Allentown Central Catholic High School will be closed Oct. 10 for Columbus Day.

Underclassmen school pictures will be taken Oct. 11 for the yearbook and student identification cards.

Homecoming festivities begin Oct. 14 with an in-school pep rally, followed by the homecoming football game versus Stroudsburg High School at J. Birney Crum Stadium. The game begins 7 p.m. The homecoming dance is the following evening, Oct. 15 in Rockne Hall. A ticket and student identification are required for entrance to the dance.

PSATs will be administered Oct. 19, followed by early dismissal at 11:30 a.m. Seniors will be excused from school for the day.

One of the most exciting aspects of the 2016-2017 school year has been the set of renovations completed throughout the school over summer break. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts, sponsorships and grants allowed for a full overhaul of Rockne Hall – our gymnasium – and the cafeteria, along with upgraded science labs.

Seventy years young, Rockne Hall is the home of CCHS basketball and volleyball, as well as school Masses and assemblies. This renovation will allow Rockne to maintain its historic appeal for many more years to come; improvements include new lighting, wall pads, paint and flooring.

The weight room underneath Rockne Hall also received a makeover, featuring a logo-tiled floor.

Additionally, the cafeteria received new flooring and paint, along with improved air conditioning and heating. The seating area was expanded for greater comfort and accessibility. The food service area was enhanced to include a salad and deli bar. High-tech vending machines now accept credit cards – dangerous for high school students’ wallets.

Finally, upgraded laboratories allow each science teacher to both instruct regular classes and conduct experiments in the same room; classes formerly had to switch rooms on a lab day. New lab tables are arranged for students to have a clear view of the teacher while still seated in small groups for collaborative work.

All three projects have already had a major influence on school spirit, learning, productivity and convenience.

Central students will continue to value these renovations well into the future.