SAN DIEGO — Across the Diocese of San Diego, Catholic schools welcomed students to a new academic year with festivities for students and their families and staff.
Almost 200 students gathered Aug. 13 for the first day of class at St. Charles School. It’s just one of the 39 Catholic elementary schools, which along with 31 preschools and six high schools, make up the local Catholic school system.
Between Aug. 11 and 26, about 15,600 students returned for their first day of class at Catholic schools in San Diego and Imperial counties.
David Blair invited parents to walk their children onto campus on the first day. He’s more than familiar with the school. He taught there for more than 20 years and served as vice principal for eight. On the first day, he welcomed the families as the school’s new principal.
“They had opportunities to take photos in front of our St. Charles media backdrop with balloons,” he said. “There was such great joy, comfort, gratitude and excitement that parents expressed because of this first day procedure.”
Two days earlier, St. Charles School held a Back-to-School Night at the parish hall, beginning at 4:45 p.m. More than 300 parents and students attended the festive event, which even included a DJ.
At the start of the evening, Blair introduced staff members, who individually walked — or danced — down the center aisle to their own song.
Parents attended a presentation from Blair, before visiting their child’s classroom and meeting their new teacher.
He said that the level of support and excitement he has seen for the new school year has been “astounding and infectious.”
“Our PTG Board has tripled in size, with 19 amazing parent volunteers ready to create valuable experiences for our students and families,” he said. “Our Advisory Council has also tripled in size to 18 members, increased in diversity, and is full of dedicated, service-oriented and powerful people working to improve the school and its sustainability into the future.”
Lifetime Investment
Catholic schools in the San Diego-Imperial Valley region continue to make a difference in the lives of their students, their families and the larger community. They offer:
- Strong academics with Christ-centered values
- School environments that support the whole child
- Safe and secure environment
- Enrichment programs
- Motivated teachers and administrators
Prospective families are welcomed year-round. Please visit sdcatholic.org/schools for more information.
