Diocesan News

Back to School – New Academy Model Begins in Whitestone

September 10, 2014

by Marie Elena Giossi

Local children returned to their classrooms earlier this month, and many Catholic schools and academies marked the start of the new academic year with the celebration of Mass.

On Friday, Sept. 5, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio joined Holy Trinity Catholic Academy in Whitestone to celebrate the school year’s opening Mass of the Holy Spirit and inaugurate the new academy model at the school. Father Joseph Gibino, pastor, concelebrated the Mass.

Holy Trinity is one of 10 parish schools that transitioned to the academy model this fall. Currently, the diocese has 42 academies and 42 parish schools. By 2017, every school will have shifted to the academy model to allow for lay leadership in the school’s governance.

Seamless Transition

For Barbara Kavanagh, principal, the transition to an academy has been “seamless.”

“Except for the new awning and signs, it is the same environment of love, respect and compassion,” she said as she greeted each student by name as they arrived for the third day of school. Father Gibino joined her on the front steps.

“Our mission remains the same: academic excellence and Catholic faith formation,” she said. “This (model) gives us the opportunity to grow.”

Serving on the academy’s new board of directors are eight individuals, including two husband-and-wife teams, two businessmen whose relatives are alumni and in keeping with the charism of the school, two Sisters of Mercy, namely Sisters Lenore Guirreri and Mariette Schmidt.

“They are an outstanding board,” Father Gibino said.

“They are dedicated to Catholic education, and we are especially happy that the Sisters of Mercy have joined us,” he said, noting that the school was staffed by Mercy Sisters when it opened almost 50 years ago.

Several board members attended the Mass as did Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, diocesan superintendent of schools; Anthony Biscione, senior deputy superintendent; and Anne-Marie Baumis, an associate superintendent.

Looking upon the student body, nearly 300 strong, ranging from nursery to grade eight, the bishop related the morning’s Gospel reading about the first Pentecost to the new structure of the school.

The academy model, he said, has proven successful in helping other schools to grow, improve test scores and build enrollment over the last three years “because God has blessed them, just like (He blessed the apostles) at the first Pentecost.”

“When the language of love and communion are spoken, then things go right,” he said. “That’s what our hope today is as we come to inaugurate your new academy. That things will go in the right direction so you have a stronger school, a better school where you can learn more, where there are more facilities and more opportunities for you.

“But our learning has one reason,” he reminded children, “to have our faith be at the center of our lives.”

And that doesn’t change with the academy model. Although Holy Trinity is no longer a parish school, Father Gibino continues to play a vital role in meeting the school community’s spiritual needs and ensuring its Catholic identity.

Following Mass, Father Gibino invited children to join the bishop for refreshments on the parish grounds. Members of the school board provided crumb cake and personally handed portions to the children.

Board Brings Skills, Ideas

In serving on the board, each member brings his or her own skills and ideas for bolstering the school. Parishioner and board member Michael Brennan offers 35 years of accounting experience.

Brennan oversees the finances and steps in every now and then when “this (bill) is due or that (expense) is coming up,” he said.

“I offer help, suggestions and recommendations to the principal and teachers, and they take it from there. They’re all very competent, very good, very talented people.”

Joseph DeCandia, board chairman and father of four, smiled at the children as he wiped powdered sugar from his hands.

“This school is wonderful, and the children and teachers are great,” he said.

“Father Joe and Barbara Kavanagh are a strong team,” added his wife, Doreen, who serves as vice chair. “Success is all in the leaders, and there are two terrific leaders here.”

Working with their fellow board members, the DeCandias, who run their own business, hope to increase enrollment; form committees to address specific needs, including fundraising and marketing; improve the educational offerings, particularly in math and science; and make Holy Trinity a premier academy in Queens.

There are also tentative plans to host a family festival fundraiser and a career day in the coming year.

“There are really great things in the making, and we’re very excited,” Doreen DeCandia said.

In Woodhaven

 

Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez celebrated Mass for the students at the new St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Academy, Woodhaven, to mark the beginning of the school year. After Mass, as the children lined the street outside the academy, the bishop blessed the new front doors. The principal of St. Thomas Apostle is Joseph Carpenter. Among the guests at the Mass were Assemblyman Michael Miller and Brother Ralph Darmento, F.S.C., who represented the diocesan Schools Office.
Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez celebrated Mass for the students at the new St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Academy, Woodhaven, to mark the beginning of the school year. After Mass, as the children lined the street outside the academy, the bishop blessed the new front doors. The principal of St. Thomas Apostle is Joseph Carpenter. Among the guests at the Mass were Assemblyman Michael Miller and Brother Ralph Darmento, F.S.C., who represented the diocesan Schools Office.

 

In Rockaway Beach

 

Frank Brancato calls his fourth-grade class to order on the first day at the new St. Camillus Catholic Academy in Rockaway Beach. The new principal is Sheila Smith-Gonzalez.
Frank Brancato calls his fourth-grade class to order on the first day at the new St. Camillus Catholic Academy in Rockaway Beach. The new principal is Sheila Smith-Gonzalez.

 

 In Whitestone

 

Students arrive for class at the new Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, Whitestone, where Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio celebrated the opening Mass of the school year. See story at right.
Students arrive for class at the new Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, Whitestone, where Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio celebrated the opening Mass of the school year. See story at right.

In Bay Ridge

 

Parent Gary Finiguerra escorts his daughter, Sophia, and his son, Cole, to school for the first day of classes Sept. 3 at St. Patrick Catholic Academy, Bay Ridge. After greeting students outside of the school, Principal Andrea D’Emic announced that the school would be offering Spanish language classes this year.
Parent Gary Finiguerra escorts his daughter, Sophia, and his son, Cole, to school for the first day of classes Sept. 3 at St. Patrick Catholic Academy, Bay Ridge. After greeting students outside of the school, Principal Andrea D’Emic announced that the school would be offering Spanish language classes this year.