Holy Family Elementary
Principal Rachel Wentling has announced she will be leaving Holy Family Elementary and Hays Catholic Schools for a position at Fort Hays State University.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I resign as the principal of Holy Family Elementary, effective July 31, 2023. After much contemplation and prayer, I have decided to take the next step in my professional journey and pursue the opportunity as the director of field experience at Fort Hays State University,” Wentling said.
Serving in the Hays Catholic Schools for 23 years, Wentling began as a biology teacher at Thomas More Prep-Marian in August 2000 and assumed the role of assistant principal in 2007. In July 2012 Wentling took the role of principal of Holy Family Elementary and will conclude in July 2023.
“I tend to accomplish whatever I set my mind to," she said.
After graduating from TMP-Marian in 1995 I knew that I wanted to return as a biology teacher. When I completed my Master’s of Education in Building Leadership, Holy Family Elementary was the only school I wanted to serve as principal. It has always been my long-term goal to return to a teacher education program in higher education to work with pre-service teachers after a variety of educational experiences,” Wentling said.
Wentling continued, “My time as the Holy Family principal has challenged me to grow both professionally and personally. I am so incredibly grateful for the extraordinary faculty and staff members I have worked with the last 11 years, my peers and colleagues of the Hays Catholic schools, as well as the families and students I have served. The hardest thing about this change is saying goodbye to the people.”
The Superintendent of the Salina Diocese Catholic Schools Geoff Andrews is working with Fr. Nick Parker, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary and the administration of HFE to fill the role of principal as soon as possible.
“Rachel’s leadership will be greatly missed in our Hays Catholic Schools. Not only have I enjoyed working with Rachel, but I have also enjoyed the relationship we have developed as colleagues. She is going to excel in her new position with Fort Hays State University,” Andrews said.
Fr. Nick Parker also shared, “Rachel has made a significant difference, not only in the academic excellence of Holy Family Elementary but in the complete spiritual and human formation of our school community. We are grateful for her time here and wish her the best as she moves forward. She will definitely be missed.”
In her time with Hays Catholic Schools, Wentling has worked with Holy Family staff to update and map all curricular areas, expand early childhood to include 3-year-old and all-day preschool options, create energy efficiencies and indoor climate control with building upgrades, update crisis planning and improve life safety, implemented Virtue Based Restorative Discipline: a Catholic approach to bullying, expand and develop an administrative team to better serve the needs of students, and prioritize the growth of technology in all educational areas.
Wentling also oversaw two cycles of accreditation, participated in two strategic plans for the Hays Catholic schools, and lead in-person instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.