School celebrates merger's success

Gertrude Johnson, a religion teacher at Notre Dame when the merger was announced, recalls a variety of reactions from the students.

"There was a lot of sadness at the loss of their school," she said. "There was also excitement at the thought of co-education."

Going co-ed

"I was teaching marriage class at Notre Dame," said the now-retired teacher, "and the girls would say, 'I wonder what the boys would say about that.' It wasn't hard for me to adjust. It was beneficial. It gave us a well rounded discussion."

Coeducation provided an opportunity for students of both genders to learn from one another. "For what I was teaching, it was exciting," she said.

Still, there were feelings of loss. "There is something special about a single sex school," she said.

Mixed feelings

"It was pretty split," he recalled. "I had friends who really didn't want the girls. I liked it being co-ed, but there were quite a few who never accepted that girls were part of the school. I thought it was great. Now we had a 'normal' high school."

While students were excited at the prospect of coeducation, it took time for them to interact with one another. "When you walked into a classroom, boys were on one side and girls were on the other," said Mrs. Johnson. "Girls would be on one side of the hall and boys on the other. It was the same in the cafeteria. I still remember what a big deal it was for the faculty when the junior boys and girls sat together in the cafeteria. The students didn't mix right away."

Getting acquainted

Throwing girls into the mix also led to some awkwardness. "It changed the atmosphere," he said. "We were more watchful of our actions and what we said. I think the boys showed off a bit more than before. I think the girls thought a lot more was lost."

Theresa Meers, who was in the last class to graduate from Notre Dame, said, "Since we were the last female class, we weren't affected, but those behind us were upset."

Paving the way

"When the guys were around, you felt intimidated or self-conscious," Mrs. Meers said. "You felt more at ease with just the girls."

Religious life

According to Brother Paul Beaudin, CFC, principal of ND-BG, the Congregation of Notre Dame is evident on the staff. "One-third of our teachers are Notre Dame graduates," he said. "Many Notre Dame alumni are still generous benefactors."

Traditions from Notre Dame live on at the merged school, such as the annual Lady Knights Father-Daughter dance. The school also hosts a Notre Dame day; only girls attend school that day when there are speakers and activities designed for young women.

According to Mrs. Johnson, the Congregation of Notre Dame played a critical role during the early days of ND-BG. "The sisters being with us was important," she said. "The community had a presence in administration as well. The community was influential at the school."

Successful merger

"I think the first year was real shaky," he said. "The year that followed had more unity. When I returned as a teacher, I found it really did feel like ND-BG."

Despite the challenges of the early years, the merger was beneficial in the long run. "It was necessary for survival," Mrs. Johnson said. "For Schenectady, it was the right move to make. There was no way to support two separate schools."

(Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School has several activities planned to celebrate the silver jubilee of the merger. On Sept. 30, alumni and friends are invited to a football game. There will also be refreshments, pony rides, clowns, face painting and other activities. That evening, a dinner-dance catered will be held. All graduating classes are invited, as are former teachers, and friends of the school. On Oct. 1, at 1 p.m., Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Schenectady. Two former chaplains, Revs. Joseph Busch and Paul Roman, will concelebrate. An alumni choir will sing. A reception follows at ND-BG. Reservations are required for the dinner-dance and Mass. Call the advancement office at 393-3131, ext. 104.)

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