Holy Trinity School Celebrates A Century

A hundred years ago this year, Grand Central Station opened, America began paying federal taxes, the U.S. saw its first minimum wage law and in Wallingford, a Roman Catholic school opened on North Whittlesey Avenue.

While many might not be celebrating the income tax milestone, Holy Trinity School is certainly marking its 100th anniversary this year with a variety of activities that highlight its past and celebrate its future.

And while Catholic schools have in recent years been plagued with closings, that's not the case at Holy Trinity, principal Sr. Kathleen Kelly said.

"We have strong enrollment," she said. "I think we have the proven trust of many generations of families who have attended Holy Trinity."

One reason for the success of the school is its ability to keep up with change, she said.

"We have constantly responded to the signs of the times in terms of technology and advancements," she said. Classrooms have smart boards, she said, and computers are part of student's educations from kindergarten on up.

Kelly came to the school 26 years ago and has served since then as principal. The biggest change in that time, she said, has been the integration of technology.

"The amount of technology integration has been a major change," she said.
"Teachers are using more and more technology in teaching and students are more and more proficient starting in kindergarten."

In addition to using computers, kindergartners also begin studying a foreign language — Spanish — Kelly said.
 
Of the 222 students, about 95 percent come from Wallingford, she said, but the other 5 percent come from as far away as Rocky Hill.

Parents also play a pivotal role in their children's education, Kelly said.

"Parents are the backbone — they're what makes the school work," she said. "They are our greatest stockholder and make our school thrive."

In November, Archbishop Henry Mansell of the Archbishop of Hartford celebrated an anniversary Mass to mark the 100th anniversary, Kelly said, and on Wednesday television station WFSB will be at the school to film a piece. 

And on April 27, a Centennial Gala will be held at the Aqua Turf in Southington for friends, family and alumni of the school, Kelly said.
 
"We also have had two presentations for the children on the history of Wallingford and how Holy Trinity has been a part of that history," she said.