Upgrades at St. Thomas the Apostle School

Hello Everyone,
I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful summer. The past year at St. Thomas the Apostle School has been not only busy, but very productive. The academic success, faith-based education and the safety of our students are always at the top of our list. I wanted to take this time to share with all of you some of the great changes/upgrades that we have been completed at our school in the past year, some of these items are still in progress.
• Establishing a school Advisory Board to assist in short term and long term strategic planning of the school
• Re-designed and renamed the school website: www.staschoolnj.org (project currently ongoing)
• Created a second computer lab to support our drive towards technological advancement, have ordered 30 more Chrome Books and 3 Projectors from State Funds
• Split the pre-K 3 and 4 classes into their own respective classrooms by utilizing a previously unused room next to Kindergarten. This project included constructing a brand-new bathroom this summer
• Strengthening our faculty with the additions of Mrs. Peppinghaus (K), Mrs. Kopacz (Pre-K 3), Mr. Petrillo (Gym), Ms. Lourenco (2nd), Mrs. Tasco, Ms. Gambert (5th Grade) & Mrs. Almedia/Pysklo (8th Grade). Ms. Lourenco is our newest hire and will be taking over 2nd grade in September.
• Enhanced our lengthy list of fun school year activities with the addition of this year’s highly successful “Trunk or Treat”, the continued success of the Social Actions Committee, and the establishment of the Beautification Committee
• Improved the building by replacing gym floor piping, replaced kindergarten floor piping, replaced kindergarten flooring, replaced all radiator gaskets, as well as numerous smaller facility improvements.
• This summer, the STA community is raising funds, via a “GoFundMe,” to replace flooring in the 1st and 2nd grade classrooms.
• Strengthened the security system with the addition of new security cameras, and access points into the building.
• Increased the structure of our Home School Association, Sports Association and other groups with the development of formal policies, by laws, etc.
• We as a school participated in the First STEM Fair held by the Archdiocese of Newark, students in grades 5-8 took place in the official fair at our school, with four groups going to Kearny to display their projects. The rest of the school did regular STEM activities weekly to assist in constant hands on learning.
• Our Athletic Groups held successful seasons across all levels. Yes, we won several championships, however the most important outcome is the idea of teamwork, discipline, and cooperation.
• Our Lego League successfully worked together and achieved new heights in their learning of working with mother nature and collaborative hands on work. The students in this group showcased their hard work in several competitions throughout the state, with one of our groups placing among the best in the state.
Our school is moving in a positive direction, and we are always keeping our best foot forward. It is with the help of you, the families of St. Thomas the Apostle School, that we continue to be successful. I have said it in conversations to several groups in the school, including the teachers. I have strong visions for our great school, I don’t want us to be the best Catholic School in Essex County, I want us to be the best school throughout the entire state.
See everyone in September,
Mr. Michael Petrillo

St. Thomas the Apostle School

50 Byrd Ave, Bloomfield NJ 07003

973-338-8505

www.staschoolnj.org

staoffice@stthomastheapostlenj.com