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Saint Columbkille Partnership School
SPIRIT
President’s Message Dear Alumni and Friends: St. Columbkille School is a vibrant and nurturing place. Over the past few years, St. Columbkille has evolved into a community of learners and leaders doing something new every day and creating an awe-inspiring legacy of which all Alumni can be proud. I encourage you, if you have the opportunity, to visit the school. Alongside the old lunch box ‘cubbies’ you will find rolling computer labs and the latest curriculum. It has become an unparalleled balance of yesterday and today. The pre-school at St. Columbkille has expanded throughout the entire lower level (Garden Level) of the school. A virtual ‘garden’ of young children beginning to bloom. Each year becomes more exciting at St. Columbkille!
Spring 2010 A Tradition of Excellence
Coming back to St. Columbkille with my own children was a surreal experience. Bringing my four-yearold son to his first day of kindergarten in 1997, I found myself walking down the halls I had walked down so many times during my years at “St. Cols.” Together we passed walls lined with the coat hooks to the classroom. Opening the same towering, heavy door, the black phone receiver hanging on the wall, the difference being the room is now filled with toys and children’s books. My 12-year-old son is currently a 7th grade student and we’ve experienced the school go through many changes over the years. Some changes have been exciting and some have been difficult. All things considered, my children have had wonderful experiences at St. Columbkille. They are fortunate, as we are, to have an elementary school that will be there for them and their children for many years to come. The past few years have been difficult years for many of us and our families – the financial crisis, job losses and health scares have taken a toll on peoples’ spirits. However, I am so proud to say the St. Columbkille Alumni community has been outstanding in giving back and supporting St. Columbkille. Unlike other schools in the Allston/Brighton community that sadly had to close their doors, St. Columbkille is fortunate to have an active and supportive Alumni Association. Through donations and participation in school functions, such as the annual Christmas Bazaar and calendar raffles, St. Columbkille continues to thrive. The St. Columbkille Partnership School website (www.stcolumbkilleschool.net) is a work in progress. Hopefully soon it will be an interactive site which will incorporate all divisions of the School, including the Alumni, to aid Alumni in planning events, post stories, memories and much more. Many alumni have been reunited with classmates and old friends on Facebook. Several reunions and events have been planned as a result. It is exciting to see how active the Alumni are and how proud and dedicated they are to St. Columbkille. I invite each of you to participate in our Alumni Association. If you cannot be an active member of the Association, there are other ways to give back. Donations to our appeals and telethons as well as joining us for upcoming Alumni events are just a few. On behalf of the entire Alumni Association, thank you for your ongoing support. Sincerely,
Andrea Frawley Whalen ’83 Grammar School, ’87 High School
ST. COLUMBKILLE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 25 Arlington Street Brighton, MA 02135 www.saintcols.com 617-254-0522 info@stcolumbkilleschool.net