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SCHENECTADY SCHOOL

St. Helen's welcomes first lay principal

A positive experience as a student at St. Pius X School in Loudonville led Jennifer Chatain to her new job as principal of St. Helen's School in Niskayuna.

"I went to Catholic school," she explained. "My experience at St. Pius School was positive. I believe in Catholic education."

Ms. Chatain started her new job as principal in May. She is the first lay principal of the school. She replaces Sister Anne Marie Glenn, PBVM, who was out on medical leave and is retiring this month. 

Previously, Ms. Chatain was assistant principal at the Albany Prep Charter School. 

She noted that the charter school is located in the former St. James School building in Albany. She has taught in public schools in Albany and Troy, and in North Carolina. The mother of a two-year-old, she also enjoys running.

Perfect fit
When she learned of the opportunity at St. Helen's, Ms. Chatain was eager to apply because of her desire to work in a Catholic school. During the interview process, she was impressed by the teaching staff and hoped she would get the opportunity to work with them.

As soon as Ms. Chatain achieved her goal, she and the staff began making plans for the next academic year: "We're full throttle," she remarked.

St. Helen's will offer a new readers and writers workshop in the fall and is offering full-day pre-Kindergarten, as well.

Rev. Robert Longobucco, pastor of St. Helen's parish, said Ms. Chatain's enthusiasm is an asset to the school. 

"I want people to meet her," he told The Evangelist. "I want them to see her vision, dreams and energy."

The new principal has been spending a lot of time getting to know the families. 

She's made herself available for breakfast meetings and after-school activities.

Ms. Chatain is already impressed with the achievements of the students. "One hundred percent of our fourth-graders passed the New York State English/language arts test," she boasted.

In addition to being academically strong, Ms. Chatain has been impressed with the community feeling at St. Helen's as well as the spirituality: There are monthly school-wide Masses, and each class has the opportunity to attend daily Mass.

Sisters' legacy
Father Longobucco credits the Sisters of the Presentation for St. Helen's strong faith community. Although the sisters will conclude 53 years of staffing the school at the end of June, he said, "In my mind, the Sisters of the Presentation will never leave us. What they've given us runs too deep. It's a rich legacy."

Part of this legacy, Ms. Chatain added, is that the staff sees each child as an individual. 

"What we're here to do is serve children and families," she said. "We pay attention to what each child needs."

As the school transitions to a lay principal, Father Longobucco is confident it will continue to thrive. "We have a great school based on our Catholic values," he stated.

(06/18/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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