Catholic Diocese of Charlotte schools to return to classroom on Wednesday

CHARLOTTE, NC — A new year and for students at St Anne’s Catholic School in south Charlotte, a whole new building.

The school underwent a massive $5.1 million renovation thanks in large part to a grant.

“We’re just really excited to enjoy the new building, the new feel, and yet the same caring, loving faculty we’ve always had,” said St. Anne’s principal, Celine Little.

New seems to be the theme for the Catholic Diocese schools. In east Charlotte, Elizabeth Jenkins is taking over as principal at Our Lady of the Assumption.

“The team here has been wonderful. everybody knows their role. I’m learning as I go because it’s a brand new school, brand new community,” said Jenkins.

Jenkins got to meet some of her 244 students and parents earlier in the week. About half of the students are Hispanic. Jenkins believes being bilingual gives her students and their parents a sense of relief.

“It’s very nice to see them like, okay, somebody who understands me,” Jenkins explained.

The start of school is an exciting time but, times are a little different this year. As immigration enforcement concerns linger within the Latino community. Jenkins tells WCCB she plans to keep politics out of the classroom.

“The message for me personally, being in a Catholic school is just to have faith. My job is to help my staff, help the students become, as we say, are in our Catholic schools, disciples of Christ and to have faith and I will provide support if needed,” Jenkins said.