Students at Saint Teresa Regional School, Runnemede, present a gift basket to Marianne Tranchitella, PreK3 aide. During the week of May 3, families expressed their gratitude to teachers, administrators and staff at Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Camden for their dedication and hard work this year. (Dave Hernandez)
The week of May 3 saw an outpouring of love and appreciation for teachers, principals and staff — the “Rock Stars” — in South Jersey Catholic Schools. It was a chance for families to express their gratitude for all those who have made it possible for students to learn in person, five full days a week, since Sept. 8, 2020.
“Many of our advancement directors told us that parents kept asking what they could do for teachers. With the pandemic, parents haven’t really been able to come into the schools,” said Marianela Nuñez, Director of Enrollment and Outreach for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Camden. “So we came up with the idea to have a diocesan-wide surprise party and picked May 4, which was National Teacher Appreciation Day. The diocese provided a banner for every school, and the plan was for each school to come up with their own way to roll out the red carpet and celebrate their rock stars.”
A teacher visits an ice cream truck at Resurrection Regional School, Cherry Hill (Dave Hernandez)
Nuñez said school advancement directors worked with their parent organizations, and many teams planned an entire week of surprises for teachers, while also recognizing principals and staff members. Balloons, streamers and signs, cheering students, gift bags and gift cards, roving snack carts, decorated doormats, food trucks, commemorative awards, letters and cards from students and parents, and special meals were among the countless ways families expressed their gratitude.
“None of it would have been possible if parents weren’t so supportive,” said Chrissi DeCastro, homeroom parent coordinator at Saint Rose of Lima School in Haddon Heights. “It’s like a baby tornado. One Facebook post and everyone jumps in.”
DeCastro said she received a lot of emails and texts from parents thanking the PTA for giving them a way to honor teachers.
At Resurrection Catholic School in Cherry Hill, teacher Anastasia Caria was thrilled to be on the receiving end, “We have the best parents in the world. … They make us feel appreciated all the time,” she said. “We really are just a big family.”
In a Facebook video message, Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Watson thanked teachers for their “outstanding efforts” as well. “For 135 days [our teachers] have given their all, to students who are in the classroom and who are joining the class online. They have maintained and sustained Catholic school education across the diocese,” he said.
The celebration came with about a month left in the current school year — a boost for teachers in the home stretch.
“It’s nice to see teachers so happy, after all they have given us,” said DeCastro. We’re grateful every year, but especially this year.”