LINCOLN (SNR) – First-year principal Mrs. Ashley Rockey of St. Michael School in Lincoln began sharing the school’s theme for the school year, “Building Up the Body of Christ” early.
With support from the St. Michael School-Family Association, Rockey visited the homes of 49 incoming kindergarteners and delivered a copy of the book, “Kindergarten, Here I Come!” by D.J. Steinberg.
The parish boundaries include homes in south Lincoln, Bennet, Hickman, Palmyra and Roca.
“Parents were surprised and excited to see me,” Rockey said. “You should have seen one boy’s eyes when his dad said I was the principal!”
Emily Sellhorn, parent of a kindergartener, said Rockey’s visit “was something that was just for my kindergartener, not for his siblings, so it let him know just how special he is to the St. Michael community.”
Her son Owen, the new kindergartener, said, “I don’t know how (Mrs. Rockey) knew I was going to kindergarten, it’s like she knows everything!”
In addition to delivering books to kindergartners, the parish and school had retreats for staff using the theme. Dr. Joy Martin, parish pastoral administrator, developed the theme around Ephesians 4:12, “to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
“I sensed God calling us to come together as a community, to use our gifts to build the interior church while we build the physical church building,” said Dr. Martin. The construction of the parish church is currently underway.
“I was excited to hear Ashley was going to personally visit the homes of incoming kindergarteners,” Martin said. What a great way to build community and build up the body of Christ!”
“Relationships are so important to me,” said Rockey. “It was so fun to see the students with their families enjoying their summer: in the pool, waking from a nap, getting ready for bed. They had so many feelings about school, they shared their fears, excitement, and first-day jitters.”
Rockey was previously a teacher for 11 years, at St. Michael and at Lincoln Public Schools.
St. Michael is a preschool-grade 8 school, located at 9101 S. 78th St. in Lincoln. Find registration information at www.stmichaelmarauders.org or follow on Facebook, “St. Michael Catholic School, Lincoln.”
