Letter from the Pastor
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January 28, 2024His Eminence chose our school to visit to thank our Principal, Mrs. Maldonado, the faculty and staff for doing such a fine job in fulfilling their vocation as Catholic educators. The Cardinal had Mass with the whole School Family and then toured the School. He met with all the students “crowned” a few with his hat, enjoyed the little ones as the preschoolers showed him the indoor snow they made, and one of them asked where was his “cane” (the crosier, or the bishop’s staff). It was a wonderful visit. Along with the Cardinal was Ms. Cathleen Cassels our Rockland County Superintendent, Chief Butterworth, the Chief of Police of Orangetown and other guests from the Education Department. A special thanks to the Orangetown Police for their security and taking care of us. I also would like to thank the parents who hosted a luncheon from Gracie Rose for the Cardinal and Special Guests.
We should all be proud of St. Margaret School: academically excellent, spiritually strong, and a model for educating the entire student; body, mind and soul. For 70 years, our school has been a strong witness and contributor to life here in Pearl River and beyond. Many of our citizens have attended and graduated from our school. So many of our alumni have become successful in their respective careers.
Today we begin Catholic School Week; the theme this year is Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.
Parents are the first teachers of their children in worldly and spiritual matters. All schools are secondary to the parents’ authority; schools help and guide the parents in the education of their children. Schools can never take the place, or usurp the parents’ authority or become “second” parents to the child. Schools and teachers love them, take care of them and even speak poetically of “they’re our kids,” but schools are of service to the parents and not their replacement.
One of the most critical decisions parents make for their children is where to send them to school. Children spend so many of their waking hours at school; schools play a significant role in shaping them as a person.
An effective and good school will not only teach them core subjects like math, science or English, but also more importantly will teach and encourage teamwork, personal responsibility, good choices, compassion and more. Added to those important secular values, a Catholic school instills and teaches spiritual realities, God, faith and church. A Catholic school unites their school family in faith and teaches them community, based on love of God and neighbor. The spiritual teachings of the Catholic Church are infused throughout the school day and through active participation in the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
According to two studies released from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), every year for the past 20 years, Catholic schools have outperformed public schools on standardized tests – reading, math, science, computer literacy, geography and history. Catholic school students also in grades 4 and 8 are outperforming their public-school peers in math, reading and science. In general, on national and standardized tests, Catholic schools consistently outperform public and other private schools by as much as 20 percentage points.
There is a freedom in Catholic schools to teach to the whole person. Not just academic achievement, but instilling in the students Judeo-Christian values and ethics that promotes the love and concern for the other person first.
I along with so many others wish Catholic Schools were free from tuition. I know Catholic education is expensive and many can’t or don’t want to spend the money for a Catholic education. Some think, we will save money to send our children to a Catholic high school, which will give them a better advantage to get to a better college. Sadly, I think those days are over. College education is another whole topic.
In the meantime, if you want to give to a good cause, donate to St. Margaret’s School. We are doing so much good for so many children and their families. What the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt started in 1953 continues to thrive with the dedicated Principal, Faculty and Staff and a school-full of wonderful children. Thank you, parents, for the privilege and honor of helping you in educating your child.
And thank you Cardinal Dolan and all of our special guests for your visit to us. Here’s to another 70!
Happy Catholic Schools’ Week.
