Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate the ministry of Catholic education in the United States. “Ministry” is the key word. Educators at all schools automatically assume legal and moral responsibilities that come with the children entrusted to their care. At Catholic schools, those responsibilities are also a sacred duty.
This year the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week brings with it a broader awareness of Catholic education. For some time, Catholic school enrollment has been declining throughout the country, including South Jersey — but this year the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Camden have seen an enrollment increase of 3.7%.
More than half of the 25 diocesan elementary schools have seen enrollment increases. This year, while the increase has been slight at some schools, at others it has been significant.
“Catholic schools have been a blessing for many new families who wanted their children to be in the classroom, in person,” said Mary Beth Peabody marketing and communications manager for South Jersey Catholic Schools, “In the midst of so much uncertainty, our schools created plans for in-person instruction with new protocols to help keep everybody safe, healthy and learning.”
As a ministry of the church, Catholic schools always seek to be a source of hope and stability for families. The enrollment increase may be a reflection of the importance of that mission during a chaotic time.
The decision for Catholic schools to conduct in-person education was not made lightly or quickly.
“We took on an attitude of both courage and creativity and we launched a crusade against COVID here,” said Anne Hartman, principal of Christ the King school in Haddonfield.
This crusade included training teachers on remote learning instruction, reorganizing school schedules, buying protective equipment for teachers and students, installing new hand sanitizing stations, upgrading cleaning procedures, learning the NJ Department of Health and the CDC guidelines and developing a plan that has proven effective in keeping children engaged.
The school communities have come together in a way that people of faith can.
To make these changes, school leaders and teachers had to spend a considerable amount of time during the summer preparing for what they believed was best for the children and families of the diocesan schools. So far, the plan has proved successful.
“The opportunity to be in school at the start of every day is a blessing made possible by the incredible efforts of teachers and principals in partnership with families. The end of each day is also a blessing because it marks one more day of meeting our goal of providing in-person education safely for as many students as possible. Parents and teachers have shared with us that in-person instruction — being in community with the teacher and other students — is best for students, academically, socially, and spiritually,” said Dr. William Watson, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Camden.
Many parents, including families new to Catholic education, recognize the importance of in-person instruction, and say they trust the schools to keep their children safe.
Positive comments from families like the Ferras from Saint Margaret Regional School in Woodbury reinforce an appreciation for the Catholic school experience. “We were impressed with Saint Margaret’s dedication to education, faith and values. Each day [our son] comes home telling us about his day and how much he enjoys his classmates, teachers and school. We are pleasantly surprised to see him have a greater sense of accountability, commitment and eagerness to learn and advance his educational performance.”
Sister Olga Cano, principal at Bishop Schad School in Vineland, said she feels confident that most of the newly enrolled students will stay at the school. Most schools hope to attract more new students. “The word of mouth is out there,” said Sister Olga.
Schools are registering students for next year. While many can accommodate new students, some already have waiting lists for certain grades.
“New families are saying they would like to stay because they like the Catholic school experience. Some are bringing the siblings now,” said Hartman.
“We had 28 families join us from public educational institutions. Only two of those families have not yet re-registered for the 2021/22 school year,” said Laureen Brady, advancement director at Saint Margaret’s. “We had two families join us on Jan. 4 and re-registered by the following week, stating the great experience they already had at Saint Margaret’s.
Trish Mancuso, principal at Saint Mary’s School in Williamstown, adds that “people are really starting to see beyond the fact that we are open five days a week for in-person instruction and realizing that we are a school that offers so much more for their child, especially with our faith.”
Marianela Nuñez is Director of Enrollment and Outreach, Office of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Camden.
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