Principal's Newsletters

May 5, 2007

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Friends,

I thank you for the blessings of your support for our school, our students, our staff, and me. You have given a wonderful spirit of life and encouragement to all of us. I treasure my three years with you as the most blessed years of employment for me. Our school personnel are dedicated professionals who strive to accomplish the best learning opportunities for our students, your children. The inclusion of the RISEN Program with its professionals in Sacred Heart School has proven to be a phenomenal asset to the educational growth of those students involved with this program. I have also been thrilled with the support and involvement from parishioners of Sacred Heart Church, for their presence, generosity, and prayers do much to sustain the stability of our school. Reverend Dariusz Dudzik, Pastor, has truly been a joy-filled person for whom to work, and he has been an inspiration to all in Sacred Heart School.

Sunday, April 29, 2007, has become a most memorable day in my life. It has been difficult to retire from this wonderful community, yet the gifts of the presence of so many people at the Groton Inn & Suites to wish me well on my retirement provided me with much warmth, support, and joy. I thank all those who attended this affair. The gifts of music by graduate Mr. Paul Lang, Miss Hannah King, and by Mr. Daniel Dykes, Spanish Teacher, were truly wonderful and most appreciated. Mrs. Soraya Calle, Master of Ceremonies, gave this event a spirit of joy, humor, and faith-filled friendship. I thank Mrs. Calle for her wonderful gift. Mrs. Jeanette Lang, Mrs. Kelly Paige, and Mrs. Linda Schneider seemed to be the prime movers of this blessed day for me, and I thank them for the many gifts of their service, foresight, and laughter as we strived to work together for the benefit of our students. Extraordinary sharing by some students to me on this afternoon were deeply touching and so unexpected. I thank them and all who gave me this fabulous retirement party, and for inviting my family to attend.

I have great faith in the dedication of our School Board, the GUILD, and Parish Council to work collaboratively to sustain the faith and educational foundation of Sacred Heart School. By their work, and under the guidance of Rev. Dariusz Dudzik Pastor, and Sister Joan O’Connor, Superintendent of Schools, a replacement for principal will be secured through a timely and thoughtful process. I encourage you to support Mrs. Linda Schneider as she fulfills this role in the interim. Thankfully, a Parish-School Development Committee has been established to plan for a stable financial future for the school and church, and thankfully parishioners have shared their expertise with our Finance Committee to keep our school financially sound and moving in the best direction. I must also recognize and share my appreciation for the ways our school is blessed by its involvement with the larger community of Groton and Southeastern towns and cities. Science Days as provided by Pfizer Corp, and by Mad Science, as well as leadership days provided by volunteers from Navy to Junior Achievement events are just a few of these blessings.

I am proud each time I learn of the accomplishment of our students: in their participation in their learning activities, in their participation in the school’s Chorus, in their participation in our school’s Beginning and Advanced Bands, in our school’s athletic teams, in special sharing of their artwork, in their fund raising endeavors to benefit the children of Iraq and to benefit the families served by area soup kitchens, in having their writings published for others to enjoy, and in sharing their talents in our school’s Talent Show. I attribute much of this to the support, encouragement, and faith witnessed by the families of our students and by our school’s personnel.

I wish you years that may be blessed with new and lasting peace and with the love of our Lord always,

Deacon Carl LaFleur