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New School Year Brings Exciting Developments with a Strong catholic Foundation
In April 2008, Pope Benedict XVI eloquently told Catholic educators that Catholic academic institutions are “a place to encounter the living God.” Our community is blessed with just such an institution — St. Patrick’s Catholic School, where students ages 3 to eighth grade experience a quality education, while also learning more about the faith.
Last school year, the staff and students were able to navigate the COV- ID-19 protocols and stay open all year. “We are so thankful to everyone who united to make this all work,” says Mrs. Lou McKay, Principal. “I am thankful to those who prayed for us through the last year.”
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Mrs. McKay admits the year flew by, and now she’s ready to begin a new year for 2021-2022, hopefully with a more normal approach. She is excited for the opportunity to have students break out of their “bubbles” to mingle with other classes and grades. The “bubbles” were used to keep students in small groups as a COVID-19 precaution.
“We finished the year with a heart full of gratitude,” she says. “It is only through Jesus we were able to navigate all of this. We learned to be more loving and merciful.”
One area that required some attention and adjustment was technology. But as our school staff reconvenes for this fall, they will be able to take all they have learned and apply it for this new year and beyond. There is still room for improvement to make technology work even better for the learning environment at St. Patrick’s, and the school will also be opening a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) room this year.
Students ages 3 to eighth grade experience a quality education, while also learning more about the faith.
Students ages 3 to eighth grade experience a quality education, while also learning more about the faith.
Another change is that we now have a newly appointed principal. After serving three years as the Interim Principal and kindergarten teacher, Mrs. McKay is Principal and will no longer work in a classroom. While she will miss being in the classroom after 25 years, she looks forward to the new role with great anticipation.
“I love that in administration, I get to see with a deeper lens what the school is made of, the heart of the school,” she says. “I will miss the excitement of the classroom, though, meeting kids for the first time and teaching them to read and write.”
Mrs. McKay will serve as a mentor for the incoming kindergarten teacher and appreciates the opportunity to get to know the students from all the other grades, as well. There are also new staff members, including Mrs. Maria Jones and Mrs. Monica Scurlock. Mrs. Judith McKinney will celebrate her 25th year as a teacher at St. Patrick’s.
The 2021-2022 school year will be another opportunity to evangelize the next generation. Catholic education offers the opportunity to teach students book knowledge and introduce the Catholic faith and prayer.
Students and staff finished the 2020-2021 school year with “a heart full of gratitude,” says Mrs. McKay.
“The kids learn that Jesus is working with you all the time,” Mrs. McKay says. “They not only get to live their faith at school, but they also get to take that home with them.”
Mrs. McKay also wants to thank Fr. Denzil Vithanage for his support of the school. She feels blessed to have him in Lufkin. She enthusiastically anticipates a year full of reading and writing and learning about Jesus.
“After a difficult year last year, we have a new beginning, a fresh year,” Mrs. McKay says. “The last year helped us appreciate what we take for granted in all areas of our lives.”
