Greg Hereford can hardly contain himself.

Monday, August 23, 1999

Greg Hereford can hardly contain himself. The start of school is still a week from Thursday, yet the Pacelli High School principal is bubbling with first-day enthusiasm.

"This is my third year here," he said, "and this is by far the most well-rounded programming we’ve offered."

New this year are a host of elective classes, including music appreciation, art/drawing, journalism and environmental science.

The courses will be open to freshmen through senior students.

"To draw kids you have to offer a well-rounded curriculum," Hereford said. "For us, that meant adding some things. Art and music are important to young people."

Those courses will be served as part of a seven-period school day. After three years with block scheduling – four longer periods each day – Pacelli is reverting back to the more traditional school day.

The school board passed the change in January. Because Pacelli students are able to take some classes at Austin High School, it made sense for Pacelli to synchronize its schedule with Austin’s seven period day.

"The shared time with Austin High made it hard on us," Hereford said. "We gave block scheduling a shot. This just makes more sense."

Hereford also passed along another big announcement. For the first time in a decade or more, a priest will be teaching in the school. Father Tim Biren, the new assistant pastor at Saint Edward Church, has signed on to teach 10th grade religion and music appreciation.

"We are a Catholic school," Hereford said. "The presence of a priest really reinforces our identity."

Biren will be joined on staff by Nancy Christianson, the new librarian. The high school library’s hours will be expanded to be open throughout the school day, something that heretofore wasn’t the case.

Finally, the school is offering new scholarships. There are separate applications for new students and current students. The scholarships are the result of donations made to the school. Applications are available in the high school office.