My sister’s alert black Labrador eyed me intently. “Do you have ideas for a back to school article?” I queried. Like a summer-imbued youngster, her dog-eyes immediately glazed over and she collapsed into a sleeping position. “I guess not,” I said, slightly embarrassed of my anxiousness to avoid a short back-to-school essay. Luckily, I have since spent some time with our principals, school presidents and leaders upon whom so much depends. If the dog and (some) of the kids are clinging to summer, the freshness of the 2010-2011 school year is alive in those principals and teachers ready for the year — and in every lass twirling in a new uniform and lad clutching a new backpack in expectation. Whether a 3-year-old pre-K novice or an experienced 18-yearold senior, a student in the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago has the right to expect a community of faith committed to academic excellence and loving service. Their parents have a right to this as well, as I was reminded in a recent phone call. A mom who withdrew her son as a freshman still remains stung over the treatment her son received — real or perceived — in athletics more than 10 years ago. And it was not simply disappointment in an investment (She reminded me I had refunded her tuition.), but because of her hopes for him through that investment. When expectations are high, there is a need to deliver. With God’s grace and our hardwon work, our schools deliver abundantly. If we didn’t we should not or could not remain in business. This year, we have asked the principals to meet three goals (or choose others where these are already met): to have only caring, qualified practicing Catholics teaching religion; to improve reading and math scores; to stabilize and then grow enrollment. This focus on faith, academic achievement and vitality can be measured and will move us forward. While the good news is everywhere (See schools.archchicago. org/news), our goal this year is to keep “twirling” in the joy of God’s grace even as we fill the backpack with the tools to make personal dreams and communal justice a reality.