This school year in the Diocese of Gary started like no other in recent history. With devastating storms that caused widespread destruction and power outages the afternoon of Aug. 11, school leadership had to assess any property damage and determine when students could safely return following the summer break.
With most delaying the first day of school to the following week, some administrators and teachers were finally able to welcome the students back and are beginning to focus on their goals and themes for the year, perhaps with a greater sense of community after recovering from the storms.
St. John Bosco Catholic School in Hammond opened Monday, Aug. 17, with classes for students in grades one through eight. Preschool and kindergarten families had an orientation session before their first day on Tuesday. Unfortunately, with just 27 minutes left on the first day of school, it experienced a brownout with only enough electricity for some lights.
Father Jeff Burton said he and Principal Nancy Repay had originally discussed further delaying the start of classes, but with the building and teachers ready to welcome students, they felt it would be good to get students back into rhythm – but that would have to wait a few more days.
“Getting the students together will hopefully help them to process the events of the past week and move forward with confidence that we’re all in this together,” Burton said.
Knowing that some families may still not have electricity and may not be able to do laundry, Repay said reasonable accommodations will be made regarding school uniforms. The school, once supplied with power again, offers students free breakfast and lunch, so that all children will have the opportunity for a hot meal.
“We actually had to make some adjustments to the school cafeteria menu because of supply chain issues, but our cafeteria manager was able to secure some student-favored meals for the first few days,” Father Burton said.
Also knowing some families were still without electricity and connectivity, Bosco Hall, a completely separate building from the school, was initially opened to parents with electricity, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and snacks, so parents could pay bills, work or just have a comfortable space during the day.
St. Stanislaus School in East Chicago also experienced electrical problems as it tried to begin the school year.
Angelia Foy, principal at St. Stanislaus, said its staff has worked hard to prepare academically, spiritually and as a community. She noted they focused on strengthening instruction, supporting student growth, and building a shared school culture rooted in mission.
“We have also been putting the finishing touches on our newly upgraded library, which will soon be ready for students to enjoy and use as a space to deepen their love of reading,” Foy said.
The school’s theme this year is “Leave No Doubt,” inspired by Joshua 1:9. Foy said administration and staff want to begin the year by reminding students that they are loved, capable and never alone because God is with them. The school also plans to enhance its Faith Families, which bring students from different grade levels together throughout the year to pray, build relationships and grow in their faith.
Foy explained, “It is a special way for our school to feel like one family.”
Those at St. Stanislaus are excited about creating even more opportunities for students to feel connected to the school community. It is exploring new ways to bring students together across grade levels through faith, service and shared experiences.
“As our school continues to grow with increasing enrollment, we want to make sure we never lose the close-knit, family feel that makes St. Stanislaus special,” Foy said.
Foy is personally looking forward to watching the students grow – in their faith, in their learning and in their confidence. She commented, “There is so much momentum at St. Stanislaus right now, and I am excited to see our students and staff live out our ‘Leave No Doubt’ theme together.”
Each year, Principal Tom Ruiz at St. Mary School in Crown Point similarly shares a new theme with the faculty and staff. This year, the theme is “Gratitude.” He feels they are all blessed to have the opportunity to do God’s work, educating children in the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ.
“In some professions – take a home builder, for example – the builder can look at the finished product and admire the craftsmanship and beauty of the work,” he said. “In Catholic education, we operate on faith that our good work, although often unseen in the physical sense, will come to fruition in the hearts of our students as they go out into the world and make it a better place.”
At a back-to-school meeting for teachers, Ruiz asked one of the graduates to give an update to our faculty and staff. Morgan Scott, SMS Class of 2017, is beginning her career as a Catholic school educator in the Diocese of Gary.
“Morgan shared that her teachers at SMS inspired her to follow in their footsteps,” Ruiz said. “What a wonderful example of our work coming full circle!”
Ruiz noted that the world of education is changing fast, and AI has become a big part of everyone’s lives. He said the school is teaching our students to use it for what it is – a tool. He added that the school, through the generosity of a donor, acquired a bus recently that will be used to take students on “wonderful adventures and provide learning experiences that are real.”
“Hopefully, these experiences will create great memories for our students and a true appreciation for the amazing and wonderful world we live in,” he said.
For more information on Catholic schools in Northwest Indiana, visit https://dcgary.org/office-catholic-schools.
