November 28, 2018:
The gym is open and Father Houle blessed it during our school mass! What a truly wonderful and special day!
October 16, 2018:
Construction is almost done! The gym is set to open back up on October 26!
March 14, 2018:
Construction has begun!
January 25, 2018:
Construction to rebuild the Kelly Athletic Center will begin in mid- February. We hope for completion in mid- September of this year. We will shut down construction for two weeks during carnival. Insurance should fully cover the cost to replace with the exception of the deductible and mitigating upgrades such as a pitched roof. The gym will be built on the same footprint and with basically the same layout. Code upgrades include more restroom/changing facilities, sprinkler system, upgraded HVAC, upgraded commercial kitchen, AV and sound systems. There will also be new restrooms located at the front doors. It will be truly beautiful and a source of pride for all. We appreciate the efforts of Auld-White Constructors, Inc. to get this project up and running.
At this time, I believe the incredible success of the Oyster Roast along with generous donations will cover most of our out of pocket expenses. I am also working with FEMA for additional funds to close the gap.
I am so grateful to my teachers and coaches for being so flexible and "creative" with our outdoor activities. I also thank the Dad's Club and PTA making sure that the "show must go on" with so many of their great events. Lastly, thank you to our Pastor, Father Houle for his leadership and determination to rebuild a gym for his students so quickly. He is pretty awesome.
January 4, 2018:
The old gym is officially demolished. Construction of the new building should begin at the end of this month!
We are also holding another fundraising event! Click here to support us!
November 9, 2017:
We have a green light to take the gym down! Gym construction begins January! Additionally, due to the loss of the gym, we will not have our anual rummage sale during carnival this year. The rummage sale will return next year GREATER than ever. Please donate any items you have saved for us to the St. Vincent De Paul thrift store.
Today, we thank God for keeping our families safe during Hurricane Irma. As you know, the storm resulted in the loss of our gymnasium. Plans are already underway to prepare for the construction of the new gymnasium. Fortunately insurance covers virtually all of the costs of the new construction. We also have temporarily lost the use of our playground and fields.
We cannot begin to thank the many people who have helped with clean-up. Special thanks to our Dad’s Club who left their homes and businesses to help with clean up the day of the storm. The next day, over 40 dads came out again to help with salvage. Thank you to our landscaper and grounds keeper, J.P. Valdez, who brought his Florida Agriculture Engineers crew on day one to clear the debris and fallen trees. Thank you to the school staff and alumni who came to work with rakes and shovels.
Thank you to our facilities director Wayne Carlisle and his assistant Cody Dubin for their incredible dedication to our school and parish. Thank you to all our wonderful families who have reached out to me with such love and commitment to help. Lastly, gratitude to our pastor, Father Houle for his tremendous support, guidance, and action during this difficult.
As I shared with my students, St. Paul’s is not a parish or a school because of its buildings. It is the people who gather here each day to pray, learn, celebrate, and help. Buildings may be destroyed, but our St. Paul’s Strength and Warrior Pride live forever in our hearts. Perhaps this is God’s way of moving us to something even GREATER!
With Gratitude,
Krissy Thompson, Principal