Students at St. Patrick Catholic School in Parnell are using the latest technology for both individual and collaborative work in their new Bea Byrne Learning Center.
Dedicated by Bishop Walkowiak on November 18, 2016, the Bea Byrne Learning Center features Chromebooks and a smart TV for students to work on projects and present them. Additionally, handcrafted bookshelves keep the school’s library books ready for students. Quiet workspaces allow for individual focus, and spacious tables provide opportunities for cooperation. Even the seating is designed to help students; the stools can swivel slightly to allow a little bit of movement while students work at their tables.
Norm and Rosemary Byrne helped make the learning center possible in honor of their late mother, Bea Byrne. Bea Byrne graduated from St. Patrick Catholic School in 1929, and the learning center is a bridge between the learning methods used in her day and the modern technology today’s students use.
Support for the upgrades comes also from Dave and Kelli Powell, Nugent Builders, an anonymous parent, and countless others who donated their time, talent, and treasure.
The dedication of the Bea Byrne Learning Center began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Walkowiak and concelebrated by St. Patrick pastor Father Mark Peacock and St. Mary (Lowell) pastor Father Aaron Ferris. Following Mass, everyone processed from the church to the school and into the learning center for the Bishop to bless the space.
See photos in the gallery at this link, and watch video of the dedication at this link.
With one of the walls proudly featuring the school motto, “To know God, to love God, to serve all,” the Bea Byrne Learning Center gives students the opportunity to excel in all their pursuits at St. Patrick Catholic School.
St. Patrick Catholic School serves nearly 200 students in preschool through 8th grade. Learn more here.