America's Largest Catholic Newspaper
High Schools
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a surprise visit to Regis High School in Manhattan Nov. 21 to participate in a video conference with Regis students and those from Islamic Educational College in Jordan Nov. 21. Senior in Regis’ comparative religious ethics course also took part. Blair served as prime minister of Great Britain from 1997 to 2007. He was also the leader of Britain’s Labour Party, 1994 to 2007…The conference began with students describing their communities, detailing common religious stereotypes and sharing thoughts on beliefs and traditions that matter most to them. The dialogue evolved into a discussion about why religious literacy is important…The program was part of Face to Faith, which brings students of different beliefs and cultural traditions together using digital technology. Blair provided some personal thoughts and reflected on his own experiences before asking students to comment on their experiences and how they overcome religious stereotypes. The day ended with a question and answer session with Blair.
Preston High School in the Bronx celebrated International Day of the Girl at the United Nations. Four members of the school’s Scholars Program attended a recent forum in which groups of young female activists from around the world discussed their actions on behalf of the girls in their communities. Activists who made presentations included Yasar Halit Cevik, Turkish ambassador to the United Nations, and Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Canadian minister of the Status of Women.
The students of Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers participated in a walkathon Nov. 7 to raise money for its annual Thanksgiving food drive. The students provided some 300 food baskets for families in Yonkers and the Bronx…Students from Sacred Heart High School and the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, Conn., recently teamed up on a Breakfast Run to Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan where they distributed food to those in need.
More than 40 students from Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx recently gathered with faculty and alumni to “Walk for the Cure at the Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk” at Orchard Beach. This is the fourth consecutive year Spellman participated. The Students raised more than $2,900 via a T-shirt sale, dress-down day and bake sale. Special recognition goes to the Spellman cheerleaders and service society who led the school’s fund-raising efforts.
Two students from Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx, Maame-Sarpong Duah and Thahia Ahmed, received the Michael Gordon Foundation Inc. Scholarship Award. The award covers full tuition for one year. The foundation was established in 1991 to aid children under age 18 in education, health and welfare.
Elementary Schools
Sixth-graders from St. Joseph's School in Kingston delivered 261 pounds of pasta, rice and grains to a local church food pantry last month. They had a collection throughout the school community called "Pasta Power" and "Great Grains for Great Brains.” The students made a commercial on YouTube and made posters for school hallways. Their collection was a part of a school-wide "Feeding God's Children" effort. They carried the pasta to St. James Methodist Church in Kingston to support its food pantry for local residents.
Students and faculty from St. Clare of Assisi School in the Bronx participated in the annual “Clare’s Cares Event: Feeding Our Neighbors.” Students distributed food for a great Thanksgiving meal to more than 200 families who visited the school’s dining hall Nov. 23. They carried home turkey and stuffing, vegetables and pie. Partnering with the school were its Home School Association, the Kiwanis Club of Morris Park, local Girl Scouts troops and an individual, Joseph M. Wuest.
Families of St. John’s School in Goshen collected more than 30 boxes of food to donate to Goshen's House on the Hill. Sister Jean Graffweg, O.P., runs House on the Hill, a provider of Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs, which ensure the children it serves receive educational, health and social services.
The New York State Council for Exceptional Children has honored teacher Lisa Cantwell of the John A. Coleman School’s Yonkers campus with the 2013 Excellence in Leadership Award. The award recognizes her contributions and support for education and school life of students with disabilities. She teaches students with multiple disabilities and complex medical conditions that live at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center in Yonkers.
