School Notes

Posted

Elementary Schools

 

Voices of Praise, the gospel choir of St. Mark the Evangelist School in Harlem, celebrated the launch of its first CD June 9. Under the direction of Dr. Nathan Warner, the 27-member choir performed gospel classics as “To My Father’s House,” “Now Behold the Lamb” and “Perfect Praise.” Copies of the CD were given to those who have donated to support the school and its music program. The music program, a spring concert and the CD were made possible through the support of the Office of Black Ministry of the Archdiocese of New York through a grant from the Black and Indian Mission in Washington, D.C., a grant from the Raskob Foundation, a contribution from the Harlem Tavern and its manager, Faith Talley, and contributions from alumni and friends. Information or to order a CD: www.saintmarkschool.org or (212) 283-4848.

 

High Schools

 

St. John Villa Academy on Staten Island dedicated a peace pole May 12 led by Father Michael Martine, pastor of Holy Rosary parish on Staten Island.  The students at St. John Villa Academy high school and elementary school, as well as faculty, staff, administration, parents and students from St. Joseph Hill Academy attended. The peace pole proclaims the prayer, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in six of the languages spoken in the 17 countries in which the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, who administer St. John Villa. The pole’s purchase allowed for 10 trees to be planted in Africa.

 

In honor of the 70th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, a wall of honor dedicated to veterans of World War II has been created at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie. Families of students, faculty and alumni, and Dutchess County veterans (through the help of Nelson Eddy Rivera, director of veterans' services), were invited to participate by submitting names of those who served. The names and service information were organized and displayed by graduating senior Justin Buyes under the direction of teacher Antonia Mauro. More than 60 responses with some 225 names were submitted.  

 

John S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen recently rededicated its September 11th memorial. Three Burke Catholic fathers: Carl Asaro, John Giordano and Robert Hamilton were among the 343 New York City firefighters who were killed at the World Trade Center. The memorial case, which contains the men’s FDNY helmets, company patches, and pictures and relics from the World Trade Center site, has been in Burke Catholic’s front lobby since 2004. Principal John Dolan said that the decision to refurbish and rededicate the memorial was made to remind the Burke Catholic community of the sacrifices made that day. A retired NYPD sergeant and U.S. Army officer, Dolan said, “These men, along with many others, gave their lives to help others. It is our solemn responsibility to ensure that future generations never forget both the horror and heroism that we witnessed on that most awful day in our history.” Additions to the memorial include a letter from Salvatore Cassano, FDNY Commissioner and a shadowbox containing steel from the World Trade Center, donated to the school’s memorial by Edward Kilduff, Chief of the New York City Fire Department.

 

The group “Friends of Staten Island,” made up of more than 300 students from both Msgr. Farrell High School and St. Joseph Hill Academy, both on Staten Island, held fund-raisers throughout the school year including movie nights, bake sales and the Farrell Super Dance to raise money to benefit the local community. The group ended this year’s fund-raising efforts by presenting four local non-profit organizations with checks for $15,000. The recipient organizations included The Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund; Michael’s Cause; Meals on Wheels Staten Island; and The Greenbelt Conservancy.