Weekend Wisdom, May 7th, 2023

My third grader’s class recently studied The Ten Commandments and was assigned to memorize them for a pending assessment.  As we practiced at home we waded through the standard discussions of what adultery and coveting mean to make sure he understood the message, not just repeating words.  This practice also sent me on a path down memory lane to my own childhood as my parents’ regularly kept my brother and me in line through a simple statement of “Fourth Commandment.”  Honor thy mother and father.  A tattoo in my memory and heart.  Once upon a time, this statement sparked a needed humbling and attitude adjustment.  As an adult, it sparks hope and pride in my ability to honor my own parents.

As principal, I have the unique role of being somewhat of a school parent to 400+ students on a daily basis.  Beyond that, I also count our grown and flown, graduated students as my extended children as well.  That graduated count currently sits at 163 with the first 39 graduating high school this year in just a few weeks.  This spring has really brought me to a place of reflecting on what an HONOR it is to be a part of these students' lives for even a chapter.  Even after they leave the doors of NDDP, they remain in our hearts and prayers as we watch for and root for their successes from afar.  

With Teacher Appreciation Week this week, and Mother’s and Father’s Day soon after, I pray that all who have the privilege of guiding today’s youth feel honored in the work they do on a daily basis.  

With heart and soul,

Molly Mares

Principal

Notre Dame of De Pere