Changes continue at St. Joseph School as administrators prepare for the upcoming school year.
The 151-year-old school announced in June it would remain open for the 2020-21 academic year after facing the prospect of closure. Community members rallied to raise nearly $500,000 to keep the school open.
Next year’s curriculum is “solid,” said interim principal Susan Wehrsig, adding that since COVID-19, administrators are “trying to work out all the demands that need to be met in order to keep the school safe and keep it open so we can have students here on a consistent basis.”
According to Wehrsig, students in kindergarten through eighth grade will continue to have in-person classes every day, while high school students will have a blended learning experience, combining in-person and online instruction.
Students in grades 9-12 will come every other day; however, Wehrsig said on days students take “virtual” classes, which can be done from home, they are welcome to report to the school for guidance or support.
“We’ve met with our parents,” said Wehrsig. “They know how school is going to be run.”
Wehrsig, who previously served as vice principal, began in her new role June 22.
She could not discuss the departure of previous principal Michael Pa‘ekukui.
In a June 25 letter to the St. Joseph School ohana posted to the St. Joseph Catholic Church website, the Rev. Apolinario Ty, the parish priest, did not elaborate on Pa‘ekukui’s departure, but said Wehrsig is a 1973 graduate of the school who has served as an educator and administrator there for 39 years.
Wehrsig did confirm, however, that some teachers, “teachers that we loved,” are out of a job, but did not specify how many.
“Unfortunately due to finances and the way things are, (we) had to let teachers go,” she said. “(It was) not an easy choice, but we are trying to make the year as successful as we can.”
Parent and school board member Misti Tyrin said she’s excited about the new school year and was happy the school could raise the money to remain open.
“I think St. Joseph School is doing a really good job planning for a COVID contingency and also just doing a really good job making sure we’ll be able to deliver 100% of our academic programming, whether in person or blended model,” she said. “I’m confident in their ability to deliver a quality education.”
A blended model for the upper campus also will provide a good opportunity to open up Catholic education for students all around the island, she said.
It is currently unknown how many students will attend in the fall. Wehrsig said enrollment numbers continue to change daily.
Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
