St. Anne Wing Of St. Lambert School Opens

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Sioux Falls Catholic Schools are celebrating a new addition. Students entered a new wing at the St. Lambert School for the first time Thursday.

Principal Barbara Lockwood led the grand march and the cutting of the ribbon on the new St. Anne wing of St. Lambert school. This is the first time the students can see the two new kindergarten classrooms and the new preschool room.

"It all fell into place. It's amazing; it seems like all of the pieces are right where they need to be and the puzzle is complete," Lockwood said.

The wide eyes of the students don't show it, but at this time last year, administrators were just starting to dream about this new addition. The need for the new wing became apparent as enrollment grew, partly because of a consolidation plan that moved students out of Cathedral School in 2009. Now $650,000 later, the youngest of St. Lambert students are moving in.

"We were able to put it together in short order, which really speaks strongly to the support that we have here in this community to make this happen financially because it was all pledged for prior to being able to build," Lockwood said.

The new addition also has several other rooms to offer the students other services, like this room where students will receive one-on-one individualized tutoring.

"Previously, we had to use church space in order to have our onsite speech and language program, our E.L.L. program, our academic services programs and anything else we needed to do in the way of tutoring. We no longer have to impose on church space; we can utilize the whole school and be all contained as one," Lockwood said.

But now these students have new surroundings and administrators hope it helps them grow spiritually and academically.

The new classrooms are also equipped with smart boards, meaning every classroom at St. Lambert now has one. The new rooms also free up space in other areas of the building. One example is the room that used to be a computer lab and art room, is now used for art while students now have a new computer lab.