Letter from the Principal - March 2021

By Mona Passman, Principal
March 10, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

CDH is about to mark a significant anniversary in our school’s history. On March 15, 2020, Governor Walz announced the closure of all Minnesota schools, including CDH. On March 15, 2021, CDH students will return to full in-person learning. While we have been operating under a hybrid model all year, we are excited to open our doors to all of our students again. 

I am surprised to discover that I am experiencing many of the same emotions and reactions that I did a year ago. I also sense the same from the people around me. We are somehow still in that surreal dream state, but instead of asking, “Is this really happening?” we find ourselves asking, “What just happened?” Since we don’t yet enjoy the perspective history provides, it may be many years before we really know the impact of this pandemic.

I do know this, we are busy preparing for a return to full in-person learning. While it isn’t simple to implement this next model, we are committed to making this work for our students and are excited to gather with them again under one roof.  

I ask for your patience and understanding and as we navigate this next stage. I anticipate that we will make some mistakes. As I have stated several times before, there are no best practices, no data, and no tried and true models for doing this.  

What we do possess at Cretin-Derham Hall is much more valuable than any data. Our students are returning to a place where they will be surrounded by caring and committed teachers and staff. They are returning to a place where people value and love them. They are returning to a place where they can be together again with their peers. They are returning to a place where they can pray and worship together. They are returning to a place where they can belong and thrive. 

As faculty and staff, we are excited and privileged to welcome all of our students back to CDH. Yes, I imagine we will fall short on some of the logistics, but you can be assured that your children are returning to a place where they will be embraced by loving hearts. We have all been hoping, working, waiting, and praying for this far too long. 

With my deepest gratitude for the trust you continue to place in us,

Mona Passman
Principal