Principal's Message

December 24, 2011

 

 

Hoboken Catholic Academy awarded accreditation by the
Middle States Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools

Dear Parents/Guardians:
As we approach Christmas and the birth of Our Savior, I wanted to share some important and timely information with you. As you know, we have achieved our goal of attaining Middle States accreditation for Hoboken Catholic Academy (HCA). This 30-month project came to fruition through the hard work and dedication of the entire HCA community. The faculty, staff, parents and various committee members must be commended for their dedication to the task and determination to persevere during this arduous process. Thank God for all of you and for your constant support in this process.

Strategic planning, creating our own future for now and for tomorrow, remains central to the Middle States focus. The accreditation process dictates that we create goals, name objectives and implement them in a timely manner. In the next two to three years our efforts will be re-evaluated. Based upon our self-study, there are two goals that we have set for HCA. One is to increase student performance on TerraNova standardized testing in mathematics, and the other is to establish Advisory Board committees to assist in school advancement, maintenance and growth of the school facility and, of course in marketing…continuing to spread the Good News of our HCA community. We are confident that just as we achieved accreditation, we will also meet the goals we have set for HCA to ensure an enriched future for our students and families. We have already had professional development workshops on the linkage between assessment as measured by the TerraNova program and the curriculum and instruction provided by the educational program of the academy. In looking to engage community members in the on-going strengthening of our successful programs, we seek to identify individuals both qualified and willing to assist in those areas. Middle States in an ongoing process that does not stop when a school achieves accreditation. The process looks to the future.

We thank all of our families for their support of the education and formation programs here at HCA, as well as our fundraising efforts so vital to the continued growth of the academy. Your cooperation in meeting your financial responsibilities has been greatly appreciated. We are able to keep our tuition at a reasonable level because of the success of our development/fundraising and the continuing strong enrollment . Please be aware that proceeds from all fundraisers are used to enhance the educational program, as well as help to meet the operating expenses of the school. As you know, tuition alone does not cover all school operating expenses. We thank our families for financially supporting PTA activities and urge you to participate in these activities with your active presence.

In 2012, we will be renewing our efforts to implement our strategic plan, and focus on important aspects of the school. This year we are exploring the possibility of inaugurating a chapter of the Junior National Honor Society here at HCA. We have already enhanced the Web site by adding alumni news. Our alumni frequently achieve honor roll status in high school and this Good News will appear on our Web site.

Accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on
Elementary and Secondary Schools

The faculty plans to include an overview of the curriculum on their respective Web sites in order that greater articulation of the teaching/learning process may be shared with our parents and those further interested in Hoboken Catholic Academy as a school of choice for their children. We are fortunate to have SMARTBoards in every classroom, K through 8, to enhance learning; both students and teachers continue to integrate this tool to advance student achievement. Our portable laptop lab makes the rounds of the classrooms as teachers integrate technology into their lessons. An important feature of technology integration is continuing professional development for the faculty; this will continue to be scheduled throughout the next trimester. The faculty participates in ongoing curriculum workshops, and math teachers will be participating in archdiocesan workshops on the new 2012 mathematics curriculum guidelines that incorporate the National Core Curriculum Standards.

This year we offered a COOP preparation program to supplement our 8th graders education in the secondary school admissions process. We have also sponsored a math enrichment club offered to students in Grades 6 through 8. This trimester our 7th and 8th graders will be participating in the Archdiocesan Catholic Challenge in the Spring. This activity measures students' religious knowledge based on the archdiocesan Religion Curriculum. We are pleased to report that HCA, in particular Grade 4, has been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Often dubbed the "Nation's Report Card", this program measures the achievement of students in grades four and eight in various disciplines. The assessment will be administered on January 26, 2012.

The TerraNova standardized assessment will be administered to students in Grades 1 through 7 in early March 2012. The faculty is preparing practice booklets for the students in each of these grades as well as using educational resources that have been purchased specifically to help prepare students for the assessment. It is our goal to have HCA reach Blue Ribbon school status in the not-too-distant future!
The faculty and staff of our academy believe in the excellence of our programs and the potential and strengths of our students. Our collaboration, academy and parents, parishes and community, make Hoboken Catholic Academy the great school it is! We are constantly striving toward improvement in all areas on our pathway to excellence. We know that we can achieve our goals through hard work and the continued collaboration and cooperation with you, parents and guardians of our students. Each and every member of this community is dedicated to assisting our students to reach their full potential. Let us renew our efforts this Christmas season and in the New Year to "touch the hearts, nurture the souls, kindle the minds and inspire the lives of the children entrusted to our care." If we can be of assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to call.

Best wishes to all for a very blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Very truly yours,
Mrs. Rose Perry
Principal