June 23, 2014

 

Dear St. Francis Community,

 

After ninety-nine years of existence, the St. Francis faculty and staff continues to experience the ebb and flow of changing faces.  As we know, time marches on and the business of education is constant. However, the 2013-14 school year marked the end of two special careers in the history of our school.

 

First, Mrs. Jessica Hopkins departs us after 36 years of service.  It is amazing to think that even though our school celebrates its 100th anniversary this coming year, Mrs. Hopkins has served it for more than a third of its life.  The imprint that she left on ALL members of our school community will last well into the next century.  Second, we honor the 27-year career of Mrs. Pat Chaplin.  Being a classroom aide for that number of years is telling of the humility that this employee had during her tenure. She fulfilled a role that was not only second fiddle in the classroom, but one that was considerably modest in pay as well.  The number of students that both of these long-lasting employees impacted during their years at St. Francis is innumerable.  They are real life examples of performing their work as a labor of love, and they will forever remain part of our family.  Respectfully speaking, they probably have forgotten more about the history of our school than most of us even remember.  May their retirements bring joy and happiness to both them and their families.

The end of the 2013-14 school year also marked the loss of two special young 5th grade teachers that St. Francis had the opportunity of having the past two years.  First, we wish all the best for Ms. Ann Kmetz as she transitions to the married life on July 26.  Ms. Kmetz will be relocating to her hometown in Johnstown, PA to start a new life with her soon-to-be husband. She has already accepted a teaching position at a Catholic School in Johnstown.  Second, we will miss the presence of Ms. Ashley Hill as she journeys for a new opportunity in Michigan.  On a daily basis during the past two school years, NO ONE displayed a more genuinely positive face than Ms. Hill.  She was a blessing to our faculty and staff and beloved by her students as well.  The two “pups”, as Ms. Kmetz and Ms. Hill were often referred to by the staff, both have promising futures in front of them and chances they have to take.  They taught us all that regardless of how long we have our own flag to carry, our primary focus should be doing it to the best of our ability.

 

Our prayer is that God continues to bless each of the four St. Francis faculty members that will be traveling new roads in life.  We hope the next phase of their lives is just as meaningful as their time at St. Francis has been.

 

Information on new faculty members for the 2014-15 school year will be forthcoming in the near future.  Thank you.