To celebrate the gift of Catholic school education, Dr. Sedonna Prater, superintendent of Catholic Schools, sponsored a Catholic Schools Week essay contest for kindergarten-through-grade-12 students in any of the 10 Catholic schools. Students were asked to write on what Catholic school means to them and to describe in their own …
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Schools work to include special-needs students
Diocese of Knoxville educators accommodate children with a wide range of learning needs By Gabrielle Nolan The Diocese of Knoxville has been serving students with special learning needs for more than 20 years. The Office of Catholic Schools’ Special Services Handbook, which is revised every five years, is “a living …
Diocese of Knoxville schools see enrollment increases
Double-digit rises reported at some campuses as students, faculties, parents settle into new academic year By Bill Brewer Diocese of Knoxville schools are reporting a healthy 7.8 percent increase in enrollment as the 2021-22 academic year gets underway, which bucks a trend among some Catholic school systems that are seeing …
St. Jude School gets new leadership as longtime principal retires
By Bill Brewer The 2021-22 school year has begun with new leadership at St. Jude School in Chattanooga. Longtime principal Jamie Goodhard announced last school year her intention to retire at the end of the 2020-21 academic year. Dr. Joshua Overton has been named St. Jude’s new principal. St. Jude …
Diocesan schools raffle sales up 27.5 percent
In its second year as a straight raffle, the fundraiser awarded $27,000 in prize money for 2020-21 By Bill Brewer Despite ongoing challenges from COVID-19, Diocese of Knoxville schools are off to a healthy start in 2021. On Jan. 12, winners of the diocesan Catholic Schools annual raffle were drawn, …
Diocese of Knoxville schools plan for safe, healthy return to classrooms
COVID-19 protocols and procedures are greeting students, faculty at all 10 East Tennessee campuses By Bill Brewer Following a summer break of hope amid uncertainty, Diocese of Knoxville schools are welcoming students and faculty back into classrooms for the start of the 2020-21 academic year. Bishop Richard F. Stika and …
Diocese of Knoxville schools to reopen on August 3
Students, faculty returning to classrooms as administrators work out details for safe resumption of classes By Emily Booker Summer is just beginning, but schools in the Diocese of Knoxville already are planning for the return of students to the classroom in the fall. After a spring of at-home learning, students …
Rising above the pandemic
Diocesan ministries continue serving despite COVID-19 and its aftereffects By Bill Brewer If hope opens doors, then Bishop Richard F. Stika is an optimistic — and joyful — spiritual doorman. As the nation and the world continue to grapple with COVID-19 and its ghastly ripples, the risen Jesus is all …
Raffle raises more than $138,000 for schools
The Diocese of Knoxville Office of Catholic Schools has announced that the 2019 raffle raised more than $138,000 to benefit schools and tuition support. The raffle raised more than $63,000, which will go directly to the schools, and more than $75,000 for tuition assistance. Since its inception three years ago, …
Dr. Sedonna Prater named superintendent of diocesan schools
Former teacher, principal, director of curriculum and instruction becomes fifth leader of 10-school system By Bill Brewer Diocese of Knoxville schools will begin the 2019-2020 academic year with a new superintendent and three new principals among its 10 schools. Dr. Sedonna Prater becomes the diocese’s fifth superintendent with her appointment …
Diocesan schools welcome new principals to begin school year
By Bill Brewer The Diocese of Knoxville Office of Catholic Schools will welcome three new principals as the 2019-20 school year gets underway. Darlene Lyons is the principal at St. Dominic School in Kingsport, succeeding Tucker Davis, who retired at the end of the 2018-19 school year. Mrs. Lyons taught …
A Chaplain’s Last Wish
Father Frank Brett, whose bequest will help Diocese of Knoxville students, will be buried with fallen chaplain brother By Dan McWilliams The legacy of Father Frank Brett lives on in East Tennessee after two of his nephews presented a check for $265,000 from the late priest’s estate to go toward …
