CT/EILEEN CONNELLY, OSU

Gerry Myers, principal of the recently created St. Nicholas Academy, the region’s first inter-parish school, is excited about the start of the new school year.

New school focuses on what’s best for students

By Eileen Connelly, OSU

ST. ANDREW DEANERY — It’s still a few weeks until the start of the new school year, but Amy Wilmink says her daughters, Olivia and Gabrielle, are already bursting with excitement — and with good reason. The girls, who will be entering the 6th and 4th grades, respectively, will be among the approximately 270 students at the recently established St. Nicholas Academy, the region’s first inter-parish school.

"This is an exciting time for us," acknowledged Gerry Myers, principal, sitting in his office in the former St. John the Evangelist School in Deer Park, while painting, cleaning and general repairs go on outside in preparation for the start of classes on Aug. 21. The excitement stems, he explained, from the vision and commitment that has led to a new model of Catholic education and brought two parish schools — St. John’s and Holy Trinity in Norwood — together.

Both parishes were facing the challenges of maintaining schools with increasing costs and declining enrollment and seeking ways to continue to provide students with an affordable, quality Catholic education. At Holy Trinity, amidst long-range planning and discussions, a small group of parents was formed and tasked with marketing the school, said Wilmink. When they learned other area schools were facing the same issues, "our focus changed from marketing to the future of Catholic education."

Named PLAN (Parents Looking Ahead Now) and operating with the encouragement of their pastors (Father Ray Kellerman at Holy Trinity and Father Tom Espelage at St. John’s), they met frequently with parent groups, principals and pastors encouraging them to work together rather than separately to ensure a viable Catholic school in the area. They also conducted extensive research into the inter-parish school model, which has met with great success in other dioceses. This model does not lead to a consolidation or merger but results in a school formed by a covenant relationship between the parishes and the school itself, Wilmink noted.

Several other area schools took part in the meeting process and were invited to be part of the inter-parish school but opted out. So, plans for St. John’s and Holy Trinity to come together moved forward with approval from Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk and the archdiocesan Catholic Schools Office. The children from both schools chose the name for their new school. Parents from both parishes met to design a logo for St. Nicholas Academy, trying to incorporate ideas about the creation of the school and symbols representative of St. Nicholas. Other activities included a children’s assembly at which the school colors (gray and maroon), mascot and uniform were revealed, and a field day and uniform "try on" night also served to bring the students together, as did a buddy system, which has given them the chance to start making friends.

"My children are sad their school is closed," said Wilmink. "But, they’re excited about meeting more kids and happy about the new beginning. All of the parents and other parishioners have been very positive, too, which sends a good message to the children about the importance of sticking together. It’s been difficult to bring two groups together, and there are things that still need to be ironed out, but people have been genuinely committed to making this collaboration work, and I think we’ve been able to set an example for the rest of the community."

Father Kellerman praised the efforts of the PLAN members, who are willing to assist other parishes seeking information about this model of Catholic education, along with everyone who helped make the vision of an inter-parish school a reality. "What looked like a dead end has turned into an open door," he said. "It’s been a long road with some turns and obstacles, but this shows what can happen when people are willing to work together to provide Catholic education for their children."

The new St. Nicholas faculty and staff, 95 percent of whom hail from St. John’s and Holy Trinity, met June 4 in order to get to know each other and to set some goals for the coming school year, said Myers, who previously served as principal at St. John the Baptist School in Harrison. "We spent some time in prayer looking at the life of St. Nicholas and praying for his intercession as we begin this awesome task," he said. "St. Nicholas was a bishop who, like all saints, points the way to Jesus. He was known to be very generous to those in need, defended those of his time who were falsely accused and is known as patron of travelers."

The teachers share the spirit of excitement as the start of the school year approaches. "This is a wonderful opportunity," said Molly Burke, a longtime teacher at St. John’s now in her 29th year of educational ministry and who will teach one of the two fifth-grade classes at St. Nicholas. "This is the wave of the future and the way to ensure Catholic education is provided for the students. I really marvel at the faith of the parents who pulled this together."

"Needless to say there has been some sadness at the school’s closing, but there is mostly excitement about us coming together," added Lisa Miller, who spent all the entire 26 years of her teaching career at Holy Trinity and will teach kindergarten at the new school. "We took a field trip over to meet the students at St. John’s, and the kids seem to get along really well. It really seems like this is going to work. I think it’s going to be a terrific year."

The start of the school will be marked with a community gathering on August 19 featuring evening prayer at St. John Church followed by a procession to the school and blessing of the front doors. Looking ahead, Myers said, "My hope is that we can stay centered on what’s best for the kids while also being sensitive to the history of both schools, because that’s our foundation. My goal is that in 10 years we’ll still be here and still be true to our call as Catholic Christians to educate, help the poor and spread the Gospel. This has to be about our faith, passing it on and ensuring that we have leaders for the future."

For more information about St. Nicholas Academy visit www.stnacademy.org.