In the Spotlight

Well, summer vacation has certainly begun for most students, parents, and teachers but NOT for a number of teachers from across the four counties of the Diocese of Trenton. About 15 of our teachers are attending a week-long workshop on the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading to those who have some difficulties in that area. Mr. David Katz, from the Academy of Orton-Gillingham, is conducting the seminar. If they choose, the teachers can sign up in the fall to be part of a practicum that will award them to Orton-Gillingham Classroom Teacher Certification. Sadly, many young students struggle with reading difficulties. This experience affords teachers the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to help their students to become better and more effective readers. This is the second annual Summer Institute that has been sponsored by the Diocese. This year we are VERY grateful to Mrs. Catherine Zagola, Principal of Pope John Paul II Regional School, and Mrs. Ann Cwirko, Principal of St. Raphael School for securing funds from their school districts to finance this workshop. We hope to offer it again next summer.

Congratulations to all of the grads across the Diocese of Trenton! All the best of luck to you and may God bless you always.

Congratulations to the students, faculty, staff, and administration of St. Leo the Great School in Lincroft. They have just been named as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. St. Leo School is the FIRST Catholic school in the state of New Jersey to receive this great honor.



On May 1st, principals and staff members from the Department of Catholic Schools attended a day of professional development at St. Charles Borromeo School in Cinnaminson. The topic of the day was Resiliency in Our Schools. Our facilitators, Thom Stecher and his team from Neumann University, presented information on how we can best develop the skill of being resilient in our students. As you can see from the pictures here, the workshop was very interactive as well as informative. Many thanks to Kathy Chestnut, Principal, for opening her doors to the principals of the Diocese of Trenton!


Today’s Catholic Teacher announced the 2019 recipients of the Catholic Schools for Tomorrow Award in Innovations in Education.  On April 24th Sr. Cherree Power, C.R. received an award at the NCEA Convention in Chicago. St. Veronica’s strong vision of the Catholic faith and the commitment to put that faith into action in an educational environment was recognized by Today’s Catholic Teacher. St. Veronica School was one of three nation-wide recipients to receive the award for promoting Catholic Identity. Donovan Catholic High School was also recognized and received an award for innovations in the areas of Curriculum and Instruction. Thanks to Mrs. JoAnn Tier and her husband for joining us in celebrating this wonderful evening.


On April 10th, members of the Department of Catholic Schools had the pleasure of visiting St. Mary School in Middletown. Coincidentally, that date was also the birthday of our Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. JoAnn Tier. Mrs. Tier was presented with several gifts and the younger students gathered to sing a spirited rendition of Happy Birthday. At lunchtime, Mrs. Tier was presented with a birthday cake to celebrate the occasion.

On March 20th and March 21st, the Department of Catholic Schools sponsored a workshop for teachers in each of the four counties of the Diocese. The presenter was Stacey Leitzel from Zaner-Bloser and the topic of these workshops was brain development and its connection to reading and language. In order to maintain convenience for principals and teachers, a school was selected in each county to host the workshop for all of the schools of that county. St. Paul in Burlington (pictured above) hosted the workshop for Burlington County. Our lady of Sorrows in Hamilton was the host school for Mercer County. St. Leo the Great acted as host for the teachers of Monmouth County. Teachers from Ocean County were welcomed to St. Peter in Point Pleasant Beach. The Department of Catholic Schools extends a warm "Thank You" to Mrs. Kimberly CIoci, Mrs. Maureen Tuohy, Mr. Neil Begley, and Mrs. Tracey Kobrin for their generosity in opening their schools for these workshops.







A New Era Begins
On Monday, January 28th, Bishop David O'Connell and members of the Department of Catholic Schools visited the school communities of St. Aloysius and St. Veronica as they came together for the day. This summer, these two schools, rich in history, will join together to form a new school, Mother Seton Academy. The day began with a beautiful Mass, celebrated by the Bishop and the pastors Very Rev. John Bambrick and Rev. Vincent Euk, Rev. John Chang and Rev. James Smith, and Deacon Gino Esposito from the two parishes. At Mass, students from both merging schools proclaimed the word of God and led the community in song. After Mass, students joined together to take part in a number of STEM activities, lunch, and fun games. What a wonderful beginning to a new Era for               Mother Seton Academy!

A Special Visit with the Bishop
On Thursday, January 31st, The students and staff of St. Rose of Lima School had a special visitor. Bishop O'Connell came to the school to spend a few hours to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. All of the grade levels had an opportunity to sit and spend some time with Bishop David. The students in the younger grades sang songs, danced, and performed skits. Grades 5 through 8 had the opportunity to sit and spend some quality time with the bishop. These classes had the opportunity to ask the bishop any question that they had on their minds. It was a wonderful chance for the youngsters to have a conversation with their shepherd-a chance that many Catholic school students never have. While the temperatures outside were bitterly cold, the reception at St. Rose of Lima was a warm indeed!