Vincent’s new classroom building nearly complete
CALEXICO — Renovations and new facilities come few and far between for the campus of Vincent Memorial Catholic High School.
The last renovation done to any building on campus took place around 2008 when the school’s gymnasium, which used to be a warehouse, was remodeled.
That is why when change does come for the campus, which has the capacity to accommodate 420 students and currently serves about 240, it’s a big deal.
The school’s newest project, a new classroom building, is set to be completed by the end of July, Vincent Memorial Principal Sister Lupita Hernandez confirmed Thursday.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place for the new building in May 2019. The building was originally scheduled to be done this month; however, a delay in the shipment of materials pushed back its completion date.
It will be completed and available for students to use in the 202021 school year.
“We are hoping to start the school year, our first day of classes, on Aug. 19,” Hernandez, who is entering her ninth year as principal, said.
The private Catholic high school is, of course, handling its reopening with all COVID-19 precautions in mind.
While a plan has yet to be finalized, the school is currently looking into a hybrid program whereby half of a class comes one day while the other half comes the next day.
It’s also likely visitors will only be allowed onto campus during the afternoon, as a way to further protect students.
When 2020-21 Scots do return to their campus, they’re in for a treat.
The new building features seven classrooms, a science lab and a chapel — all of which is connected with an indoor, air-conditioned hall.
An hall will be refreshing for students, as the campus is, for the most part, separated and outdoors.
All but one set of the current student lockers will be moved into the hall.
All of the lockers were previously located outside along the campus’ walls.
The building’s seven classrooms will be used for general classes.
Previously, students had to take their science class in one class, then walk to a separate classroom that served as the lab.
With the new science lab, this moving around is no longer necessary. The new lab has enough room to fit all the necessary lab equipment and enough room for a teacher to conduct lectures.
The school’s former chapel was in half of a trailer. It shared the trailer with the teacher’s copy room.
That half trailer could hold only about 30 to 35 students (if they sit really close together), Hernandez said.
The new chapel can comfortably fit anywhere from 60 to 70 people.
Hernandez and the Vincent Memorial administrative team first envisioned the new classroom building back in 2014.
“I saw there was a big need, a great necessity,” Hernandez said. “I think that the students needed something better with more quality. We offer a quality Catholic education. We also need to have better buildings.