Holy Family students in Jamestown participate in a math unit on geometry. By building right angles, the activity helps students with problem solving and assists them in recognizing symmetry.

JAMESTOWN, NY - Focusing on the three components of the Catholic education, faith, academics and service, area catholic schools will be engaging their students in themed activities while touting educational benefits during Catholic Schools Week, January 29 - February 4.

“We are definitely a community-based organization,” said Dianne Woleen, a teacher at Catholic Academy of the Holy Family in Jamestown. The school educates students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, accepting students of all faiths.

Holy Family’s students have a reputation for outstanding performance in both academics and leadership skills. Like public schools, Woleen says the school also offers electives such as band, chorus, art physical education, Spanish (starting in Pre-K) drama and running club, and other extracurricular activities. In addition, the school promotes “a solid faith foundation of Christian values and morals that teach respect for self and others.”

Curriculum Choice

Parents of students in preschool through third grade are also given a choice in curriculum and may choose the traditional or Montessori program. According to Woleen, the traditional program is very hands on, using “manipulatives” to develop motor and problem solving skills. With a 1 to 7 teacher to student ratio, the program is also geared to provide individualized instruction in either remediation or advanced learning.

Another option at Holy Family is the Montessori program, which is based on the belief that if the child leads the learning, they are more apt to grow and advance. “Every morning and afternoon, students in the program receive an hour and a half of uninterrupted learning time--guided by the students’ interest.”

While focusing on a student’s particular strength or interest, The Montessori method also provides ways for students to learn across various subject areas. “Say a student is very strong or interested in math, they may introduce ELA (English Language Arts) skills through reading and math,” explains Woleen. It also fosters, she says, a more calm environment for learning.

‘A Strong Foundation’

Cory Pecorella, Principal of St. Bernadette Catholic School in Orchard Park, says, “A catholic eduction provides students with an excellent academic program, but we don’t stop there...we stress faith, service, athletics and extracurricular activities.” He adds, “It’s a school with strong foundations in all the areas that develop a well-rounded student.”

St. Bernadette, which has 192 students enrolled in pre-K through eighth grade school, was ranked in the top 5 percent of elementary schools in Western New York last year by Business First Magazine, placing it in fifteenth place out of nearly 300 schools.

Both schools follow curriculum guidelines outlined by New York State, as well as guidelines of the Diocese of Buffalo.

Holy Family also recently announced its new “science across the curriculum,” program. According to Principal Samuel Pellerito, the enhanced and expanded emphasis on Science “evolves from a commitment not only to better challenge and inspire our students, but to make our students more competitive in the local and global job market.” The program includes Pre-K through grade 8, with emphasis on its middle school students.

Other Benefits

Woleen says there is quite a bit of research regarding the benefits of having children in Pre-K through eighth grade in the same building. “It’s good for both the younger students and the older students...the younger students can look up to the older students and the older students feel like role models.”

Rather than making all the changes at once to a new school, teachers, and new expectations, kids in middle grades face changes incrementally. “They are in a building that they are already comfortable in with teachers they already know that care about them...It alleviates that anxiety.”

Woleen adds, “When you bring boys and girls into this environment, there are expectations of what the language will be, and how we will treat each other, so (discipline) problems are reduced.” The smaller education community also fosters a closer relationship with parents, she says.

National Catholic Schools Week Activities

On Monday, Holy Family is recognizing the contributions of the community by inviting its board, pastors, city council members, the mayor and other local officials for what they are calling a thank you celebration. The event will be followed by a concert by Bill Ward.

On the service theme, Wednesday kicks off the Blue Star Mother’s Collection. Headed up by Beth Faulkner, a teacher at Holy Family, the school will put together packages which will be sent to soldiers and military personnel at Easter.

Activities throughout the week will recognize the contributions of faculty, staff and volunteers, parishes, students, the community, and the nation.

In an era of lower enrollments and tight budgets, Woleen says, “We are feeling the budget crunch just like everyone else, but we haven’t cut anything, we are actually adding programing. We are looking to grants and other ways so that our students are getting the total education experience.”

“We do feel we have a great educational process here for all grade levels that’s totally inclusive.” Woleen says that there are also scholarship monies, like the bison fund for lower incomes through the diocese which will help families with tuition costs.

For more information on The Catholic Academy at Holy Family, call 716-483-3245 or visit www.holyfamilyjamestown.org. For information on St. Bernadette School, visit www.stbschool.org or call 716-649-3369. Both schools are planning Open Houses, Holy Family on March 20 and St. Bernadette on January 29. Those seeking general information on catholic education in Western New York, may go to www.wnycatholicschools.org.