St. John the Baptist Catholic School joyfully kicked off its 60th-anniversary year on Monday morning, August 26. However, students actually began easing into the new academic year a day early – with a fun ice cream social, served up by teachers, following the 11 a.m. Mass on the Sunday prior to the first day of school. Parents and students also were able to check out the new class rosters at the social event.
Monday morning began with the 8th-grade student council members greeting returning students at the school gate.
This year the school is welcoming 82 new students from 56 families. The morning assembly, attended by many parents of the more than 450 students, included opening remarks by school Principal Paula Viles; parish Pastor Fr. Augustine Puchner, O.Praem; school Rector Fr. Damien Giap, O.Praem; and school Chaplain Fr. Alan Benander, O.Praem.
Also in attendance were the four Norbertine sisters assigned to the parish and school, as well as the Mother Abbess of the order who is currently visiting from Slovakia.
School Vice Principal Jeff Urbaniec said that he was “very happy to get this noteworthy year underway and looking forward to working with a great team of teachers.”
St. John the Baptist Catholic School is a TK through 8th-grade school. The Norbertine fathers from St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado have administered the parish since 2002. The Norbertine Order, founded in 1121 by St. Norbert of Xanten, has been educating youth for nearly nine centuries. For more information about St. John the Baptist School, visit www.sjbschool.net