By Mary Ellen Zangara Special Writer
Students at Christ the King Catholic School on North 13th Avenue may not have recognized much on their first day of the 2008 school year Tuesday the school’s been renovated, has a new principal, new pastor and new programs.
But some things never change. The school opened as it has in the past 40 years with students anxiously jumping off the buses and heading into the school. Many parents walked their children in and wished them well, before saying goodbye.
New Principal Christine Benson greeted students at the door, along with the Rev. Boguslaw Augustyn and a few teachers. Once inside the cafeteria they met their new teachers and caught up with old classmates. Kindergarten classes, with teacher Melissa Reilley and her aide Charlotte Snow, and Pre-K classes, taught by Donna Straut and aide Ann Tomaiko, start next week.
Ms. Benson welcomed the students and teachers, and invited the students’ parents to join their children for the morning prayers that start the day at Christ the King School. Ms. Benson leads the prayers this week, but starting next week, eighth-grade students will be handling the opening exercises.
Ms. Benson introduced the school’s staff, including first-grade teacher Melody Bonfiglio and second-grade teacher Barbara Forbes. Third grade is being taught by Ron Czajkowski for a first few weeks until regular teacher Jane Manas returns. The other teachers are Karen Stehn (fourth grade), Diane Fazio (fifth grade), Betty Ann Conrad (sixth grade), Ashley Regan (seventh grade), and Barbara Mullins (eighth grade). The school added an athletic program for the new year, which will be taught by physical education teacher Scott Frauenheim. The school’s art teacher is Christine Minsavage, and Douglas Doggett is the computer teacher.
In the office will be new secretary Donna Peltack, and the school nurse is Linda Newton.
During the opening of school, the Rev. Augustyn led the students in a motivational cheer, asking, “Are we excited to be here?” to which the students enthusiastically responded “yes!”
”I hope we have a good year. We have been working very hard to make this school nice for you,” he told the students. “There are still little things that need to be finished, but hopefully in a few weeks, everything will be in place.
”It is your school with new classrooms for you and your teachers so you can enjoy this year,” the Rev. Augustyn said.
For more information about Christ the King School call 526-1339.

