LAPLACE — Stepping into the role of St. Joan of Arc Catholic School Principal for the 2019-2020 school year felt a lot like coming home for Jenny Poulos.

Poulos, of Destrehan, most recently served as assistant principal for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Slidell. She said the River Parishes community is unique in that everyone looks out for each other.

That family atmosphere supports the goal of a Catholic education, allowing children to grow into good examples for society through a strong faith foundation and a focus on academics.

“I love the River Parishes,” Poulos said. “I love the community out here and the family involvement in both church and school. I love that everybody knows each other and takes care of each other. I think it’s a beautiful thing.”

Poulos doesn’t have any sweeping changes planned for her first year as principal. She plans to see where students are to determine where they need to go while keeping the Catholic traditions that have become synonymous with the St. Joan of Arc community.

However, she does see room to grow in strengthening communication with parents.

“I get the feeling that’s something people want a little bit more of,” Poulos said. “I’m interested in having one place where people can get all of their information.”

Poulos plans to continue St. Joan of Arc’s Professional Learning Communities, which encourage and enable teachers to plan as a team.

A new STEM-based curriculum keeps St. Joan of Arc on the cutting edge of the ever-changing technological landscape. According to Poulos, the school recently received a grant for robotics, and students and teachers alike will receive training in basic coding.

St. Joan of Arc will continue to offer music, art, computer lab, drama, library services, physical education and ample extracurricular activities. Classroom services are also available for students with special needs, Poulos said.

She and Father Pat Collum have discussed increasing student interaction with parishioners and the surrounding community, whether it means actively participating in services or helping clean up after Mass.

Most importantly, Poulos wants to facilitate students’ spiritual growth. She spoke highly of St. Joan of Arc’s deeply engrained traditions, including the annual Parish Fair, the Oktoberfest half-day “fun-raiser,” Living Rosary, weekly “Washing of the Hands” and the wondrous Carnival Ball celebration.

“They have some beautiful traditions at this school. Their Catholicity is very strong, so I want to keep that up,” Poulos said. “There’s a lot of deep-rooted history that draws people in. We have teachers here who were students here. Their children went here. People want to be here.”

This school year’s theme is “Let Your Light Shine” from Matthew 5:16. Poulos hopes it will build upon last year’s theme of showing kindness to one another.

“Our goal is to take our talents from God, let them shine and share them with the world,” Poulos said.

School team member Leslie Madere said students took last year’s theme to heart.

“When new kids come in, I’m always amazed at how nice our kids are,” Madere said. “They are very, very welcoming. It is the Catholic faith that we’re passing down, but it’s more about kids understanding their role in this changing world. You have to stand up for things and be respectful and not have the ‘it’s all about me’ attitude that the world kind of has.”

According to Madere, St. Joan of Arc offers something to fit every student’s needs, no matter how young.

St. Joan of Arc serves students from 2 years old through seventh grade.

Children can participate in Biddy Basketball as young as 4 years old, and kindergarteners walk in the Carnival Ball.

“I think it’s great that there’s a place where your children can stay for 10 years,” Poulos said. “The faculty will know them and love them.”

Poulos has been part of a variety of academic settings, ranging from public school to co-ed and all-girl private schools. Of all she’s experienced, Catholic school is closest to her heart.

“I want us to be the school that plants the faith foundation to grow in the knowledge of and love of God,” Poulos said.

She added that St. Joan of Arc is a safe school environment, fortified by gated entryways that are monitored by friendly office staff.