RUMFORD — Holy Savior Catholic School begins its 101st year on Aug. 28 with the return of a popular teacher, a new pastor, more students and a published author.

Teaching Principal Barbara Pelletier said this week that 64 children from prekindergarten to grade eight have enrolled, and another four have applied. This is up from 54 at the end of the past school year.

A potluck supper for school families has been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23 to welcome the Rev. Greg Dube who began his work at St. Athanasius/St. John Church in Rumford and Our Lady of the Snows in Bethel on Aug. 1.

The supper will be followed by an open house for anyone who wishes to learn about the school or meet the teachers. Enrolled students may also use that time to bring in their school supplies, Pelletier said.

Returning to Holy Savior after a two-year hiatus to spend more time with her family is Bobbi-Ann Ridge who will teach 12 prekindergartners. The children will start school a week later than the rest of the students on Sept. 3.

“I’m excited to be back working with the children,” she said. “I missed them.”

Other class enrollments are three in kindergarten, eight in grade one; seven in grade two; nine in grade three; seven in grade five; six in grade six; and nine in grade seven.

Pelletier is beginning her 42nd year with the school. She said this year she is continuing work to align the curriculum with the state and federal government’s Common Core standards.

Also, all seven teachers must enroll in a new course, known as Our Faith Delivered, as part of their continued certification to teach in a Catholic school. The staff will attend an introduction to the course at the Portland Diocese on Aug. 20, then attend a workshop day at the school on Aug. 21. Holy Savior teachers must also maintain Maine teacher certification.

Holy Savior’s kindergarten teacher, Malia Letourneau, was pleased to announce that her first novel has just been published. “Saving Eve” is a psychological mystery filled with twists and turns, she said, and can be purchased on Amazon under the author name of Malia Marie. The book was originally written as a gift for her sister.

Now, the University of Maine at Farmington graduate is at work on a young adult fantasy, “Unicorns and Fairy Dust.”

Pelletier said all aspects of the new school year are coming together well.

“Four years ago we made a marketing plan. We’ve met our goal for continued success,” she said.

 

 

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