With renewed energy, St. Paul School looks toward the future
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Mary Stadnyk |Associate Editor
Students, faculty and families of St. Paul School, Burlington, were obviously relieved and delighted to have raised the more than $250,000 that was needed in order to keep the doors to their James Street school open for the 2015-2016 year. But in no way are any of them resting on their laurels.
Click here to see photo gallery on this story.
The day after the Jan. 15 announcement was made that more than a quarter of a million had been generated through fundraising activities and generous donations and that the school would reopen in September, the community came together for a meeting for a two-fold purpose. They wanted to celebrate their accomplishment and plan some new strategies that would enable the 144-year-old Catholic institution on James Street alive and vibrant for many years to come.
As school families and staff made their way from the parking lot into the cafeteria where the 7 p.m. meeting was held, the shared remarks and smiles reflected the enthusiasm, determination and hard work that went into the previous six weeks it took to raise the funds.
“Look, that says, ‘St. Paul Strong,’” said an excited young student to his mother as they walked into the school. The boy, who was pointing to the large sign in front of the building near the road, remarked on how the “St. Paul Strong” slogan was a take-off of “Jersey Strong,” the slogan that was coined in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Once inside and settled, Father Michael Dunn, pastor of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, which operates St. Paul School, opened the meeting with a prayer, followed by words of gratitude to all who helped with the planning and executing of the various fundraisers to help generate the $250,000, and having to feverishly work under a tight six-week time-frame for coming up with the money in order to avoid closure. Among the events held were an Ugly Sweater Dance, Zumbathon, Breakfast with Santa and a Beef ‘n’ Beer. Father Dunn acknowledged the extensive media coverage that reported on the school’s fundraising progress and the alumni and greater community at-large who contributed time, talent and treasure to the Catholic school.
“Everyone rallied and they rallied well,” he said. “Congratulations and let’s keep going.”
Turning to the core issues that still challenge St. Paul School, with declining enrollment being primary among them, Father Dunn emphasized that much work needed to be done to develop strategies that could help to increase the number of students.
Father Dunn, along with principal, William Robbins, said that the school was looking forward to the open house during Catholic Schools Week and offering prospective school families a chance to tour the school and see all that the school offered in a faith-filled environment. Other marketing measures to get the word out about St. Paul School are in the planning process, he said.
“I had prayed for God’s will and it is God’s will that we are sitting here tonight,” said Father Dunn, as he elaborated on the gift of Catholic education and how it that s grounded in the faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
Of the enormous fundraising efforts, Robbins said, “We have to thank the committee, the PTA; it was largely because of them that we hit what seemed like an insurmountable goal. The dedication of the parents and the community has just been overwhelming. I had someone hand me a $25,000 check at our most recent event.”
The school family has been truly buoyed by the community’s response, Robbins said.”So many people have said, through their actions, ‘Yes, I want to be part of this.’ They have told us loud and clear that they love this school.”
Even with its challenges, Robbins could not contain his emotion when he spoke of the honor it was for him to serve as the school’s principal.
“There’s a lot of love in this school,” said Robbins, his remarks drawing a round of applause. “It is truly the place to be.”
The love shown for St. Paul School and the desire that it continues operation was manifested through the comments that were shared that evening.
While Reyna Enright, a preschooler in St. Paul School, happily munched on a piece of birthday cake that was served in honor of Robbins’ birthday, her mom, Christine, told of how “broken-hearted” she and her husband were to hear the news that the school was in danger of closing.
“It’s our first year here,” said Christine, emphasizing how important it was to her to provide Reyna with a Catholic education. “Both my husband and I went to Catholic schools and we wanted the same for our daughter – to go to a school where she will learn her faith and values.”
When asked about what she liked most about St. Paul School, Reyna readily responded with “computer class” and how much she enjoys learning to operate a computer and use the mouse that goes “click, click.”
Alumni Ken Honnig fondly recalled special memories from when he was a student, especially the sense of family among the school community. It was that experience that prompted him and his wife to send their four children to the school. Daughter Kathryn is in seventh grade and son, Ken is in second grade. Older daughters Amy and Marie have graduated and continued their Catholic education in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville.
“Catholic schools give the kids morals -- morals that will remain with them throughout their lives,” Honnig said.
Sixth graders Connor Curtin and his twin sister, Megan, smiled as they spoke of the gift it was to hear the news that their school would remain open on their Jan. 15 birthday.
“This has been my home since kindergarten and we’re treated like a family,” said Megan, as she listed the various school activities she’s involved in – cheerleading, sewing, the yearbook and the junior handbell choir. “It made me sad to think the school would close.”
Connor and Megan’s mom, Donna Curtin, who is a PTA co-president said, that even though it’s been a “crazy six weeks, it was crazy in a good way.”
“St. Paul School is a special and we proved the point by everyone pulling together. Now we have to plan for the future,” she said. “This is a place where my children learn values that will last them a lifetime and where they can grow up to become good citizens. And that’s what I want for my children.”
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By Mary Stadnyk |Associate Editor
Students, faculty and families of St. Paul School, Burlington, were obviously relieved and delighted to have raised the more than $250,000 that was needed in order to keep the doors to their James Street school open for the 2015-2016 year. But in no way are any of them resting on their laurels.
Click here to see photo gallery on this story.
The day after the Jan. 15 announcement was made that more than a quarter of a million had been generated through fundraising activities and generous donations and that the school would reopen in September, the community came together for a meeting for a two-fold purpose. They wanted to celebrate their accomplishment and plan some new strategies that would enable the 144-year-old Catholic institution on James Street alive and vibrant for many years to come.
As school families and staff made their way from the parking lot into the cafeteria where the 7 p.m. meeting was held, the shared remarks and smiles reflected the enthusiasm, determination and hard work that went into the previous six weeks it took to raise the funds.
“Look, that says, ‘St. Paul Strong,’” said an excited young student to his mother as they walked into the school. The boy, who was pointing to the large sign in front of the building near the road, remarked on how the “St. Paul Strong” slogan was a take-off of “Jersey Strong,” the slogan that was coined in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Once inside and settled, Father Michael Dunn, pastor of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, which operates St. Paul School, opened the meeting with a prayer, followed by words of gratitude to all who helped with the planning and executing of the various fundraisers to help generate the $250,000, and having to feverishly work under a tight six-week time-frame for coming up with the money in order to avoid closure. Among the events held were an Ugly Sweater Dance, Zumbathon, Breakfast with Santa and a Beef ‘n’ Beer. Father Dunn acknowledged the extensive media coverage that reported on the school’s fundraising progress and the alumni and greater community at-large who contributed time, talent and treasure to the Catholic school.
“Everyone rallied and they rallied well,” he said. “Congratulations and let’s keep going.”
Turning to the core issues that still challenge St. Paul School, with declining enrollment being primary among them, Father Dunn emphasized that much work needed to be done to develop strategies that could help to increase the number of students.
Father Dunn, along with principal, William Robbins, said that the school was looking forward to the open house during Catholic Schools Week and offering prospective school families a chance to tour the school and see all that the school offered in a faith-filled environment. Other marketing measures to get the word out about St. Paul School are in the planning process, he said.
“I had prayed for God’s will and it is God’s will that we are sitting here tonight,” said Father Dunn, as he elaborated on the gift of Catholic education and how it that s grounded in the faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
Of the enormous fundraising efforts, Robbins said, “We have to thank the committee, the PTA; it was largely because of them that we hit what seemed like an insurmountable goal. The dedication of the parents and the community has just been overwhelming. I had someone hand me a $25,000 check at our most recent event.”
The school family has been truly buoyed by the community’s response, Robbins said.”So many people have said, through their actions, ‘Yes, I want to be part of this.’ They have told us loud and clear that they love this school.”
Even with its challenges, Robbins could not contain his emotion when he spoke of the honor it was for him to serve as the school’s principal.
“There’s a lot of love in this school,” said Robbins, his remarks drawing a round of applause. “It is truly the place to be.”
The love shown for St. Paul School and the desire that it continues operation was manifested through the comments that were shared that evening.
While Reyna Enright, a preschooler in St. Paul School, happily munched on a piece of birthday cake that was served in honor of Robbins’ birthday, her mom, Christine, told of how “broken-hearted” she and her husband were to hear the news that the school was in danger of closing.
“It’s our first year here,” said Christine, emphasizing how important it was to her to provide Reyna with a Catholic education. “Both my husband and I went to Catholic schools and we wanted the same for our daughter – to go to a school where she will learn her faith and values.”
When asked about what she liked most about St. Paul School, Reyna readily responded with “computer class” and how much she enjoys learning to operate a computer and use the mouse that goes “click, click.”
Alumni Ken Honnig fondly recalled special memories from when he was a student, especially the sense of family among the school community. It was that experience that prompted him and his wife to send their four children to the school. Daughter Kathryn is in seventh grade and son, Ken is in second grade. Older daughters Amy and Marie have graduated and continued their Catholic education in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville.
“Catholic schools give the kids morals -- morals that will remain with them throughout their lives,” Honnig said.
Sixth graders Connor Curtin and his twin sister, Megan, smiled as they spoke of the gift it was to hear the news that their school would remain open on their Jan. 15 birthday.
“This has been my home since kindergarten and we’re treated like a family,” said Megan, as she listed the various school activities she’s involved in – cheerleading, sewing, the yearbook and the junior handbell choir. “It made me sad to think the school would close.”
Connor and Megan’s mom, Donna Curtin, who is a PTA co-president said, that even though it’s been a “crazy six weeks, it was crazy in a good way.”
“St. Paul School is a special and we proved the point by everyone pulling together. Now we have to plan for the future,” she said. “This is a place where my children learn values that will last them a lifetime and where they can grow up to become good citizens. And that’s what I want for my children.”
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