‘Bittersweet’ Last Day for Closing Sioux Falls Catholic School

It's officially the end of an era for a neighborhood Sioux Falls Catholic School.

Last Friday was the very last day of school for Christ the King Elementary School in Sioux Falls. Students, faculty, staff, and parents knew this day was coming. But it doesn't make this any less difficult.

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Our news partners at Dakota News Now were there to capture the last day at Christ the King Elementary School. It was a day filled with memories, friendships, tears, hugs, and prayers for the next chapter. Parents who spoke with Dakota News Now explained there are still many unknowns. Morgan Kronaizl described the last semester as a "slow and painful grief process."

“It means childhood. It means family history. It means fun and laughter and learning. It’s the place where I, and now two other generations of my family, have learned to love to learn and to be curious about the world. It’s hard to walk out of the building not knowing what’s going to happen to it, what’s going to happen with all of our students going to different schools and starting new experiences.”

Another parent Jessica Baltazar described the day "like a funeral." They put up a good fight to keep the school open, and parents know He has other plans for them. With God on their side, there's nothing they can't handle.

“God has remained the center for us through this entire process. He still is Friday. While we don’t understand all of His decisions and why we don’t get the things that we want, we know at the end of the day, He has a better plan and we’re excited to watch it unfold and be a part of it."

You can read more about the last day of school at Christ the King Elementary School by clicking here.

Unfortunately, I can relate to the heartbreak the students, faculty, staff, and parents of Christ the King Elementary School are feeling. I've witnessed a grand total of three of my schools closing: My grade school (2005), high school (2017), and college (2017). When Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, announced they were suspending operations after the 2016-2017 academic year, I was just a year shy of graduation. So yes..I know the frustration.

Let's all hope and pray for the students, their families, faculty, and staff at Christ the King Elementary School, that they may find peace and joy during this difficult time. You will get through this!