CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL HISTORY
1949-1959
In 1949, a dedicated community, under the direction of Father Denis Gray, undertook the building of Christ the King School. On September 5, 1950, Christ the King opened its doors to serve the needs of Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Loxley, Belforest, Robertsdale, and Foley. The school building consisted of four classrooms and enrolled 122 students in grades 1-8. Four Sisters of Loretto, with Sr. Geraldine Fitzgerald as principal, staffed it. At the end of the year, Christ the King graduated a class of nine young men and women. New classrooms were added in the early 50’s. On May 16, 1954 the first library in Daphne, under the Catherine Rica Library, was established at the school.
1959-1969
During these years, the school community saw changes in personnel. In January 1962, Father Francis Murphy became pastor and administrator. Under his direction many improvements were made including the addition of two large classrooms and extra restroom facilities. Sr. Anna Carney replaced Sr. Philothea Emrich as principal. Three other principals of the Loretto Sisters gave years of dedicated service during this decade.
1969-1979
In 1972, at the invitation of Fr Murphy, five Presentation Sisters from Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland came to Daphne to replace the Loretto Sisters, who had relocated to minister in other areas. Sr. de Lourdes Galvin became principal in 1973 and during her administration, Boland Hall and a new library were built. Boland Hall was dedicated to the memory of Father James Boland, who was acting pastor from 1973 until his death in December 1976. On his return as pastor in 1977, Father Murphy gave his continued support to the school.
1979-1989
Growth came again in the 80’s under the principalship of Sr. Anna Flanagan and with Father Hugh Maguire as pastor, when a new kindergarten program started in a hall made available by the Josephite Fathers at the Shrine of the Holy Cross in Daphne. The entire school was consolidated on the Christ the King campus in 1985 when the previous parish hall, Boland Hall, was converted into four classrooms and new school offices. To facilitate this growth, the physical plant and playgrounds were renovated. The former church rectory was converted for use as a Computer Lab and for speech, hearing and learning disability services. In 1985, a new parish hall was built on the school grounds. As Sr. Anna transferred as principal to Warner Robins, Georgia, Sr. Maureen Nolan assumed the office of principal in 1986. Progress continued, a teacher’s lounge and an art room were built in 1988. This addition was financed in part by a donation of $10,000 from the Moorer Foundation and one of $25,000 from the P.T.O. The Bertagnolli property was purchased at this time to enlarge playground area
1989-1999
Moving into the 90’s, many changes took place to accommodate both the growing numbers and the advances in educational programs. The school library was converted into a new computer lab (once again with the assistance of the Moorer Foundation, which contributed $15,000 to the project). The library, in turn, moved into the parish meeting room, the original faculty lounge became the new Academic Enrichment Room, the bookkeeper found a new office in the computer area, and the counselor’s office was set up in what had been the bookkeeper’s domain. With a little direction, the teachers and students adapted themselves to the almost new map of the school. Not for long! With the opening of the new Church in 1993, the old church became the ideal place for the music program. The band and all music classes were then held there.
The year 1996-97 brought advances of a different kind. A new communication system was installed providing telephones in every room. Assistant teacher hours were increased for grades 1-3, P.E., and library. The school saw a further excellence with the accreditation by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges. In August 1998, four new classrooms, for the Kindergarten and first grade students were ready for use and by September of the same year a new library and administration building completed a yearlong building project.
1999 was a year of Jubilee for Christ the King School. Now in its 50th year, the school and parish at large celebrated its establishment and its excellence in the training of Catholic youth in the tenets of their Faith, as well as in academics Archbishop Lipscomb blessed the new classrooms, the library complex, and the office facilities. Mr. Harry Brown, Mayor of Daphne, read the Proclamation, proclaiming Christ the King School “The Beacon of Catholic Education on the Eastern Shore”.
2000 - 2001
Entering the new millennium, Christ the King School adopted a new name - Christ the King Catholic School. The year 2000-01 showed continued development. A new Parish Center, Assumption Hall, took the place of the former Christ the King Church. The school made use of this beautiful building for occasional activities and celebrations. In summer 2000, new playground equipment was installed and in the interest of safety, a wrought iron fence was constructed around the school property in early February 2001. In line with technological advances, communication within the school was made more efficient through e-mail. The entire campus was wired for intra-net and each classroom equipped with a computer. School news and information was kept current on the Web Page. The enrollment in grades K-8 averaged 500 at that time.
2001 – 2002
Summer 2001 was busy with the construction and setting up of The Nell Corte Learning Center. This center is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Nell Corte, who died in 1999 R.I.P. It is constructed in the area formerly used for office administration. At the same time the Health Room and the assistant teachers’ room were renovated. A new floor for the Health Room was also installed. The tragedy of September 11th. which touched the lives of all Americans was not without its toll on the CKCS community. Faculty and student body grieved for those who lost their lives in the attack and Sr. Maureen led the teachers and children in a crusade of prayer for peace. In April, 2001 the school renewed its accreditation by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges The technology program was further enhanced this year by the purchase of DSL, giving Internet Access to the entire faculty, staff, and students.
2002 - 2003
School facilities wear out with time and use, so the school needed some refurbishing. During the summer months the restrooms for grades 2/3 and 4/5 were completely renovated, 2nd & 3rd grade rooms got a new roof, and the reception area got a new floor. The Accelerated Reading Program was further developed with the introduction of the 6.12 version, which allows the installation of tests for recently published books. The program was also networked throughout the school and the Accelerated Reader became available on a computer in every classroom, as well as on four computers in the library. The Music Program was enhanced with the addition of violin lessons and several students enrolled.
2003 was ushered in with many blessings for CKCS. In early January, with the help of donations of $30,000 – gifts from parents, local businesses, and friends & relatives of students – a complete new set of up-dated Pentium 4 computers was installed in the technology lab. Two eighth grade students Brandi Eberly and Jillian Rosandich, obtained 1st & 2nd. places respectively in the nation for their poems submitted for the competition sponsored by the 2003 Affirm the Sanctity of Each Human Life by Word and Deed. As 1st place winner, Brandi and her mother, Laurie, were invited to Washington, DC, to receive her award and to take part in the annual March For Life. Her teacher, Mrs. Missy Schmidt, who was the inspiration behind students’ participation, traveled to Washington also. Both beautiful poems of these students were chosen for publication.
A further honor for the school came when the students, staff and principal, Sr. Maureen, were awarded the Discipline With Purpose Plaque. The plaque was formally presented to Sr. Maureen by School Superintendent, Miss Gwen Byrd, at the Mass during Catholic Schools Week. Science was also in the news. Students captured 60 medals at The Science Olympiad and two of the science teams placed 2nd and 3rd.and qualified for the upcoming State competitions. Before Graduation (May, 28th) the 8th graders presented the school with a beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart. The statue is placed on the grass median in front of the classrooms and was blessed by the pastor, Fr. Timothy Deasy, with all the 8th graders present.
2003-2004
As this school year began, some very beneficial changes were made. For the first time in the school history an Assistant Principal was appointed. Mrs. Marianne Hill took on this appointment. Another addition to the staff was an extra teacher assistant, this time for grades 4-6. A complete change of classrooms in grades 4-8 took place. This move provided the junior high students with their own area and placed the students and teachers in a better working environment. For the first time the Iowa Tests were administered to all grades, 3-7 To further develop the Technology Program $14,000 was spent in the purchase of new Cisco hubs and routers which greatly increased the speed and capability of the department. EdLine also acquired at this time, enabled parents to assess interims and grade reports.
On October 21st the entire faculty, staff and student body grieved at the death of Paul Bueche, a former graduate (1998), who was killed while serving in the military in Iraq. Paul will be fondly remembered as a student who brought much love and joy into the lives of others. A memorial stone in his name has been placed at the foot of the flagstaff. The PTO donated 2 teak benches in his memory May he rest in peace.
On November 6th. MADD presented its multimedia program, “in real life”, a powerful program on the dangers of alcohol, drinking & driving. Over 250 students and parents attended and parents paid the cost, $675. Advances in academics were by no means wanting this year. Students competed and placed well in the various areas: Math Counts, Alabama Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad (Regional and State), and Technology Fair. Junior High students were introduced to the world of Opera when they attended “Turandot” in the fall. Later the Mobile Opera Guild performed for the students and facts about opera were reinforced for grandparents’ Day the 8th grade students performed “The Opportunist” and had a repeat performance for the entire school. Both 8th grade classes attended a performance of “The Mikado”. As well as an occasion of appreciation of the musical an added feature for the students was the superb performance in the lead role, Yum-Yum, of Lauren Zoghby, a past graduate of CKCS.
2004-2005
School year, 2004-05 saw a new uniform for all students. Families were accommodated by being allowed a 2-yr. period to ease into the new. An added blessing to the school was the employment of a part-time nurse. Mrs. Terry Cabaniss, R.N. who staffed the health room 4 days a week. The school facilities were greatly improved over the summer. The 4th grade classrooms received new roofing, new ceiling fans, and ceiling tiles. The covered walkway from 5th to 8th classrooms was also gifted with a new roof. PTO workdays, Aug. 5th & 7th helped get classrooms and campus all spruced up and made some needed improvements in the Parish Hall. News of a different kind came when “Ivan, the Terrible”, the name given to Hurricane Ivan, swept over the Gulf Coast with 130 miles per hour strength on the night of Sept. 15/16. It left much destruction in its wake. Miraculously, CKCS came through unharmed except for some downed trees and a partially broken fence. Classes were able to resume on 9/20. Students, faculty, and staff attended a special Mass of Thanksgiving on Sept. 22.
In spite of this disaster, CKCS developed academically and socially. A levelized Reading Lab was added for K-2 and the school was awarded many distinctions: Mrs. Ashley McPhillips, 5th grade teacher, qualified for a $500 mini-grant from the Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore, Best Buy awarded a $2,500 teach to the school and to Mrs. Missy Schmidt for integrating interactive technology into the curriculum, the Baldwin County reading Council recognized our Principal, Sr. Maureen Nolan, as Reading Administrator of the Year for her support of reading/literacy in our school, community, and county. The students, too, kept pace with the faculty, winning first/second spots in the multi- competitions in which they competed. These included those where students qualified to compete at state level: MathCounts, State Geography Bee, Readers Digest Word Power, and Science Olympiad. On April the school community with the rest of the world, grieved at the death of well-loved Pope, John Paul II. Pope John Paul was 84 years old but he bravely guided the Church until his last days. The news of a new Pope in the person of Benedict XV1 was welcomed.
2005-2006
This year started in an orderly and peaceful mode, showing great promise until rudely interrupted by Hurricane Katrina, which lashed the Gulf Coast on August 29th. Although Daphne experienced very little damage the parish and school communities were deeply touched both by the horrors being relayed and by the anxiety to reach out to the homeless and displaced. CKCS got right into the action. Students brought water, food, clothes, toiletries, toys, whatever was needed and arrangements were made to truck the goods to desperate families in MS. As families crowded into Daphne and surrounding cities to stay with relatives, friends, or just looking for housing many parents sought education for their children. Christ the King warmly welcomed over 50 new students, supplying them with necessary books, uniforms and supplies.
In spite of this rude awakening the regular school program continued in an orderly fashion, advancing in scholarship and interspersed with beneficial and happy events .The first Art Club, taught by Mrs. Sue Bostwick, the Art teacher, was opened to 6-8 students. Another first was the opening of the Science lab under the direction of Dr. Lisa Griffin. The lab was available to all students. CKCS Scholars Bowl took 1st. place among 32 competing teams in the McGill Toolen Competition. CKCS was among 11 schools to be awarded 2 mini-grants by SEEDS, Daphne’s educational enrichment foundation
Concern for the neighboring schools in Mississippi continued through the school year. On January 27, our 8th grade students, accompanied by Sr. Maureen & Mrs. Hill chartered a bus and traveled to Bay St. Louis and extended their love and hard-earned monetary gifts to three different parishes and schools: -$4,318.00 to Saint Rose of Lima, an LCD projector to Our Lady’s Academy and $2,550 to St Clair’s School in Waveland.
Music was a very much developed and appreciated part of our curriculum. The spring concert was an event to remember. Students playing recorders, and others the violin, joined with a grand finale of song “On Broadway”. CKCS bade adieu to our loyal and devoted band instructor of 16 years, Mr. Hunter
School closed with new plans for the teachers with the purchase of 20 new computers.
Because of a major gift, pianos were purchased for the music program, transforming the music room into a marvelous music lab. The installation of new ceilings and fans in grades 5,6,7,8 was in progress at this time. We looked forward to a peaceful and productive 2006-07.
2006-2007
The school year was ushered in with Orientation Day being held at CKCS on August 10th Archbishop Lipscomb celebrated Mass and over 300 teachers were in attendance.
As well as some physical improvements to the classrooms, such as painting, and the installation of new ceiling and light fixtures to several classrooms, CKCS introduced some novel and exciting additions to the curriculum. In order to make learning French more authentic 7th and 8th grade students communicated with students from their adopted Catholic middle school in France, “College Saint Vincent”. The goal was for students to become more proficient in French while learning about French culture.
The Music Lab installed at the close of last year’s school year, blossomed into a delightful scene of 30 key boards and the equipment needed to enable every student to master the key boarding skills, to experience the joy of playing their favorite tunes, and hopefully to encourage the writing of their own. The school hosted, for the first time a Family Literary Workshop for K-3 grade students. Dr. Angela Martin, a professor, at USF, who conducted the program, gave parents a tremendous number of ways to encourage their children to enjoy reading. Dr. Martin represented Just Read Florida, a Florida Department of Education literacy initiative.
In October, Mr. Michael Weisskopf visited CKCS. Mr. Weisskopf, a journalist for TIME magazine, during assignment in Iraq had his hand and arm blown off as he snatched a grenade, which had landed in the Humvee in which he was riding. By his action he saved the lives of those riding with him. He talked to the 7th and 8th grade students about all those heroes who were now trying to put their lives back together minus one or both arms, legs or even eyes. He demonstrated for the students how his prosthetic arm worked.
After a year of intensive study in preparation for the five-year evaluation the SACS team came to the campus. They studied the self-assessment books, met with teachers, staff, students, parents, and community member. At the end of their two-day visit they presented the school with an excellent report.
In the interest of safety, a security system was installed during the Easter vacation days. This system involved the installation of security cameras in approved parts of the campus with monitors also in selected positions.
The graduating class presented Sr. Maureen with a gift she will always treasure with following inscription,
In Honor Of Sister Maureen Nolan’s
21 Years of dedicated Leadership and Service
We create The Sister Maureen Nolan
Scholarship Fund
Initiated, Friday May 18th
By the Class of 2007
This scholarship will aid Catholic families who wish to have their children attend CKCS but do not have the financial means to do so. Helping those in need is always close to her heart, as her beloved graduates knew!