Dear Parents-

The spring concert is always a mile marker on the journey to the end of the school year. Today marks the beginning of the downhill run to the last day of school. It has been wonderful spending the day with grandparents and other special guests, and I look forward to seeing all our families this evening, honoring the milestone years of service for some of our staff, thanking our outgoing School Advisory Committee members, and celebrating the retirement of Peggy Johnson and Ginger VanHecke. Hearing our students’ voices lifted in song will be icing on the cake! Although the concert will take place in the BA gym, make sure to stay after the concert to walk over to DMCS to view the art show, browse the book fair, and congratulate Ginger and Peggy on a job well done! Refreshments will be served.

Saturday, May 20^th, our PTO is hosting a Touch a Truck Event in the school parking lot. Plan to stop by and see the great machinery. See tile below for more information.

Next week we will be inviting students to dress down for Thursday and Friday (May 25^th and 26^th). This way we will be able to clean out desks, etc. with out worrying about messing up nice clothes. Enjoy these two reward dress down days. 

Our end of the year picnic and pool party will be held on May 30^th. Pray for good weather! We are asking each child to contribute $2 towards the cost of renting the Faribault Aquatic Center for the afternoon. Thank you for your help!

Our final event of May is our 5^th grade celebration Mass and reception on May 31^st. We will honor our students and wish them well as they move on in their schooling. All students will celebrate Mass together at the usual time at IC Church. After Mass, we will honor our 5^th grade students and then we will host a reception in our gymnasium for them and their guests. 5^th grade students and their guests will be free to leave after the reception.

As we prepare for the end of the year, I am also working on getting everything in line for next year. This week, I hired a 5^th grade teacher to take the spot that is open. Mary VanThomme will be joining our elementary staff next year as a 5^th grade teacher. I am thrilled to have Mary step into this position. Even though she has taught preschool for a while, she began her teaching career as a middle school math teacher. I am confident that 5^th grade will be an excellent fit for her. Please join me in congratulating her on her new role. Thank you for all your prayers. Please keep them coming!

Many Blessings-

Mrs. Ashley