Mrs. Hartnett writes, Ending as I began…

Mrs. Hartnett writes,
Ending as I began…
I write these few last words to you as lightning is flashing outside and the crashing of
thunder is making me jump out of my chair. I don’t mind rainstorms, though, for they
bring back charming childhood memories for me. Whenever it would storm then like it is
now, my mother would run from room to room sprinkling holy water on the windows to
keep us all safe. Bad storms were also a time when my family huddled together for
protection and reassurance – of course, my brothers took every opportunity, even in those
moments, to scare everyone with gruesome ghost stories.
We have come together to the end of another school year, a Priory first for some, a
continuation for others. Where did it go? It was only yesterday that our Form I students
were navigating the halls for the first time, anxious to get it right, and eager to be a part
of their new school. And now, here we are, ready to send the Form II students down to
the high school to begin the next stage of the adventure, while inviting our Form I
students down to the west end of the hall to set up shop. And, of course, we eagerly await
the arrival of the members of the class of 2022, who will certainly be a welcome addition
to the Priory family.
This is truly a bittersweet time for those of us whose lives swirl around the comings and
goings of 140 young teenagers. And although we love summer and the relaxation and
fun that it promises, we acknowledge, too, that it can be hard to let go, particularly of the
Form II students and their parents who truly are moving away from the Junior School.
We will miss you, and we will miss the personal interactions that having you nearby
created.
Too, I would like to thank, once more, all of our Junior School families for their many,
many kindnesses to all of us throughout the year. How fortunate we are to be a tiny
speck in the cosmic soup that puts us near to each other; we are grateful, and we are
blessed.
EXAM REMINDERS
Please refer to the newsletter dated April 29 for the exam schedule. The following
information refers to final exams, May 24, 25, and 26:
Please be aware that the Junior School will close at 1:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday,
and at 10:30 am on Thursday. Students who have not been picked up from the Junior
School by that time will be asked to wait in the high school lobby for rides. Lunch will
be served on Tuesday and Wednesday, but not on Thursday. The sign up sheet for lunch
for Junior School students will be available on the door to Mrs. Lane’s office during the
week immediately before exams. Too, the dress code for exams is the same as a regular
day of school.
Form II boys may come in casual dress (shorts, etc) on May 26, as their class party will
follow shortly after the completion of their exam on that day.
A LETTER FROM BR DUNSTAN REGARDING FORM II LATIN NEXT YEAR
Latin Sets for Rising Form II Students
With the end of the year approaching, I would like to explain how the Form II Latin
classes will be grouped next year and also say a few things about the importance of Latin
in our curriculum. Normally there are two A sets and two B sets in Form II. The A sets
are the honors classes. Both the A and B sets will use the same textbook, learn the same
grammar, vocabulary and read many of the same texts. The honors sets, however, will do
more Latin sight-reading, write more English to Latin sentences and emphasize spoken
Latin. The honors courses are conducted at a much faster pace than the B sets. The B set
classes work at a slower pace to ensure that everyone understands the material and to
provide more help within the classroom setting.
At the end of Form I, each Latin teacher carefully considers which set is the best fit for
each one of his students. It is important for the boys to be in a set that will enable their
full potential. This choice depends primarily upon the student’s third term grade in Latin
I as well as his final exam grade. The students will know their sets when they receive
their new schedules in the summer.
There is, of course, chance for mobility. If a student has excelled in B set Latin and
would like the challenges of honors Latin, he could move up after a conversation between
the student, parent and teacher. Likewise, if a student feels too challenged in an A set or
wants to balance out the number of honors courses he is taking, he can also move into a B
set after a similar conversation.
Taking Latin, whether in an A or B set, is always an impressive factor on one’s college
application. Whether honors or non-honors, Latin distinguishes students from others in
many ways, for Latin has always been preeminent in the liberal arts. It has a powerful
influence in shaping the minds and characters of young men. With an understanding of
the classical roots that shaped our civilization, we understand ourselves better and have a
better, more informed understanding of the world in which we live. The nature of the
Latin language also teaches us to be critical thinkers. Latin fosters clarity of thought
because it teaches us to think about words and how to analyze our own language. Latin
thus strengthens our command of English and enhances our ability to learn modern
Romance languages with more ease.
I think the study of Latin is one of the reasons why our graduates stand apart, why it is so
easy to recognize a man with a Priory education. Though it may not always seem easy,
the fruits of studying Latin will remain forever with our boys. In Book I of the Aeneid,
Aeneas addresses his men after they have survived a terrible storm on the sea. He
encourages them with these words, connecting the present events to their future
happiness: Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit (“Perhaps one day even these things
will be a help/delight for us.”).
In closing, the teachers in the Classics Department are always happy to answer any
questions you may have. We all have our boys’ best interest at heart. I hope you all have
a wonderful summer.
God bless,
Br. Dunstan Holms O.S.B.
Classical Languages Department Head
MAY 20 – LOCKER AND LOST/FOUND CLEAN-OUT
Please be aware that by May 20, the last day of classes for this school year, Junior School
students are to take home any and all of their books, clothes, locker shelving, locks, or
supplies from their lockers, lost and found, and the gym locker room and grunge boxes.
A sturdy bag or box will be helpful. The maintenance staff will be "moving in" over that
weekend immediately following and they will remove any items left behind.
Parents (and boys, of course) are certainly welcome to come to my office now to claim
items that they know to be their sons' belongings. Unclaimed Priory items will be given
to Priory families; unclaimed items without the Priory logo will be given to Goodwill.
Additionally, please be aware that School will end at 3:00 pm on May 20.
FORM II MASS AND RECEPTION, MAY 28
This week, Form II parents should have received an email invitation to the annual Form
II Mass and Reception on May 28. Please do note that this week’s invitation indicates a
slight change of time from the original invitation that you would have recently received.
The Junior School Mass and Reception is a wonderful event, one of my true favorites of
the year. Unfortunately, this year I cannot be with you, as I am leaving on May 27 to
accompany seven of our students to France for a ten-day home stay. I will surely miss
being with you, but please be assured of my gratitude for all that you do and have done
for all of us.
AND NOW, A WORD TO OUR SPONSORS
(l-r); Michael O’Sullivan, Sean Moen, Joe Brady, JD Blaylock, Ian Crossey, Eli Swift
(l-r, back row): Jordynn Parker, Bernie Kilcullen, Sami Haddad, Ross Van Bree
(l-r, kneeling, sitting): Carter Coleman, Gabe Kemna, Charlie Janson, Drew Scheiner
(l-r): Anupam Terkonda, Giuseppe Schifano, Michael Von Rohr, Cole Trautmann
(l-r): Tommy Mooney, Alex Garza, Thomas de Wolff
(l-r): Joe Hunt, Ben Glarner, Charlie Ferrick, Isaac Hall, Brennan Spellman
(l-r), standing: David Hartenbach, Aidan Phillips, Nick Telma, Brad Hidalgo
(l-r) kneeling, sitting: Sam Juenger, Marc Chahoud, Ethan Newman, Peter Welz,
Michael Rashford, James Rempe
Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be
morrow. William Shakespeare, from Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, scene 2, lines 182–185
Diana B. Hartnett
Director of the Junior School
Saint Louis Priory School