First Impressions from a New School Family

First Impressions from a New School Family 

St. Ann is excited to welcome several new families to our school this fall. We want to take the opportunity to introduce them to our community and share their first impressions of the school. This first family has children enrolled in several grade levels spanning elementary to middle school.

Welcome to the St. Ann School community! Please introduce yourself and your family.

Hello! I’m Sylvia, and my husband is Steve. Steve is the CFO for a non-profit focused on addiction and homeless services, and I have been a stay-at-home mom. I'm excited to start part-time work with a new-to-Stoughton sewing company. I have a creative, animal-loving bonus daughter about to turn 21. As for our children at St. Ann’s, Felix is in 6th grade, Virginia is in 4th, and Odin is in 1st. They’re all thriving, and we love being part of this school community.

Where are you from originally and where do you live now?

I’m a Stoughton native, Class of 2005. Steve hails from Southern California but has lived in several places worldwide. We now live just outside of town, where we have plenty of space for raising our chickens. We hope to add a small flock of sheep and goats one day.

What brought you to St. Ann’s?

We were looking for a robust middle school option and originally planned to enroll only Felix at St. Ann’s. We wanted a school that provided both a challenging curriculum and a supportive environment where he could grow academically and emotionally. After visiting as a family and learning more about the school, there were a few things that really stood out to us: 

1.) The smaller class sizes. 

2.) A focus on parental involvement.

3.) The proactive communication from teachers. 

We quickly realized that all our children could thrive in this nurturing environment. It was an easy decision to enroll them all!

How have the first few weeks been going for your children?

It’s hard to express our gratitude for how smoothly these first few weeks have gone. Our kids constantly talk about how kind and welcoming everyone is. They’ve experienced a sense of belonging that was missing at their previous school. I’ve been blown away by how much they’ve flourished, both socially and academically, in just a few weeks. It’s been a truly heartwarming experience.

What has been noteworthy about your children's educational experience thus far?

One of the things I appreciate is how St. Ann’s meets each child right where they are at. The curriculum is engaging and makes learning fun and relevant. I’ve never seen my kids so eager to dive into their lessons – they even enthusiastically tackle their homework!

Equally remarkable is their deepening connection to their faith. The peace they feel after Mass and adoration is almost tangible. Watching them grow in their knowledge of God and the Catholic faith has been an incredibly special part of our journey at St. Ann’s.

What things do you appreciate most about the school? 

One of the things we appreciate most about St. Ann’s is the incredible sense of warmth and community. Even before we toured the school, (Principal) Mrs. Stano reached out to welcome us, making us feel like part of the St. Ann’s family from day one. The kindness didn’t stop there—parents have been so supportive, checking in to see how we’re adjusting, and teachers are always just a message away if we need anything. It’s clear that we belong here. That genuine feeling of being valued and included has made all the difference for our family.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to watching my kids continue to grow academically and personally. I’m excited for them to make lasting and meaningful friendships. I’m also eager to see them deepen their understanding of what it means to serve others through the various opportunities St. Ann’s offers for community involvement. It’s important to us that they excel in their studies and develop a strong sense of compassion and responsibility toward those around them.

It’s wonderful to hear that your children are thriving. Thank you for choosing St. Ann School, Steve and Sylvia! We’re so happy to have your family grow with us.