Viking Voice

A Message from Our Principal

Dear Families,

Thank you for another year of learning in community with one another. Thank you for your support of our school mission to find the face of Christ in everyone we encounter, and to find the spirit of Christ inside our own hearts. It is in the seeking and the finding that we live lives of love for one another. 

Rest is a prudent and necessary thing. God took such a rest on the 7th day. We must take our rest too. But, there are certain habits from which we can never rest for too long, lest the hard work of building these habits be squandered. Here are some recommendations for keeping students' bodies, minds, and spirits in fighting form over the summer months....

1) Read every day for at least 15 minutes, even if you don't like to read. If your child can't read yet, read to them.

2) Do math problems every day for at least 15 minutes, even if you don't like math problems.

3) Pray morning, noon, and night. There is never a time when first things cease to be first things. 

4) Resist the siren song of the digital screen. The body of research continues to mount on the dangers of algorithm-driven platforms, which are engineered to cast a spell on the user. I have said before that I am wary of alarmism, and will gladly concede that algorithms can do a masterful job of feeding meaningful content to the user. I have learned more about the cosmos from facebook videos than from any other source. But, I have also found myself looking up at the clock and gasping on the inside after 40 straight minutes of comedy shorts on youtube. 

5) Play outside for at least one hour per day. 

6) Do at least one chore per day. 

7) Find a way to serve another person at least once a week. If it involves a little bit of sacrifice, even better.

8) Keep going to Mass. 

9) Write every day for at least 15 minutes, even if you don't like to write. 

This is not parenting advice. It is the outline of a summer fitness plan to keep students strong for the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Like any plan, it can adapt to the needs and demands of your family's summer life. 

Just like coaches can tell when their athletes haven't done anything all summer, teachers can tell the same thing about their students. As for teachers--there is the natural expectation that they keep their skills sharp too. (This is why I have invented a simulator that teachers can plug into and remind themselves how to keep a lesson going while a student gives them unsolicited information about their dog's bathroom habits, complains about a sore pinkie that looks perfectly fine, or narrates the unabridged version of their cousin's birthday party at the worst possible time.) 

For math and reading resources, go here: https://www.summersolutions.net/.

If you need anything at all over the summer, email me! If you need to swing by the office, check first to make sure someone is there. My number is 513-328-7035 for calling or texting purposes. 

If there is anything you would like to meet with me and/or the teachers about this summer, please let me know. 

Closing some loops, and other miscellaneous items...

Work continues on assembling our school safety committee. 

EdChoice continues to be a subject of some consternation around the state, especially in public school circles. I have said before that I don't like the premise that Catholic schools and public schools are pitted against one another in a zero-sum contest where the gain of one is viewed as loss for the other. However, just because I don't like the premise doesn't mean I totally reject it. I can see the reasons why not everyone is thrilled with the semi-voucher system our state has adopted. Here is my best attempt at capturing the controversy...

There are two EdChoice programs: Traditional and Expansion. When a Traditional EdChoice student enrolls in a nonpublic school, the money follows them to the nonpublic school. This is a loss on the public school's balance sheet. When an Expansion EdChoice student enrolls in a nonpublic school, there is no money that follows the student because the Ohio legislature allocated $1.8 billion to fund this program in 2023. The public school argument against EdChoice is that it consumes public money for private ends, forces public schools to serve high-needs students for less, does not require equal accountability from nonpublics, and doesn't represent real school choice since nonpublic schools can reject applicants at will. The nonpublic school argument is that taxpaying parents who can't homeschool should have a publicly subsidized school option other than their child's assigned public school, which functions as a monopoly unless open enrollment applies. 

The constitutionality of the program is still being litigated. It is expected to reach the Ohio Supreme Court. The Catholic Schools Office continues to express high confidence that the legality of the program will be upheld. Even so, I would not be shocked if there are some parts of the program that are forced to change. Bear in mind that I have zero insider knowledge to support this contention. However, there is precedent for the judicial review process to yield outcomes that give "wins" to all parties--not as a political act, but as the natural result of closely scrutinizing the legal issues in play. Again, I say none of this as a confident prediction of such a result. It is a simple acknowledgment of the possibility. I will keep everyone updated.

On June 1st, I will send out the classroom supply lists for each grade level. 

On June 8th, I will send out a more comprehensive calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. Since sending out major dates back in the winter, I have not shared anything else (in case you were worried you missed something).

The gym will be closed from June 1st to August 3rd for sound and lighting system upgrades, plus other maintenance needs.

Christ in Self. Christ in Other.

Josh

for th

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Parish News

Other News & Resources

Badin Summer Camps will begin soon! Sign up for a variety of Athletic Camps, as well as the HSPT Prep Class, Guitar Camp and Future Ram Summer Camp - all taking place beginning in June. Space is limited for all camps, so don't miss out, register today! Register online: BadinHS.org 

Athletes and Families,

The next gymnastics season starts now for the Summer High School Gymnastics Training session for current and prospective Badin gymnasts entering 8th grade and up. Training sessions will be held in June 1-July 31 at Perfection Gymnastics on Sundays and Wednesdays. Athletes may choose to attend one or both practices per week as we focus on building strength, improving foundational skills, and training new skills for next season. This is a program open to gymnasts, beginner through advanced optionals. 

Cost is $125/month for one practice per week or $195/month for two practices per week.

We will take a break in August before resuming in-season training in September.

Families can enroll directly through the host gym, Perfection Gymnastics (High School Gymnastics Training) or contact me with any questions at jharp@badinhs.org or 406-802-2122.

We’d love to have you join us this summer!

Go Rams!