By Marie Mulvenna

Sacred Heart School in Griffin might be termed a “unique” facility in a number of ways. It is the only Catholic school in the archdiocese completely run by an all lay faculty. In addition, it boasts an innovative system of education entitled “the continuous progress program” whereby children are grouped according to their reading ability. And, the school is perhaps unique in its enrollment which is 60% non-Catholic.

Miss Rachel Hultz, principal of the school, describes it as a “well rounded Christian school – in its physical setup, attitude and atmosphere.” Miss Hultz, a native New Yorker, joins five other full time teachers who staff the faculty for 141 pupils in grades K through six.

Miss Hultz already has a remarkable rapport with the students who stop by her tiny office frequently for a visit – on their own. And apparently she has also achieved a fine rapport with the parents who, in her words, “are simply marvelous about supporting the school in every way imaginable.” Enthusiastic parents have already raised over $500 through bake sales, garage sales and other endeavors. A huge bazaar is planned for later in October.

The status of Sacred Heart School is well established in the Griffin community, having been founded 25 years ago by the School Sisters of Notre Dame from Baltimore. The school was located in downtown Griffin until 10 years ago when a new building was erected on McArthur Drive. Until just last June, the School Sisters of Notre Dame continued to staff the school, but at that time the order recalled the sisters for other assignments and Sacred Heart was without a faculty. Attempts to contract with other orders were unsuccessful.

The parish community was duly concerned about the fate of the school and it was after much deliberation that the school board and parish decided to keep the school open and operate with an all lay faculty.

Miss Huyltz admits that the decision was not an easy one for the parish, since use of a lay faculty would obviously mean additional expense for salaries. However, she has great praise for the cooperation given by the parents as well as the parish and envisions a fruitful year for her staff.

In addition to the five full-time members of the faculty, there are several part-time assistants: Mrs. Virginia Andrews, who coordinates a physical education program; Dr. Zavalas, who teaches Spanish to the upper grades and also offers sex education; and a number of ladies who assist as volunteers in the classroom program. There are also dedicated helpers in the cafeteria where hot lunches are served daily. A part-time secretary also aids in the office.

A fascinating aspect of the school is the curriculum which, Miss Hultz states, began a year ago under Sister Robert. The “continuous progress program” is indeed a new approach and, to date, the response and results have been excellent. The program involves a progressive program in reading and departmentalizing of other subject areas. The children no longer sit in rows, each hearing the same subject matter all at the same time. They are, instead, broken into smaller groups according to their reading ability. Miss Hultz emphasized that this is not a “slow” or “fast” type of concept but is a point at which the child functions without frustration. He is not, she explains, labeled or compared with “Johnny” in another group but is grouped with other children of comparable ability

“It is a very flexible method,” Miss Hultz explains, adding that the child can do more at different rates of speed. She adds smilingly that it’s also a lot harder for the teacher with so many different groups circulating, but the new method has removed the pressure from the student, making the learning experience more meaningful. The new method does away with the old report card. Instead written progress reports are discussed in depth with parents at periodic conferences during the year.

Services in speech and hearing have been offered the school by Jeff Young, a therapist with the Griffin school system. Young has set up a comprehensive program for all children who do not attend public schools, screening them on Saturdays for needed speech work or therapy. Other cooperation comes to the school from the county health office, the mental health office which provides psychological testing for any student needing help, as well as a popular junior deputy program presented monthly by Sheriff Gilbert. A volunteer has also been heard from who will serve with the children on research work involving the library.

Community cooperation is not a new thing for Sacred Heart and the fact that 60% of the student body is non-Catholic is a testimony to the school’s acceptance by the community. Miss Hultz relates that the school’s position, academically, has made it a popular choice with parents of all denominations.

Religious studies in the school are conducted by Sister Mary Jane Stapleton, coordinator for McDonough, Jackson and Griffin, who runs the program for the lower grades three times per week. Father James Kelly, assigned to Sacred Heart parish, conducts the program in religious study for grades five and six.

What used to be the chapel for the sisters at the school has now become a prayer room and is used frequently for scripture and prayer services. Participation in the religious program is optional for the students who, at the request of their parents, may engage in other studies during the time religion is offered.

In spite of the fine curriculum, Miss Hultz says it is not easy to keep the school going, but she has great praise for the many groups of volunteers who clean, do carpentry, plumbing and all the other necessary chores that keep the building in good working order.

Perhaps the best known person in Sacred Heart is Emory Smith, bus driver for 25 years, and friend of everyone. Miss Hultz says never a morning goes by without Emory’s appearance at the office to see what he can do to help. He shepherds the children on their class trips, repairs the buses, even painting them when needed, and is part and parcel of every activity originating at Sacred Heart.

It was difficult task for the parish to change to a lay faculty, relates Miss Hultz, and many feared the new lay faculty would not present a “Catholic” attitude. She had some interesting thoughts on attitude and said quite emphatically that lay people often undersell themselves as Christian witnesses. “We very often slough off our responsibilities for religious training leaving it all to Father or Sister.” What they fail to realize, she adds, is that what a teacher can teach in five hours can be undone completely in five minutes by a parent. “Catholic schools only supplement what the parents do,” she said.

Whatever Sacred Heart is doing, or has done, in Griffin seems to be right for all concerned.