Back to School Masses were held to kick off the school year.
At St. Mark School in Huntersville, eighth-grade student Connor Milligan prepares to lead his classmates to bring the gifts to the Altar.
— Photos provided by Amy Burger
At St. Gabriel School in Charlotte, a Mass was held at Aug. 31. The message for the Mass was for the students to start the year off on the “Bright Foot”
Be positive
Respect others
Imagine the possibilities
Follow the Golden Rule
Help those in need
and
Take the time to pray
— Photos provided by Michele Snoke
Father Jason Barone, assistant chaplain at Charlotte Catholic High School, celebrates the first Mass of the new school year Aug. 26. Charlotte Catholic students pray during the all-school Mass.
— Photos provided by Charlotte Catholic High School
WINSTON-SALEM — Father Brian Cook, pastor of St. Leo Church and School, announces the retirement of Georgette Schraeder at the end of June after 19 years as principal and the selection of Joanne Brown as the new principal of St. Leo School.
Under Schraeder's leadership, St. Leo School gained numerous school accreditations and honors including being named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. She improved curriculum continuously, including the addition of Spanish and Chinese languages and Read Naturally programs.
She expanded the school to include a 3-year-old preschool offering multi-day options for young learners and oversaw construction of the new middle school wing which included a new media center, youth room, music room, technology center and gym renovation. During her tenure, Schraeder led more than 500 St. Leo graduates who have gone on to be involved and successful members of their high schools, colleges and communities.
"I want to thank every member of the St. Leo Catholic School family for a joyful 19 years. It has been a blessing to lead the school and I will miss seeing each one of you every day. I am proud of what we accomplished together and I look forward to the continued growth and development that Mrs. Brown will bring," Schraeder said.
Brown has a Master of Arts in educational administration and a Master of Education in special needs learners. She has extensive teaching experience at the elementary level and has enjoyed successful leadership opportunities that have enabled her to initiate program development for academic growth, lead professional development and support environments of optimum learning. She is a woman of deep Catholic faith and is committed to the ongoing integration of Gospel values into all dimensions of St. Leo School's curriculum.
"I have every confidence that Mrs. Brown's extensive educational experience, superior communication skills and overall commitment to the well-being of the whole child will set her apart as a gifted servant leader among us," Father Cook said.
"I am looking forward to joining the St. Leo Catholic School community as we continue the tradition of excellence in program development and high quality instruction," Brown said. "I am truly blessed to join in the commitment to serve our students fostering gospel values and assuring learning for each child."
— Melissa Kinsley, special to the Catholic News Herald. Melissa Kinsley is the director of marketing, communications and admissions at St. Leo School in Winston-Salem.
Pictured above: Georgette Schraeder (left) is retiring as principal of St. Leo School and will be succeeded by Joanne Brown (middle), announced Father Brian Cook, pastor of St. Leo Church and School (right). (Photo provided by Melissa Kinsley)