A Welcome Back from Our New President
Dear Bishop Carroll Families,
Welcome back to another exciting school year at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School!
It is truly a blessing and an honor to begin my first year as President of Bishop Carroll. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this incredible community and excited about what God has in store for our school, our students, and our families.
As we begin the new school year, I want to reflect on the heart of who we are as a Catholic school. Our mission is:
“To assist parents in forming disciples of Christ who enrich the culture as stewards of God’s gifts.”
There are two words in that mission that I believe are especially important: parents and assist.
Parents are the primary educators of their children. Our role at Bishop Carroll is to assist you in that responsibility and to partner with you in helping your sons and daughters grow spiritually, academically, and socially.
Be Engaged in Your Parish
One of my first challenges to our parents this year is to be engaged in your parish. Bring your children to Mass. Get involved and live the stewardship way of life. Bishop Carroll is strongest when the home, the parish, and the school work together to form young people who know Christ and are prepared to use their God-given gifts to serve others.
From Cold to Hot: Be Engaged at Bishop Carroll
My second challenge is for parents to become more engaged in the Bishop Carroll community.
I like to think there are four types of Bishop Carroll parents.
First, there are the Cold Parents. These are the parents who drop their student off on the first day of freshman year and then reappear at graduation. They know where the school is, but are not engaged during their student’s four years!
Then there are the Cool Parents. They are involved in their student's activities some of the time. They'll make it to the big game, concert, or performance, especially when their son or daughter is participating.
Next are the Warm Parents. They attend their own student's events but occasionally show up for other Bishop Carroll activities as well. They are beginning to see that Bishop Carroll is about more than just their own child, but a thriving community.
Finally, we have the Hot Parents.
These are the parents who are all in. They are active in BCPO, volunteer at events, attend activities, support programs, and cheer all Bishop Carroll students, even when their own child isn't involved.
In fact, some of our “Hot Parents” are so involved that you might mistake them for staff members!
My challenge to every Bishop Carroll parent this year is simple: Move from cold to hot.
Don't simply be the parent of a Bishop Carroll student. Be part of the Bishop Carroll community.
Help Us Shape the Future of Bishop Carroll
This year also marks the beginning of an important conversation about the future of Bishop Carroll.
Over the next three months, we will be developing a five-year strategic plan, and we want to hear from as many members of our community as possible.
We will be holding listening sessions at parishes throughout the Diocese, as well as hosting a session here at Bishop Carroll. We will be inviting parents, alumni, grandparents, benefactors, parishioners, faculty, staff, and students to share their thoughts and hopes for our future.
I want to encourage every parent to participate. This strategic plan should not simply be a document created by a small group of people and handed to the community. It should reflect the past, present, and future members of the Bishop Carroll community.
We Are Better Together
The future of Bishop Carroll will not be built by one person or one group. It will be built through the partnership of our families, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parishes, and entire Catholic community.
As we begin this school year, I am asking our families to pray, participate, serve, and engage. Be active in your parish and at Bishop Carroll. Support our teachers and coaches. Show up for your student’s events. And most importantly, let us work together to fulfill our mission of forming young people who know Christ, recognize their God-given gifts, and use those gifts to enrich the culture and serve others.
I am incredibly honored and blessed to begin this journey with you. Thank you for entrusting your children to Bishop Carroll and for your continued support of our school.
May God bless you, your families, and the entire Bishop Carroll Catholic High School community.
Go Golden Eagles!
Alan Schuckman
President, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School