RUMFORD — The last few years have been tough for Holy Savior Catholic School. Student numbers have dwindled, and some were questioning whether the school could continue.

But as the school year begins, positive attitudes, spurred by the full support of Bishop Richard Malone and the parish’s new pastor, the Rev. Phil Tracy, abound everywhere.

“There’s a whole different atmosphere this year by teachers, parents, everyone,” said Laura Owings, parent of a Holy Savior child and school volunteer.

Much of the change can be attributed to a successful and diocese-approved five-year plan that was completed during the last school year and went into effect just before the beginning of this school year.

“We want to build community between the church, school and community,” teaching Principal Barbara Pelletier said.

To do that, the church is increasing its community events, such as staffing a booth at last month’s Dixfield Outdoor Market and serving community-oriented fundraising suppers. They’re also making sure that everyone involved in the school has a “Holy Savior Catholic School” dark blue shirt.

“Monday is school pride day; everyone wears their shirts,” Pelletier said.

Also as part of the five-year plan, a newly created Alumni Committee has formed to raise funds to help pay student tuition and to possibly find sponsors who might pay an entire year’s tuition for a student in need. Tuition rates range from $2,303 to $3,500, less for preschoolers, contingent upon a number of factors.

The first batch of solicitation letters went out just a few days ago.

The school, along with the church’s youth ministry and religious education program, also received an endowment from a now-deceased member.

Pelletier said part of the reason for the drop in students — the largest occurred in 2000 when the numbers dropped below 100 for the first time — can be attributed to the recession. Another is steady decline in population in the River Valley area.

The school now educates 62 students from preschool to grade 8, the same number as were enrolled at the end of school year 2009-10. Students come from Rumford, Mexico, Dixfield, Byron, Peru and Andover.

Another outreach effort includes visits by a school representative to other churches whose members may want their child to receive a Christian education. The school’s annual open house, held during the last week of August, drew more than 100 parents, students and community members.

An Italian feast with fresh bread and dipping oil and salads along with many traditional dishes will be served Sept. 25.

“We’ve invited the community,” Pelletier said.

The staff remains at seven.

New in the classrooms this year are updated computers in the computer lab and laptop computers for all teachers. Fundraising is under way to provide all 12 students in grades 6-8 with their own laptops.

Plans are also under way to identify community projects in which both students and staff can participate, to add to the ones they already take part in such as Santa’s Helpers, the area food pantry and annual Thanksgiving baskets.

Pelletier and Owings expect even more emphasis on community outreach and tuition fundraising during the remaining four years of the five-year plan.

For now, though, the positive attitude, partly resulting from the assurance that the school will continue for at least five more years, is a large part of each day. The shirts help identity the students and staff, and tell those in the community that there is a Catholic school in the area.

Pelletier said she learned that some newcomers didn’t realize that it existed.

“We’ll be more visible. This year has started off really positively,” Pelletier said.

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