Principal Jackie Lewis says that the faculty and staff of St. Francis of Assisi School will be refreshed, energized and ready for the new school year.
“Something different we’re going this year is having a retreat away from the school at Locus Benedictus before the new year begins,” said Lewis. “We’re hoping to re-energize the faculty and staff and reflect on what we did last year and what we need to change this year or do differently and do some team building.”
Classes will begin on Aug. 7 with a half day, and the first full day will be Aug. 8.
“Hopefully, we will have a great year. I’m not going to expect anything other than that,” said Lewis.
The school has hired three new teachers — one each in second, fifth and sixth grades — over the summer and is looking to hire a certified first-grade teacher before classes begin.
This year, Lewis is looking at about 100 to 110 registered students, including about 10 to 15 new ones.
“I am excited to get to know the new parents and students who are coming in,” she said. “I’m interested in getting to know the parents and seeing what they can bring to the school as well as what we can provide them with for their children.”
There is no cutoff for new students, and the school’s attendance number may continue to grow throughout the year.
“As a school, we have a lot to offer,” said Lewis. “We focus on educating the whole child instead of just strict academics.”
Lewis said there are not any changes to curriculum for the 2017-18 year, although she would like to get a children’s choir started.
The school has already begun planning for its upcoming fall festival on Sept. 30. The festival is the school’s largest fundraiser of the year and will feature a drawdown.
“This year’s cash prize is going to be somewhere between $5,000 and $6,000,” said Lewis.
Tickets sales will start during the second week of school.
Other activities during the event include various vendors, food and games.
“We depend on this fundraiser,” said Lewis. “We will start selling drawdown tickets around the second week of school, and they will be available through parents, at the St. Francis parish office or at the school office.”
Lewis said she and the rest of St. Francis School will also be missing the Rev. Greg Plata, who will be leaving in August after serving as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church for 16 years.
“He’s been a great resource to the school. He provides mass for the children on Wednesdays, and he’s a help with the faculty and staff as well as a support to me,” said Lewis. “He has done a lot for the school, and he is definitely going to be missed.”
A farewell party will be held for Plata on July 30 at the Leflore County Civic Center.
With a year of being the principal of St. Francis under her belt, Lewis said she is expecting this year to go smoothly.
“In this position as principal, it is totally different from public school,” she said. “The person who sits in this chair is the director of curriculum, discipline, facilities — everything. I wear many hats, from the janitor to the cafeteria to the administrative duties.”
And although her job is not an easy one, Lewis said she is feeling more comfortable in role and is expecting a good year.
•Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
