Among those new faces were middle school/high school principal, Maury Ruble, and middle school/high school counselor, Samantha Harms.

“I am very much looking forward to my new role as principal at St. Edmond Catholic,” Ruble said. “We had a very well attended sixth grade orientation night earlier this week and the faculty has been extremely supportive and positive about working collaboratively to serve our students.”

Three areas of the curriculum are receiving new material beginning this fall in middle school science, middle school religion and elementary literacy.

In all, 16 new staff members are on board with the school.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Quintin Jaeschke gets pumped up for the first day of school on Friday at St. Edmond Catholic School.

“I am excited to see not only our returning families, but we have quite a few new families joining us, which is exciting,” elementary Principal Tabitha Acree said. “Many of our new teachers are here because of retirements and our exciting growth.

“We are welcoming over 120 new students into our building through all grades.”

At the elementary level, an intervention time has been built into the schedule with the goal being to provide differentiated instruction that allows students to catch up in areas in which they are struggling, while extending learning in areas where they excel.

“This year is the year of faith with the theme of service,” Acree said. “Each month, students will work to embed a virtue in their daily lives. The following virtues will be a focus this school year: faith, reverence, stewardship, generosity, gratitude, honesty, mercy, justice and zeal.

“We are also doing what St. Edmond has always been doing. We will continue to offer weekly mass and embed our virtues in practice. We will continue to partner with families and offer opportunities for engagement in their students’ learning.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Toryn Helle walks to school for the first day of school on Friday at St. Edmond Catholic School.

Harms, who previously was a counselor in the Fort Dodge Community School District, has been greeted with open arms since making the move.

“Since starting at St. Edmond, everyone has been so welcoming,” Harms said. “It truly is wonderful to step into a new building and have so many people offer to help you along the way.

“It really shows how amazing the Gael community is.”

She has also been working closely with staff members Dana Oswald and Erin Rossmanith.

“All summer, Dana and Erin have been working on schedules,” Harms said. “They have done such a phenomenal job stepping in to handle that. Since I started, they have been bringing me up to speed.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Faith Shirbroun carries her book bags for the first day of school on Friday at St. Edmond Catholic School.

“We have been reviewing schedules and meeting with people to ensure that the start of the year goes smoothly for everyone. I have been very fortunate to have both of them to help bring me on and look forward to learning more from them. They are both so knowledgeable and I feel lucky for all they have been doing.”

A back to school event is scheduled for Saturday with Mass beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church, followed by food and fellowship along with activities for students of all ages.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Maurice (Maury) Ruble, principal of grades 6-12 at St. Edmond Catholic School, leads an assembly on Friday.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Rylee Smith, 12, gives Brian McClain a high five before walking into school on the first day at St. Edmond Catholic School on Friday. McClain is a pastoral associate at the school.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Samantha Swoyer, of Fort Dodge, walks her son RayLee Swoyer, 7, and daughter Evely Swoyer, 5, for the first day of School on Friday at St. Edmond Catholic School.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Matt Klepsteen, left, of Fort Dodge, and Dawn Klepsteen, of Fort Dodge, walk their daughter Kinley Klepsteen, 5, to her kindergarten class on Friday inside St. Edmond Catholic School.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Max Webster attends his first day of school on Friday at St. Edmond Catholic School.