Principal Notes

Fourth of July parades are so much fun especially when a person gets so involved. Hope you are enjoying a festive summer!

            The fence went up in the southeast corner of the school complex at the end of the second week in July. Building is ready to start for the new school wing. We will be adding first floor rooms for Kindergarten and some classrooms on the second floor to accommodate classes that currently are outgrowing the our facilities.

            Mrs. Traci Sorg will get her own classroom beginning this year as she welcomes members of our large seventh grade class. As Spanish teacher for the junior high, it has been her fate to float from room to room to teach her classes. Now she will have a homeroom in the current fourth grade wing, a place to keep her materials and to teach her students. Her schedule this year will include an extra class as will all the junior high teachers. Although she will move again next year, she will retain a room of her own thanks to the new addition.

            Spread the word about our Kindergarten. The plans at this time are to offer a combination of all-day (in line with state suggestions) and half-day programs. Please note that the scheduling is still in formation. The current school year will give us a chance to work up a good, strong curriculum, hire the best possible teaching staff and fully equip the rooms.

By the way, we welcome your suggestions. Watch the school website for blogging opportunities.

Faculty Additions - Veterans, but new to St. V

Every year we welcome some new staff members due to shifts in positions. Some people move on to other opportunities. As you know, two of our wonderful teachers from last year welcomed new babies. We thank Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Lancia for their dedicated service.

To fulfill duties as third grade teacher, Ms. Nikki Carr will transfer from first grade. She has been working this summer to familiarize herself with third grade curriculum, especially the new reading series which all teachers grades one through three will be using. You will hear more about that later.

We welcome back Mrs. Brandy Scrogham to our first grade team. She is a former St. Vincent's teacher who took a break to raise her family. Now that her son, Jacob, is entering our second grade and her daughter is beginning school this year, Mrs. Scrogham is excited about returning to the classroom.

Mrs. Maggie Schenkel, also a teacher who took some time to raise her family, will teach sixth grade concentrating on science and math. Through my coercion these last few years, Mrs. Schenkel has graciously substitute taught for us in both fifth and sixth grades so she knows the requirements already.

We will greatly miss two of our former junior high teachers: Mrs. Gloudemans and Mrs. Herx. They are outstanding educators, but the two veteran teachers joining our staff will undoubtedly do excellent jobs as well.

Mrs. Patricia Mertes formerly taught at Portage Middle School in the Fort Wayne Community Schools for ten years. She took some time off for a while a year ago and found that she missed the students and the classroom activities. One of her favorite books is To Kill a Mockingbird which is part of our eighth grade curriculum. Mrs. Mertes will definitely bring enthusiasm to eighth grade Literature and English.

          Mrs. Kylene Kaylor has previous experience in a Catholic school in Vincennes, Indiana, but her roots are much closer. Her parents are both teachers in Huntington where she grew up. Now that her husband has returned from service to our country, they are moving to Fort Wayne. She will teach junior high math.

          It looks to be an eventful year as usual - maybe a little more eventful this year as we work around the contractors and unexpected changes. Your patience and assistance is already noted. We thank you abundantly for what you contribute to our school.

Can you believe the summer went so quickly? I just had to say that.