Students answer the call of the bell

Kindergartners Barry Field, Lane Johnson, Zane Smith and Zayne Wallen played together after lunch Monday -- new students getting to know each other on the first day of school.

Archbishop Bergan Catholic Elementary School opened for its second year Monday, and enrollment has nearly tripled to 96 students.

In its first year of operation, the school had just kindergarten and first grade. This year, second and third grades were added.

“I’m so excited to see parents are valuing individualized education,” said Bergan principal Katherine Griffen.

There are two sections of kindergarten and one section each of first, second and third grade.

“We’re trying to get everyone settled in,” Griffen said. “We’re building relationships and setting routines.”

Teachers at the school are Patti Bowman and Lori McIntyre, kindergarten; Danielle Paulson, first grade; Angie Kempf, second grade; and Leslie Hunke, third grade.

Students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. today and Wednesday before beginning full days on Thursday.

Increased enrollments are expected to continue next year, too.

A fourth grade will be added and Griffen anticipates a second section of first-graders.

The school continues to raise funds for a new building at 16th Street and Johnson Road. Doors are set to open in the fall of 2010.