Upcoming School Year: Exciting Changes Planned with a Return to Normal After the Pandemic

The words “character,” “knowledge” and “spirit” are each a part of the mission of Christ the King School. The school strives to help everyone experience the Catholic faith through “sharing the sacraments, promoting academic excellence and engaging in service.” One important word for the 2020-2021 school year that we may also consider is “courage.” Through all the ups and downs of the COVID-19 pandemic, our students, faculty, staff, and families found the courage to gather and learn together.

“We stepped out and were courageous, and we succeeded and made it through,” says Mrs. Paula Smith, Principal.

Last year, every aspect of school life — from dismissal to how students, faculty, and staff moved through the building — reexamined and altered in some way. So, this year, all are looking forward to getting back to a sense of normalcy.

One major change for the upcoming school year will be a new Principal. Mrs. Smith will be moving to take a Principal position at St. Aloysius in the Archdiocese of Louisville. She has been Principal at Christ the King School since 2015 and a faculty member since 2007.

“I will greatly miss the school, but I am excited for new possibilities and living closer to our daughter, who lives in Louisville,” she says.

Heralding a return to normalcy this year will be several fundraising projects. Some of these were altered or canceled last year. Mrs. Smith says many parents enjoy being involved in this part of school life, and this will be an opportunity to return to that. At the end of the 2020-2021 school year, the Boosterthon was held for the students, as were the Spring Fling and the Grandparent Loyalty Circle. Parents were very supportive of these events.

“The parents want to see the school succeed, and they want their children to learn in a faith-based environment,” Mrs. Smith says.

Another highly anticipated change is the new office area at the front of the school. Visitors will need to check in before they can come in contact with students or staff. The current office area will be used for preschool.

This year, all students will have some introduction to St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Previously, only eighth-grade students were introduced to these teachings.

Mrs. Smith is thankful for all the support of parishioners. The school is the largest ministry of the parish, and our school staff does important work each day to spread the joy of the Gospel.

“Leading the future of our parish, the children, to be part of the church and follow God’s teachings is necessary to keep the church growing,” Mrs. Smith says.

As Christ the King students, faculty, and staff embark on a new school year, we offer our prayers and wish them much courage and grace for the year ahead.