New principal introduced at St. Nicholas School

Sunman, In. — St. Nicholas Catholic School, Sunman, Indiana, is pleased to announce the hiring of Sherri Kirschner as its new principal for the 2018-2019 school year.  Kirschner comes to St. Nicholas after spending four years as principal at St. Mary School in Rushville.  Prior to St. Mary, she spent several years at Oldenburg Academy, where she was also admissions director, and 14 years teaching at St. Louis Catholic School in Batesville.  Kirschner and her husband and son reside in Batesville.

Kirschner looks forward to joining the St. Nicholas Catholic School community, which has recently broken ground on a new school and education building project.   “St. Nicholas has a reputation as being a very strong faith-based educational institution and I am excited that I can continue growing in my own personal faith,” says Kirschner.  She adds, “the biggest and most obvious (challenge) is getting through the construction and move with the least amount of distractions possible.”  Kirschner also hopes to help evaluate the total student experience, which, she says, helps promote success in many aspects of student development, “I am very excited to be coming to a school that is growing.”

Kirschner will be replacing Dan Swygart, who is retiring as principal after a long career in education.   “When I arrived at St. Nicholas 3-years ago, I believed that God had sent me.  After 3-years of service, I am convinced that God sent me,” says Swygart, who was one of the key leaders behind the Heritage Project that has led to the groundbreaking of the new school.  Swygart is excited that Kirschner will be the new principal, ”she is a vessel of God and will continue the St. Nicholas School mission.  God is Good!”

St. Nicholas Catholic School and its associated St. Anthony Preschool and Daycare, in Morris, serve over 140 students throughout Ripley, northern Dearborn and Franklin Counties.  Founded in 1859, the Kindergarten-through-8th-grade school has been rated Exemplary by the Indiana Department of Education.  It is currently accepting admission applications for the 2018-2019 school year.

A Meet & Greet is planned following weekend Masses June 9 and 10 at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. at St. Anthony and in the St. Nicholas Parish Center at 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.