Students visit new middle schools in Sioux City
By Tavia Malone, Globe staff writer
Posted April 4, 2002

With plans to reorganize the middle school system within the Catholic Schools of Sioux City, students from St. Michael's and Holy Family Epiphany Center took the opportunity to visit their potential new schools.

Under the new middle school plan, the Epiphany Center will close next year and students in grades 6 through 8 will have the option of attending one of three schools: Blessed Sacrament School, Mater Dei Nativity Center or Sacred Heart School.

St. Michael's sixth grade will have the option to attend these same school next year.

On March 26, fifth graders from Epiphany Center went to visit Sacred Heart School. The Sacred Heart and Epiphany fifth graders participated in icebreaker games, tours of the school and had time to visit with teachers and each other.

"They would take quite a big group on tours, but there was the fifth grade from Sacred Heart mixed in so they knew their way around," explained Beth Calhoun, principal at Holy Family Epiphany Center. "They could tell the Holy Family kids things that the adults wouldn't think of; it was nice that they were on their own peer level."

A prayer service by Father Bruce Lawler wrapped up the day for the fifth grade students.

"Father talked about change and coming to a better place and a new place," said Calhoun.

Later that afternoon the Epiphany sixth and seventh graders also visited Sacred Heart. They followed the same schedule only with a larger group.

The morning of March 27 brought the Holy Family St. Joseph Center fifth graders together with Epiphany Center sixth and seventh graders. The entire group toured Mater Dei Nativity Center, which serves middle school students, grades 6-8. The group followed the same schedule as the previous day's tours.

In the afternoon, the Epiphany sixth and seventh graders remained at the Nativity Center and worked with Nativity students of the same age.

Father Gerald Feierfeil led the prayer service and reminded the students of his Holy Family roots, even though he is currently pastor at Nativity.

"It was very positive," said Calhoun. "Both days went very well and we did have some parents come."

Also on March 27, the fifth grade students of St. Michael's School visited Blessed Sacrament School. Both students and parents were invited to tour Blessed Sacrament and see what the school has to offer.

"The idea was to welcome them and let them know a little more about our building," said Betty Abrahamson, principal at Blessed Sacrament.

The students and parents were able to tour Blessed Sacrament and meet their potential classmates. The fifth graders were able to participate in an activity with Blessed Sacrament fifth graders, and met both fifth and sixth grade teachers.

"It was a good opportunity for the students to meet the teachers and spend a little bit of time with the students that would be in the same class as them," explained Abrahamson. "It was all a part of helping students decide where they want to go in the fall."