Summer break is nearly over with less than two weeks until classes begin for the Kuemper Catholic School System, and President John Steffes says students, teachers, and families will notice some big changes. The most apparent ones are exterior improvements at the high school and St. Angela Center. Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio
Significant work was also completed over the summer in the KuemperCares area of the school as they prepare to launch their new three-year-old preschool program. Steffes says this has been on the school’s radar since they established KuemperCares nearly a decade ago.
He adds it is an exciting time for Kuemper as they see trends of stable or increasing enrollment in the preschool and elementary grades, especially when many rural districts are experiencing declining enrollment.
Filling vacant positions is a challenge experienced by schools statewide, but Steffes says Kuemper is fortunate to have filled 14 of its 15 open positions over the summer. Several new hires are recent Kuemper graduates, and he is thrilled to see Knights return to the system they grew up in.
Teachers report for professional development and classroom preparations next week. Students head back to class for the official start of the 2022/23 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Kuemper’s open houses are slated for Thursday, Aug. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Kuemper Family Fun Night is scheduled for that same evening from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Holy Spirit playground.