Back to (new) school for Sch'dy students

Marian Academy, located in the former Immaculate Conception School Building, resulted from the merger of that school and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In addition to its name, the school has a new faculty made up of former members of the previous two schools, new uniforms and a new curricular focus.

Rather than viewing Marian Academy as a merged school, school leaders see it as a new entity. "Our focus was the creation of a new school," said Marjorie Edgar, co-principal of Marian Academy. "This is a new entity and a wonderful opportunity."

Co-principal Ninnette Kondratowicz agreed, saying, "There truly is a new school emerging."

Reading and...

Mrs. Kondratowicz explained that literacy encompasses all the other academic disciplines. Successful students, she said, need to be able to read, write and communicate in all subjects.

Throughout the school year, students will be asked to write about specific topics. While the first month might focus on the usual "What I did on my summer vacation" essay, students will be challenged in other months to write about science or social studies.

...writing

Mrs. Kondratowicz is finalizing plans to have an author-in-residence program to bring published authors to the school to work with the faculty and students on specific aspects of writing.

Marian Academy will also participate in the Daily Gazette's "Newspaper in Education" program. This program brings Gazette employees into the classroom to mentor students. At the end of the school year, students have the opportunity to have their writing published in the newspaper.

Technology

According to Mrs. Kondratowicz, students in grades kindergarten through three will have the opportunity to take home a computer for a ten-week period during the school year. During that time, their homework is completed using the Playstation computer.

"This reduces stress in the home regarding homework," Mrs. Kondratowicz said. "It gives parents and children a vehicle for communication. For parents, it's a fun time they can spend with their child doing homework."

Extras

According to Mrs. Edgar, all of the new initiatives are the result of the community. "There's a real sense of excitement," she said. "People got on board and the ideas flowed. There's good enthusiasm."

Mrs. Edgar said the school will be dedicated to the Blessed Mother and each class will be named for one of her titles. Religious organizations are being invited to financially sponsor the classroom of their choice.

The school is also reaching out to the business community, said Mrs. Edgar, with businesses being matched with different programs in the school to bring expertise and financial resources to the new school.

(For more information on Marian Academy, call 377-7470.)

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