Superintendent of Schools Gives High Marks for Remote Learning
Michael J. Deegan, superintendent of schools in the Archdiocese of New York, reflected on poignant examples of how well students across the archdiocese are coping at home amid the coronavirus pandemic that has closed their schools since March 16.
Referring to videos and social media posts showcasing the prayers of youngsters that have been sent to his office, Deegan said he has been deeply moved by “the child who stands in front of the crucifix” and says an Our Father dressed in his school uniform, then turns to the American flag and recites The Pledge of Allegiance, “or the child who knelt at their bed and said a ‘Hail Mary’ or an ‘Our Father’” before going to sleep.
“It’s gratifying to feel and to see that our Church, our faith, our prayer life continues even remotely through the vehicle of our Catholic schools,” Deegan said. The superintendent spoke with CNY in a phone interview March 27.
> Click here to read the full article
Charity, Safely at Ursuline School in New Rochelle
Coleen Nevin and daughter Noelle, a freshman at the Ursuline School in New Rochelle, volunteer at the third social-
distancing friendly drive Ursuline sponsored to replenish local food stocks April 18. They are pictured alongside goods loaded into the school van. The school community donated non-perishable food items delivered to the New Rochelle site of the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater New York City. Ursuline families have also recently donated to other food pantries, including St. Peter-St. Denis in Yonkers.
> Click here to read the full article in Catholic New York!
How Catholic schools are serving immigrant families during the coronavirus pandemic
Principal Jessica Maldonado from St Thomas Aquinas Elementary School was featured in America Magazine. St. Thomas Aquinas, a school in the Northwest/South Bronx region, has an 85% Latino population, and Principal Maldonado speaks about how her school prepped for the COVID-19 crisis as well as how she continues to lead her 188 students and 25 staff members.
Our Superintendent Mr. Michael J. Deegan also comments on how the second largest Catholic school system in the country is kept up and running and is distributing Chrome books in connection with our Inner-City Scholarship Fund.
Virtual Home Room: Saint James the Apostle School
St. James the Apostle School in Carmel was featured in the Putnam County Press, highlighting the school’s transition to home-based learning. Principal Maura Crawford emphasized the school’s uses of Google Classroom to allow continuity of learning, and noted that the school will continue to focus on what is most important, “faith and our St. James Family!”
Above: the story as it appeared in the Putnam County Press.
Art teacher displays students’ work in online gallery
Blessed Sacrament art teacher, Abigail Lelilis, set up virtual art galleries filled with student work. The gallery’s purpose is to continue to bring students together and allow them to foster their creativity while at home.
Click here to view the NY1 Article
You can view the galleries here:
Faith Amid Fear of Coronavirus Addressed at Student Leadership Conference
> Click here to view full article. > Click here for the video!
Student leaders from Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York attended the fourth annual “A Catholic Lens” event at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture on March 12. The theme was “The Culture of Encounter,” and addressed topics such as faith over fear, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic. His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan started off the day by addressing students, and the event continued with keynote speaker Pete Burak, director of a Catholic outreach initiative that seeks to form young adults into international disciples of Christ, followed by a panel discussion, which also included two student panelists. The conference concluded with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction led by Father Joseph Espaillat.
Photo: FUTURE-FOCUSED—On stage for the panel discussion were Monica Morales, moderator; Pete Burak, keynote speaker, and panelists Danielle M. Brown, Father Joseph Espaillat, and students Virginia Capellupo and Frank Scafuri.
Cardinal Dolan on The Today Show: Even during coronavirus crisis, ‘God is with us’
At a time of anxiety, Cardinal Timothy Dolan joined The TODAY Show via Skype this morning, March 23, from his New York City home with a message of reassurance. He says that when he’s “tempted to some apprehension,” he turns to words from the Bible: “Fear is useless; what is needed is trust.” He says that our “faith is more radiant” to God when we maintain it despite being unable to attend religious services in person. > Click here to view Cardinal Dolan on The TODAY Show!
Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York Extend Closure to Monday April 20
Safety of Students, Families, Staff and Greater Community a Primary Concern
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Monday, March 16, 2020 (Haga clic aquí para la versión en español de este anuncio): Superintendent of Catholic Schools Mr. Michael J. Deegan has announced that Catholic Schools within the Archdiocese of New York have extended the closure of all elementary schools in our system through Monday, April 20th, 2020. Informed by the current CDC guidelines and in consultation with other health professionals, the Health and Safety Task Force of the Office of the Superintendent of Schools made this decision out of concern for the well-being of our students, families and staff. We believe this decision will also help to successfully decrease risk to the whole community.
Last week, our principals and teachers prepared educational materials to engage our students in a week of home-based learning activities. This extended closure now requires that our professional educators, under the guidance of their regional superintendents, continue to plan for a long-term, home-based learning experience, which will include the same religious, values-infused curriculum we teach every day of the year, utilizing innovative strategies and technology. We are committed to providing families with additional information on a regular basis.
We understand our students, families, educators and the greater community are still coming to terms with all that has happened in the past few weeks. In addition to remaining faithful to our academic standards, we believe that home-based learning will provide a comforting sense of normalcy to the thousands of students we will continue to educate as we navigate these days of uncertainty together.
Our website provides continually updated resources for school information as well as best practices for staying healthy and links to the U.S. State Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization and other resources.
For more than two centuries, Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of New York have taught and nurtured children from diverse backgrounds and successfully provided students with the life-changing opportunities that are inherent in a Catholic education. Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York currently serve more than 62,000 students from PreK through 12th grade at more than 200 schools across nine counties and three boroughs throughout New York. That includes Manhattan, Staten Island, Bronx, and seven counties including Westchester, Orange, Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan, Putnam and Ulster.
High Schools and Private Independent Catholic Schools closures are made independently of the Superintendent of Schools Office.
MASSES CANCELED IN ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
In light of the continued concern surrounding the coronavirus, and the advice of medical experts, all Masses in the Archdiocese of New York will be canceled beginning this weekend, March 14-15, 2020.
This development follows upon today’s decision of Dutchess County to prohibit gatherings of more than 20 people. It is also intended to provide clarity and consistency throughout the ten counties that comprise the Archdiocese of New York (Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Dutchess).
Churches will, however, remain open for private prayer.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, urged the faithful to remember in their prayers all those whose lives have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. “Let us pray for all who are sick, as well as doctors, nurses, caregivers, and all those working hard to combat the disease. We should also remember those whose lives have been otherwise disrupted, especially anyone who has lost income from a loss of work during this difficult time.”
A private Mass will be celebrated in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and will be available on many cable systems via the Catholic Faith Network and its website here, livestreamed on the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral website here, and broadcast on radio on The Catholic Channel of Sirius XM (Channel 129).
Important Bulletin: Weekly Updates for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Catholic Schools and Families
Superintendent of Schools Issues Weekly Updates Relating to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Catholic School Families
Superintendent of Schools Michael J. Deegan wrote parents and guardians of students attending Catholic Schools across the Archdiocese of New York with an important update and parent resources relating to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Letter to the Catholic Schools Community from Superintendent Michael Deegan
February 24, 2020
Dear Catholic Schools Community,
Our current branding carries the motto “Faith-Based, Future-Focused”. While it has the ring of 21st century marketing, that slogan has always described our mission. From the days of Saint Frances Cabrini and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, everything that happens in each classroom begins and ends with the teachings of Jesus Christ. And yes, I’d say as those who introduced organized education to New York, our forebearers were definitely future focused.
I write to you today with very exciting news that carries on the bold spirit of old school Catholic education in New York. Indeed, we are in some ways re-imagining what we invented in the 1800s.
Please click on this link to a Catholic New York article about the creation of four new Catholic schools in three of our regions. September will see the opening of two new schools in Staten Island, with Manhattan and Rockland County each opening one new school. All of these new entities, created by bringing together two school communities respectively, will not only strengthen the foundation of Catholic education but also will provide the necessary room for the years of growth we anticipate will follow these developments.
These new ventures include enhanced early childhood education as well as enriched Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STREAM) programs and curriculum that serve the needs of students of all abilities.
Please read the article and get excited. The future is ours, and we know God will be with us every step of the way.
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael J. Deegan
Superintendent of Schools
Archdiocese of New York
Catholic Schools Week 2020 Recap!
Catholic Schools Week 2020 saw a host of fun and fabulous activities and events at our Catholic Schools. Hats off to our Principals, Faculty, staff, parents and students for creating such an exciting week!
> Click here to see a photo album of some of the activities that took place during the week.
Cardinal Dolan Blesses Port Chester Pre-K Program
Timothy Cardinal Dolan finished off Catholic Schools Week in Port Chester New York on Friday. Corpus Christi – Holy Rosary School recently won a contract to provide UPK to the city of Port Chester, due to their excellent early childhood program. The Cardinal was there to visit the students and to bless the new building.
> Click here to view the News 12 Westchester video news clip
2020 Minty Awards to honor three — plus Staten Island students — at annual Dinner Gala on January 16
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Minty Organization for the Performing Arts, the non-profit which oversees The Minty Awards, has announced honorees for the Seventh annual Minty Awards Dinner Gala set for Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in Nicotra’s Ballroom, at the Hilton Garden Inn.
To be honored during the festive event will be Andrew “Monte” Monteleone with the Carl William Lesch Memorial Award for Educator of the Arts; Peggy Lee Brennan, Distinguished Alumni Award and Charlie Siedenburg, Community Enrichment Award.
> Click here to read the SILive Article
Moore Catholic High School Chorus Rehearses for Radio City Music Hall Appearance
Moore Catholic High School on Staten Island is one of our schools to perform at Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Spectacular. Classic holiday songs are sung a capella by this talented high school chorus. The Staten Island Advance went to the school to capture the choir’s rehearsal and to showcase these dedicated young singers.
> Click here to watch!
Inner-City Scholarship Fund Dinner Raises $1.6 Million
The Inner-City Scholarship Fund raised over $1.6 million to help provide tuition assistance for students attending inner-city Catholic schools at their 43rd annual Inner-City Scholarship Fund Awards Dinner! The fund helps over 11,000 students with tuition assistance each year: 91 percent are minority students and 39 percent are non-Catholics.
> Click here to read more details about the event and our wonderful students in Catholic New York’s article below.
Stacy Njimogu of Mt. St. Ursula Featured in Scholar Athlete TV Story
Stacy Njimogu, a senior at Academy of Mount St. Ursula, was interviewed by News 12 Bronx as part of their ‘Scholar Athlete’ series, which highlights outstanding student athletes. In the interview, Stacy talks not only about her accomplishments which the Academy of Mount St. Urusla encouraged her to pursue, but also about how the warm school community is an integral part of her success story. Stacy has truly made her school proud!
> Click here to see the News 12 Bronx Coverage!
St. Joseph Hill 8th grader wins annual Catholic School Spelling Bee
The Catholic schools on Staten Island hosted their Annual Regional Spelling Bee on Thursday, Dec. 12. All participants were in grades 5 through 8, and qualified for the competition by out-spelling their classmates. The winner, Charlotte Tama of St. Joseph Hill Academy, felt like she made her school proud when she won the competition by successfully spelling the word magnanimous in the final round. Cassandra Ampo of Our Lady Star of the Sea came in second.
> Click here to see SI Live article
Cathedral High School High School Teacher Wins Prestigious Design Award
Jonathan Boo, STEM Director of Cathedral High School, received the 2019 Emergent Design Science Professional Award in September at the 6th Biennial Design Science Symposium held at Rhode Island School of Design. This honor is awarded biannually to a promising recent design graduate, whose design skills and design philosophy exemplify application of comprehensive anticipatory design science principles applied throughout the design process and solutions to design problems.
> Click here to view press release
> Click here to see coverage on Patch.com
Four Cathedral High School Juniors Accepted in Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Science Enrichment Program
Cathedral High School Juniors Skylla Collado, Annette Malan, Taiana Corchado and Thais Pena have been selected to participate in Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Science Enrichment Program. The two-year internship program helps high school science students learn fundamental skills in a clinical environment to explore careers paths in medicine. The students take courses in cancer, biology, lab skills, professional development and participate in clinical research/trials.
Click here to view press release.
Click here to view coverage on Patch.com.
Moore Catholic High School Choir Opens Radio City Christmas Spectacular on Dec. 19!
The Moore Catholic High School choir will be opening for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular on Dec. 19. These 32 Staten Island high school students will be singing an a capella version of “Hallelujah” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” on the world-famous New York City stage. The choir’s fellow students will be there to support them, because the school is planning a field trip to Radio City to watch them sing. The choir is one of more than 100 student groups that will perform this season.
> Click here to watch NY1 video clip
Catholic Schools 2020-21 Online Admissions Open Today, Dec. 4
The Archdiocese of New York announced today that it will open online Admissions for the 2020-21 School Year today, Wednesday December 4 – and host six open house events at 120 schools across the Archdiocese from January through March, 2020.
For children entering grades K through 8, families can apply for both Admissions in three ways:
- Online at ApplyCatholicSchoolsNY.org;
- By phone at (646) 794-2885, between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. This bilingual helpline is dedicated to serving parents who are unable to access a computer or who would like to access Spanish-language representatives and/or translation services for other languages; and
- At the school of interest for parents who would like one-on-one help from the school’s staff in completing the online applications for Admissions and Financial Assistance.
“We are very pleased to open our online Admissions on December 4 this year. This added level of convenience – available to pc and mobile users alike – gives hundreds of families more time to visit Catholic schools near their home or work, and apply online for the school that best suits their needs,” said Michael J. Deegan, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York.
Mr. Deegan added, “Our Catholic school students learn in a secure environment where respect, courtesy, and service to others are always part of the curriculum. These Catholic values enrich not only our students, but also their families, parishes, and communities.”
Reflecting the academic quality of Catholic Schools, the 2018-19 New York State Education Department Examination results show that:
- Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York outperformed New York State and City Schools in performance growth over each of the past five years; and
- Catholic school students outpaced New York State and New York City public school students in terms of the percentage of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in both Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA).
The Archdiocese recently announced dates for its 2019-20 “Touring Tuesdays,” events at 120 elementary schools throughout the Archdiocese of New York. The remaining 2020 dates are: January 7, January 28 (Catholic Schools Week), February 11, February 18, March 3 and March 24, from 9-11am, or by appointment.
Touring Tuesday and private school tour bookings can be made online at https://catholicschoolsny.org/visit-a-school, or by calling our bilingual helpline, 646-794-2885.
St John School Kingsbridge Helps Pay Tuition for Student Who Lost All in House Fire
When a fire ravaged a St. John’s School of Kingsbridge student’s home, principal Melissa Moore stepped in. With the help of Inner-City Scholarship Fund, the majority of this student’s tuition was covered, and young Sachila is able to stay at the school he calls home. This is a heartwarming story of how Catholic schools step in when students and families need it most.
Click here to view the Bronx News 12 Coverage
Staten Island’s St. Adalbert School Students Welcome Veterans at Annual Breakfast
Students at St. Adalbert School in Staten Island hosted their Annual pre-Veterans Day breakfast and assembly for over 100 veterans and their families last Wednesday. The students gifted handmade cards and hearts to the veterans, performed patriotic songs, and took part in the White Table Ceremony — a remembrance of Veterans who are missing in action or held as prisoners of war.
> Click here to read the full article and photo gallery by Staten Island Advance
MAP Assessments Help Raise Test Scores
Dr. Susan Miller, Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Staff Development, speaks with NWEA about the specific strategies we employed to improve the New York State Proficiency Test Scores for Catholic Schools across the Archdiocese of New York in Math and English/Language/Arts every year for the last five years. We implemented a targeted approach to instructing our students through the use of NWEA’s MAPGrowth assessment tools, which help pinpoint learning strengths and barriers for each child. We review the assessments, and tailor our teaching methods, and partnerships between teachers and parents, to help each student advance academically.
> Click here to read the full article.