in Ravine a l’Anse, Haiti, during their spring
break. The girls, Emma C, Rachael S,
Lucy S, Elizabeth L, and Meredith D., helped the adults in their work to
improve the facilities at the school and also enjoyed and entertained the
students. All of those who made this
trip for the first time were amazed at the effort to which these children and
their teachers must go in order to be educated at the school. The students have long, hard distances to
walk in order to get to their classrooms from their homes, are crowded into
rooms with high pupil/teacher ratios, and yet are so grateful for the
opportunity they have to attend the school.
We are proud of these graduates for their commitment to our
sister school and also for the generous assistance that both our church and
school offer these Haitian families so they have the chance for an education,
clean water, and one solid meal each day for their children.
Stay Connected Over the Summer!
See what is happening at St. Paul's! Check out and Like our
Facebook page by clicking HERE!
We will be posting photos, news feeds, and fun facts about
St. Paul’s all summer long.
If you would like us to post your photo, wearing a St.
Paul’s t-shirt while on your summer travels, email your photo to alumni@speds.org
Share your St. Paul's graduation photos with us by sending them to alumni@speds.org and check out the St. Paul's Alumni Page by clicking HERE!
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