​St. Patrick School Celebrates 150 Years During 2021-2022!​

St. Patrick School (SPS), a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School and an AdvancED STEM Certified School, today announced that it will begin its sesquicentennial anniversary school year with full day classes beginning Wednesday, September 1, 2021. The 2021-2022 school year marks 150 years of educating New Jersey students in a nurturing educational setting filled with rigor and balance. This school year also marks the sixth straight year that the Chatham, New Jersey based school has increased its enrollment.

St. Patrick School will officially launch its 150th anniversary school year on Sunday, September 19 at 11:30 a.m. with a special Mass celebrated by Diocese of Paterson Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Bishop Sweeney will lead the school and Parish in celebrating a century and a half of faith and learning. A reception will follow in the Fr. Ed Hinds Parish Center.

In addition, the school has set Friday, March 18, 2022 as the date it will celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary with a gala and auction at Canoe Brook Country Club. Co-chairing the festive affair is St. Patrick School alum, Mrs. Alison Pignatello and Mrs. Karen Wittmer, who has graduated four students at the school and continues to serve as one of its nurses. Honorary Chairs for the gala include long-time St. Patrick School and St. Patrick Parish supporters, Anne and Mark Armstrong and Tammy and Bill O’Shaughnessy. St. Patrick Parish pastor, Father Bob Mitchell and St. Patrick School principal, Dr. Christine Ross will also serve as Honorary Chairs. For more information regarding St. Patrick School’s 150th anniversary, visit https://st-pats-school.org/150-anniversary.

“I have such warm memories of growing up at St. Patrick School; it is home,” explained Alison Pignatello. “Now two of my daughters are able to experience the same wonderful religious and academic education the school has to offer, and my oldest daughter graduated from St. Patrick School two years ago. We feel so blessed to be a part of this special school community.”

“Children from Pre-K3 to Grade 8 are receiving a wonderful education at St. Patrick School and we are grateful to the entire Chatham area community for supporting our efforts,” said Dr. Christine Ross. “Our school continues to grow by leaps and bounds and continues to get stronger by the teaching and passing on of our Catholic faith and traditions. Never forget to honor your past and build for your future,” Ross noted.

In addition to celebrating the milestone anniversary, St. Patrick School also is celebrating the addition of new and even returning faculty members such as Ms. Brianna Blauner, Mrs. Noemia Rodrigues, Ms. AnneMarie Licatese, and Mrs. Yma Rosenthal. Mrs. Rodrigues joins St. Patrick School as an addition to the Early Childhood Program, teaching Pre-K3 students (PK-3B), while Ms. Licatese will teach Kindergarten (KB). Ms. Blauner will teach intermediate Science (4/5). Due to an expansion of the middle school, a full block schedule will now be implemented, and Mrs. Rosenthal will teach Literature/ELA for Grades 6-8, in addition to current faculty member, Ms. Caitlin Dickinson. In addition, Mrs. Cindy Doherty is joining the faculty to teach the school’s Transitional Kindergarten class. Although not new to St. Patrick School, Mrs. Rebecca Luzuriaga and Mrs. Marianna Hurrell will be back this year! Mrs. Luzuriaga will teach social studies in middle school and Mrs. Hurrell will once again serve as the school’s music teacher.

St. Patrick School is grateful to its faculty, parent volunteers, staff, Parish staff, and its pastor, Fr. Bob Mitchell, who worked extremely hard this summer to prepare the school’s Return to School Plan 2021-2022, which was released by Friday, August 20, 2021. The school is prepared to continue providing its top-notch education in a safe, secure environment. For details, please see the link at https://tinyurl.com/3kacyfwu

Furthermore, St. Patrick School has seen a double-digit increase in its enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year, although its enrollment has increased 66% over the last six years, since Ross took the helm as Principal. “We have been blessed to enroll many new, amazing students over the past 6 years. Parents choose St. Patrick School because we are a U.S. National Department of Education Blue Ribbon School and an AdvancED STEM-certified school that offers rigor and balance in our academic and enrichment programs,” said Ross.

Finally, St. Patrick School is in the final stages of finishing construction on the new front entrance of the school building, which will now face Chatham Street. All school visitors will now enter through this new entrance and front doors on Chatham Street. The space includes a new reception area and hub for the school. This new space will be dedicated on Sunday, September 19 by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. There are many people to thank for making this project a reality - members of the St. Patrick School Education Council, Mr. Mike Bunero, Mrs. Holly Simmons, Mrs. Patricia Crane, Mr. Mark Armstrong, and Father Bob.

St. Patrick School offers a values-based education for students in Pre-K3 through 8th grade. STEM is taught throughout all grades and curriculum. With several options for preschoolers, a transitional kindergarten program, and full-day kindergarten, SPS students embark on a challenging academic journey that affords them the security of a familiar community during their formative years. St. Patrick sets high academic standards to prepare students for careers of the future and the school supports students to meet those standards. SPS provides a safe and secure environment for students to cultivate their talents and where faith in action is observed daily.

For more information, log on to www.st-pats-school.org or call 973-635-4623.

ABOUT ST. PATRICK SCHOOL

St. Patrick School, which was founded in 1872, is a National Blue Ribbon School and one of only four Catholic elementary schools in the nation to achieve STEM Certification in 2018 from preschool through Grade 8 from AdvancED, a national school accrediting agency. The school is located adjacent to St. Patrick Parish in the heart of historic Chatham in Morris County, New Jersey. St. Patrick School follows the curriculum guidelines outlined by the Diocese of Paterson and based on the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. St. Patrick School provides a learning environment that embraces the Gospel values of the Catholic faith and promotes a commitment to family and community. SPS prepares young women and men to realize their potential, helps them to excel in higher education, and provides a foundation to guide them throughout their lives. For more information, go to www.st-pats-school.org.