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St. Vincent de Paul School Opens Its Doors: Looking Forward to a Year of New Opportunity
While the events of the past several months have certainly put everyone “to the test,” St. Vincent de Paul School Principal Denise Ray looks forward to new and positive opportunities as the 2020-21 school year gets under way.
“My hope is that we move through our year with as little disruption as possible, keeping our children and staff safe and healthy, and allowing things to move with as much routine as we can,” Mrs. Ray says. “We trust in God, and He walks this journey with us.”
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With the abrupt conclusion of the 2019-20 school year, it’s safe to say most children are looking forward to going back to school, along with their teachers. But even as the last school year ended in such an unusual way, Mrs. Ray was proud of the teacher and staff response when the school closed in March.
“For a group of teachers who had little time to move from a learning platform that was known to them to one that was foreign, I was so impressed with the amount of time, effort and love that was put into the lessons,” Mrs. Ray says. “It was inspiring to witness and our teachers rose to the occasion.”
Now, Mrs. Ray is glad to return to in-person teaching. St. Vincent de Paul opened on Aug. 13 for the 20th school year. This academic year will look different than those of the past. Although students are back in the classroom with their teachers, the safety measures make things different for everyone. One of the biggest changes is the smiling faces of the kindergarten to fourth grade students now being covered by masks. Preschoolers will enter with a mask, but will be able to remove it after a normal temperature reading.
“We are looking forward to working side by side with our students, and helping them to grow in their academic and spiritual journeys,” Mrs. Ray says. “We are also looking forward to seeing their smiles, even though they will be shaded by the masks for a good portion of the day.”
Lunch times will be more staggered and varied, with some eating in the classroom or outside, except for kindergarten and first grade. Temperature checks will be completed when entering school.
The Seward County Health Department regularly meets with school staff to communicate infection rates, ages and “risk dial” indicators. The “risk dials” dictate what mitigations are used. Unfortunately, volunteers and guest visits will be limited this school year, in order to keep everyone safe.
Teachers and staff will continue to use a number of technology platforms that were used last year, and which proved to be very helpful.
Mrs. Ray is excited about this year, especially for our youngest learners, the preschool and kindergarten students. She wants to reassure parents of her excitement for this school year.
“We are here to serve and help you in the formation of your children,” she says. “St. Vincent de Paul School believes that each child has unique and beautiful gifts, and we will partner with you to bring those gifts to fruition. We look forward to working with you for the next few, but usually quick-moving years.”
She wants to congratulate last year’s St. Vincent de Paul graduates and wishes them luck as they “set the world ablaze.”
