As school bells rang once again in the halls of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton, signaling the return to learning in community, teachers, students and administrators were greeted with myriad positive changes that will impact the quality of their daily academic experience.
From exterior and interior enhancements to programming upgrades and meaningful celebrations of Catholic and cultural significance, the atmosphere signals to the tens of thousands of students served by the 35 Catholic schools in the Diocese that schools prioritize educating the whole student. At the heart of each parish community is the support of Catholic school families, which foster the faith lived at home in their “domestic churches,” and bring that faith with them to school.
Academic Advances
Keeping Catholic schools apace with and even ahead of their competitors has been a constant goal in the Diocese, and this year is no exception.
Much of the program updates have been centered around science, technology, engineering and math – STEM.
St. Gregory the Great School, Hamilton Square, will introduce a new math resource program this school year following one that had been in place for more than 25 years. Meanwhile, St. Joan of Arc School in Marlton will build on its brain-compatible learning applications through STREAM (STEM with Religion and Arts), including monthly school-wide activities on a variety of topics.
Another supplemental program, Freckle by Renaissance, is being implemented at Holy Cross Academy, Rumson. The product aligns closely with Renaissance’s STAR test to help with student achievement.
St. Rose of Lima will launch a new robotics program this year, “giving our students hands-on opportunities to explore STEM in innovative ways,” said principal Kathy Leonetti.
A student-facing 3D printing curriculum will be introduced in St. Paul School, Princeton, offering “a dynamic opportunity to expand our academic offerings, attract new students and prepare learners for the challenges of tomorrow,” school officials explained. “Science and math teachers will collaborate to print 3D parabolas and more advanced figures generated by graphing calculators, [which] students would learn how to input.”
Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Moorestown, will partner with EmpowerEd – an after-school opportunity for students to receive targeted support with instructional skills and social development.
“EmpowerEd will also support OLGC’s admissions and retention by helping children meet academic expectations while continuing to thrive within their Catholic school community,” school leaders said.
A theater program for students in second through fifth grades is also being introduced at OLGC, allowing children to explore more opportunities in the performing arts. Already collaborating with Triple Threat Theater for its upper grade spring play, the school will further utilize their staffing and help to develop this program.
Father Michael Lankford, pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Rumson, was on hand to greet students on their first day of school. Mike Ehrmann photo
MICHAEL EHRMANN
Renovations and Updates
Summer was anything but downtime, as many schools took the opportunity of empty buildings to refurbish and improve physical aspects of their properties.
Some changes helped to make schools “greener,” such as an energy-efficient boiler system and eco-friendly dishwasher in St. Benedict School, Holmdel, as well as energy-efficient lighting replacement throughout the building of St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold.
Additional improvements in St. Rose included a recess equipment shed installed by parent volunteers, revamped student store and gymnasium, and new mural in progress. St. Benedict installed new sidewalks and drainage systems, as well as updated its gym, playground, building façade and gutters, and has initiated a personalized brick campaign in which patrons can honor their family, loved ones or create a memorial with a brick in a sidewalk pathway approaching the school’s entrance.
Other physical upgrades will assist with academics, like the transformation of an underutilized area into a literacy and leadership space in Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Asbury Park.
“This area will support small group reading sessions for our English Language Learners and Comp Ed students,” school officials reported, “while serving as a site for mentorship and storytelling activities led by Trinity Hall student volunteers. The goal is to foster a love of reading, improve literacy skills and build meaningful relationships.”
Likewise, St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, has developed a student-facing, multipurpose Media and Learning Center for Pre-K through eighth grade that will blend traditional literacy with modern digital learning.
“Our renovated space will offer our students daily access to books and quiet reading zones, alongside hands-on experiences with multimedia tools such as 3D printers, green screens, laptops, and smart boards,” school leadership shared. “The center will be used during the school day for integrated classroom instruction and will also host afterschool and summer enrichment programs focused on STEM, digital media, and academic support to empower students to explore, create, and thrive across academic areas in a technology-rich environment.”
On the horizon for St. Benedict is a new music room, with the project currently awaiting final permit approvals of designs already completed by architects and engineers.
“We are making great progress,” said school officials. “We can’t wait to give our students a space where their musical talents can truly flourish.”
After nearly a year of fundraising and repairs, Sacred Heart School, Mount Holly, celebrated the grand re-opening of its newly renovated library Aug. 27. Upgrades included new paint, carpeting, lighting, ceiling fans and flexible furniture.
Diocesan grants further assisted with roof and sidewalk replacement, as well as the purchase of a video production pod complete with a green screen, iPads, video cameras and an audio mixer. The multimedia station will serve as the home for the school’s Charger Nation TV channel.
“The library now serves as a vital center for everything from student classes and PTA meetings to various church committees,” said principal Joanna Barlow. “We eagerly anticipate welcoming our Sacred Heart family back to this revitalized space, which will be a center for learning, discovery and connection for years to come.”
Living Faith and Culture
Ever an indispensable facet of the Catholic school experience is the exercise of faith and service in the community.
The fall will see St. Ann School students and faculty participating in the Lawrenceville parish’s Multicultural Parish Picnic on Sept. 14, representing the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and alumni for their dedication to both service and community engagement,” said principal Ameriquin Dalmasy-Laccetti.
The festival will kick off the school’s recognition of Hispanic Heritage month, highlighting the school community’s diverse backgrounds; events like these “demonstrate the spirit of our school and lay a wonderful foundation for the academic year ahead,” Dalmasy-Laccetti said.
St. Rose of Lima looks forward to offering Hallow, the Catholic prayer and meditation app, to all its families and students, “supporting them in deepening their prayer life both at school and at home,” Leonetti said.
Active participation in parish and community life, she continued, will also be key. “From attending parish Masses and hosting food drives … to preparing for our Catholic Schools Week Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., our children will live their faith in tangible, joyful ways.”
