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St. Dominic School Students, Faculty and Staff Gearing Up For Exciting New School Year
The 2020-21 school year most certainly came with lots of challenges, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closures and safety protocols that arrived in its wake. But there were two things that helped everyone at St. Dominic School see the difficult year through — patience and faith.
“We had chosen the Bible verse, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’” says Principal Mrs. Carol Frericks. “We needed to call upon that strength so many times. Sometimes, we were on our knees, in prayer, thanking God for the challenges and the strength todeal with the challenges.”
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The school was mostly able to stay open. All year, the school also offered an online option for students.
“Our staff was absolutely phenomenal,” Mrs. Frericks says. “They were well-equipped and well-prepared, each and every day. They provided the same academic excellence, even though they were challenged to do that in a more 21st-century manner with devices.”
Mrs. Frericks says students and staff gave up some things to be able to do others. For instance, classrooms were kept separate so they were unable to meet with their buddy classes. Each class has a buddy class from another grade.
Fr. Tom and the school designated the Nature Classroom as A Place for Grace. Grace was a former St. Dominic School student who passed away.
As we hopefully continue to move past the pandemic, we can look forward to a joyful and exciting 2021-2022 school year. This year’s Bible verses are from Matthew 28:19-20 — “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
In particular, the students will focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“We want to learn how Mary did what she did,” Mrs. Frericks says. “We want to learn from Mary’s example and learn about discipleship.”
Mrs. Frericks is excited about this verse and the work students will do to better understand the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church — the Profession of Faith, the Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Life in Christ, and Christian Prayer.
It looks to be a busy year in terms of learning about the Catholic faith, and staff will utilize more inquiry-based learning with students. Mrs. Frericks is excited about the opportunities in the new year. She can’t wait to see what the 2021-2022 school year holds.
In addition, 2021 saw a staff retirement, as well as some staff shifts. Eighth-grade teacher Mrs. Donna Richmiller retired after 37 years in Catholic education, with 36 years at St. Dominic School. Also, Mrs. Sharon Phillips announced her retirement in July to take a position tutoring math with students at St. Dominic School. Miss Hope Glidewell, the previous seventh-grade and language arts teacher, acquired her endorsement in science and will serve as the eighth-grade homeroom teacher and middle school science teacher. Mrs. Holly Kasparie, the previous part-time physical education teacher, acquired her middle school endorsement in math and will serve as the seventh-grade homeroom teacher and middle school math teacher.
“Our school family is amazing,” Mrs. Frericks says. “Our faith is here to hold us together.”
Mrs. Frericks extends heartfelt gratitude to all parishioners for their support of the school.
“We are so thankful for all parishioners,” Mrs. Frericks says. “Throughout the pandemic, a lot of parishioners did things to stay connected to the school. They contributed — they never wavered. They continued to support the school through all this.”
Students and staff celebrated Catholic Schools Week 2021 with the theme of being a “Holy Hero.”
