An architectural rendering of the planned new playscape at St. Joseph Catholic School.
BY SHEILA McAFEE
Excitement surrounds plans for two play areas at St. Joseph Catholic School, during a year that will be remembered as a lesson in hope and resilience.
The School Advisory Committee is coordinating the effort to raise $150,000 by June 7 to start excavating the lot at the south end of the building affectionately known as the ‘pen’ and open space tucked at the rear of the building. Artist renderings of the new spaces feature colorful play structures and areas for basketball and soccer.
“The project gives us something to be excited about during a year that was unchartered territory for everyone involved,” said Teri Thomas, principal.
In-person learning started last August for the school’s 215 students, with 14 students choosing to be independent remote learners, an option Thomas said was offered each quarter. As the fourth quarter began, only three were learning remotely as the uncertainties about being in class eased.
It wasn’t until the end of the third quarter in early March that Thomas chose to move the entire school to virtual learning for two weeks as the student body was impacted by exposures to the coronavirus.
St. Joseph is part of a system of Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Detroit educating a reported 26,000 elementary and secondary students.
Since last March, when Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the closure of schools, Thomas has joined educators from 80 AOD schools to ensure a safe return to the classroom and stay updated on ever changing data. A Task Force was formed to draw up a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, following AOD, state and national health and safety guidelines.
Personal Protection Equipment was purchased, and donations have helped defray the costs of replenishing the school’s supplies, said Thomas. Touchless faucets were installed in the bathrooms, which along with the classrooms, are regularly disinfected with an electrostatic cleaner.
Preparedness plans affect every facet of the school day. Students have been divided into groups and assigned times for lunch, bathroom visits and recess, which runs pretty much all day to allow all the students a break. Masks and social distancing are required indoors.
“It is important for (students) to be able to remove their masks outside,” said Thomas, adding that the welfare of the staff is just as important. “I try to make sure (staff members) have the supplies they need, the time off they need, and an open office door when they need to vent, or cry.”
Overall, students, staff and parents have been tough, adaptable and flexible, she said, noting that students who were struggling in the early days of the year are now confidently walking through the halls.
“Students are resilient,” said Thomas. “My staff is tough but fatigued and the parents have been kind and generous, and there have been days when that is just what was needed.”
Compounding a year altered by the pandemic was the sudden death of Fr. Stephen Rooney, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, who was killed in an Aug. 16 boating accident. Unenviably, shocked parishioners and school families were forced to join school communities everywhere that were faced with sudden losses of staff, family members and friends.
Fr. Rooney’s funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 26, which was to be the first day of school. As he would have insisted be done, said Thomas, classes began the following day.
“Our community continues to overcome together,” said Thomas. “We lean on each other and our faith, and in this world of unknowns, everyone could use doses of both.”
The playground project was a shared vision of Thomas and Fr. Rooney, so organizers are pushing forward with the project, photos for which can be found at www.stjoseph-schooltrenton.com/playground with a link for those who are interested in supporting the project monetarily.
Registration for the 2021-22 school year is underway. For enrollment information, contact the school at (734) 676-2565.
Fr. Marc Gawronski, pastor of neighboring Catholic parishes St. Cyprian in Riverview and Sacred Heart on Grosse Ile, is serving as temporary administrator of St. Joseph until the AOD names a new pastor. Fr. Gary Morelli is assisting Gawronski in meeting the spiritual needs of the parish.