Moments in Time

Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:17:00 +0000

The Health Office, where our faithful and intrepid Nurse resides during the school day, is right next to my office. So, there often is a procession of students making their way past my door to hers - where band-aids are available, ice packs are many, and general solace is in big supply. Trekking from halls away to health care central, these are brave little ones. Very recently I overheard a first grader say to her friend, whom she had kindly accompanied on the journey from their classroom. Don’t worry. I’ll wait until you’re fixed. So sweet.

A Plan with Legs

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:06:00 +0000

The 2007-created Strategic Plan, Celebrating our Legacy, Securing Our Future, remains in front of us as a living guide. A strategic plan should be an ongoing strategic think, after all.

This year, as goal #1 of the Third Year Action Plan, we are collectively working very hard to promote and celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Visitation Order. This is a celebration of the Visitation legacy – our Catholic identity and Salesian Spirituality. And we are seeking every opportunity to weave this special celebratory thread throughout our school year.

This year’s second goal for the Catholic Identity/Salesian Spirituality portion of the Strategic Plan is to integrate Salesian leadership more intentionally throughout the whole school environment. All school divisions have embraced this goal, resulting in more opportunities across and between the grades for conversation and leadership development. Even our youngest students are getting in the act, so to speak.

The Administrative Council is spearheading many an initiative to move our Strategic Plan forward – to continue to give it legs.

Health and Well-being

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:23:00 +0000

The number of Visitation students falling ill these days is growing. And we realize that this situation places stress on students and families alike. I would like to offer some reassurance as well as ask for your help.

Our faculty is committed to the holistic health of each one of our students, and they each stand ready to support students who need to be home recovering from whatever illness befalls them. In addition to the general empathy that our faculty and staff demonstrate in trying times, they also, very practically, have at the ready both class assignments and other instructional hints. Please check individual teacher webpages or email the teachers to ask for assignments or assistance. However, most importantly, our Visitation team wishes to mitigate the angst that our typically very conscientious students experience when they are away from school. We are proponents of rest and recovery before assignments are tackled. Recovering from some of these illnesses requires a great deal of rest. We want this rest to occur and will assist students upon their return to school regarding catching up on essential educational pieces. Please be reassured in this regard.

As for the help that we need, we now must require that students (K-12) are fever and symptom-free for a full 48 hours before returning to school. In order not to infect others or prompt a relapse with the student in question, we must abide by this directive, as encouraged by the Board of Health. Given that many of our students are suffering recurring illness in very short order, we feel that this 48 hour period at home after the fever and symptoms abate is essential. As previously communicated to the parents of the youngest among us, the Child Care and Montessori students must stay home for a minimum of seven days from the onset of symptoms, as per the Board of Health. We realize the various strains that this can place on households, but we must maintain our position on this in order to promote the health and well-being of the whole school. Of particular note at Visitation are the two groups who are especially vulnerable – the wee ones in our Child Care and Montessori programs, and the elderly Sisters in the Monastery.

We wish all of our students smooth sailing through the month of October. But this will only occur if we all do our part. Please remember that we stand ready as a professional team to support our families during these times so beset by illness.

A Special Year

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:14:00 +0000

Each new school year offers us new ways to “live Jesus,” the motto and mission of our dear Sisters. This year we celebrate an awe-inspiring milestone: the 400th anniversary of the Visitation Order. Rather than hosting one super event, we are infusing an anniversary spirit into every special event held during the 2009-2010 school year. We’ll recognize it at our Sept. 25 opening Mass and Flag Raising. Alumnae will toast to it that evening during a cocktail reception at the James J. Hill house. Our benefactors will celebrate it at their Sed Vitae Dinner in October. And our senior class will graduate on June 6, 2010 – 400 years to the day that Saint Jane de Chantal and two other women opened the first Visitation Monastery in Annecy, France.

The work we do here in Mendota Heights is part of something much bigger, a community that stretches across the globe and spans the centuries. I encourage you to get involved in this special celebration and share the joy and graces of the year. Please join us at one of our anniversary events that will be promoted throughout the year. We also encourage you to purchase and read one of the many books that have been recently published as part of our commemorative Salesian literature:

1.) The Visitation: A monastic way of life in the Church – This colorful coffee table book lays out the backbone of the Visitation Order and its beloved Salesian Spirituality, highlighting the 12 monasteries in the U.S. It features some great snapshots of our Sisters, including Sr. Marie Therese on the organ and Sr. Katherine Mullin smiling with a young North Minneapolis resident and so on. The $20 book can be purchased at the Portress or ordered for an additional $4 of shipping and handling. Just email visitationbooks@yahoo.com or call 703-451-7786. Learn more at www.thevisitationorder.blogspot.com.

2.) Gentle Fidelity – Sr. Peronne Marie’s book reflects the wisdom and poetry of Salesian Spirituality. Every time I read it, Sister Peronne’s insights feel delicate and fresh. To order your limited edition copy of these poems for $15, swing by the Portress, call the Development Office at 651-683-1704 or email Gina Carlson at gcarlson@vischool.org

3.) Extraordinary Ordinary Lives – Retired administrator and Vis alumna Elsa Thompson Hofmeister ’56 chronicles the vocational call of 14 women who responded “yes” to God’s invitation and joined our Visitation Monastery. She describes their joys and fears, trials and triumphs with detail, clarity and respect. The stories are fascinating! They renewed my appreciation for these women who quietly, joyfully “live Jesus.” The $20 book is available at the Portress or online at www.visbooks.org. Learn more at http://visnuns.blogspot.com/.

Ready to Go

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:15:00 +0000

Soon the bustle will return. A new cycle of school life awaits. This is an exciting time, filled with all of the positive anticipation that a new school year evokes. Fresh slates. New beginnings. Reconnections. Welcoming the new. A few short weeks. I can’t wait.

Summer Diligence

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:17:00 +0000

The work proceeds carefully. Floor scrubbing and waxing. Carpet shampooing. Desk sanitizing. Touch-ups here. Touch-ups there. Readying the building for the next school year’s cycle.

With quiet efficiency the work proceeds – coordinating efforts with the many activities that happen at Visitation during the summer. Summer School. Summer Camp. Year-round Child Care. The refurbishing efforts continue.

Then in late August the new school year will begin within the gleam of this work.

We are so grateful for the care and concern – the love, really – that our maintenance team demonstrates toward our school

Extraordinary Ordinary Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:39:00 +0000

Working at Convent of the Visitation School moves one along the continuum of having a job, to embracing a career, to finding a vocation. And this transformation is in no small part due to the influence of the Sisters of the Visitation, whose life’s work and life blood have fueled this school since 1873. These women are remarkable.

A beautiful view into the calling to religious life of these low-profile Sisters is now available in the newly published book by Elsa Thompson Hofmeister ‘56, Extraordinary Ordinary Lives: Vocation Stories of Minnesota Visitation Sisters. This exquisite tome is based upon interviews with fourteen Sisters, whose paths were quite different, yet led to the same beautiful calling. The stories are inspirational and only underscore the honor it is to serve in the school that they brought to life.

Grandparents Galore

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:31:00 +0000

May Day was filled with special blessings for Visitation. The morning was given over to a wonderful liturgical celebration, attended by the entire school and hundreds of grandparents and special friends.

I had the opportunity at this gathering to welcome and extend our collective gratitude to all present. We are so appreciative for all of the love and support that so many have demonstrated toward Visitation over time. And as I said in my welcome, each person present has her/his own special and profound connection to this place. Nurturing that connection remains our goal.

So many have helped and supported Visitation over time – helping us sustain our mission and secure our school’s future. At Visitation, we challenge ourselves every day to do just a little bit better. We do so because we are stewards of a place that exists because of so many people who have so generously given so much to our school, and who are the very bedrock of the traditions that sustain us.

During this liturgy, we also asked for special blessings upon our precious seniors and spirited sixth grade boys, who will be embarking upon learning adventures beyond Visitation next year. We have certainly been blessed by their presence.

After Mass, our special friends visited classes, dined, and simply took in the Visitation of today. What a wonderful May Day.

You Have to Smile

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:18:00 +0000

The familiar sound of creaky wheels makes its way down the hall. Passing by an open door is a collection of toddlers, safely placed in a Child Care multi-seat wagon. They smile, some wave, an occasional tear appears. They roll on, taking in the views of the school accompanied by caring staff.

This is a familiar sight at Visitation – a sight that brings smiles to anyone in view. The innocence of tiny ones, so excited to do anything, warms hearts here. And this presence of these little children, who come to our infant room as young as six weeks, remind us all how important the very earliest steps of the educational journey are.

We are blessed to span a generation under this roof, with the eldest Sister being 101 years old. The multi-generational aspect of Visitation School life spawns opportunity and celebration. You have to smile.

Poise

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Poise is an attribute that runs rampant at Visitation. This poise springs from a combination of talents and skills, underpinned by earnest preparedness. Within the classroom and outside its bounds, our students demonstrate a great deal of aplomb.

Example: Visitation’s FIRST Robotics Team worked diligently to prepare for the 2009 Greater Kansas City Regional Competition, competed confidently, and ultimately won the Judges Award. While this group of budding engineers would have loved to advance to the finals in the competition, they remained poised, congratulated the winners, and set their sights on the Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Competition next month.

Example: Visitation’s Mock Trial Team has been voracious in their preparation for each competition and now have advanced for the first time in almost a decade to the state competition in Duluth, which happens next week. As one observes when watching them in action, they carry out their roles in the mock trials with grace and confidence. No doubt they will proceed with shoulders squared and nimble minds at next week’s competition.

Through their own efforts and bolstered and guided by the incredible teachers and volunteers who support undertakings such as these, our students continue to make their marks – with great poise. This is beautiful.

Technology as Tool

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:08:00 +0000

Thank you for reading this blog. I intend for it to serve as one of many communication tools for the Visitation community – another route for sharing, reaching out, and connecting. The power of technology is remarkable. And while some challenges certainly present themselves, particularly as it relates to helping students understand its beauty and perils, we are working hard to use it well and wisely.

As part of our communication plan regarding Visitation’s response to the macroeconomic difficulties of these times, we developed my first podcast. I invite you to watch and listen if you have not already done so. It is accessible from visitation. net’s homepage.

Our website is rich with information about Visitation school and community life. Please take a few moments to navigate around the site. I think that you will find interesting facts, find many reasons to smile, and perhaps even reconnect with a person or two. We have much news to share and thank you, in advance, for checking us out.

The Visitation Statue and Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:51:00 +0000

When driving onto campus this morning, I locked my eyes longer than usual on the beautiful bronze statue of the Visitation, located in the Portress circle. While this statue has been in place less than a year, it seems as though it has always been there. It is the perfect welcome to those who arrive at Visitation. After all, one of the Salesian virtues so beautifully embraced by the Sisters is cheerful hospitality. When one views the statue, the roots of that virtue are easily observed.

Mary and Elizabeth lean toward each other in greeting, both with child, both anticipating the new lives to come. The Visitation School Prayer places this moment in a most wonderful context:

Loving God, we celebrate the way you inspired Mary to carry the new life of Christ to her cousin, Elizabeth. We also carry Christ in our hearts, and we celebrate the great things you do for us.

Guide all of us at Visitation to respect and appreciate ourselves and others. As we gather, help us to work for the good of the school and all creation. In the gentle spirit of St. Jane de Chantal and St. Francis de Sales, teach us to love you by serving and supporting one another.

Bless and protect each of us, our families, those we love, and all who are in need of our prayers.

Amen.

Offering this prayer as the calendar turns to 2009 seems especially timely.

An Exclamation Point on the Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:19:00 +0000

Turning the calendar to December again this year evoked in me a fleeting moment of surprise. How could the year have passed so quickly? Are we truly in the last month of 2008? Unbelievable.

Yet, Thanksgiving is again a lovely memory, the expectancy of Advent has begun, and our last month’s chance to make the most of this year is upon us. There remain 30 days for any one of us to stamp 2008 with an extra amount of caring for each other and for our earth. If we have not reached out often enough, there still is time. If we have not prayed fervently enough, there still is time. If we have not found ample opportunities to lighten someone’s load, offer some comfort, volunteer, conserve resources, or simply be the best that we can be, there still is time to make a special mark before we turn the page to 2009.

As Saint Francis de Sales said so many years ago, be who you are, and be that well. For this, there always is time.

Citizenship

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:28:00 +0000

How calm it was this morning as I was sitting in the car waiting for the polls to open. The quiet of this political morning was in stark contrast to the rollicking conversation – a bit clamorous at times – among the students, especially, of course, those in the Upper School. With customary restraint, the faculty and staff have withheld from student ears their own views while making the most of the educational moments inherent in this election season.

This has been a wonderful time to underscore the element of our Visitation mission that charges us to promote responsible citizenship in the local and global community. Critical thinking has certainly been abundant.

While we are ever grateful that respect weaves constantly through our school fabric, at this particular point in time we are especially grateful that it does.

It's the Little Things

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:11:00 +0000

Little acts of kindness abound at Visitation. A few days ago a young student was waiting to see the Nurse, who was busy tending to someone else. Sitting patiently on the bench in the hall outside the Health Office, this young one was accompanied by her friend. Watching this from my next-door office, I heard the not ill child say, “Don’t worry. I’ll stay with you until it’s your turn.” Very sweet. Very simple. Very kind.

Sister Mary Paula makes and serves popcorn a few times each week in the Commons Area. Popcorn making and dispersing can be a messy endeavor at times. Without ever needing to ask, she is assisted by students at the ready who vacuum and generally put back in order the popcorn area. Good as new. Kindness.

A hot water emergency on the home front suddenly called a teacher away. Without hesitation, a colleague stepped in to cover the duty that the teacher would miss. She was just there to help when help was needed.

A student athlete was very sad after a recent game. It was a challenging game – a difficult loss. She stood alone on the court looking forlorn. Two teammates rushed over to embrace her. They left the court together. Reaching out in a time of need. So kind.

Through every day these sweet moments occur. Doing little things with great love and kindness is part of the Salesian tradition so embraced at Visitation.

Off and Running

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:12:00 +0000

Depositing and then again picking up crisply uniformed students, the vehicular centipede of amazing length is again creeping each morning and afternoon through the Visitation School campus. School has begun. Today is day #5, and the gears of the school year are moving smoothly.

New students are acclimating to their new school setting and classmates, while returning and new faculty and staff have settled into the ‘08-’09 school year’s routines. Fall sports teams are off and running – some quite literally – and VISTA Productions is beginning preparation for the fall play. Student clubs of many sorts are forming and homework has again become part of students’ daily routine.

Embedded in all of this opening activity is our mission, to provide an excellent education within a Catholic environment rooted in Salesian spirituality. With such a school mission, even the carpool centipede is gentler than most.

Is age a state of mind?

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:40:00 +0000

Arriving for Sunday morning Mass a few weeks back, we parked on the street in a handicapped spot to accommodate my mother who appreciates having shorter distances to walk these days. After placing the blue and white card on the rear view mirror, we made our way carefully out of the car and onto the sidewalk. Behind us pulled up a car from which slowly emerged an elderly gentleman, bent forward due to the press of age and uncooperative bones, I suspect. He even more carefully made his way to the sidewalk – just ahead of us. We walked through the ramp path; he made his way toward the few stairs in front of the large double doors. He seemed happy to have gotten there first. Opening the door for us, he said, “Good morning, kids. Beautiful day, isn’t it?” So full of life at, I would guess, close to 90 years young. My mother smiled and then seemed to walk with just a bit of spring in her careful steps.

Summer Quiet

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:45:00 +0000

In her graduation address to the class of ’08 one month ago, Patricia Hampl shared that the “seemingly lazy days of the free imagination encourage the tough habit of reflection, a discipline that sustains a mind willing to accept the new, the unfamiliar, the alien.” As the quieter time of July descends, I find myself thinking about Patricia’s words and how grateful I am that the life cycle of a school year includes closure. And before the next cycle begins there are some days - even weeks – for reflection of a deeper sort. Time to clear one’s mind, time for sifting down to occur, time to imagine without interruption. All this before the exciting time comes to begin again.

In this quiet time, I find myself reading a bit more, having conversations with colleagues about life, not to-do lists, and generally being open to the ideas that sometimes slip in most unexpectedly and in forms more alien than I might admit.

I love this quiet time.

Graduation 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:12:00 +0000

Yesterday, June 1, was a beautiful day in every respect as the pomp and circumstance of Visitation’s 135th graduation ceremony unfolded. The class of 2008, so filled with promise, took their final step before becoming alumnae of this fine school. The graduates were graceful and, we believe, grace-filled, on this very special occasion.

Parents and other family members, friends of the school, faculty and staff, Board members, and of course, the precious Sisters of the Visitation provided an audience that embodied the strength of relationships that exist at Visitation. Young alums and those more veteran connected with classmates. The Sisters were surrounded by loving community members at every turn. The new graduates themselves were engulfed by family at ceremony’s end. Faculty and staff offered greetings of congratulations during the receiving line.

Tears and smiles. Hugs and hoorays. The emotions ran high as these young women crossed the door to alumnaehood. The next chapter is here. Non scholae, sed vitae; not for school, but for life.

Mass of Appreciation

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:39:00 +0000

Traditions run deeply at Visitation. One of the most precious of these is the Mass of Appreciation, certainly a newer tradition in light of its 9-year life span thus far within the 135 year life of the school. This special liturgy happened this past Friday.

Attending this Mass were students from first grade through twelfth, faculty, staff, Sisters, friends, grandparents of Upper School students, and benefactors from across the years. Having this opportunity to worship together – to offer our collective gratitude for all of the efforts offered to sustain our school over time – is a real blessing.

As well, at this liturgy we ask for special blessings upon our seniors and sixth grade boys, who will be embarking upon learning adventures beyond Visitation next year. We pray, too, for those within our faculty and staff who are moving on to their next life chapter. All in all, this touching gathering underscores the sense of community that abounds at Visitation and the degree to which saying thank-you is a part of school life.

Radio Time

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:19:00 +0000

April 2, 2008

Yesterday I had the delightful experience of joining the dynamic duo of Cathie Hartnett and Annette Meeks for an hour of conversation aired by FM 107.1 radio. The topic at hand was single gender education. A favorite topic of mine, of course.

While this was a wonderful opportunity to speak about the benefits of an all-girls educational setting for grades 7-12, I also appreciated the chance to reinforce Visitation’s belief that a co-educational learning experience in the early years provides developmentally appropriate social growth between boys and girls. And then as the students grow into adolescence, our young women have that wonderful opportunity to learn in classrooms filled with girls, just as most of our young men have a parallel experience awaiting them next door at Saint Thomas Academy.

Certainly there is a growing body of research that points to the considerable, measurable advantages of single-gender education. At Visitation we readily observe the degree to which our young women concentrate on the business of school. As they have this opportunity to be their authentic selves, they grow in confidence and courage. As one young alumna recently said, “We are sent off to college feeling quite brave, actually.” And based upon their accomplishments in college and beyond, we are ever reinforced in our belief that single-gender education is wonderfully beneficial.

Often asked how we measure success at Visitation, I point to numbers and stories. The strong numbers are many, such as our sending all of our graduates to college, or our excellent SAT scores. But the numbers are merely one piece. The real measures are embodied in the generations of accomplished women who are Visitation alumnae, whose stories speak to making this world a better place in countless ways.

Merrie Market Moments

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:01:00 +0000

March 10, 2008

With so many of our Visitation families, I enjoyed immensely the’08 Merrie Market weekend. Kudos to the legions of volunteers who created this friend-raising and fund-raising opportunity for our school. Voyage a Annecy was truly wonderful.

There were so many special moments that when woven together, created a beautiful community tapestry. A few such moments come immediately to mind. For example, on Friday evening an alum parent who had not recently been to Visitation decided to drop by for Friday’s Family Night. She delighted in seeing the Sisters, was in awe of the magnificent and fun baskets, and loved the raffle to which students submitted their teacher’s name. So happy to reconnect, she promised that she would be back next year if not sooner.

Also on Friday, an alumna who is currently a senior in college talked to me about her double major and how she would love to teach at Visitation one day. She had not been to campus since she graduated but wanted to reconnect.

For Saturday’s Gala Dinner and Auction, the transformation of the Commers gymnasium to Annecy France was complete. What a setting and evening it was! Old friends reconnected while welcoming in those who are newer. Students, so crisp in their school uniforms, were gracious helpers and excellent sellers of raffle tickets. And even after a full evening of socializing, dining, and fund-raising, attendees lingered, a testimony to the wonderful spirit of the evening.

One long-time attendee, whose children graduated from Visitation many years ago, said that it was gratifying to see the cross-generational crowd so happily engaged with one another. All were there to support Visitation’s mission. “What better reason to dust off the tux?” he said. He came to reconnect. And he will no doubt be at Merrie Market again next year.

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:27:00 +0000

February 2007

Recently I hosted my annual pizza lunches for the sixth grade students. If ever there is a guaranteed way to fill a room with energy, inviting a dozen or so sixth graders is it. What a delightful group – so willing to chat about school and life beyond school.

Each year the conversation at some point turns to the fact that the single gender schooling paradigm looms near. It is refreshing to hear that while the young ladies are certainly looking forward to an all-girls situation, they just know how much they will miss their male classmates, who, most often, move over to Saint Thomas Academy for grade 7. I assure them that the distance is short between the two schools and visiting back and forth does certainly happen. Relief!

That such strong friendships develop among the students in Visitation’s sixth grade points to a great strength of our coeducational program, which allows our students to experience the naturalness of being in friendship relationships with boys and girls alike. We talk about being in relationship with one another as a core virtue of Salesian spirituality. The sixth grade students demonstrate this virtue enthusiastically. And they can certainly eat a great deal of pizza while doing so!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Nichols) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:14:00 +0000

January 2008

Happy New Year to all. I hope that you each have returned to the new year rested and rejuvenated.

We talked many times during Advent of the hope inherent in that liturgical season. Let us carry that hope into this New Year. As the calendar turns to January, I always think of clean slates. Fresh starts. Another opportunity to craft a plan, meet a goal, dream bigger than before, embrace wellness in new ways. Be who we are and be that well.

Clean slates are wonderful. Invigorating. Hopeful.

I hope that each of you finds much joy in this New Year and all the strength you need to face any challenges. Please keep in mind the soothing, hopeful words of Saint Francis de Sales – the quote in view each day in our Dining room – Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow and everyday. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

My sweet husband has been saying great in ’08! I think he’s right. I wish that for all of you.