Notre Dame 5th graders eagerly await the beginning of mass and their farewell ceremony in the school’s cafetorium.
"First of all, we call this ceremony a 5th-grade farewell, but, really, it’s a 6th-grade welcome," he said. "And this is a very special class. Do you know why you are special? You're actually the very first class to get to use the new classrooms at the lower division and you will be the very first class to use the new classrooms at the middle division. You will be the first class to use the new robotics lab. You will be the first class to use the new art studio and you will be the first class to use the new science labs. So, I guess this really is a class of firsts!"
Check out the rest of Guest's remarks below. . .
5th Grade Farewell/6th Grade Welcome
Head of School Remarks
By Andy Guest
Well. What do we have here. All these bright, shiny faces. Children of God. Are you excited to move up to the main campus? Or are you a bit nervous? Or maybe, you are just excited for summer vacation. That’s okay too.
First of all, we call this ceremony a 5th grade farewell, but, really, it’s a 6th grade welcome. And this is a very special class. Do you know why you are special? You are actually the very first class to get to use the new classrooms at the lower division and you will be the first class to use the new classrooms at the middle division. You will be the first class to use the new robotics lab. You will be the first class to use the new art studio and you will be the first class to use the new science labs. So, I guess this really is a class of firsts!
I just thought I would tell you a couple of things to help you out for next year and a couple of things to work on over the summer.
For next year:
• I want you to know that you are welcome. The teachers at the middle division are all very nice and they all can’t wait to see you next year. A little thing to know about teachers. (Teachers like summer vacation too, but teachers also love when school starts back up in August). Because a teacher without students is like a cupcake without frosting. We are not complete. You complete us. You are the frosting on the cupcake.
• The school will get a little bigger. So, sometimes that’s scary. But with that, you also get a little more freedom and a little more responsibility. But, look at it this way. You get to keep all your current friends, and you can make new friends. There will be new kids from other schools and I want you guys to be good ambassadors. Do you know what it means to be an ambassador? A person who acts as a representative or promotor. So we want you guys to be representatives and promoters of this school, particularly to new students. We want you to be welcoming and friendly. And, who knows, maybe you will make a new best friend.
• This will really get you off to a great start next year. Come to school prepared. Be excited. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a healthy breakfast. Have a positive attitude. Do your homework on time. Participate in class. (Teachers love when you do those kinds of things).
• For the summer:
– Be helpful and kind to your parents
– Go to church
– Say your prayers
Church is not something you should have to do. It should be something you want to do. So, parents, you need to help them on this. Going to church on the weekend gives you a chance to thank God for everything that happened that week and to ask for his help to be a good person the following week.
And prayer, is your chance to talk to God personally. You can pray whenever you want, but I like to pray at night before I go to bed.
So be helpful and kind to your parents. Go to church. And, say your prayers.
Enjoy this special day. We are proud of all of you. Be safe this summer. And, we will see you next year!
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org