NORWICH – New and returning Holy Family School students were greeted by building improvements and new technology as they settled in for the new school year.

Much of the refurbishing was made possible via extensive gifts from the Robert C. Smith Foundation and from parents. They include white floor tiles throughout classrooms, offices and hallways; an elevator; and five SMART boards for instruction and learning. Many other interior and exterior improvements were completed last year, including an expanded library courtesy of a grant from the Dowdall Foundation.

Technology coordinator Ann French said the SMART boards make lessons interactive and keep students focused on lessons. New school Principal Gene Chilion said much of the installation work was completed courtesy of George Carnrike Construction and with the help of inmates from Camp Pharsalia.

Kindergarten students cut out fall leaves to decorate a poem, learned to spell ‘GOD’ and their names, counted to 10, and spent time memorizing Claude Monet’s “Water Lillies” and Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”