Print Issue: August 22, 2002

St. Catherine of Siena Debuts New K-3 School

By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer

St. Catherine of Siena School principal Robyn Planchard, center, escorts sisters Lynn, left, and Kristy Von Hagel from the car-pool line to the sidewalk on the first day of school. The new school opened the 2002-2003 school year with 82 students, grades kindergarten through third. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

KENNESAW - They walk slowly through the hall, hands clasped in front or behind them, staring wide-eyed at their new environment.

Dressed in crisp uniforms, the St. Catherine of Siena School students listen intently as their teachers point out the music room, the art room, the bathroom.

On Aug. 12, 82 students in kindergarten through third grade started classes on the first day of the newly opened parish school.

Principal Robyn Planchard's office is a wide-open space, separated from her assistant's office by only a moveable wall. Her desk resembles a dining room table because she believes that big desks can be "imposing." Her goal is to create a welcoming environment in which faculty and students feel they can approach her.

"The principal should always be very accessible. I want the staff and students to feel comfortable talking to me," she said. "I have a very open door."

Planchard said she was especially thrilled with the way the first day had gone.

"There was a wonderful excitement," she said. "It was just the smoothest opening. It was so wonderful to see the children get out of their cars smiling. There were no tears."

The classes are held in the religious education building of the church, known as the Our Lady of Grace Center. There are two classes of each grade, with the exception of second grade that has fewer students. The school has what Planchard calls "cutting-edge technology," with two flat screen computers in each classroom as well as a separate computer lab.

Planchard, who has over 25 years of teaching and administration experience in the public schools, including as founding assistant principal at Cooper Middle School in Cobb County, said that opening the Catholic school has been significantly "less stressful." She said that the parish staff and community had been "more supportive than I could ever imagine." Because of that, Planchard feels it's important that the school and parish form a partnership. Rather than having separate school Masses, the school community will join with the parish for morning Mass.

"It's important that the parish realize the school is not taking over, but joining them," she said. "The children need to learn the school is just a part of the St. Catherine community."

Third-grader Christian Perez walks up the ramp past the St. Catherine of Siena banner on the first day of school.

The art teacher, Patti LaRosa, has been a member of the St. Catherine's community for several years, attending Mass and volunteering in the church office. A teacher for over 15 years, LaRosa knew she couldn't pass up the opportunity to teach at St. Catherine's.

Zergio Arano intently listens to the instructions of his first-grade teacher Colleen Jolly.

"I love to teach and I grew up in Catholic schools," she said. "Teaching in the public school, I always felt that something was missing. Here I get to not only teach but also to include my faith."

She said that the faculty has already formed a family-like bond.

"It's very exciting. There's something so special about opening a new school. We've developed all new friendships," she said.

Brian Reid, a third-grader, said he already likes his new school.

"It's really fun. I like my teachers and the students," he said.

Reid, who said he loves math, reading and science, knows that as a third-grade student, he is a role model for the younger students. He said he'd like to help them get adjusted to their new school.

"I will help them stand in line and be quiet," he said.

Reid's mother, Jacqueline, the assistant parish school of religion coordinator, is grateful to have both Brian and his twin sister Brianna at St. Catherine's.

"I went to Catholic schools and I know the influence that it's had on me to this day," she said. "Today seeing them in their uniforms, I could see the path that their lives would take."

St. Catherine's will add a grade each year, until they are a kindergarten through eighth-grade school. Planchard said that she hopes that visitors to the school will not only see the latest technology and curriculum, but also a faith-centered environment.

"The most important thing is helping these children to become Christian leaders and to not be afraid to express their faith," she said.

The first-grade students of St. Catherine of Siena School, Kennesaw, pray the Our Father on the first day of school Aug. 12. Students in Monica Hartong's third-grade class sit before the teacher as they jointly come up with a list for classroom etiquette at St. Catherine of Siena School, Kennesaw.