My name is Karen Haas and I have the exciting job of being the principal at St. Paul Catholic School.  I am very committed to St. Paul Catholic School. Before becoming principal in 2010, I taught at our school for nineteen years. During this time I celebrated the growth and many positive changes that have taken place here. It has been a wonderful experience to be a part of the growth of our school from an enrollment of just under one hundred in 1991, to two hundred twenty-five today! The joint project with St. Joe Hill Parish that allowed our school to expand its facilities by adding more classrooms and a gymnasium was a great blessing.  The recent renovations of the church and school are also answered prayers.  Being principal at a Blue Ribbon National School of Excellence is a great honor. I am pleased to have been chosen to lead the school to further successes.

As principal I work to guide the teachers and provide them with resources from the Archdioceses of Indianapolis Office of Catholic Education and the Indiana Department of Education to help them best meet the needs of our students.  Along with the important religious studies and sacramental preparation at St. Paul Catholic School we provide a strong academic curriculum based on the Indiana Curriculum and National Common Core Standards.  Our ISTEP scores are outstanding! (The scores can be viewed on our website.) Woven throughout all subject areas and all parts of our day are the Christ centered beliefs that are so important to all of us.  I am happy to be part of the wonderful moral and academic foundation the children receive at St. Paul Catholic School that is such a strong building block for future success.

While the academic standards are being achieved we also have a lot of fun at our school to keep it interesting and exciting for the children.  Some of the activities that have become hallmarks of St. Paul Catholic School are the National Anthem Day Celebration, Living Rosary, Halloween Costume Parade, All Saints Day Celebration, Santa’s Secret Shop, Christmas Programs, numerous Catholic Schools Week activities, Passion Play, May Crowning, the Sixth Grade Retreat and Camping Trip, and Derby Activities
Personal information: I am a life long resident of Sellersburg, so St. Paul Church has been an important part of my life. I received all of my sacraments at St. Paul.  My First Communion class picture taken on the altar steps at St. Paul is displayed in my office today.  I married my husband, Bryant, on that same altar twenty-three years ago.  I have been a member of St. Joe Hill Parish for twenty-two years where I serve as a lector.

I received my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Elementary Education from Indiana University Southeast. While completing my thirty hours beyond my master’s degree I completed coursework at Indiana University Southeast, and a practicum experience at St. Paul Catholic School that allowed me to obtain my Elementary Administration and Supervision degree in 2002.

Outside of the time committed to St. Paul Catholic School I enjoy spending time with my family.  My husband Bryant is a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard and served in Afghanistan.  His time away from our family renewed my understanding of the blessings that a family brings.  I love to spend time with my children Kelsey and Brad and the many sports and activities that they are involved in at Providence High School.