Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria is excited to welcome the largest incoming class and highest enrollment in school history for the 2022-23 school year. The community is excited for the year ahead and ready for a new start.
While COVID-19 is still something all diocesan schools are dealing with to a certain extent, Ireton will follow the direction of the Virginia Department of Health with regards to mitigation strategies and will maintain the cleaning procedures and high-quality air filters put in place the past few years.
After a flurry of change before the start of last year on the administrative team, the school returns with an experienced group led by Head of School Kathleen McNutt, in her fourth year, and Principal Tim Guy, in his second year.
The faculty welcomes Mary Kate Wiedemer (special services), Trevor Alexander (special services), Jessica Conner (social studies), Tongxin (Lucy) Lu (theology), Grattan Brown (theology), Betty Loia (English/theology), Molly McGraw (English), Joseph Crain (Spanish), Tyler Ledbetter (study hall proctor), Arianna Tilley (assistant theater director), Matthew Cheney (theater department lighting director) and Courtney Foster (theater sewing instructor).
The administration also welcomes Cynthy Yates (counselor), Christine Danaher (nurse), Michael Roberts (athletic trainer), Shawn Kelly (school store manager and marketing specialist) and Benjamin Funny (assistant to dean of students).
“We’re grateful to welcome tremendous new additions to the Cardinal family this year,” said Guy. “We were blessed to have extremely strong candidates for our open positions and we know they will make a positive impact on our students this year and into the future.”
Ireton chose a quote from St. Francis de Sales as its theme and guiding message for the school year: “We are on our way there, amid all these storms, if we have a right heart, good intention, firm courage, and our eyes fixed on God.”
Referencing the record number of incoming students, McNutt said, “They will stand on the shoulders of the other returning students and a fantastic network of accomplished alumni. Though last school year presented its challenges as we continued to navigate our way through the pandemic, we are thrilled to keep moving forward.”
“As I reflect on our theme for this year, I’m excited to focus on getting ‘On Our Way’ to an outstanding academic year, to new Cardinals and to a bright future,” she said. “I look forward to welcoming our staff and students back as we continue our mission to Advance Always.”
