By Mary Beth Peabody
Suzanne Delfino admits she was nervous when her son Alex started high school in September. The family was new to Catholic school education, and her oldest child entered Camden Catholic High School (Cherry Hill) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said the school’s communication made all the difference.
“We’ve been so impressed by the communication. They are very transparent and I really appreciate that. Everything has been laid out, spelled out,” she said, referring to the school’s plans for health and safety protocols, scheduling and cleaning procedures.
Two months in, the Delfinos are thrilled with their decision. “The positivity and sense of community are just what we had hoped to find. … Alex feels comfortable and supported by his teachers.”
The Delfinos are joined by families throughout the Diocese of Camden who have recently found a new academic home in Catholic schools. Many elementary schools report that anywhere from a handful to three quarters of new families identified COVID-19 as a major reason for enrollment.
Since traditional social events for new families aren’t possible with social distancing, school advancement directors and principals have made it a priority to keep in touch. Feedback from new families has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The families that have come, even from great public school districts, are floored by [our] academic standards. One family said they are grateful that they were forced to make the decision to switch to private school. Otherwise they would have never known what they were missing,” said Melissa Cheseboro, advancement director at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Regional School in Berlin.
New to Saint Margaret Regional School in Woodbury Heights, the Habina family sent an email to school principal Sister Michele DeGregorio, acknowledging a welcoming atmosphere and smooth transition. “The change in our older daughter has been nothing short of amazing. Our younger daughter loves her school days and very much looks forward to learning and playing. The structure, high expectations and wonderful support offered by your entire school community is incredible,” they wrote.
At Guardian Angels Regional School (Gibbstown and Paulsboro) advancement director Marcie Voigt said many of their new students “have found the religious aspect to exceed their expectations. We have a non-Catholic family whose child was very excited to learn about the Rosary … [which] now hangs in a central location in their home. His mother commented ‘even though we are not Catholic, the religion class in your school is reinforcing our own beliefs.’”
A new third grade student at Saint Mary School in Williamstown asked his parents if he could become a Catholic. “His mom and dad have agreed, and we will be doing a Profession of Faith, then reconciliation. He will receive first Communion at the Ash Wednesday School Mass,” said Saint Mary’s advancement director, Jackie Kern. “His mom says it is all he talks about and asks her every day.”
Holy Angels Catholic School in Woodbury welcomed the Gaglione triplets, whose parents felt their children “needed an in-person education in a small, safe environment … for not only their education but also for their mental health.” Their mother, Marla, told principal Patti Paulsen, “In this short amount of time I have seen my children thrive and their skills improve dramatically. Holy Angels has made this transition for our children smooth and we truly feel like members of this family.”
The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) has designated the week of Nov. 8 as Discover Catholic Schools Week. As Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Watson sees it, many families have discovered Catholic schools in response to the pandemic. “I think a lot of people really wanted their children to have that in-class experience, full time,” said Watson.
“Now they are discovering the academic advantages and family environment that come with a Catholic education. It’s a whole package. We have been blessed with many new families and hope they will be with us long after the masks are gone,” he said.
Families seeking a Catholic school education can visit www.southjerseycatholicschools.org to find a school in their area.