Divine Mercy Academy in Monroeville welcomes back students

Administrators and teachers at Divine Mercy Academy in Monroeville were eager to get students excited about the new school year at their back-to-school event on Aug. 22.

“The event was really for our school families to start the year off on the right foot and enjoy the company of the community,” parent Tina Cuda said.

Principal Nikole Laubham introduced new and returning members of the faculty and staff during the opening assembly.

Jennifer Kessler, head of the Parent-Teacher Guild, spoke about the importance of getting people involved in Divine Mercy events. This year, the school is focusing less on fundraising methods like hoagie sales and candy orders and more on events by and for the community.

Local businesses and organizations were in attendance, as well. The Monroeville Rotary Club and Monroeville Public Library both had tables in the school cafeteria promoting their upcoming events.

Crafts and games were provided by the PTG. The night also featured a uniform exchange, where families could bring too-small uniform pieces to exchange and bring home new sizes to start the year.

Students and families toured the school and visited their respective classrooms to learn more about what to expect.

One addition to Divine Mercy Academy this year is a new Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art and Math lab. Divine Mercy received a grant over the summer to begin creating the STREAM lab and a maker space. The final project will take over two classrooms in the preschool hallway.

The first half of this space is painted and furnished, and just awaiting some final touches. The second half will commence after the school secures the required additional funding. The new STREAM curriculum includes coding activities, maker projects, a Lego wall and table, and more. Computer classes will be incorporated into the curriculum.

“I’m very excited about our new STREAM lab. I think the kids are really going to love it. I’m looking forward to seeing more integration with art and math,” Laubham said.