Mother Teresa Regional School, Atlantic Highlands, celebrated 10 years of memories at a year-end family picnic June 5. Students, faculty, parents and alumni gathered on the grounds of the South Avenue school to recall the past decade of Catholic education in the regional grammar school that stood as a valued member of the local community.

Melissa Whelan, former principal of MTRS, aided in organizing the picnic with the assistance of current principal, Tom Sorci. Local businesses and MTRS families banded together to supply the revelers with food, games, face painting and other carnival events such as a photo booth, bounce house and dunk tank.

Twelve days later, the final eighth grade class of MTRS attended a Baccalaureate Mass and evening graduation exercises in Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands.

Mother Teresa Regional School had been formed June 30, 2006, with the consolidation of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Highlands, and St. Agnes School, Atlantic Highlands, as a result of the Diocese of Trenton’s Strategic Plan. The school, which served the Monmouth County Bayshore region, was sponsored by four parishes: Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands; St. Catherine Parish, Middletown; St. Ann Parish, Keansburg, and Holy Family Parish, Union Beach.

Whelan served as the school’s initial principal from 2006 to 2013. Sorci became principal in 2013 and remained until the school’s closing this June.

The school’s mission statement read, “Mother Teresa Regional School combines academic rigor with a focus on the unique needs and talents of each student to ensure a learning experience that inspires each of them to reach for new levels of personal achievement and influence the world by leading with compassion. At Mother Teresa Regional School, students strive to reach higher in all they do.”

In a letter sent to parents of children in MTRS dated Jan. 15, the Diocese expressed regret at the decision to close the school permanently.

“Decreasing enrollment through the years, along with the financial constraints of a number of the supporting parishes, necessitate that closure take place,” the letter read. “Through the years, the commitment of the administration, faculty and staff and the support of parents have positively impacted the lives of students… It is with regret that this dedication could not reverse the enrollment trends or the significant financial challenges.”

JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools, noted the school community’s continued commitment to assisting those in need.

“When Superstorm Sandy hit, the administration, staff and parent body assisted with the collection of food and clothing for those impacted,” Tier noted. “Leadership in service to others was a hallmark of the school community.”