What began as a wish to replace the old tile gym floor at St. Rita School’s Mazanec Hall with a new composite surface morphed into a much larger project that now includes removing the underused stage, painting the gym, adding bleachers, repurposing the old library that has been housing the Little Falcons Learning Center (for preschoolers) into a new cafeteria, improving the school lobby and enhancing the math and English curricula.
The ambitious plans carry a hefty price tag: about $200,000. Parish and school officials are planning to participate in #weGiveCatholic, Northeast Ohio’s annual online day of giving that takes place on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1.
“We set a goal of $100,000 for #weGiveCatholic,” said Michelle Petitti, who coordinates communications and marketing for St. Rita Parish and School in Solon. An anonymous donor will match that amount, if the school and parish community meet the goal, she said.
The parish has participated in #weGiveCatholic since its inception. This year, 240 parishes, schools, nonprofits and other Catholic entities in the Diocese of Cleveland registered to participate – the largest number so far.
“Our gym needs a 40-year face-lift,” Petitti said. Mazanec Hall is named after Msgr. Olrich Mazanec, the founding pastor. He was named pastor in 1929, Petitti added.
She said by removing the stage, adding bleachers and replacing the gym floor, the basketball court will be expanded so it will be regulation size. That means the school could host CYO basketball tournaments and could be considered as a site for CYO games.
The idea of replacing the gym floor has been under consideration for some time, Petitti said. And as discussions got more serious, the project grew in scope.
“Mazanec Hall is used by every one of our parish ministries,” she said. The stage area is rarely used so a suggestion was made to remove it and replace it with bleachers that would provide more flexibility for events.
Just outside the gym is a space that once was used as a library. It now houses the Little Falcons Learning Center, which serves 47 preschoolers, ages 3 and 4. The plan calls for renovating that space into a permanent cafeteria for school children. Petitti said the preschoolers will be relocated to space in the school building.
“The students are very excited about having a cafeteria,” she said. Until the coronavirus pandemic, students ate lunch in the gym. She said tables were moved in and out, which was labor intensive and caused wear and tear on the floor. In addition to the preschoolers, there are 234 students in grades K-8.
Eric Sikora, St. Rita’s principal, insisted that an educational component should be included in this year’s #weGiveCatholic project, so there will be enhancements to the math and English curricula. Last year, St. Rita raised about $30,000 during #weGiveCatholic an about the same amount was generated during a walkathon to help pay for new technology at the school, including Active Panels, Chromebooks and laptops.
“The timing couldn’t have been better,” Petitti said, noting how important that technology has been during the pandemic. She said some parents prefer that their children attend class remotely, so the Active Panels allow them to participate in St. Rita’s Virtual Academy -- almost as if they were in the classroom. The Chromebooks and laptops are used to help students keep up with their classroom work.
“It made a big difference in our remote learning capabilities,” Petitti added.
The school lobby also will be freshened up and a large statue of St. Rita will be added.
To help with the fundraising for this year’s projects, Petitti said sponsorships are being sold from $250 to $5,000. Recognition will be given to sponsors, based on the level of donation. They will order T-shirts with the names of sponsors who donate $500 or more. Those who give at the $5,000 level will be recognized in the newly renovated Mazanec Hall.
Petitti said plans are being made for some live events on Dec. 1 that will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube so members of the parish can get involved. “We may do a ‘Are you Smarter than a Falcon’ game show,” she said, noting that excitement is building within the school and parish. Videos were produced featuring students talking about what the projects mean to them.
Donations will be tracked on a large ice cream cone with ice cream scoops added as the fundraising progresses.
If the $100,000 goal is reached, the school will be treated to an ice cream party, Petitti said.
“We are very excited about the projects, which touch everyone in the parish,” she said.
For more information on #weGiveCatholic, call 216-696-6525, Ext. 1042, email lcorcoran@catholiccommunity.org or visit wegivecatholic.org.