Message from School Director

God’s peace be with you. As we gather at the start of this new school year, I greet you with joy and hope. Today, I wish to invite you to reflect on the importance of integrity and honesty in the relationship between parents and teachers guided by the wisdom of Jesus in our Gospel reading today.

In our Gospel for this Saturday, Jesus challenges us to a higher standard of truthfulness. He says, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all... Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one". Jesus calls us to a radical honesty where our words are reliable and trustworthy without the need for oaths or embellishments.

Embracing Integrity and Honesty

What does this mean for us as guardians and mentors of our children? It means that our interactions should be marked by sincerity, maturity, and truthfulness. Just as Christ calls us to be servants of the Truth, we too must embrace truthfulness in our words.

For Parent-Teacher Relationship to grow, there are four things we are encourage to practice: 

1. Open Communication or peaceful dialogue 

• We must strive for open and honest communication . Parents, share your concerns, hopes, and insights about your children with teachers. Teachers, be forthright about a student's progress, challenges, and strengths.

2. Trust and Respect:

• Integrity builds trust. When we are honest, we create a foundation of mutual respect. Parents should trust that our teachers have their children's best interests at heart, and teachers should respect our parents' knowledge of their children.

3. Verifying or Fact checking 

• Gossip and rumors can damage the parent-teacher relationship. Let us commit to speaking truthfully and kindly about one another, avoiding any form of misrepresentation.

4. Keeping Commitments:

• When we make a promise, whether it's to help with a school event or to support a child's learning at home, let us honor our word. Our "Yes" should mean "Yes," and our "No" should mean "No".

Imagine a school community where parents and teachers communicate openly, trust each other implicitly, and always keep their word. In such an environment, children thrive, learning is enhanced, and the entire community is strengthened. This is the kind of community we can build together through integrity and honesty…a community where Christ is the center.

Therefore, I invite you, parents and teachers, to embrace integrity and honesty in all your interactions this school year. Let your words be true, your actions be sincere, and your commitment to one another be unwavering. By doing so, we create a nurturing and supportive environment where our children can grow in wisdom, knowledge, and grace.

As we begin this new school year, let us remember the words of Jesus. May God grant us the grace to live with integrity, speak with honesty, and build a community of trust and respect.

Prayer

Loving God, we thank you for the gift of this new school year. Help us to be people of integrity and honesty in all our relationships. Guide our parents, designated guardians, teachers and administrators  to work together in truth and love, for the good of our children and the glory of your name. Amen.