March 15, 2021, Submitted by Saint Paul School
Saint Paul School students and families organized and recognized a very special Principal Appreciation Day on Monday for their school leader, Lisa Fasano.
One year ago, the pandemic forced the world and Saint Paul School to go remote. Through truly enormous and ever-changing challenges, Principal Fasano organized, prepared and lead a remarkable team of teachers and staff to engage in dynamic synchronous learning at the close of last school year and then had the school and staff prepared for full in-person instruction, five days a week for this 2020-21 school year. Principal Fasano oversaw these impressive efforts to safely open the Preschool – Grade 8 programs while trying to maintain many of the cherished traditions and staying committed to the mission and Catholic principles of Saint Paul School.
Principal Fasano was recognized with a special blessing from Fr. Tom Nestor, cheers, warm greetings and special gifts from students and heart-felt gratitude from all school families. The preface of a stunning book of letters and drawings created by the Saint Paul School PTO states:
“One year ago, the pandemic turned our world upside down.
Countries shut down.
Handshakes and hugs were replaced with face masks.
Our lives and connections shifted from in person to virtual.
All in the hopes of slowing the virus.
Uncertainty challenged our faith.
The lockdown challenged our fortitude.
But in those early days, our school community saw the start of something miraculous.
In confronting truly enormous and ever-changing challenges, Ms. Fasano has done more than overcome them.
Her blueprint has been written in invisible ink due to the constant changes, updates and conflicting findings that confronts her every day.
However, she’s guided by unwavering grace, transparency and resilience.
And through it all, she’s stayed grounded in the Catholic principles of Saint Paul School.
From day one, she has given every drop of devotion to our children.
And she gave them the ultimate gift - the spiritual treasure of community in the face of what some thought was impossible.
From the technology updates in the classroom to the attention to detail that touches every part of the school day – we watched in awe at her heroic efforts to educate our children academically and in the ways of faith.
So today, we celebrate Ms. Fasano.
We celebrate our school community and what we’ve accomplished this past year under her leadership and guidance.
We thank God for brining Ms. Fasano into our lives.
And we are inspired to build on her inspirational work in the year ahead.
We are truly blessed to call Ms. Fasano our principal.”
Principal Fasano was so surprised by the events of the day and moved by expressions of appreciation. “I am honored by the recognition of our school community. Today is to be celebrated by everyone – including our pastor, students, faculty and parents - for putting their trust and faith in me this past year. Masks and social distancing aside, this has been a year we will never forget. Through it all, our school community has become stronger, friendships have blossomed, and our program of learning has never been stronger. In the end, it is my faith and the presence of God that has guided me to make the plans and preparations for a successful school year.”
