Preparing students for lifelong mental, financial, spiritual, familial, occupational and societal success is of paramount importance. Goals that involve workplace readiness, independent thinking, complex reasoning and problem-solving ability rank quite high on every education provider’s benchmark list even though school mission statements may vary.
The Academy of Saint Joseph of the Palisades in West New York recently celebrated becoming an academy while surpassing rigorous academy level standards in academic excellence in a myriad of subjects.
“Students and faculty have risen above the requirements for a private elementary school in our state and this achievement was recognized at this special mass,” said Natasha Piccinich, development director for the school.
Welcoming celebrants and guests, the mass was well-attended by local luminaries, including the Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda Archbishop of Newark, Most Reverend Thomas A. Donato, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark and Most Reverend Manuel A. Cruz, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark, who were clearly happy to be in the company of longtime friends and fellow priests at the celebratory mass, held in the Upper Church at Saint Joseph of The Palisades Parish, 6401 Palisade Ave., West New York.
Msgr. Gregory Studerus, pastor of the church, mentioned the fact that the school achieved academy status due to the students’ hard work, the teachers’ diligence, town council support, community involvement, and guidance from Dr. Margaret Dames, superintendent of schools, and Sr. Marie Gagliano, assistant superintendent for elementary education.
“I get so excited when I see former students doing so well in their respective fields and for them to take time to come here and celebrate this achievement with us means a lot to us.” – Eileen Donovan-Ferrando
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Piccinich later added, “We’re pleased with the turnout, but even more pleased by the reason why everyone came together to celebrate. Being an academy marks another milestone in our school’s history. Hopefully it will open even more doors for our students.”
Milestones aren’t made in a day
The painstaking process from academy status application, indicating interest, to formal acceptance can take up to five years. There are dues, fees and membership costs associated with the newly acquired status and even with those necessary expenses, administrators have to keep tuition affordable.
In addition to filling out a formal application, there are site visits from a board whose primary purpose is to judge the applicant’s accomplishments, a review of student test scores, curriculum, and long-term plans for improvement. There is also a lot of paperwork that needs to be completed and it’s not an easy process. Those short on patience and long on reasons why labor just isn’t their thing, need not apply.
Lauren Lytle, who clearly cares about the impressionable minds she’s reaching, is a prime example of how inspiring administrators and teachers can help shape young minds. She and her staff are credited as part of the reason why future business and social leaders at this academy tend to embody entrepreneurial spirit and a zest for acquiring higher degrees.
“The choir offered for those interested in music and extracurricular activities take place after regular school hours,” she said. “We teach our students French and we offer a balanced education. I’m glad to see that we are expanding our sports programs and since we are committed to doing it, we are beginning to see some positive changes in that area. When students leave here, they are confident in the manner in which they have been taught how to succeed.”
Success is apparent
Never in the school’s 152 year history has a similar honor been granted and the church was filled with smiling children, fortunate to be able to attend a great school with terrific teachers, with the same curriculum, all with an impressive new name.
Eileen Donovan-Ferrando, principal of the academy, said she was ecstatic to see full pews and a few of the school’s alums at the event. “It’s always great to see them. I get so excited when I see former students doing so well in their respective fields and for them to take time to come here and celebrate this achievement with us means a lot to us.”
Elaborating on Donovan-Ferrando’s sentiment, Board of Advisors member Ernest Modarelli , whose family has attended the church here for several generations, shared pleasant memories of his years as a student.
“I went to what is now the Academy of Saint Joseph of the Palisades until the 8th grade and the basics were drilled into us,” he said. “Having a Catholic school education gave me an advantage when I got to high school, because I had such a strong foundation. I remember doing a lot of projects on countries and advertising for example, and this experience forced me to use my communication skills. Those skills come in handy 20 years later even though I couldn’t see their importance at the time.”
Clearly, a communication-based skill was beneficial to Modarelli, now the Digital Media Coordinator for The United Nations International School.
The academy enrolls approximately 250 students and once was a locally lauded elementary school focusing on literacy and numeracy until last November. Since the school is Catholic, there is a focus on family life, religious truth, Christian values and living a life guided by service to God. Teachers use the aforementioned as a backdrop for everything that is taught.
Students do not need to be Catholic in order to attend. Archana Shenoy is an oncology nurse working in New York City. She is also a Hindu and a former student at the academy. She set her typical weekday duties aside in order to come to the mass.
“Not only did we learn to think independently and absorb the basics in technology, science and language arts,” she said, “we established a rich foundation while being around people who were tolerant and inviting. This is one of my fondest memories of getting my primary education here. My family loved this school and we all still live in the area. Back then there was a handful of non-Catholics who were also welcomed here with open arms. I established lasting friendships here and I would definitely recommend this school to friends and family members, because it is not just about learning mathematics and reading. It’s about taking the principles we’ve learned and applying them into our everyday life.”
Digesting the basics is easier said than done and with state high school graduation statistics approaching abysmal levels, it is more important now more than ever before to solidify a strong understanding of core subjects.
Pastor Studerus, aware of how hard everyone involved worked in order to reach this exciting new level, gave thanks:
“We are proud of this accomplishment. I’d like to say thank you to our principal, her staff, our community, the children who continue to do a fantastic job while reflecting upon this name change and while wondering about God’s plan for them. I also thank their families, because they are the ones who really put in the work. They are all special in our hearts.”