First day of ‘next 50 years’

Michele Schulte greeted clusters of students clad in blue and white

uniforms in the hallways of Providence High School during their first

break of the day after their return from summer vacation.

Tuesday was back-to-school day for Providence High School, a

Catholic college-preparatory school that serves Burbank and the

surrounding area. It also marked the school’s 50th anniversary and

Schulte’s first day as the school’s principal.

“It’s exciting. I get to be part of the school’s history,” said

Schulte. “My job is to help carry us into the next 50 years.”

Schulte, who served as the director of the school’s guidance

program from 1992 to 2003, recently completed a graduate school

program through Loyola Marymount University to become a Catholic

school administrator.

“I think there’s even bigger things I can take care of as an

administrator,” she said. “You get to help take care of the faculty

and staff and you can help change systems.”

Schulte, who spent the summer making sure necessary work was done

at the school, such as carpeting, painting and yearly upgrades in

technology, said she had been looking forward to students’ return on

Tuesday.

“It’s not a school until we’re all here,” she said.

Schulte said she enjoys many aspects of working with the school’s

students, especially having the opportunity to watch students change

and grow.

“Watching the big change between ninth and twelfth grade is

remarkable,” Schulte said. “They become very focused, filling out

college applications and preparing for careers.”

Many students looked forward to spending the year with a new

principal.

Twelfth-grader Adam Vitello spent time around Schulte on a field

trip when she was a guidance counselor.

“She was really chill and really nice,” he said. “Change is good;

it brings new things.”

Adam was less enthused about returning to another year of study,

homework and tests.

“I’m really sad the summer’s over, is the God’s honest truth,”

Adam said.

Vitello , whose mother serves as the school’s alumni president, is

looking forward to celebrating the school’s 50th anniversary.

“It’s really big, I here a lot about it around the house,” he

said. “It’s cool that by coincidence I’m graduating the same year.”

Celebrations for the school’s 50th anniversary include a day at

the Santa Anita Race Track on Oct. 15 and a Jubilee in November.

“It’s very significant, it makes Providence a landmark in the

area,” teacher Dennis Bullock said of the school’s anniversary. “It

gives one the notion it’ll be around another 50 years.”

Providence High School, which serves approximately 575 students of

various denominations, was founded in 1955 as part of the Sisters of

Providence Ministries and has since seen nearly 5,000 students

graduate.

Many students are glad to have the opportunity to experience the

school’s landmark anniversary.

“It makes me proud,” said Nasrin Madrid, a ninth-grader who on

Tuesday was trying to find her way to a new class.

Nasrin also said she was not especially scared for her first day

as a high school student.

“I went to summer school here so I had a group of friends

already,” she said. “I hope I just have a great learning experience

this year.”