The Cardinal - Spring 2014

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VOL. 3 • SPRING 2014

CARDINAL An Historic Year

by Dr. Michael Pratt, Head of School children from Pio Pico Elementary School in the Adopt-aSchool Program offered through the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point.

W

ith little more than a month left in this school year, I find myself reflecting with great pride and gratitude on all that has been accomplished. At the same time, I look forward with great anticipation to the many new opportunities our students will experience next year.

Our parents stepped forward throughout the year to organize events that built community and raised much needed funds for the School. From Fall Family Festival, to the Golf Tournament, to the St. John’s Socials, parents had the opportunity to enjoy being a part of our vibrant community. In unprecedented numbers, we came together at the 2014 Gala to celebrate our 25 years and Mr. Lusby’s long and successful tenure. And while we celebrated we set a school record by raising over $350,000. I am truly grateful for the support that will help to make St. John’s an even better school.

This has been a year of celebration and discernment and planning. In September, we celebrated opening our doors twenty-five years ago. Sharing in our celebration of all that the School has accomplished, were dignitaries from the city and county, as well as Bishop Mary Glasspool. To thank the community that has supported us throughout our history, we engaged in 25 Acts of Gratitude. Every project was meaningful and worthwhile, but I was especially struck by three: through Operation Christmas Spirit, our school community provided Christmas gifts to families of Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton; through Soles 4 Souls, a student-generated project, we collected shoes to be sent to Haiti; and our 3rd graders collaborated with

The administration and faculty spent a great deal of time considering the feedback that our parents gave us about ways to enrich our program. With your ideas and philanthropy, next year our students will be able to experience fresh technology, robotics, instrumental music, dance, and Mandarin Chinese, among other engaging activities. We have embarked on our STEAM initiative, and many of you were able to witness our students’ excitement as they built their projects on our inaugural STEAM Day. And those of you who have been to the School lately have had a chance to see our beautiful new Garden Lab, which will provide an outdoor classroom.

This has been an historic year. We have celebrated 25 years of achievement and laid the foundation for another quarter century of excellence. I look forward to continuing the journey with you. n


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