Letter from the Principal - June 2023
June 14, 2023
Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Friends,
Happy Summer. The shift from the school year to summertime can be so sudden that we move on and forget all that we celebrated throughout the year. I encourage you to take a moment to review this list of some of our accomplishments during the 2022-23 School Year:
-
Our faculty, staff, and students gathered to celebrate Hispanic Heritage, Native American Heritage, Black History, and AAPI.
-
Our new Theater Director, Penelope Parsons-Lord, led our theater department in four productions: Much Ado about Nothing, Christmas Carol, Sense & Sensibility and Mamma Mia!
-
The fall sports program sent several individuals to the State tournament in Girls Swimming and Diving and Cross Country.
-
Our JROTC program continued to grow and flourish. Some of the highlights were Fall Review, Newly Hired Female Instructor SFC Brittany Thingvold, Diamond Promotions, Junior Achievement Service Project and Twilight Parade.
-
Raider energy was high for Homecoming Week. Go Raiders!
-
The second annual STEAM Week included more events than ever and 7 guest speakers.
-
Ninth grade parents were welcomed to our faith community at our 9th Grade parent Mass.
-
Several of our students spent time in France and Guatemala learning and serving. We also hosted students from Zaragoza, Spain.
-
Our annual History Day projects were presented again and two of them earned the opportunity to represent the State of Minnesota and CDH at the National Competition in June in Washington D. C.
-
CDH performed at many band and choir concerts throughout the year and 3 of our students were accepted into the National Honors Choirs.
-
We launched our Leadership Lunch Series, where local leaders share their stories with students.
-
Empty Bowls was a huge success, raising funds for Heifer International, simply by serving soup along with donated ceramics projects and bowls.
-
Winter Sports saw the Boys Hockey Team qualify for the state tournament finishing with a 4th place finish and one student athlete to State for Boys Swimming and Diving.
-
The Taste of CDH brought our entire community together.
-
The CDH Robotics Team wrapped up their season with a 4th place win out of 60 teams at the University of Minnesota.
-
Grandparents and grandchildren celebrated Grandparents Mass together.
-
Our students cheered and supported one another at our annual Awards Ceremony.
-
The CDH visual arts program hosted its annual Art Show.
-
Our C.A.S.A. program ended the year with service projects and community bonding.
-
The Class of 2023 celebrated commencement at the Cathedral of St. Paul.
-
Spring Sports saw the softball and boys lacrosse team going to the State tournament as well as 4 golfers and one Track and Field student athlete.
-
Parents, alumni and friends of the school stepped up their support of tuition assistance and our co-curriculars on the fall GiveCDH Day and the spring GiveCDH - Beyond the Books Day.
Among all these high points, our year was profoundly impacted by the loss of our teammate, student and friend, Cormick Scanlan. We continue to remember him and grieve together.
As this school year comes to a close, I would like to thank Frank Miley for his many years of dedication and leadership at CDH. Throughout his tenure, Frank has put students at the forefront. He worked tirelessly to create a stunning school environment for our students--a place where they want to gather and learn--a place where they feel special. Not only did he insist on a beautiful physical space, he created an environment that kept our faith and the charisms of our founders at the center of everything we do. I wish you well, Frank, and I thank you for your partnership these past years.
I also enthusiastically welcome Teri McLoughan as our interim president. I have known Teri for many years and I am impressed by her commitment and love of the CDH community. We are fortunate that she will be leading us through this transition and I look forward to working with her.
Have a wonderful summer!
Mona Passman, Principal