Dear Fellow Fourth Grade Parents,

As our students return to Marymount to begin the Fourth grade chapter of their lives, we invite you to take a moment to reflect upon your own Fourth grade year.  Remember your classroom, the smile of your teacher, the desk at which you sat, how the walls looked, the sound of the chalk on the blackboard and the giggles of your friends.  Remember your favorite subject, a particular assingment, a special accomplishment and lessons learned both in and out of the classroom.  We all take with us great memories of Fourth grade.  When they are adults, our children will look back on their year in the Fourth grade.   We hope they have happy memories.  In fact, as our children reflect upon their entire Marymount experience, we hope they will find joy and comfort in what they learned all their years at the school.

In the spirit of Robert Fulghum’s poem, “All I Ever Needed To Know, I Learned In Kindergarten”, wouldn’t it be great if our children said, “All I Every Needed To Know, I Learned At Marymount”:

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned at Marymount.   Wisdom was not at the top of the gradutate school mountain, but there in the classroom and on the playground.

These are the things I learned.  Be a friend.  Play fair.  Always say “Please” and “Thank you”. Don’t tease.  Share a joke. Try not to talk out of turn.

Come prepared.  Have assignments done.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Explore new possiblities.  Investigate the facts.

Be a leader. Help a classmate.  Always use composure.  Look others in the eye when talking to them. Learn from your mistakes.

Invite Peace, Joy and Happiness. Plant a tree. Recycle. Stay physically active.  Be an Angel in Action.  Be part of a team.  Think globally. Circle together.  Pray daily.  Celebrate others’ accomplishments.

Approach life with passion. Be creative. Give your full potential.  Help to instill confidence in those around you.  Maintain your integrity. Be responsible.

And in the end, know that we are apart of something more grand and more beautiful than you ever imagined.

Our children spend most of their day at Marymount.  During those hours away from us, we know they are safe.  We know the love of learning is being nutured in them.  We know they are learning to use their knowledge wisely.  We know they are becoming the responsible inviduals we hope for them to be.

We count on Marymount to fullfill our children’s elementary education. Marymount counts on us to help fullfill its finanical responsibilities.   We are asking you to please make a donation to this year’s Annual Fund.  How much your family can give is up to you, but please give either generously or modestly.  Help Marymount to continue providing our children with incredible education and life experiences.

Remember recently, with backpacks full and lunchboxes in hand, our students enthusiastically returned to this 2008-2009 schoolyear.  Let’s continue to help provide our children with joyous childhood memories by supporting their school.

Sincerely,

Jody and Karen Neal