St. Katherine Drexel - Back to School
fall 2026 CCS NewsletterA Fantastic Start at St. Katharine Drexel
The students and staff at St. Katharine Drexel are off to a fantastic start this school year! August and September have been full of energy as students settle in, and we are thrilled to welcome so many new families to the SKD school community.
Across all grade levels, there is plenty to look forward to. New curricula are being implemented, teachers continue to engage in professional development, and students are exploring new subjects, making new friends, and finding new ways to learn and grow together.
The first weeks of school have already been filled with opportunities for students to learn, celebrate, and connect with one another. Fifth graders helped lead the Back to School Mass, bringing the school community together in church to place the new year in God's hands.
Preschoolers got creative for International Dot Day, while students across the school kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with activities celebrating Hispanic and Latino cultures and traditions.
Connections are growing across grade levels, too. Through weekly Buddy Time, fourth graders and preschoolers come together to learn, play, and build friendships. These shared experiences give older students a chance to encourage and support their younger buddies while creating relationships that extend beyond their own classrooms.
This year, SKD is proud to partner with Catholic Community Schools by embracing The Crusader Way, encouraging students to put into practice what it truly means to be a Crusader. Each month focuses on a letter in CRUSADER and a character trait that helps students grow. September's focus is Courage—being brave, trying new things, speaking up, and stepping outside of our comfort zones, even when something feels a little scary.
From new learning in the classroom to faith, friendship, and opportunities to grow in character, the school year is already well underway at SKD. We can't wait to see all the ways our students continue to learn what it means to live The Crusader Way!
WELCOME TO SKD!
Meet Principal Kelly Vangsness
Kelly Vangsness joins St. Katharine Drexel this year as principal, bringing with her many years of experience and a deep connection to Catholic Community Schools. Kelly has served as principal of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School since 2016, and her own children attended CCS schools and graduated from Cathedral High School.
Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, postgraduate training in English as a Second Language, and a K–12 principal license. She also stays connected with students outside the school day as an assistant volleyball coach at Cathedral. When she has some time to herself, Kelly loves to read, travel, and has recently taken up sewing.
We are excited to welcome Kelly to the SKD community and look forward to the experience, leadership, and enthusiasm she brings to this new role.
