Fr. Doyle Family,
Another day of distance learning comes to a close. We worked hard today!
Time to take a breather. Let go of the logistics of tomorrow, the decisions you'll have to make, the work still undone... It'll be okay. We'll be okay.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Daily Update - Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Fr. Doyle Family,
We're already more than halfway through the week with the conclusion of distance learning today, and the end of this week marks the start of May! As we look towards the end of the year, be assured we have some exciting plans coming for end of year activities. Stay tuned!
While we're still working hard to bring you the best distance learning experience possible, it seems as though today, right now, is a good time to reflect upon just how far we've come. We have strong systems in place, students are successfully accessing platforms and turning in assignments, and learning is undoubtedly continuing at a great pace. I'm grateful for each of your contributions to our overall success.
The journey has not always been easy, and it is far from over, but let's not forget all that we've accomplished today.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
We're already more than halfway through the week with the conclusion of distance learning today, and the end of this week marks the start of May! As we look towards the end of the year, be assured we have some exciting plans coming for end of year activities. Stay tuned!
While we're still working hard to bring you the best distance learning experience possible, it seems as though today, right now, is a good time to reflect upon just how far we've come. We have strong systems in place, students are successfully accessing platforms and turning in assignments, and learning is undoubtedly continuing at a great pace. I'm grateful for each of your contributions to our overall success.
The journey has not always been easy, and it is far from over, but let's not forget all that we've accomplished today.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Daily Update - Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Fr. Doyle Family,
I continue to be deeply moved by the hard work, creativity, and dedication of all the members of our community. Not a day goes back that I am not inspired by a teacher's lesson, a parent's willingness to go above and beyond, or a student's creativity in responding to a particular assignment.
I'm grateful to all of the parents who were able to attend the Principal's Office Hours this morning, and I look forward to hearing feedback and questions from many more families in the weeks ahead. As I've said previously, distance learning is the ultimate team sport, and we can't do this without each and every one of you!
I leave you today with this thought:
"School is not closed for the year. The building is... but if you listen closely you can hear the hum of hard working teachers, students, parents, and more. Yes, we are brokenhearted, but these broken hearts will continue to lead and continue to learn." -Peyton Anderson
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
I continue to be deeply moved by the hard work, creativity, and dedication of all the members of our community. Not a day goes back that I am not inspired by a teacher's lesson, a parent's willingness to go above and beyond, or a student's creativity in responding to a particular assignment.
I'm grateful to all of the parents who were able to attend the Principal's Office Hours this morning, and I look forward to hearing feedback and questions from many more families in the weeks ahead. As I've said previously, distance learning is the ultimate team sport, and we can't do this without each and every one of you!
I leave you today with this thought:
"School is not closed for the year. The building is... but if you listen closely you can hear the hum of hard working teachers, students, parents, and more. Yes, we are brokenhearted, but these broken hearts will continue to lead and continue to learn." -Peyton Anderson
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Monday, April 27, 2020
Daily Update - Monday, April 27, 2020
Fr. Doyle Family,
We're back!
I hope you all had a restful and healthy April break. As we begin distance learning anew this week, knowing that it will continue through the end of the academic year, I am optimistic about our future. Yes, distance learning is still a challenging and at times daunting task for every member of the community. Yes, there will still be bumps and setbacks along the way; however, we are growing and improving each and every day.
In the weeks ahead, I look forward to working together with every member of the community to continue our mission - providing young people with a solid, well-rounded education rooted in Roman Catholic Tradition. It is a mission of vital importance, but not one that any of us takes on alone, for in the pursuit of truth and transformation, we never walk alone.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
We're back!
I hope you all had a restful and healthy April break. As we begin distance learning anew this week, knowing that it will continue through the end of the academic year, I am optimistic about our future. Yes, distance learning is still a challenging and at times daunting task for every member of the community. Yes, there will still be bumps and setbacks along the way; however, we are growing and improving each and every day.
In the weeks ahead, I look forward to working together with every member of the community to continue our mission - providing young people with a solid, well-rounded education rooted in Roman Catholic Tradition. It is a mission of vital importance, but not one that any of us takes on alone, for in the pursuit of truth and transformation, we never walk alone.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Friday, April 17, 2020
Daily Update - Friday, April 17, 2020
Fr. Doyle Community,
April Break has arrived! What an incredible journey the past five weeks have been. They certainly have not been without adversity, but I am incredibly proud of the way our community has responded to the current crisis.
There is undoubtedly still work to be done - certain programs need to be enhanced, some schedules need further clarification - and these things will come; however, let us take the upcoming week to rest and appreciate the incredible hard work of each and every member of this community from our teachers to our staff to our parents and students.
There is virtue in both work and rest. I hope this upcoming week you rest.
We'll see you next week.
Until then, be kind to one another.
-Mr. Peloquin
April Break has arrived! What an incredible journey the past five weeks have been. They certainly have not been without adversity, but I am incredibly proud of the way our community has responded to the current crisis.
There is undoubtedly still work to be done - certain programs need to be enhanced, some schedules need further clarification - and these things will come; however, let us take the upcoming week to rest and appreciate the incredible hard work of each and every member of this community from our teachers to our staff to our parents and students.
There is virtue in both work and rest. I hope this upcoming week you rest.
We'll see you next week.
Until then, be kind to one another.
-Mr. Peloquin
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Daily Update - Thursday, April 16, 2020
Fr. Doyle Community,
We're one day away from a well-deserved April Break. I am grateful for the collective hard work, patience, and dedication of our entire school community over these past five weeks. As Fr. Woolley mentioned in his homily at the school Mass this afternoon, we continue to serve the mission of our school, providing a well-rounded Catholic education for all of our students. It may currently look different than we ever expected, and it may require many of us to make new and difficult sacrifices; however, we remain steadfast in our commitment to this lofty goal.
Quarantine is the ideal time to once again enjoy a reading of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and I am again moved by his words:
"The world is indeed full of peril, but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."
We are undoubtedly surrounded by much sadness in these times, but I pray that - for each of our families - Fr. Doyle School represents some small portion of what is still fair and good in this world and, despite this sadness, promotes the growth of love all the greater in these times.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
We're one day away from a well-deserved April Break. I am grateful for the collective hard work, patience, and dedication of our entire school community over these past five weeks. As Fr. Woolley mentioned in his homily at the school Mass this afternoon, we continue to serve the mission of our school, providing a well-rounded Catholic education for all of our students. It may currently look different than we ever expected, and it may require many of us to make new and difficult sacrifices; however, we remain steadfast in our commitment to this lofty goal.
Quarantine is the ideal time to once again enjoy a reading of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and I am again moved by his words:
"The world is indeed full of peril, but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."
We are undoubtedly surrounded by much sadness in these times, but I pray that - for each of our families - Fr. Doyle School represents some small portion of what is still fair and good in this world and, despite this sadness, promotes the growth of love all the greater in these times.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Daily Update - Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Dear Fr. Doyle Community,
Another day of distance learning is coming to a close. Over the past few days and weeks, you may have heard discussion of adjusting to a "new normal." While I understand the thought behind this sentiment, I'm not sure that I entirely agree with it. What we are currently experiencing is not normal. We remain in the midst of a tremendous health crisis which has negatively impacted our economy and taken a significant toll on our social-emotional well-being.
With this in mind, while I am incredibly proud of the way our teachers have worked to continue student learning, I am even prouder of the way our teachers & staff have sought to maintain a sense of community and a personal connection with students and families. Through innumerable Zoom calls, recorded videos, Virtual Spirit Week activities, live streamed Masses, and much more - my hope is that, more than just providing an education, Fr. Doyle has also been an anchor for those that feel anchor-less during this time, a safe port amidst this storm.
Louisa May Alcott remarked "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." I hope we've helped our families sail their ships through this difficult time.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Another day of distance learning is coming to a close. Over the past few days and weeks, you may have heard discussion of adjusting to a "new normal." While I understand the thought behind this sentiment, I'm not sure that I entirely agree with it. What we are currently experiencing is not normal. We remain in the midst of a tremendous health crisis which has negatively impacted our economy and taken a significant toll on our social-emotional well-being.
With this in mind, while I am incredibly proud of the way our teachers have worked to continue student learning, I am even prouder of the way our teachers & staff have sought to maintain a sense of community and a personal connection with students and families. Through innumerable Zoom calls, recorded videos, Virtual Spirit Week activities, live streamed Masses, and much more - my hope is that, more than just providing an education, Fr. Doyle has also been an anchor for those that feel anchor-less during this time, a safe port amidst this storm.
Louisa May Alcott remarked "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." I hope we've helped our families sail their ships through this difficult time.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Daily Update - Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Dear Fr. Doyle Community,
I hope you have all had a restful and blessed Easter. Though we could not be together physically, there was solace to be found in joining together in prayer as a faith community during these holy days. I hope many of you were able to join us for the Masses and events streamed during Holy Week.
As distance learning continues on, at least for another week after the April break, it is so important that we continue to stay connected as the community. Today is the first day of Virtual Spirit Week, and we've already seen some great posts from teachers and students alike on our Virtual Spirit Week Padlet. Tomorrow is Wellness Wednesday - so show us how you practice self-care during distance learning. In addition, you can find the daily Morning Minute on our Facebook Page or through our Youtube Channel, which also features the first edition of the Savvy Saint News. These are all great ways to ensure you stay connected.
In the words of German statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, "The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers, and cities; but to know someone who thinks and feels with us, and who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden."
Stay in touch.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
I hope you have all had a restful and blessed Easter. Though we could not be together physically, there was solace to be found in joining together in prayer as a faith community during these holy days. I hope many of you were able to join us for the Masses and events streamed during Holy Week.
As distance learning continues on, at least for another week after the April break, it is so important that we continue to stay connected as the community. Today is the first day of Virtual Spirit Week, and we've already seen some great posts from teachers and students alike on our Virtual Spirit Week Padlet. Tomorrow is Wellness Wednesday - so show us how you practice self-care during distance learning. In addition, you can find the daily Morning Minute on our Facebook Page or through our Youtube Channel, which also features the first edition of the Savvy Saint News. These are all great ways to ensure you stay connected.
In the words of German statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, "The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers, and cities; but to know someone who thinks and feels with us, and who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden."
Stay in touch.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Daily Update - Thursday, April 9, 2020
Fr. Doyle Community,
Wishing you all a very blessed, happy, and holy Easter! As we begin the Triduum, I hope that you and your families are able to partake in the many different livestream options available through the Saints John and Paul Facebook Page and website. You do not need a Facebook account to view.
It certainly may be difficult to feel joy during this current Easter season. With so much of our world in turmoil amidst this global pandemic, it is easy to succumb to feelings of despair. Yet, this Easter Sunday we celebrate that Christ is risen and thus - even amidst great suffering - we have reason to be filled with deep joy and hope.
May each of you find some respite of joy and hope this Easter season. Enjoy the long weekend, and I'll see everyone again on Tuesday, April 14th.
God bless!
Until then,
-Mr. Peloquin
Wishing you all a very blessed, happy, and holy Easter! As we begin the Triduum, I hope that you and your families are able to partake in the many different livestream options available through the Saints John and Paul Facebook Page and website. You do not need a Facebook account to view.
It certainly may be difficult to feel joy during this current Easter season. With so much of our world in turmoil amidst this global pandemic, it is easy to succumb to feelings of despair. Yet, this Easter Sunday we celebrate that Christ is risen and thus - even amidst great suffering - we have reason to be filled with deep joy and hope.
May each of you find some respite of joy and hope this Easter season. Enjoy the long weekend, and I'll see everyone again on Tuesday, April 14th.
God bless!
Until then,
-Mr. Peloquin
"We are an Easter people and 'Alleluia' is our song!" -St. Augustine of Hippo
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Daily Update - Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Fr. Doyle Community,
"Where there is great love there are always miracles. One might almost say that an apparition is human vision corrected by divine love... The Miracles of the Church seem to me to rest not so much upon faces or voices or healing power, but upon our perceptions being made finer, so that for a moment our eyes can see and our ears can hear what is there about us always."
This beautiful passage from Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop seems particularly fitting for the Holy Week that lies head of us. When we face great trials & tribulations as we currently do, it is helpful to be reminded that little miracles exist everywhere. We will not be together for the Easter celebration this year, and while this is difficult to accept, it does not mean this time cannot be filled with many blessings and perhaps even a few miracles.
As Bishop Latour suggests, "where there is great love there are always miracles," and there is certainly great love at Fr. Doyle School. It is evident every day in the interactions between students, staff, parents, and families, and in the love we share for the content, for learning itself, and for one another.
Have a great afternoon & evening.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Monday, April 6, 2020
Daily Update - Monday, April 6, 2020
Fr. Doyle Community,
As a history teacher, I have always had an appreciation for President Theodore Roosevelt. Recently, I've been thinking often about one of his most famous quotations:
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
It is an appropriate motto for our current times. While we would all love nothing more than to return to regular school activities, unfortunately this is not currently feasible. Though our current situation is not ideal, we will strive to do the best we can with what we have. And what do we have? Teachers, staff, students, and parents who continue to go above and beyond to make distance & virtual learning as enriching and successful as possible. This is truly a blessing.
Furthermore, the final portion of Roosevelt's saying seems particularly poignant. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. We find ourselves in markedly different places from one another both geographically and metaphorically. What do I mean by this? The challenges of distance learning are different for each and every family - technology, work schedules, organization, maintaining student focus, etc. These are real challenges that are not easily resolved or set aside. We can never expect perfection. We can only ask that we respond to these challenges as best we can from where we are, and that starting location is different for each of us each and every day.
Keep this in mind the next time you're struggling. Let's not be so hard on ourselves. Just do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
As a history teacher, I have always had an appreciation for President Theodore Roosevelt. Recently, I've been thinking often about one of his most famous quotations:
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
It is an appropriate motto for our current times. While we would all love nothing more than to return to regular school activities, unfortunately this is not currently feasible. Though our current situation is not ideal, we will strive to do the best we can with what we have. And what do we have? Teachers, staff, students, and parents who continue to go above and beyond to make distance & virtual learning as enriching and successful as possible. This is truly a blessing.
Furthermore, the final portion of Roosevelt's saying seems particularly poignant. Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. We find ourselves in markedly different places from one another both geographically and metaphorically. What do I mean by this? The challenges of distance learning are different for each and every family - technology, work schedules, organization, maintaining student focus, etc. These are real challenges that are not easily resolved or set aside. We can never expect perfection. We can only ask that we respond to these challenges as best we can from where we are, and that starting location is different for each of us each and every day.
Keep this in mind the next time you're struggling. Let's not be so hard on ourselves. Just do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
Friday, April 3, 2020
Daily Update - Friday, April 3, 2020
Fr. Doyle Community,
Today was a professional day for teachers, and they are hard at work planning lessons and exploring ways to expand our distance learning options in the weeks ahead. I could not be more proud of the way our teachers have responded to this crisis. It is not an exaggeration to say that their efforts have been nothing short of heroic.
It's been wonderful to see our students spreading kindness for #AprilActsofKindness on our Virtual Community Padlet. Never doubt that these small acts of kindness put together really do change the world! If you haven't posted yet, we'll keep it up throughout the month of April.
As we prepare for Holy Week ahead, let us unite in prayer for healing and continued good health for all of our families.
Rest up, re-energize, and get ready for another week ahead!
I'll see you on Monday.
Until then,
-Mr. Peloquin
Today was a professional day for teachers, and they are hard at work planning lessons and exploring ways to expand our distance learning options in the weeks ahead. I could not be more proud of the way our teachers have responded to this crisis. It is not an exaggeration to say that their efforts have been nothing short of heroic.
It's been wonderful to see our students spreading kindness for #AprilActsofKindness on our Virtual Community Padlet. Never doubt that these small acts of kindness put together really do change the world! If you haven't posted yet, we'll keep it up throughout the month of April.
As we prepare for Holy Week ahead, let us unite in prayer for healing and continued good health for all of our families.
Rest up, re-energize, and get ready for another week ahead!
I'll see you on Monday.
Until then,
-Mr. Peloquin
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Daily Update - Thursday, April 2, 2020
Fr. Doyle Community,
My apologies, I forgot to post the daily update yesterday!
I wanted to take a moment to reflect upon a passage from one of my favorite works - J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Facing an incredibly dark time in his journey, the main character Frodo Baggins remarks:
"I wish this need not have happened in my time."
Gandalf responds:
"So do I, and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
We all wish this school year could have looked differently. Many of our students were looking forward to social events, sports seasons, extra-curricular activities and more. These events are likely going to be much different than what we had imagined. Unfortunately, much of this is out of our control.
Yet, we can control what we do with the time and the resources that we have. I want you to know that we are currently working on more and more creative ways to keep our community together and to cultivate among our students and families a sense of appreciation, recognition, and belonging.
Once again, I cannot thank each of you enough for your continued support of and dedication to our wonderful school.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
My apologies, I forgot to post the daily update yesterday!
I wanted to take a moment to reflect upon a passage from one of my favorite works - J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Facing an incredibly dark time in his journey, the main character Frodo Baggins remarks:
"I wish this need not have happened in my time."
Gandalf responds:
"So do I, and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
We all wish this school year could have looked differently. Many of our students were looking forward to social events, sports seasons, extra-curricular activities and more. These events are likely going to be much different than what we had imagined. Unfortunately, much of this is out of our control.
Yet, we can control what we do with the time and the resources that we have. I want you to know that we are currently working on more and more creative ways to keep our community together and to cultivate among our students and families a sense of appreciation, recognition, and belonging.
Once again, I cannot thank each of you enough for your continued support of and dedication to our wonderful school.
Until tomorrow,
-Mr. Peloquin
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