Their schools not only survived, but thrived

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. …Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.”

When Paul delivered this message to the Galatians 6:2,9, he was coaching them on how to live in a Christ-centered community. He wasn’t thinking ahead to the coronavirus pandemic of the 21st century, but Catholic school principals in the Diocese of Camden can attest to the meaning of his message and the value of his advice.

The Star Herald recently spent time with four principals and learned how their communities shared the burden — and continue to reap the harvest — by not giving up during COVID. Now they look forward to the summer they missed last year and a bright future in their schools, which remained open for full-time, in-person learning for the entire 2020-21 school year, and where enrollment continues to grow.

Joan Dollinger, Assumption Regional Catholic School, Galloway

“COVID brought out a kindness among folks — students, teachers, parents,” said Assumption’s Joan Dollinger. “We all had to learn to be with each other in a different way. We worked hard to make sure we were meeting each other where the other was.”

Dollinger said even the youngest students thought about their words and choices. “One of their masks would fall down and another would whisper, ‘Let’s get your mask back up.’ Instead of raising their hand and bringing it to their teacher’s attention, they would just help each other follow the protocols.”

A mother new to the school expressed how much her child (who cried on the last day of first grade because he didn’t want school to end) loved the school.

“COVID didn’t win, particularly in our family,” wrote the mother to teacher Marisa Kile. She admitted the family hadn’t expected to stay for more than the year, but that three months in she realized “the tuition wasn’t just another bill. It was the best investment we could be making, an investment in our child’s education and one of the most significant aspects of his childhood.”

She shared her excitement about staying at Assumption for years to come. 

Dollinger looks forward to returning as well, but not before reuniting with her mother, whom she has not seen in person since November 2019.

Heather Crisci, Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill

Principal Heather Crisci remembers a visit near the start of the school year to the Camden Catholic athletic fields, where the girl’s field hockey team was practicing. She explained that the athletes had strict protocols for practice. She said she arrived unannounced and found the team “masks on, keeping their distance, waiting for the coach. They were there to play field hockey and they wanted to be sure that would happen. Our kids just understood what they needed to do. We have a student body who wanted to be here.”

Crisci was equally moved by students’ participation in their first school-wide Mass at the end of the school year. “All the kids stood up and everyone was singing our Alma Mater. It was the last day of class. We were able to celebrate the Mass together and they were so proud of their school, they just all joined in song together.

“I’m in awe of our students, their resilience and perseverance,” she said. “The teachers too. To see the community come together was something really incredible — just a wonderful testament to who we are.“

Crisci said the school was able to provide students with a faith-based community and everything expected of a Catholic school. “We did that in a lot of ways during COVID. I think we can only continue to grow and enhance that.”  

Philip Gianfortune, Saint Michael the Archangel School, Clayton

As a principal, Phil Gianfortune led one Catholic school through the pandemic. As a parent, he entrusted another Catholic school with his young son’s care and education.

“This year would have been impossible if we didn’t all band together,” said Gianfortune. “I know it happened here at Saint Michael’s. I saw it happen at Resurrection (in Cherry Hill, where Gianfortune’s son just finished kindergarten), and at our principals meetings I heard everyone say the same thing — how we just came together and put everything aside to make this learning environment for our students. Parents, kids, teachers, administration, they all wanted the same thing and that was to educate the kids. The power of everyone united is amazing to see.”

Gianfortune said parents kept their children home from school with even the slightest sniffle to ensure they were not putting others at risk.

Enrollment at Saint Michael’s increased by nearly 23% in the 2020-21 school year. Based on current registrations, the school will grow by another 9% in the coming year.

In the meantime, Gianfortune welcomes the opportunity to spend more time this summer with his family, which also grew at the end of the school year with the birth of his third son. And sometime ahead lies last summer’s canceled trip to Disney. 

Sister Jerilyn Einstein, Guardian Angels Regional School, Gibbstown and Paulsboro

Sister Jerilyn Einstein believes the efforts made during the pandemic can have lasting, positive benefits for her school community.

“We’ll have a greater awareness of others,” she said. “I think we realized it wasn’t just for us. It was out of love for the other person. I didn’t wear my mask to protect me. I wore my mask to protect you.

“We can become very focused on ourselves. This year we just went so far beyond that. We realized we are connected with the rest of the world, that this can happen to us. It’s not just out there. What’s happening in India is happening to us. We are all related as brothers and sisters. I felt a great universal connectedness with families, students. A lot of times it stemmed from the students’ prayers. It was a beautiful experience,” she said.  From teachers, staff and parents, to Catholic schools superintendent Dr. Bill Watson and staff in the Office of Catholic Schools, to fellow diocesan principals, Sister Jerilyn said she never felt alone, “but my greatest inspiration,” she says, “was knowing that I could trust the words of Jesus, ‘Do not be afraid, I am with you always.’ I really believe most people felt Jesus was their rock. Jesus was their stability. I know I did. Lord, here I am. This is what I can do. You’re the driver.”