Mondays with Mike: Remembering and Hoping

Happy Monday and Welcome to the first full 5-day week of school!

Yes, Week 3 is when we really get settled into learning. Well done thus far! We are off to a smooth start overall. If my assessment does not reflect your experience, please connect with us. At a minimum use the feedback button below (bottom of this page) and give us your information and we will close the loop! It is really important to us that you and your family have a solid, consistently good start in these first weeks. Thanks for engaging us!

Like you, I am aware that life can be really hard. The anniversary of 9-11 and the unparalleled divisiveness in our politics can weigh one’s soul. That being true, I reached out to two faculty members I know and asked them their perspectives, and how those perspectives impact their teaching and bring hope to this generation among the reality of our world. 

Some key takeaways:

1. In times of tragedy and tension, we need hope. 9-11 and the current state of world and national affairs as we enter election season are key points.
2. Your kids’ teachers guide your kids toward true hope daily, especially in tough times. Mr. Foley and Ms. Weisberg are cases in point, and I hope you hear them below.
3. Our hope in God, and in how He calls and enables us to love practically and hopefully, stand at the core of our community.

Listen and read more below. 

Next Week: Listen to two soccer captains, Mavrick and Tatum, reflect on their faith, the sport, and their teammates. They are already impacting God’s world for good.

Welcome back, PCA community! As we embark on a new week this early September, we find ourselves reflecting on significant events from the past and preparing for the future.

This week marks the anniversary of 9-11, a day that profoundly impacted many of us, and it’s also the start of a busy election season with New Hampshire’s primary elections happening tomorrow. In this episode, we connect with two influential members of our school community who play vital roles in shaping and guiding our students–your kids.

First, we sit down with Mr. Steve Foley, our Dean of Men and an extraordinary English teacher at PCA. Steve shares his vivid memories of 9-11, recounting the day from his perspective at PCA and the impact it had on our community, including the tragic loss of a PCA dad, Tom McGuinness (see more of the story below). Steve reflects on the aftermath, the resilience of the McGuinness family, and how the events of that day have shaped our school over the years. He also shares how we remember that day today, and his perspective on the hope your kids can have, even in the midst of tragic and terrible days such as 9-11.

Mr. Steve Foley is our Dean of Men and English teacher extraordinaire. His memory of 9-11, its impact on our community, and his continued leadership make him a unique and positive influence on our community. Mr. Foley’s gift of connecting with people, and his hope in Christ, are a blessing.

Melissa Weisberg brings her experience and passion in government to PCA: chairing our History Department, and teaching AP Gov and Civics. She also developed and teaches a unique PCA course: “Liberty and Justice.”

Next, we speak with Melissa Weisberg, Head of our History Department and our AP Government teacher. Melissa discusses her approach to teaching students about the political process, emphasizing the importance of engagement, respectful discourse, and viewing each other through the lens of our shared humanity as bearing the image of God. She shares her experience leading students through past elections and her plans for future mock elections to foster civic participation. Melissa also reflects on her background working in politics and her optimism for the future, inspired by the students at PCA.

Join us as we delve into these heartfelt and insightful conversations, gaining a deeper understanding of how we honor the past, navigate the present, and prepare our students for the future. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with our community and be reminded of the importance of engagement, empathy, and hope.

Thank you for listening and remember to vote if you have the opportunity. God bless!

Twenty-three years ago, our school lost a beloved PCA parent, Tom McGuinness. Tom was the co-pilot for American Airlines Flight 11 which, after being hijacked by al-Qaeda, crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Both of his children were in class at the time of the attack– Jennifer was a freshman at the Upper School, and Tommy was in retired teacher Rob Connell’s 8th grade class. The PCA community quickly embraced the McGuinness family, and both Jennifer and Tommy went on to graduate from PCA, Jennifer in 2004 and Tommy in 2005.

Tommy followed in his father’s footsteps and became a pilot for American Airlines (Tom is pictured below on the left; Tommy is pictured on the right); Jennifer married another PCA alum, Seth McQueen (Class of 2003), who also became a pilot for American Airlines.

Over the years, both Jennifer and Tommy have spoken about Tom’s faith in God and the impact that that had on their own lives. In a “Focus on the Family– Remembering 9/11” article, Jennifer spoke lovingly of her father’s faith and his trust in God and how Tom’s faith helped nurture her own faith. READ MORE.

Tommy provided a powerful video interview entitled “Faith and a Father’s Legacy….The Tom McGuinness Story” where he spoke about what a strong role model his father was for him and how that influenced his own faith in God. WATCH HERE.

Since the time of 9/11, PCA has kept Tom’s memory alive. As this tragic and pivotal day recedes in time, PCA remains committed to teaching our students how to seek, find, and follow God through tragedy. 

As our nation remembers the twenty-third anniversary of 9/11, please keep all of the families who lost loved ones, including the McGuinness family, in your prayers.

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