School travels 'full circle' to 40th

Excitement is once again sweeping the community as the school prepares to celebrate its anniversary.

According to the school history written by Gail McNeil, director of development, talk of a parish school began in the early 1950s when the parish catechetical program could no longer meet the need of educating several hundred parish children in the Catholic faith.

Under the leadership of Rev. Thomas Carr, parish administrator, a plan to build Immaculate Conception School was formulated. The parish raised $325,000 to build and furnish a school and convent.

First day

"The convent had already been opened five days earlier, and two sisters had already made their first shopping trip to the local A&P on Broadway," states the history. "The news was out, 'The Sisters are here.'"

In 1960, a fifth grade was added; in each succeeding year, another grade was added until there were eight grades plus kindergarten.

Keeping up

Over the past two years, the school has collaborated with the Schenectady City School District in offering Universal Pre-Kindergarten and has received a state grant to offer a computer program to the community: Computer Outreach to Schenectady (COTS).

These are examples of the school working to meet the needs of the Bellevue community. Principal Marjorie Edgar said the school offers a summer school program for children from other schools in Schenectady and began offering an after-care program 15 years ago, before other schools began offering it.

"We try to be a good neighbor," she said.

School days

According to Mrs. McNeil, Immaculate Conception School graduates have met with success in their careers, holding prestigious positions with companies like Price Waterhouse and Coca-Cola. But that is not the only way to judge success, she said, noting: "A lot of our graduates have gone into service fields. It's a reflection of the values they've learned."

A retired public school educator whose grandchildren attend Immaculate Conception, she is impressed by the school's offerings.

"In Catholic schools, you're able to integrate values right into the everyday life of the child," she said. "I feel strongly that the biggest thing Catholic schools give is blending the traditional with the contemporary."

An example of this blending is that students at Immaculate Conception still learn penmanship while also learning how to navigate a computer.

Basics

The faculty, she added, is "very professional and very qualified." Most have master's degrees; those that don't are working toward them.

Mrs. Edgar said the school is at the forefront of using technology in education and has adopted the New York State Learning Standards so that Immaculate Conception's students will meet with success throughout their educational career.

Faith at core

"Faith formation is very important here," she said. "We begin and end the day with prayers, and there is prayer before lunch. Every Wednesday, the children go to a Mass that they've prepared themselves. It's so wonderful."

In addition, the students are involved in community service, raising money each year for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, participating in food drives and making Christmas baskets for families in need. Last year, the students raised money to help save nesting places for loons.

"We're transferring values," Mrs. McNeil said. "Public schools transfer values, too. Public schools transfer civic values. We transfer civic values plus religious values."

Values

"Our purpose always has been and always will be educating children so they can carry on the faith, and bring honor and glory of God," he stated. "So what we have to be very proud of is a long and distinguished list of people who have walked these hallowed halls, have graduated, and have gone on to make a positive difference in this world."

The school has changed over the past 40 years, he noted; one of the biggest differences is that the school is no longer primarily staffed by members of a religious community. In fact, this school year marks the first in ten years that Sisters of Saint Joseph will be on staff. Sister Margaret Edic, CSJ, will teach fifth grade while Sister Toni Ann Murphy will teach third.

Mrs. Edgar said it is appropriate that the Sisters have returned during this anniversary year. "The school has come full circle, and that's exciting," she said.

(The anniversary kicks off on Sept. 18 with Schenectady Mayor Al Jurczynski cooking breakfast in the parish center. At noon, there is a golf tournament at the Mohawk River Country Club, with a banquet following at Sgarlatta's Restaurant. On Sept. 19, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard will concelebrate a liturgy at 10:30 a.m., followed by an open house at the school. At 1 p.m., there will be a brunch at the Mohawk Club in Schenectady. For more information on the anniversary celebration or to make reservations, call 355-0896.)

(09-09-99) [[In-content Ad]]