Pvt. Courtney Colley speaks to third graders at St. Germaine Catholic School Dec. 16.

September 9, 2020 - C and G News Sentenial by Kristyne E. Demske With backpacks in tow and masks on their faces, hundreds of children headed back to the classroom in St. Clair Shores. While the public schools in the city have decided on plans that will provide for virtual instruction or a blend of in-person and remote learning, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit have largely gone back to entirely in person classes. "The main reason it's even a possibility is because of our smaller class sizes", said Julie DeGrez, principal of St. Germaine Catholic School, 28250 Rockwood St. "With that, we are able to follow the distancing rules." "I, personally, am very excited and happy to be back. (The students) bring the energy back into the building and it's exhilarating. It's just confirmation of why (i) and the other teachers do this." (see the September 9, 2020 Issue of the St. Clair Shores Sentinal for the article in its entirety)

Read all about the new sensory hallway which was added to our school. Teachers find it helpful and the students seem to really enjoy it!

The department received 366 applications requesting more than $46 million in security enhancements. “That’s the kind of money that we do not have in our budget, and these are the kinds of things that we need to do,” said Julie DeGrez, principal of St. Germaine Catholic School. She appreciated the fact that nonpublic schools were allowed to apply for the grant as well, because many grant opportunities are only open to public schools. At St. Germaine, the money will pay to replace four sets of outside doors, upgrades to classroom door handle locks and for safety bollards to separate the parking lot from the school building. “All of our doors are locked all the time, but if they don’t fall shut properly and don’t lock, then it defeats the purpose,” DeGrez said. “We’ve been fixing it the best we can to keep it safe.”

Experience allows students to learn about Blessed Solanus, grow closer to God and one another