Photo Caption: Students and teachers line the halls of Jordan Catholic School as Bishop Jenky blesses them and the new facilities on Jan. 26.

By: By Jennifer Willems, The Catholic Post

ROCK ISLAND — Bricks and mortar weren’t the only things celebrated when the new middle school wing at Jordan Catholic School was dedicated and blessed by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, on Jan. 26.

Jack Kearney, chair of the Rock Island Vicariate Board of Trustees, invited people to celebrate the legacy they had left for future generations with their support of the $2.3 million building project.

“Our work for Catholic education is not done, but this might be a time to step back and celebrate this important step that Jordan has taken in moving us forward,” he said in his remarks at the Mass that preceded the blessing.

Bishop Jenky told those gathered at St. Pius X Church here that he was proud of them.

“From the bottom of my heart I want to congratulate this faith community that has made the addition at Jordan Catholic School and Catholic education in this part of the diocese so vibrant and alive,” he said in his homily. “It came from a lot of faith. It certainly came from not hiding your faith under a bushel basket.

“I want to assure you the person you have pleased isn’t just your bishop but it is the Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches all of us and calls us to be lights in the world,” Bishop Jenky assured them.

UNIFIED CAMPUS
The 15,000-square foot addition brought the seventh- and eighth-graders to the central campus, located on the grounds of St. Pius X Church, and unified the student body for the first time in the school’s history.

Ground was broken last May for the middle school wing, which includes four classrooms, wired for technology teaching; computer technology and science labs; new music and art rooms with plenty of storage for instruments and supplies; and a new multi-purpose room for early childhood physical education and sports practice, as well as school events.

The former kindergarten area was renovated to make way for an expanded library, and the former day care area was made over into a room for reading and math, and the Jordan Engineering Team. Before the school year ends, every classroom will be equipped with a SMART board for interactive learning.

There is also new access to the building and fire alarm systems. All of the classrooms are linked with the parish hall to create a continuous loop throughout the facility.

Future plans call for construction of a gymnasium on the other side of Farrell Hall.

The addition was designed by Gere/Dismer Architects in Rock Island. Michael McNeil was the lead architect on the project and both he and Jeff Dismer attended the dedication event.

POSSIBILITIES ABOUND
In addition to St. Pius X, Jordan draws students from Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s, all in Rock Island; St. Ambrose in Milan; and St. Patrick’s in Andalusia. Over the years classes also have been held at the former St. Joseph’s School and Sacred Heart School, and most recently the middle school was located at St. Ambrose.

Those communities have raised just over $2 million and the Diocese of Peoria provided a “bridge loan” so construction could be completed.

Major gifts were given for the Peter and Donna Babcock Memorial Library, the Darrin Yeager Memorial Classroom and the Steven DeWitte Memorial Classroom. In the days since the dedication, another gift was received for the Dr. Frank Forlini Jr. Memorial Science Lab.

Among all the new possibilities for learning is one that brings a smile to the face of Sandy Carlsten, assistant principal.

“The first grade teachers have already had the eighth-graders come in and read to the students and listen to them read,” she said. “They look forward to doing it. The teachers are already planning more of this, so, it will grow.”