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Clay Honored as the 2023-24 Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington Distinguished Principal of the Year

WASHINGTON—On Friday, October 13, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington (ADW) named St. Peter School (SPS) Principal Karen Clay as the 2023-24 Distinguished Principal of the Year.


Nominated by her colleagues around the archdiocese, Ms. Clay’s recognition was unanimously supported by the ADW Catholic Schools Office. Senior officials presented the award in a surprise ceremony with students, faculty, and staff at St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill.


“Ms. Clay, you are a model leader within the Archdiocese of Washington. You lead with passion and have built a wonderful community here at St. Peter Catholic School. You establish high expectations for your teachers, faculty and students. And you are an unwavering example of a Catholic Faith leader,” said ADW Secretary for Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Schools Kelly Branaman in her remarks during the award presentation. “We celebrate you today, not only for your leadership here at St. Peter but also for your collegiality, mentorship of other principals, and leadership you demonstrate across the Archdiocese of Washington in committees and collaborative work for the good of all schools.”


“Under Ms. Clay’s leadership, Saint Peter School has continued to grow as a vibrant community with strong Catholic identity and academic excellence,” said St. Peter’s Church Pastor Fr. Dan Carson. “In her kind and caring interactions with every student, in her enthusiasm and celebration of the achievements of students and staff, and in walking with students and families through their hard times, Ms. Clay demonstrates daily her love and commitment to the children and families of Saint Peter School.”


“Under Principal Clay’s leadership, our school community has flourished, and her focus on faith, leadership, and academic excellence prepares students to excel at the region’s premier high schools,” said SPS Pastor-Principal Advisory Board President Eric Bergren. “Ms. Clay fosters an environment where teachers love to teach and students love to learn. Her devotion to St. Peter School families shines through everything she does.”


Background:

Karen Clay has served as an educator in the Archdiocese of Washington for 12 years. Ms. Clay taught fourth grade and served as the assistant principal at Holy Trinity School in Georgetown, then served as the principal of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic School in Camp Springs, Maryland, before transitioning to St. Peter School. She has an additional three years of Pre-Kindergarten to 4th grade classroom experience in a DC Public School on Capitol Hill.


Ms. Clay holds a Master of Education degree (summa cum laude) in Administration & Supervision (also known as the Catholic School Leadership Program) from Marymount University; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and English from the University of Michigan; certification in Elementary Education (K-12) in the District of Columbia; catechist certification (K-adults) with the Archdiocese of Washington; and licensure in Administration II (K-12) from the Maryland State Department of Education.

Ms. Clay fosters a school community based on Gospel values, and strives to promote the academic, social, and spiritual development of the students of St. Peter School.


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Technology Use and Kids' Mental Health

March 5, 2025
Every aspect of our life is now impacted by technology, and this trend is only growing. However, there are substantial concerns connected with the rising use of technology, one of them being the harmful consequences it has on mental health. Screen time and social media use among kids and teens have been connected to a rise in the prevalence of mental health issues and has shown to have an impact on social skills and development. The overuse of screens can also reduce opportunities for face-to-face interactions with family and friends. Here are some tips on how to monitor and limit your child’s use of technology: Keep an open dialogue. Talk to your child about technology, especially online safety. Communicate with your child the reasons behind limiting screen time and why it is crucial. Set screen time limits. Set a time for how long your child can be on his/her screen. Encourage non-screen activities such as playtime and being outdoors. Establish screen time curfews, such as no exposure to electronic devices or screens one hour before bedtime. Monitor screen time. Give your child a list of websites that are safe to visit. Create technology-free zones/times. Consider allocating spaces or rooms in the house for activities that do not involve electronics. Moreover, technology-free times may include dinner, in the car, school nights, and family outings. Know your children’s friends, both online and offline. Be aware of the devices your child uses, the games they play, the websites they visit, and the people they communicate with. Be a good role model to your child and set limits for yourself when it comes to screen time. Children mimic their parents' behavior, and this is also true of how they use technology. Keep your child’s bedroom free from electronic devices. Consider having your child charge their electronic devices outside of their bedroom. In addition to getting less sleep, children who have access to electronic devices in their bedrooms are more likely to use them. Click here for additional resources.

Helping Your Child Cope When You Travel

February 6, 2025
February 6, 2025 By Jessica Chamoun, Intervention Specialist Traveling for work or other reasons has become a normal part of our everyday lives. Many working parents today travel because of work demands or family commitments. As such, being away from our children for a certain period of time may be common and inevitable. Children may react to their parents' absence by experiencing some anxiety, clinginess, or by feeling sad or angry. Such emotions are typical, and a parent's brief departure gives kids the ideal chance to practice adjusting to separations. Here are some tips on how to help your child cope when you travel: Inform your child about your travel plans at the appropriate time. Using shorter time frames when informing children about your traveling plans can be helpful so that they worry less. Check- in with your child when you are away. Stay in touch with your child every day. If you are gone for several days, scheduling a daily phone call or video call as a part of your travel routine can be beneficial. Stick to Routines. Try to maintain family routines and be creative with long distance family time (for example: using technology to read a bedtime story to your child when you are away). Make an itinerary and give your child details. Use a fun colorful calendar to mark events such as your departure date, return date, and check in times. Provide children with visuals (such as pictures or a map) to give them transparency about your plans and about where you will be. Leave them notes. Leave your child notes in places they least expect (such as their lunch box or backpack) as a way to stay connected. Discuss feelings. Keep the lines of communication open and let your child know that it's appropriate to express their emotions. Normalize their feelings and reassure them that you will be back soon. Encourage social interaction. Arrange playdates with friends or family to help your child cope with your absence and keep busy. Arrange for some quality time together to catch up. Make your reunion a special one. Plan an activity or a fun outing you and your child can do together when you return. Include them in the decision- making process, so they have something to look forward to upon your return. Click here for additional resources.

Preparing Children for a New Sibling

January 16, 2025
It's thrilling to welcome a new baby into the family, but it can also be a very stressful and worrying time for both parents and kids. Although it's impossible to know in advance how your older child will react to their new baby brother or sister, having big emotions can be very common. It is normal for children to feel a little jealous when the family dynamics change. Older siblings may act out, possibly making the transition a little more challenging. As a result, it is essential to make the change as easy as possible by preparing your child beforehand and including them in the process. Here are some practical suggestions to help your child adjust to a new sibling: Be patient and give it time. Much like any adjustment, remember that the process of accepting a new sibling takes time. Your elder child will ultimately adjust with your acceptance and support. Involve your child in the planning process. Include your child in the practical preparations for the new baby such as decorating the room and purchasing baby supplies. Establish a ritual. Try to spend one-on-one quality time with your child. Start the ritual before the baby is born and keep it a routine till after the baby arrives. Read stories about babies. Stories can facilitate a conversation about how your family is growing and about your older child’s new role. Give your child reassurance. Talk to them about their worries and assure them. Let them know that they will always be important, they will always be loved, and how that won’t change after the baby is born. Give them roles. Give your older child some responsibilities to help with the baby around the house. Praise them when they are loving and compassionate around the baby. Click here for additional resources.
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