St. Peter’s High School and Junior High principal, Mrs. Tressa Reith, will be leaving after twenty-two years of service to our parish and school, serving the last fifteen as principal.
We are thankful for her commitment to the ministry of Catholic education to our parish school–all to the benefit of our students and families–over these past twenty-two years.
Below is Mrs. Reith’s letter to St. Peter’s families and friends.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Dear St. Peter’s High School and Junior High Families and Friends,
Were you able to take in our wonderful production of The Sound of Music last month? In it there was a wonderful scene in which Captain Von Trapp discussed marriage with Maria. Thinking he needed permission from her Mother Superior to request her hand in marriage, he asked if there was anyone he should consult regarding his proposal. After Maria gave him a knowing look, together they said, “The children!”
I, too, feel when changes are to come that it is important to respect our children by supplying them with information. This is why I, earlier today, informed our students of my plans. At the end of June, I will hand the reins of St. Peter’s High School and Junior High to a new principal. I’m not comfortable with the verb resign, and I’m too young to retire, so I’m calling this temporarily taking myself out of the work force. It is not something I saw coming nine years ago when we moved my parents into our home, but it is clear to me now that it is the right choice for me and for St. Peter’s.
My 22 years at St. Peter’s have been such a blessing to me! Every experience with our students tugs at my heart and makes it extremely difficult to make this choice. I have worked hard to be accessible to students and parents, to attend school functions and events, and to maintain an open door policy wherever I happened to be. I never minded a school-related question at a game or in the grocery store. I believe a principal needs to be available to his or her school families. In recent times, I have been less available because I have also made a commitment to take care of my mom. The time has come for me to face that my promise to her makes me unable to keep my promise to my school families. I want St. Peter’s to have a principal who can be available 150% of the time, like I used to be. As difficult as it is for me to make this change, I trust that it is right for our school. We are strong with an amazing student body and an experienced, dedicated staff. I trust the process that will seek and find the right person to lead St. Peter’s High School and Junior High. That process found an extremely capable and loving Catholic leader in Mrs. Madalyn Bauer when it was necessary to seek a new elementary principal. I have found her to be an excellent and caring principal who knows her stuff. I’m sure that same process will find an excellent, caring, and well-prepared Catholic principal for our high school and junior high as well. Father Hite’s expertise and guidance will again lead us to a fine new principal. His expertise and guidance were also welcome gifts in my ministry to St. Peter’s and I am so very grateful to him!
It is with profound gratitude to all of you and to God that I make this change in my life. Every day at St. Peter’s taught me something important. Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for making St. Peter’s such a successful and special school. Thank you for continuing to support St. Peter’s in the future. That future is bright. I will proudly watch from a distance as St. Peter’s High School and Junior High continues to excel in the Catholic formation and education of young people. It would be an honor to maintain our friendships and I pledge to you my love and prayers.
Sincerely,
Tressa Reith