Principal Julie Delaney of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School in Davenport talks to parents during Boohoo/Yahoo on the first day of school, Aug. 23 in Denning Hall.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — Nearly 60 parents and many children too young for school filled Denning Hall of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church Aug. 23, the first day of school for St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School. Principal Julie Delaney hosted the annual event, which the Home & School Association sponsors, as an opportunity for parents to cry about or to cheer the new school year. The Boohoo/Yahoo event also allows parents to meet each other over coffee and doughnuts and to share their feelings about sending their children off to school, Delaney said.
“We welcomed new families and welcomed our returning families. It was great seeing how many came today,” she said. This year’s event drew the largest attendance, she added.
Before school until about 9 a.m. and in the afternoon, parents were encouraged to enter the church to pray in adoration. “Spend time with Christ. Spend time praying in God’s presence,” Delaney said. “Dedicate some time to pray for our children, teachers and your family.”
Home & School encouraged parents to attend monthly meetings and other gatherings to get to know other families in the school and volunteer at events. Janela McCarty, the new director of evangelization at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, encouraged women and men to attend upcoming ladies’ and men’s nights. “This is another opportunity to connect with others and feel like you belong.”
Dejae Hanson dropped off her daughter Ty’Lasia Hanson for first grade that morning. “It was harder than I thought.” Dejae’s daughter attended Wilson Elementary School last year. But she wanted her daughter to “have a connection spiritually.” Although she is not Catholic, Dejae’s dad suggested she check out St. Paul the Apostle school for her daughter. “I love the community here,” she said.
Dejae said she spotted her daughter’s first-grade teacher easily as the teachers and staff wore the same shirts. As her daughter got in line, another classmate tapped her daughter on her shoulder and introduced herself. “She felt welcomed.” Dejae walked over to Denning Hall and enjoyed some coffee and doughnuts. “This was a nice breather for the first day.”
