We can’t describe how exciting it was to have students back at Archbishop Walsh/Southern Tier Catholic School to kick off the 2022-23 school year. So many smiling faces – across all grade levels from our youngest kids in the pre-K Montessori program through our Class of ’23 seniors!
It’s a new year and a new beginning for everyone here at our beloved private Catholic school. We’re ready to learn, explore new horizons, build faith-based values, and develop what’s inside each of us that makes us unique and special.
Check Out What’s New and Happenin’ Here at Walsh/STCS!
Back-to-school is such a busy and happenin’ time of year. We have such a great mix of new and familiar students filling our halls and classrooms with laughter, joy and light.
Sure, it may be a bit overwhelming for some (here are some tips to deal with those early-days jitters). But we tend to settle into a new school year quickly here at Walsh/STCS. Our small class sizes and devotion to individualized attention make it easy to get to know each student and their distinct needs.
Let’s get back into the swing of things with some fun and Walsh Eagle pride!
Back to School Night Picnic & Bonfire
It’s an annual Walsh/STCS tradition to kick off the school year. Students and their families are ALL welcome to attend this Thursday, Sept. 15 from 6-9 pm.
It’ll start with a welcome and prayer, and at 6:15 we’ll share a potluck community meal on the Walsh/STCS front lawn. Attendees are urged to bring a dish to pass.
And afterward, we’ll enjoy a bonfire and share in the warm camaraderie that is the Walsh family!
Walsh Eagle Online Auction & Raffle Fall Fundraiser
This year’s Walsh Eagle Online Auction and Raffle will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22nd. The total raffle prize giveaway is over $15,000 — with a chance to win a top prize of $5,000.
The auction will go live at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17th and will close at 7 p.m. that Saturday, when we’ll host a Facebook Live event announcing the auction winners and cash prize giveaways. Proceeds from the Online Auction and Raffle will directly support educational programs at Southern Tier Catholic School and Archbishop Walsh Academy. Tickets may be purchased online at stcswalsh.org, participating distributors or from a STCS/Walsh faculty/staff member.
This year’s theme is one of international and cultural appreciation – to honor the opening of the school’s new Volpe International Residence Hall. Which segues nicely into our next new and exciting thing here at Walsh/STCS.
International Program
Before the school year, Walsh/STCS opened our international dorm. The grand opening ushered in a new era for our private academy as a destination for cultural immersion – and a stepping stone to postsecondary and career success on a global scale.
The Volpe International Residence Hall, named to honor longtime Walsh/STCS benefactor Vince Volpe, offers a fully functioning dorm experience where international boarding students can live and learn in a safe environment.
The residence hall is currently housing seven high school students from Japan who are committed to Walsh to begin the 2022-23 school year. Welcome, friends!
And, Of Course, Woody the Turtle is Doing Fine!
Our unofficial school mascot, Woody the Turtle, is ready for another exciting school year at Walsh/STCS. Woody is a female red-eared slider (and is most certainly a student favorite on campus). She’s been here so long, many of our fantastic alumni likely remember her from Mrs. Potter’s class before her retirement.
Well, she’s still here – under Mrs. Housler’s care – and she LOVES kids. She even climbs up on her platform during class presentations and prayer. Woody is quite the large turtle, as she is always begging for food! (Who could tell her no?)
We often take her out during fire drills, and she always attends the blessing of the pets during the Feast of St. Francis.