For Dr. Tami Bach-Slonis and her husband, Jamie Slonis, enrolling their two daughters in Paul VI High School was a decision based on first-hand experience.
“We had a wonderful experience ourselves and were hoping to offer our children the same opportunity,” said the couple, both alumni of the Haddonfield school.
Their daughters attended an Open House and Scholar’s Day before the family chose to enroll, a decision based partly on the fact that the girls felt a connection with the students, faculty and administration.
“We were also very impressed at the Open House and with all of the advancements the school has made since we attended. More importantly, we were thrilled at how impressed our girls were with what Paul VI had to offer,” Bach-Slonis said.
School administrators, families and students agree that an accepting environment is one of the main draws to attend a Catholic school.
“The sense of family, community, respect and discipline are values that we stress at home and want to pass along to our children,” Bach-Slonis said.
Steven Hogan, principal of Saint Mary School, Vineland, explained that Catholic school communities take the biblical mandate of hospitality to the stranger seriously.
“For our school community, the guest is considered the presence of Christ among us. We live this imperative by creating a school culture with the expectation that office staff, teachers and students acknowledge guests in the hallway by warm greetings or a smile. Guests are made to feel important and valued,” he said.
It’s that hospitality that attracts many during a school search. “New students and families are made to feel welcomed by school orientations tailored to their needs. This is followed by personal invitations to participate in various events throughout the school year,” Hogan said. “Teachers also reach out to new students before the school year begins to welcome new families and provide a student-mentor for the new student in their class.”
Such was the case for Bach-Slonis’ oldest daughter, Natalya, who will be a sophomore and member of the Paul VI High School tennis team this year. “The upper classmen on the team were so welcoming and provided guidance and support for her on the tennis court and in the school,” Bach-Slonis said. “Having a sense of family with her fellow teammates made the transition into high school much easier.”
She also praised the participation of the parents and larger community, saying, “Whether at a sporting event, a fundraising activity or another school function, there is always a feeling of community among both the students and parents.” This also allows the family to spend more quality time together. “It is a vital part of the school and our children’s education.”
With a school spirit rooted in God, Hogan said, everyone associated with Catholic education – from families to staff – is respected and valued.
“All individuals are children of God,” he said. “When children are imbued [at a young age] with an understanding in their hearts that they are children of God – who loves them unconditionally – this is the rock they will build their future on.”
To learn more about South Jersey Catholic Schools, visit southjerseycatholicschools.org.
Michael Bress is communications and marketing manager for the Diocese’s Office of Catholic Education.
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