Schools around the Archdiocese of Atlanta opened their doors beginning Aug. 7 for students, from the youngest starting their education in pre-K to seniors relishing their final year of high school.

The Georgia Bulletin reached out to three schools—two elementary and one high school—to get a sense of preparations for the school year. Principals responded by email. 

Saint Mary’s School starts year with a new Mass

Jenny Rittgers, principal

ROME—Jenny Rittgers is the principal of the Rome school. There are approximately 200 students from pre-K3 through 8th grade. Rittgers is starting her seventh year at Saint Mary’s and beginning her fourth year as principal.

What’s an exciting change or improvement parents and students can look forward to this school year? And how do you expect it to impact the overall school experience?

We are constantly striving to celebrate our Catholic identity, and this year we are strengthening it by adding school-wide Mass to our weekly schedule. All our students attend monthly eucharistic adoration, study a virtue each month with corresponding saints, and have the faith integrated into the curriculum, but being able to experience the “source and summit” of our faith in the Eucharist every week is something we are ecstatic to incorporate into our schedule.

Parents often wonder about ways to stay involved in their child’s education. What opportunities will parents have to participate in their child’s school life? What do you recommend?

As the church teaches, we believe parents are the primary educators of their children, and we’re here to support them. We value strong communication between the classroom and home, ensuring parents are engaged in their child’s education. Our amazing PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) provides numerous involvement opportunities, from “Back to School” breakfasts and fundraisers to teacher appreciation days and classroom volunteering.

What measures are in place to promote a sense of community and unity among students, faculty, and parents throughout the school year, fostering a strong faith-based environment?

We have PTO dinners all year to unite families and faculty and are updated on school events while enjoying each other’s company. In addition, having our families join us for All-School Mass or commit to sitting with the Blessed Sacrament during adoration emphasizes we are a community of faith that learns together and importantly prays together. Finally, each of our growing list of extracurriculars is centered in faith and are wonderful ways for parents to experience the family environment of our school.

St. John the Evangelist begins new partnerships

Bernadette Boisis, principal

HAPEVILLE—Principal Bernadette Boisis leads St. John the Evangelist School. She joined the faculty in 2003 as a counselor and became the principal in 2020. There are 275 students in grades PK-4 through 8th grade.

What’s an exciting change or improvement parents and students can look forward to this school year? And how do you expect it to impact the overall school experience? 

The theme for this school year— “The joy of the Lord is my strength” from Nehemiah 8:10—will permeate all that we have planned for the joyful year ahead. We installed a new outdoor classroom in our courtyard where students can learn and read, steeped in the beauty of God’s creation.

The school begins new partnerships with Dynamic Catholic and The Social Institute. The school has signed on as a “Holy Moments” school, focusing on creating Holy Moments with weekly challenges for students and families. Our partnership with the Social Institute includes the #WinatSocial program, providing our students and parents with tools to navigate social media in healthy and positive ways.

Parents often wonder about ways to stay involved in their child’s education. What opportunities will parents have to participate in their child’s school life? What do you recommend? 

When parents are involved in the life of the school, it sends a message to their children about their investment in their education and the school. SJE offers opportunities for parents to get involved, from serving as room parents and Advisory Council members to volunteering to assist with field day and attending an All Pro Dads breakfast. Parents also benefit from staying engaged with their child’s teachers, demonstrating the partnership they share in educating the whole child.

What measures are in place to promote a sense of community and unity among students, faculty, and parents throughout the school year, fostering a strong faith-based environment?

The upcoming school year intentionally focuses on community and restoring the connections weakened by the pandemic years. We are beginning the year with a “Back to School Bash” to harness the excitement of a new school year before the first day of school. We have a calendar of monthly family engagement events planned. Some examples are the Fall Family Game Night, a Father-Daughter dance, the Lenten soup dinner, and Stations of the Cross as well as a variety of service project opportunities for families.

New leader at Notre Dame Academy Upper School

DULUTH—The independent Marist school marks its 19th year educating young people. The school expanded through the years and in May of 2019, the inaugural senior class graduated. One of the unique options on campus is offering an in-depth education with an International Baccalaureate Diploma.

What’s an exciting change or improvement parents and students can look forward to this school year? And how do you expect it to impact the overall school experience?   

Dr. Christopher Smart begins as the new upper school principal. He brings an array of experience from his background in education, leadership and athletics.

Dr. Smart said, “As a Catholic educational leader, I am mission centered. I view my primary role is to promote academic excellence and student achievement within an innovative learning climate rooted in the transformational nature of the Gospel message. My purpose-driven leadership is rooted in an authentic prayer life that is informed by essential values and a spirituality that intentionally affirms the Ignatian charism of Finding God in All Things.”

Kathlen Gourdet works on a map in her classroom at Notre Dame Academy in Duluth. She teaches French in the schools Middle Years Programme for students in sixth through tenth grade. Photo Courtesy ND Academy

Parents often wonder about ways to stay involved in their child’s education. What opportunities will parents have to participate in their child’s school life? What do you recommend?

At Notre Dame Academy, parents have diverse opportunities to engage with our school community. They can participate in academic, religious, social, athletic, and fine arts events.

The Claddagh Parents Group welcomes upper school parents to support their children’s education by attending and volunteering at various events throughout the year. Parents get the opportunity to participate in and volunteer at events to provide them the chance to have hands-on experience in their children’s education. Additionally, parents are invited to join International Baccalaureate requirements and monthly school-wide Masses, along with other religious gatherings. Social events like Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Evening of the Arts, and more offer further opportunities for involvement throughout the school year.

What measures are in place to promote a sense of community and unity among students, faculty, and parents throughout the school year, fostering a strong faith-based environment?

We are blessed to have a strong community that aims to grow in knowledge and faith daily. As a “Marist World School,” Mary is our model in all that we do. We are called to think, judge, feel and act as Mary did. Monthly, we have school-wide celebrations of the Eucharist, whereby the entire student body and faculty gather as one community. Upper school students partner with Habitat for Humanity, where they join with other private and public schools throughout metro Atlanta to participate in the High School Build Habitat for Humanity building project. Students prepare and serve lunch one Saturday in the fall to the Habitat for Humanity workers and volunteers at the building site as well as provide volunteers on two Saturdays of the build.