A message from our Principal, Michaela Berquist:

Happy feast of St. Joseph the Worker. I know that the final weeks of the school year can be daunting. Parents and students alike want to be done. Our classes are coming to a close, teacher meetings are wrapping up. We want to look ahead to our summer plans, to map out activities to refresh and reinvigorate our days. But we know that before we can settle into that summer fun, we need to wrap up the current year school year. Fortunately, St. Joseph is admirably suited to guide us in this process.

St. Joseph was not afraid of hard work. The first step in wrapping up is taking stock. What is left to be done? I find it helpful to make a list. Break it down and keep it manageable. Check in with a different child each day — this gives you a chance to focus on that child, see how he is doing, hear his concerns. Write down each subject and what is left as simply as possible. How many lessons and tests? How many pages to read? How many papers to write?

St. Joseph led the Holy Family to Bethlehem, Egypt, and back to Nazareth. He led Mary and Jesus to safety; he can help us, as parents, make a plan. If the list above looks overwhelming, check with your consultant and teachers to see if adjustments can be made. Can a reading be shortened? Or an assignment be done orally? Order the list so as to prioritize what is most important. Look at what is left in daily chunks. Show your child just how many days are left and how close he is to the end of the year in each subject.

St. Joseph listened to God speaking through the angel. Is your child stuck on a specific concept or assignment? Can you, or your spouse, sit with him and work through it? Does your consultant or teacher have some tips or resources for that particular assignment? Is there feedback you can help your child incorporate to finish this task? These moments of frustration can be turned into moments of growth and bonding. You love your child and by working with your child to help him master this concept, you are modeling problem solving. And I find it helpful to remind myself in these moments that St. Joseph knew the value of repose. God spoke to Joseph in his sleep. As a parent, I need to remain calm for my child so that he can calm down and learn.

Finally, St. Joseph knew the end and lived his life accordingly. He was called to protect and nurture the Redeemer of the world. He led a very simple, humble life, without glamour and filled with hardship. But he watched over God Himself. Each of us as parents are entrusted with the care of precious souls whom we are called to watch over. Why are we homeschooling? Why are we educating our children ourselves? Because we have answered the call to bring the Gospel to these souls entrusted to us. We can make these small sacrifices each day to bring our children to the light of the truth.

Under St. Joseph’s watchful care, Jesus grew in age and grace and wisdom. St. Joseph will intercede for us, parents, as we work to guide our children.