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A Makeover worthy of HGTV

For illustration purposes only

George Grenier, our facilities director, came to town this past week.  He had already connected with diocesan facilities people, Dominic Ozanne of Ozanne Construction, and Paul Siemborski of the DLR group before arriving.  He spent his first day talking with the principals of our two Cleveland schools, St. Thomas Aquinas and Archbishop Lyke.  Initial plans for work to take place over the next 6-8 weeks were presented to our Cleveland Facilities Committee on Tuesday.

I cannot wait to be there in August when our staff and students come back (in whatever way that will happen).  Every interior surface will be repainted, floors stripped and polished, railing added where needed, lighting upgraded, bathroom facilities modernized, carpet replaced, blackboards replace by whiteboards, exteriors spruced up where needed, landscaping improved, new classroom code compliant doors, signage upgraded, and more!

Meanwhile our assistant Superintendent Christian Davallis has been and will continue to work with our two principals, Nancy Lynch and Rachael Dengler, concerning leadership training, faculty professional development, and new curriculum role out.  Our two principals have been working and are on fire with a renewed passion!

Enrollment on the rise

We have set an agressive enrollment growth goal of a total of 25% new students in both schools.  Presently we are at a 5% growth rate.  The great news is that the Cleveland Voucher program is reopening on July 1.  Summer is a time when Catholic schools in the city are still seeking new admissions.  The added incentive of being able to sign up and getting the voucher is a definite shot in the arm.  We clearly know that admissions is quite challenging in the time of COVID, but we are still aiming high!

A Thought Experiment

This week I had the occasion to be invited to Canterbury Golf Club to exhibit my amazing ability to hit a golf ball 100+ times and walk 7000 yards! I accomplished both, not without effort! I was at Saint Martin before I left and I took E. 55th to Woodland Road.  It dawned on me that Canterbury, in Shaker Heights, is actually on the same road.  It is 7.4 miles and took me 18 minutes.  The change in scenery from E. 55th and Woodland to 22000 S. Woodland Rd. was absolutely mind blowing.  What changes happened to create this dramatic chasm.

Woodland Ave in the 50's

Woodland Ave Now

This article gives a basic history.  I strongly urge you to read this.  I think it would be an excellent history project for a high school to take on.  Have students drive along one of our major streets (Superior, St. Clair, Chester to name a few) from downtown to the suburbs and then encourage them to research and answer the question, "How did this happen?"