Saint Joseph Regional School students help each other with classwork in Somers Point. Dr. Janice DeCicco Fipp, principal, says that when she asks prospective parents what they are looking for in a Catholic school, a welcoming environment, different curriculum and faith values are among the answers she receives. (Photo courtesy of Beau Ridge Photography)
By Mary Clifford Morrell
Correspondent
In a 2008 address to Catholic educators, Pope Benedict XVI referred to Catholic schools as “an outstanding apostolate of hope … addressing the material, intellectual and spiritual needs” of millions of children.
Among those children, each year, are many who are transferring from varied educational institutions, including public, charter and other private schools.
The reality is, changing schools can be tough.
One student who transferred into Saint Joseph Regional Catholic School, Somers Point, three years ago, acknowledged feeling “a bit intimidated.” Different classmates, different expectations, and different rules, including uniforms, were a lot to adjust to. But from day one, the student shared being made to feel welcomed by other students and teachers, admitting, “The work is challenging, but there is always someone to help you.”
In the Diocese of Camden, helping students adjust to the academic, social and emotional challenges of a new environment is built into the three-fold mission of Catholic schools to proclaim the Gospel, build community and serve others, which then informs school values and culture.
The process for transfer students and their families begins with a decision to apply and an interview with school administrators, said Dr. Janice DeCicco Fipp, Saint Joseph Regional principal.
“I ask parents, ‘Why do you want to come to Saint Joseph Regional?’ Always, the parents share that they are looking for something different; perhaps, a more welcoming, comfortable environment for their child; a different curriculum, more challenging or based on Gospel values; smaller class size, which would afford their child more attention; or they have simply decided they want a Catholic education for their child.”
Once accepted, students and families may find that the reasons for wanting to change schools are also challenges to be met, especially the different curriculum.
“Understanding that students come to South Jersey Catholic schools from various educational experiences, teachers diligently work with each student to gain a better understanding of their core subject experiences and knowledge,” said Laureen Brady, advancement and development director, Saint Margaret Regional School, Woodbury Heights.
She noted that among the challenges for transfer students is a rigorous curriculum that includes a high expectation for classwork, homework and a variety of assignments, assessments, projects and essays. “Class assignments come with rubrics to follow in order to enhance their personal best work,” Brady pointed out, adding, “The mission of education is to take a student from where they are, individually, and challenge them to move forward developing their skills to become a lifelong learner.”
Gerry Janansky, principal of Resurrection Catholic School, Cherry Hill, noted, “We teach our students how to share their God-given talents with the world and push them to show their best selves each day by using a developmentally scaled discipline model that supports students where they are and encourages them to push toward greatness each day. Since we weave these practices into the very culture of our school, transfer students quickly learn to see the Catholic worldview in action and emulate it themselves.”
Walking Together
“Joining a South Jersey Catholic school is truly joining a second family,” Brady reflected. “We all are communities of faith where families support and serve one another. Many of our schools have parent and student ambassadors who not only facilitate welcoming prospective families for Open House and enrollment events, but also continue that level of personalization and welcome throughout their first year.
“New families are welcome to reach out to veteran families for perspective and to help answer basic questions about procedures of a class or the school. Student ambassadors are paired with new students to help them acclimate to their new school community of families and friends.”
Children and families attend an Open House at Resurrection Catholic School, Cherry Hill. The warm welcome and personalized service that prospective Catholic school families encounter during a tour continue throughout their child’s tenure, administrators say. (Photo courtesy of Resurrection Catholic School)
To assist new transitioning families, Resurrection Catholic combines the back-to-school kick-off event with a new-family orientation. Families, current and new, have the opportunity for a casual visit to the school, meet teachers and have Q&A time with the school’s principal giving her time to “explain some of our procedures and answer any lingering questions they may have before school begins. We also work to pair new families up with returning families to help answer any questions and be helpful guides in the transition,” Janansky said.
“Once the school year begins, we are lucky to have a full-time guidance counselor on staff who checks in with all new students to see how they’re adjusting and offer support. Our advancement director also does a wonderful job with all new families to check if they are struggling with anything and gain feedback on how their family is transitioning,” she added.
The Catholic school administrators all acknowledged that the element of faith, while new for some transfer students, helps them adjust to their new community, providing students with an assurance of their own worth as children of God. Times of prayer, Adoration, Mass, priest and religious visitations, and social justice initiatives provide opportunities to grow as part of a faith community and reach outside themselves, impacting decision-making and relationships.
According to Brady, the experience of serving others provides all students with a perspective of how different life can be for each person and then providing them the opportunity to help others feel value and human dignity. “Being able to provide for those in need follows Jesus’ example to serve rather than be served,” she said.
”At Saint Margaret Regional School, we recently ran a shoe drive and collected 2,835 pairs of shoes,” Brady said. “These shoes were shipped to micro-enterprises around the world to help families create a path out of poverty. Annually, we conduct a personal goods drive to benefit guests of soup kitchens and shelters in Salem and Atlantic Counties. Boxes of Christmas joy are filled and delivered to young students in nearby schools that may not have a gift to enjoy. Sandwiches and goodie bags have been prepared and delivered to guests of Joseph House and Cathedral Kitchen, Camden.”
The experience of serving others is also visible in the work of the teachers, Dr. Fipp said. “All our teachers are highly qualified, certified and children of God in their own right. They are here as part of a vocation, givers sharing their gift with our children.”
In Retrospect
“It is always a great validation to receive feedback from transfer families,” Brady stressed. “They commonly remark about how their students had to work harder and reach higher to achieve the grades they want. They share stories of their student’s interactions with teachers and how teachers went above and beyond to ensure the student can reach their maximum potential. Families choose to have their students remain at our schools because of faith, community, expectation for academic excellence and a safe environment.”
Reflecting on today’s Catholic education as a wonderful opportunity for all students to share in the beauty of a Catholic family on a larger scale, Janansky said, “Our teachers and staff truly love each individual child, and their respect for the students’ uniqueness radiates out into positive interactions at every level of their day. Our students know they are loved, and they are supported through a rigorous educational experience because of the faith-based environment in which they learn.”
Transfer students enjoy community, higher learning
Transfer students in fourth to eighth grades from Saint Joseph Regional, Somers Point, gathered with their principal, Dr. Janice DeCicco Fipp, to share their experiences, challenges and the blessings of their new school community. Common among the challenges were uniforms, getting up earlier, being the new kid, learning cursive writing, more rules and discipline, a more challenging curriculum and the need to work harder. But, finding the bright spot, one student reflected, “The day goes so fast because we are always working.”
“The work here is much harder and more challenging, but there’s always someone to help you.”
“I always loved God but never went to church. Now I wake my mother up to go.”
“In my old school, no one seemed to care about each other. Here we are like a family.”
“Before, we never had homework. Now, it’s every day. I’m learning time management.”
“There is a greater sense of community here.”
“From the first day, the teacher made me feel like I had been here since kindergarten. She included me in everything.”
“Before Saint Joseph’s, all the kids used to disrespect me. Here, everyone respects each other.”
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