New year, new school for Regina High
Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published August 31, 2007
|
Kristin Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Students and parents visit Regina’s new Warren location. |
Warren — As students from all over the Archdiocese of Detroit returned to their classrooms for fall semester, Regina High School fulfilled a "dream come true" for students and staff, said the school's principal, as it opened its new Warren location after 51 years in Harper Woods.
The property also boasts — for the first time in Regina's history — the school's own athletic fields.
Principal Sr. Mary Leanne Leszczynski, SSJ-TOSF, said the new building allows the school to continue its faith-based education, attributing the success of the school, in part, to the community. "We have a lot of challenges, but we're up to them — and we believe our presence is going to help the community as the community has helped us," she said. "Warren's been very good to us."
|
Kristin Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Regina volleyball players get ready for practice in the newly refurbished gymnasium in the school’s new Warren location. | Regina was to hold its first day of class Aug. 30 in the building formerly occupied by Zoe Christian Academy, on Masonic Boulevard (13 1/2 Mile) just east of Schoenherr. The all-women's, college-preparatory high school, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis, boasts a student body from 38 cities and townships from the four surrounding counties, mostly Macomb. Total enrollment is expected to be 515 students this fall.
|
Kristin Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Sr. Mary Leanne Leszczynski, SSJ-TOSF, is the principal of Regina High School. |
Senior students were welcomed to the new building a few days before class started to register and to learn their way around the building. One pointed out that they'd be the first class to graduate from the new building.
"I'm excited to go look around," said Chelsea Mulrunin, who attends St. Germaine Parish, St. Clair Shores, joking that she hoped she wouldn't get lost.
Although it was sad leaving the old building, said Jessica Rak, of St. Isidore Parish, Macomb Township, she's looking forward to the new year in the new building. "It's going to be a fun you're here, for sure," she said.
"We're going to start our own traditions," added Stephanie Shevenock, a member of St. Anne Parish, Warren.
Regina
Regina's new campus includes:
• Updated technology
• Renovated cafeteria and kitchen
• Renovated home and visitor locker rooms
• New lockers
• Updated science labs
• New lighting, paint, flooring, windows
• 10 acres of athletic fields, the first in Regina's history | Last week, finishing touches and glitches were being resolved. The school's new chapel should be finished later this school year; athletic fields will be improved later on.
The building, which was gutted and renovated, features a main lobby, a new kitchen and cafeteria, refurbished gym, and new floors, ceilings, paint and windows — most in the school's colors of blue and white. Most classrooms are in pods of four, with a central conference room connecting them. The arrangement puts teachers of similar subjects close together.
A student lounge and eating area, Saddles Café, will be open before school and after school as a hang out; during the day the area doubles as a staff lunch room. Renovations also include new fire alarms, electrical systems and ventilation systems, and removing asbestos.
The school has already scheduled its annual powder-puff football game against rival Marian High School, as well as a dedication of the new chapel and a fall open house. The Harper Woods building was to be sold, with the funds going to the religious order.
The new building is the result of a five-year, $5 million capital campaign, which kicked off in April. A year's tuition at the school is $6,900, with discounts for more than one student in the family. Since the investment, enrollment has increased 66 percent, and there's now a wait list for freshmen.
|
Kristin Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Science teacher Heather Schimmel hangs pictures up in her classroom. | In a February letter from Cardinal Adam Maida, he called the school "a very important part of the archdiocese," "Sr. Leanne and the faculty have reason for great pride and satisfaction in all that has been accomplished over the years," he said.
Mary Ann Goll, Regina's advancement director, said the school is not only about education, but also about strengthening students' Catholic faith.
"We're propagating the faith here, too," she said. "It's a lifestyle that we're building. You're set for life after this."
For more information, call (586) 585-0500 or visit www.reginahs.com.
|
