Opinion: The Importance of St. Peter's School to Belleville

This year’s Catholic Schools Week will be observed through this Friday, Feb. 3. It isa week in which we reflect on the positive influences of Catholic education on the life of our families and in our specific case, the Township of Belleville. Here at St. Peter’s, it is also a time for parents of elementary school students to consider the option of sending their children to our parochial school.

St. Peter’s School has been around since 1877, and has educated and formed generations of parishioners and residents of Belleville. I am always touched when speaking to alumni of the schoolwho have since moved away from the area, especially when they return for weddings and funerals of relatives, upon hearing of the love they still carry in their hearts for St. Peter’s School. Many speak with an enormous nostalgia of the happy years they spent here.

Today sociologists speak of the “Social Capital” that students acquire by attending parochial schools. It goes beyond the academic knowledge that is imparted by any kind of school. The parish school easily becomes a community, or a “home away from home” not only for the students, but also for the parents. Parents who choose a Catholic school for their children not only seek a quality education, but also one in which the truths and values that they consider important (love of God and neighbor, solidarity with the underprivileged, respect towards authority), are transmitted. The nurturing environment of a Catholic school helps students be more concerned about the needs of others, and also greatly helps thembecome leaders in society. This sense of community is evident not only during school hours, but also in extra-curricular activities, such as sporting events.

In these hard economic times, public schooling becomes the most enticing option for most parents, andthis is definitely understandable. Yet Catholic Schools have a very important role to play in the life of aparticular town at large. Imagine the burden on the people of Belleville if, let’s say, a parochial school like St. Peter’s were to shut down and all its students with a 07109 zip code were to suddenly transferto public schools. With public education being much more costly than parochial schools, property taxes would skyrocket for all home-owners. And the motivation for public schools to succeed would decrease. It is therefore in everyone’s (I repeat, everyone’s) interest that parochial schools thrive.

I heartily invite parents and inquirers to visit St. Peter’s School during this Catholic Schools Week. Prospective parents are invited to an Open House to be held on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. Throughout the coming week, our principal, Mrs. Phyllis Sisco, the teachers and the students will be very happy to give a tour of the school to anyway interested.

Alumni of the School are more than welcome to return and reminisce about the happy years spent at St.Peter’s School. Some graduation classes – as the ’61 and ’71 classes did just recently – like to celebrate their anniversaries with a visit to the school. Some are also considering ways of helping St. Peter’s School continue to educate and form our future generations of students.

Fr. Ivan Sciberras is the Pastor at St. Peter’s Church and School, located at 152 William St. He can be reached at 973-751-2002 or pastor@spbnj.org