BRIGANTINE — After 14 months of weekly or bi-weekly Zoom meetings, principals from South Jersey Catholic elementary schools met in person on May 20 for their annual, year-end gathering.
The session began with a prayer service and a call to reflect upon the gifts and graces received throughout a year when schools did what many thought wasn’t possible — operate in-person, safely, five days a week. Many principals talked about the strength and support they received from each other.
Joan Dollinger said the reflection prompt brought to mind the song “Companions on the Journey.” “No matter how stressful it was, we felt we were together,” said Dollinger, principal at Assumption Regional School in Galloway.
“It was the text message that never ends,” said Holy Angels (Woodbury) principal Patti Paulsen, describing the endless sharing of information among fellow principals.
Liz Martino from Our Lady of Hope in Blackwood spoke about companionship with her peers as well as the grace to trust God and each other.
From Saint Mary’s in Vineland, Steve Hogan had similar thoughts. “We were giving it over to God’s divine providence, knowing we were not in control, especially during the planning phase,” said Hogan.
Jenn Snyder from Wildwood Catholic Lower Division said she gained the gift of acceptance, “to accept the things life throws.”
From Woodbury Heights, Saint Margaret principal Sister Michele DeGregorio said a great gift for her was the way teachers at her school helped and supported one another.
Anne Hartman agreed, reflecting on her teachers’ courage and creativity at Christ the King Regional School in Haddonfield, even when “they weren’t sure what they were walking into.”
“Everyone stepped up and showed up. I think they learned a lot about themselves,” said Hartman.
“We couldn’t have done it without the support of teachers and parents,” said Linda Pirolli, Saint Vincent de Paul in Mays Landing. “They were unbelievable.”
Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Watson reminded the group about the three measures of success he identified before schools reopened last September:
1) We are true to our pro-life beliefs by remaining vigilant about the protections we are putting in place, so that
2) We deliver on the promise of Catholic education for the families and students who need us, and
3) We protect all members of our community, especially the most vulnerable among us, from severe effects of COVID-19.
“You have made the success happen,” Watson told the principals. “I read those things and I hear everything that all of you did all year and continue to do.”
This time last year, principals were planning virtual graduations and drive-through diploma events. The week school ended, they turned their full attention to plans for the current school year: social distancing, plastic dividers, sanitizing systems, health and safety protocols, simultaneous in-person and remote learning plans, technology updates, drop-off and pick-up procedures, construction plans for temporary classrooms, outdoor learning spaces. The list goes on.
There will be no shortage of planning for the coming school year. But as vaccination rates increase, COVID-19 cases decline, and restrictions ease, it’s time for South Jersey Catholic Schools principals to add one item to this summer’s to-do list: take a break.
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