Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
January 24, 2001
New building dedicated for Holy Family School
State-of-the-art facilities allow school to increase K-8 enrollment
By Roxanne King
Joy filled the air Jan. 14 as students, staff and parents of Holy Family Grade School gathered with parishioners to watch Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., dedicate a renovated building that the school and parish share.
The building at 43rd Avenue and Utica Street in northwest Denver formerly housed Holy Family High School, which relocated to Broomfield in 1999.
Recent renovations made the building more accessible to younger students, the elderly and handicapped. Called the Utica Street West building, the facility now houses art, music and kindergarten through fourth-grade classrooms. The grade school also got a new playground.
"We've continued use of the gym and cafeteria," said Russell Plucinski, the school principal. "The gym is one of the best in northwest Denver."
During the dedication, the archbishop said prayers and sprinkled the walls of the facility with holy water. The ceremony followed a Mass at Holy Family Church concelebrated by pastor Msgr. Robert Greenslade and the archbishop. A reception and tours followed.
Now in its 81st year, the school offers kindergarten through eighth grade classes. Attracting students from across the metro-area, it boasts an enrollment of 175. The expanded facilities will enable the school to increase its enrollment to 234, Plucinski said.
Holy Family parishioner Joe Fanning was the oldest graduate of Holy Family Grade School attending the festivities.
"He is 80 years old now," Plucinski said, adding that the school's athletic director, Dan Ross, also is an alum.
The move of the landlocked high school opened up space for the grade school, which still uses its original building across the street to house fifth- through eighth-grade classes. A third building at the site houses the library, computer and science labs.
"We're really happy with the doors that this opened up for Holy Family to grow," Plucinski said, about the renovated building. "We're committed to staying at our original site."
For information on enrolling students at Holy Family School, call Russell Plucinski at 303-477-4023.
