Public schools, Arts Team receive arts grant
Jersey City Public Schools and the Educational Arts Team are the recipients of a three-year federal grant award of $750,000 from the United States Department of Education’s Arts in Education Model Development and Dissemination Program, for a Theater Arts Infusion Project. The grant was one of 14 awarded nationally out of 140 applicants.
The Educational Arts Team in conjunction with Jersey City Public School’s Visual and Performing Arts Department will carry out the three-year program. Researchers from Seton Hall University will conduct independent research into the effectiveness of the program.
The Theater Arts Infusion Project will assemble strategies and develop lesson plans infusing theater arts standards into language arts and social studies curriculums for fourth and fifth graders.
Some products of the Theater Arts Infusion Project include an Applied Lessons and Integrated Theater Arts Techniques Handbook, Training Guide, and Training Video Tapes and CDs that will be disseminated nationally after the third year.
Music teacher named Nonpublic Teacher of Year
Joseph Napoli, music teacher at St. Dominic Academy and director of the school’s Glee Club, has been named the Teacher of the Year for New Jersey’s non-public schools.
In a ceremony at the New Jersey Department of Education in Trenton in October of 2005, Napoli was formally recognized as the 13th annual Non-public School Teacher of the Year.
A graduate of St. Peter’s College with a Master of Arts degree from New York University, Napoli has studied in the field of choral conducting and voice at Westminster Choir College, Columbia University, The Juilliard School, and Mannes Conservatory of Music.
Napoli has spent 27 years at St. Dominic Academy, where he has built a nationally recognized choral program. Napoli was also scheduled to make his Carnegie Hall singing debut on Feb. 19.
Also, the sounds of St. Dominic’s Alumnae Choir, under Napoli’s direction, will be heard along with choruses from across the country as they perform Mozart’s Requiem at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 4 at 8:30 p.m. It will be the group’s second appearance at Carnegie Hall.
For tickets, visit www.carnegiehall.org or call Carnegie Charge at (212) 247-7800.
Menendez recognized for community colleges support
New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez was the keynote speaker at the recent Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Seminar New Jersey Delegation Breakfast in Washington, D.C.
Following his address, Menendez was presented with a plaque from the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) in appreciation for his support of the state’s community colleges.
Attending along with Menendez were Dr. Glen Gabert, president of Hudson County Community College, and Dr. Richard Wellbrock, NJCCC Council chairman.
Soccer and more to be offered at summer camp
This summer, Waterfront Montessori will combine forces with Jersey City’s Soccer Learning Center to offer a sports-intensive full-day summer camp program to children from 3 to 10 years old.
Coach Alex Lalaoui, founder of the Soccer Learning Center, will direct the soccer and other sports programs offered at the school’s Summer Camp, which begins in mid-June. The school will provide music, art, dance, karate and swim activities to round out the campers’ days.
For information about the Waterfront Montessori Summer Camp, call (201) 333-5600 or e-mail info@waterfrontmontessori.com.
Accreditation and new programs at The OLC School
Little Harbor Academy, the Early Childhood Program at The Our Lady of Czestochowa School, now includes a Montessori Toddler Program. The school’s 2-year-olds will now join the rest of the school, which comprises pre-kindergarten and third through eighth grades.
In November of 2005, The OLC School received accreditation from the Middle States Association. Such a distinction challenges the school to continue to provide quality, value-centered, faith-filled academic education.
The OLC School has served the Jersey City waterfront community for more than 77 years. The school’s curriculum encompasses enrichment classes for the entire school body, honor classes for the middle school, and after-school classes in athletics, arts, dance, drama and music.
Student attends law program in Washington, D.C.
St. Dominic Academy Senior Jessica Ruge was chosen to attend the Presidential Classroom’s “Law and Justice in a Democracy Program” in Washington, D.C. from March 11 to March 18.
Jessica, who was awarded a $600 scholarship to attend the program, was given the opportunity to explore the federal legal system and issues of freedom and order in a democratic society.
Presidential Classroom prepares young leaders for responsible citizenship and provides the opportunity to explore the political process firsthand.
Hudson Catholic unveils new logos
Hudson Catholic Regional High School recently unveiled two new school logos – one corporate and one for its extracurricular programs.
“We wanted to develop something that was singularly Hudson Catholic and reflected the elements of a Hudson Catholic educational experience,” said Terry Matthews, director of Public Relations for Hudson Catholic.
The school commissioned two designs with the advertising firm of Regan Campbell Ward.
“Our corporate logo reflects the educational mission of our Lasallian School and the future success of our graduates as they move forward on the path of life,” Matthews said.
Matthews also said the logo for the school’s extracurricular programs symbolizes “the strength and character of our students as they represent the school in sports and activities.”
Hudson Catholic Regional High School is a college preparatory school that boasts 100 percent college acceptance for its graduates, championship athletics, and extensive extracurricular opportunities.
For more information, visit www.hudsoncatholic.org.
New leadership at St. Peter’s Prep
Completing a 12-year tenure as president of Saint Peter’s Preparatory School, Rev. James F. Keenan, S.J., will step down in July to begin a sabbatical, followed by a new assignment. The Prep Boards of Trustees has named Rev. Robert E. Reiser, S.J., as his successor.
A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Reiser, 41, brings to the position a background that includes educational administration, ministry at Jesuit institutions, and a professional career in accounting.
Keenan’s years at St. Peter’s have been marked by expansion of the physical plant, growth in enrollment, and the successful completion of two capital fundraising efforts.
With a student body of 921 boys representing 107 communities in New Jersey, plus New York City, St. Peter’s is in its 109th year as New Jersey’s only Jesuit secondary school.
HCCC Culinary Arts building nears completion
One of the largest ongoing projects at Hudson County Community College, a new $25 million five-story building for its renowned Culinary Arts Institute that broke ground in 2004, is nearing completion. Classes have begun in the new space, and the entire project is expected to wrap up this year.
The new culinary arts facility includes production and line kitchens, an ice sculpture/meat and fish carving studio, and a working model of a hotel front desk and guest suite. The project could double enrollment in the culinary arts program, college officials said.
Culinary classes are available to full- or part-time students as well as local residents. The college offers numerous non-credit continuing education courses throughout the year.
HCCC is a two-year college offering a range of Associates degrees and certification programs.
SPC begins new biotech, theatre arts programs
Starting in September, the Jersey City campus of St. Peter’s College will offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The Englewood Cliffs campus has offered the program since 1981.
Also this September, the college will start a new biotechnology program, thanks to two federal grants totaling nearly $1 million.
The grants will go toward a greenhouse on top of Gannon Hall that is now under construction, a tissue-culture lab, upgrading two current labs, and purchasing new microscopes and state-of-the-art genetics and histology equipment.
Plus, the college’s Department of Fine Arts launched a new Theatre Arts Minor program this spring.