BERLIN – School families, teachers and staff are proud to say the Saint Paul’s community is growing in more ways than one.
Inside the bright, sun-lit classrooms are 88 new students, welcomed warmly this year to the school at 461 Alling St., Kensington. There is also a growing robotics club, a newly-forming theatre program and a makerspace in the works.
“By third grade I want to start the kids coding,” Principal Jill Conaway said as she described the makerspace being planned in one corner of the school’s library. “We have a 3D printer and we’re now in the investigation stage.”
Since becoming principal July 1, Conaway has embraced the school family and culture, while also making strides towards positive new initiatives.
“Right now is our big enrollment push for next fall,” she said during a recent open house at the school building, located right beside Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church.
The current student body hails from 15 different towns and 29 Catholic parishes. About half of students will head to St. Paul’s Catholic High School in Bristol following graduation from the eighth grade. Others go on to Xavier, Mercy and other area schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford network.
Sacred Heart School in New Britain closed its doors after 125 years this past spring. Many former students from the K-8 Catholic school have since enrolled in Saint Paul School.
The pre-K program is open to 3- and 4-year-olds, or 2-year-olds that are turning three by Dec. 31.
“Students are adjusting well to the rules and routines, what’s expected of them and getting used to being back among their classmates, sharing and learning,” Pre-K teacher Diane Oppel said.
Masks are still required due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, but students are seated three instead of six feet apart this year as a result of evolving guidelines.
“We’ve had a pretty healthy year so far,” Conaway said. “A few kiddos had covid but we were able to contact trace.”
Cleaning the desks inside her son’s fourth-grade classroom during the open house was parent ambassador Maria Ruggiero.
“I have a son in fourth grade and a daughter in second grade – this is like our second home,” the Berlin resident said of St. Paul’s.
The family was on a waiting list to get enrolled and is now thrilled to be a part of the school community.
“The Berlin school system is great but we get something here we can’t get in public schools,” Ruggiero said. “Our morals and values taught at home continue here.”
Admissions and Marketing Director Kelly Esposito’s two sons also attend Saint Paul’s.
“As a school parent I am so proud and honored to be part of this amazing school,” she said.
History and religion teacher John Grant is another parent-teacher hybrid.
“It’s a great school,” he said. “My daughter went here and got a top-notch education.”
Grant funding has recently made it possible to replace Smart Boards with Smart TVs, the next level of technology.
Making these types of updates has been an important priority for Conaway, who is also in the process of reviving the school’s theatre program.
For updates on upcoming open house dates visit ourschool.stpaulkensington.org/
Erica Drzewiecki can be reached at edrzewiecki@centralctcommunications.com.
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