SALISBURY — Students at Sacred Heart School recently celebrated a successful end to their Dress Down Day fundraiser in September. Once a month (usually on a Friday), students pay $2 to dress out of uniform and the collected funds are given to a local charity.
September’s effort benefited the Pregnancy Support Center of Rowan County. Shari Evans, executive director, was grateful to receive the students’ donation of $297.
The project also qualified Sacred Heart School to be a sponsor for the annual Walk for Life in Rowan County Oct. 24.
— Photo provided by Robin Fisher
HENDERSONVILLE — Several schools across the Diocese of Charlotte have completed dramatic renovations over the summer months, and additional capital projects are well underway.
Immaculata School had an exterior facelift and major interior improvements related to critical technology and safety systems.
The $900,000 remodeling project is made possible thanks to a portion of the $2.3 million Immaculate Conception Parish capital campaign, including a $475,000 grant from the Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign.
Updates to the 94-year-old school include a new double-door security vestibule, new reception area, security cameras and visitor check-in system using Lobby Guard to screen all visitors.
New key card access and intercom systems have been installed, all locks have been changed, and significant upgrades to the school’s technology infrastructure have been made. Teachers are also receiving new laptops.
New, energy-efficient windows have been installed in the front of the school, restrooms have been remodeled, ceilings and lighting have been replaced in some classrooms, and a canopy has been added over a new front sidewalk.
The school’s parking lot has also been freshened up with new striping.
Additional safety preparations for opening this fall have also been made. Students’ and teachers’ desks have Plexiglas panels, and the remodeled bathrooms have automatic faucets. Touchless sanitizer stations are located in every classroom and throughout the school, and water bottle filling stations have replaced water fountains.
Other notable schools projects over summer include:
- Asheville Catholic School — Two main restroom renovations are ongoing and expected to be complete when students begin class on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The school has also started on its year-long $3.9 million project to build a six-classroom addition. Funding for the addition is available from a $2 million school capital campaign for the school, $300,000 St. Eugene Church FFHL rebate and a $475,000 FFHL school grant.
- Christ the King High School in Huntersville — Lighting and fencing have been installed around the athletic field, and a much-needed storage shed has been built. Interior improvements include a new confessional and sacristy located near the school’s chapel.
Funding for the $200,000 athletic field lighting project came from the school’s athletic association. Interior improvements were funded by savings from previous capital improvement projects. - St. Ann School in Charlotte — Extensive renovations to the school’s entrance and offices have been completed. The school’s main entrance has been relocated and updated with additional safety features, including a new double-door security vestibule and reception area secured with the Lobby Guard system.
The school also has a new intercom system, card reader access control system, security alarm and additional security cameras.
Administrative offices, a conference room, learning support room, teacher work room and nurse’s office have been added within the 3,500-square-feet renovation.
The $995,000 renovation project was funded by an $475,000 FFHL education grant, $490,000 in MACS security improvement funds and a $30,000 gift from the St. Ann School PTO. - MACS Fine Arts Center on the campus of Charlotte Catholic High School — Choate Construction began site utility work on this $20 million project in August. Designed by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting of Charlotte, this 45,692-square-feet facility will provide arts education and performance space for all elementary, middle and high school students in the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system. The center also will be available for gatherings of the entire Catholic community and the broader Charlotte community. Construction is expected to start this fall with anticipated completion for the start of the 2022-’23 school year.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Pictured: Immaculata School in Hendersonville and St. Ann School in Charlotte have each received a facelift recently. Students, staff and families will notice the changes when they enter their respective schools this fall. (Photos provided by Emmett Sapp and Tim Buckman)