Video captures school's spirit

The students spent three months producing a promotional video about their school. It will be shown on cable access television and parish functions, and mailed to families interested in learning more about the school.

Mike Merges, the father of three students, worked with the class on the project. "They are a good bunch of kids to work with," he said. "A lot of thought was put into this."

Learn while taping

She said the students first brainstormed about the special and important things the school has to offer. Then they organized, outlined, and wrote the individual segments and questions, and created a list of people to interview.

"This project helped them with their writing skills and organizational skills," Sister Kathleen said. "It also helped them meet a deadline."

"The kids learned and had a good experience," Mr. Merges noted. "I hope they saw how writing and organizing relates to real-life stuff."

Student response

Melissa Garrigan agreed, saying: "I learned how to work together. I also learned how to have patience with people."

Classmate Peter Fluty found the process exciting. "I liked putting the video together," he said. "I like constructing things and exploiting my creativity."

The students all hope the video communicates the family atmosphere that exists at the school. Said Erin, "We're all pretty close. Our school is a family school." Melissa added, "All of the kids are treated individually and equally."

Class size

Class size is important to Peter, who said he transferred to the school in the sixth grade after attending another Catholic school. There were 40 children in his class at his old school; there are nine in his class now.

"This is a really small school," he said. "It's like all of the students have their own tutor. There are nine kids in my class -- and three teachers."

Family feel

That family feeling contributes to the success of the students, said the principal, because "the family atmosphere is conducive to learning."

The small class sizes also help the staff work with the individual students. It is common for the 15 children in one math class to be working on 15 different projects based on their learning needs.

Success of grads

This year at Bishop Maginn High in Albany, for example, three of the top six students in the senior class are graduates of St. Joseph/St. John's.

"Kids from here go to good colleges," Sister Kathleen said. "This year, one of our boys is graduating from Harvard."

Religious side

"Religion is as important as any other subject," he said. "It's important for it to be exercised every day."

Sister Kathleen agreed, saying: "All people are spiritual beings. To have religion in school is to make religion a part of everyday life. It's not just something you do on Sundays. Religion is part of who we are."

The presence of a Catholic school in Rensselaer gives Father Forno "great hope for the future. The seeds planted here will blossom into a community of faith for the future."

(For more information on St. Joseph/St. John's, call 465-1151.)

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