POP Announces Summer Upgrades, Security Fence - June, 2023

It’s just mid-June, but exciting things are already happening this summer at Prince of Peace.

As you know,  we’ll be opening a new school library this Fall as part of the multi-year construction project. It will be nicely furnished thanks to the generosity of all those who supported the POP Auction & Gala! We’re also replacing various classroom rugs, repairing windows, renovating stairwells, adding new wallpaper,  re-turfing the middle CLC playground area and installing a vinyl cover to our CLC courtyard for shade, cleaning carpets, and doing basic repairs.

But that’s not all. I have three big announcements to share!

First, we’ve been considering a perimeter security fence as an added layer of protection for our children next year. After obtaining bids and receiving some gifts from families to help us,  we have decided to do it! Yes, it's going to stretch us financially, but I am hopeful that everyone will be extra generous during our annual fund in September to help us offset costs.  Our community is overwhelmingly in favor of a fence, and the safety and security of our children is everyone's #1 concern in light of the many national shootings. I believe the time is now!

The above picture is a good illustration of what the fence will look like, and the map below shows where the fence will be placed (see the blue line).  It will be an 8 foot tall iron fence enclosing the entirety of the western side of the campus, including all exits and ball fields, so that all children’s activities during the school day, including recess and P.E. classes, will be within the protected area. During school hours, all gates will be locked, with access into the school through the new welcome center,  set to open in late July. As is the case now, all visitors to the school must go through a background check and receive a visitor badge before admittance. Parish functions will not be affected. 

Second,  we’re making huge upgrades to our network infrastructure and webcam coverage this summer, adding cameras in our hallways, and extending our reach to the parking lots, playgrounds and two athletic fields. All administrators will have 24-7 access to these cameras from their phones, able to view live footage or past events. These upgrades are paid for through a federal grant we applied for and received in April.

The combination of this fence, with our webcams, with our full time police presence during the school day, will make Prince of Peace one of the safest, most secure schools in the area, thanks be to God!

And here's the final piece of good news! Because of the success of our PVO’s “Run for the Stars” event this spring, the PVO is making a large donation to help the school turf our front playground this summer! Not only will this give our playground a beautiful new look, it will also make our playground a more useable space.  Because of heavy usage, by the end of the year the grass wears down to dirt (see picture), making it a muddy mess when it rains, forcing kids to play in the parking lot. No more! Thank you to our PVO, and thanks to everyone who supported Run for the Stars!

All of these things will begin this summer. How quickly they’ll be completed will depend on supply and demand, but they’re now a full “go" from us.  If they’re not finished when school opens,  they’ll be completed soon thereafter.

Onward and upward!

Faustin Weber
President