Catholic principals, teachers welcome three new Archdiocese Office of Schools top leaders
Preparations for the 2022-23 school year were already in full swing at the Archdiocese of Newark during the last weeks of August. New and returning teachers, principals, and school leaders from across the archdiocese’s four counties gathered to meet, collaborate, and discuss preparations for the upcoming school year.
“It was wonderful to connect and join in prayer, reflection, and discussion in preparation for the new school year,” said Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “Our meetings focused on the mission of Catholic schools and the importance of strong faith formation and academic excellence. Our Office of Catholic Schools staff strived to make the meetings relevant and helpful for school leaders and teachers to best support their efforts in providing the highest quality of Catholic education to our new and returning students.”
New principals orientation
The Office of Catholic Schools hosted a two-day orientation at the Archdiocesan Center for new school leaders. Orientation included presentations from leaders of archdiocesan departments, including the Office of Schools, Catechetical Office, School Business Services, and Department for the Protection of the Faithful.
“I am looking forward to getting to know all the students of SCS. I look forward to helping them grow academically and in their relationship with the Lord,” said Colleen McElroy, the newly appointed principal of St. Catherine of Siena School in Cedar Grove.
Catechesis, curriculum, instruction, assessment, scheduling, finances, and managing a safe school environment were among the topics discussed. The orientation also featured a “Principals’ Panel” led by experienced archdiocesan principals, who offered insight to their peers by sharing valuable advice and answering questions.
“I found the principals’ conference practical and personal,” said Linda Durocher, Principal of Lyndhurst’s Sacred Heart School for the past 11 years. “It gave us time to communicate with each other rather than to absorb information from a speaker. The opening of school holds its own stress level, and our minds are scattered in many directions making sure everything is ready. So, I was most grateful for the format of this last meeting. I am confident the archdiocesan team will offer us great support.”
Meet our new principals
Kassie Pierinelli is the new principal at St. Joseph School in Oradell. She is an alumna of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Catholic schools, having attended St. Theresa School in Kenilworth, Mother Seton Regional High School in Clark, and Seton Hall University for her undergraduate degree. Before becoming Principal of St. Joseph School in Oradell, she was principal at Felician School for Exceptional Children in Lodi. In addition to being an educational leader, she is a professional vocalist who cantors at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne.
Dr. Megan Fisher is the new principal at the Academy of St. Paul in Ramsey. She earned a B.A. and M.S. in Educational Technology from Ramapo College of New Jersey, an M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Caldwell University. Her doctoral dissertation focused on why Catholic school educators remain long-term in Catholic education. She taught 4th and 5th grade science within the Archdiocese of Newark for eight years. She is dedicated to Catholic education and is happy to have found her home in Catholic schools.
Katharine Clemente is the new interim principal at the Academy of Our Lady in Glen Rock. Coincidentally, she is a member of the first graduating class of the Academy (previously called St. Catharine Interparochial School). She is a graduate of Montclair State University, and this year marks her 12th year working in the Archdiocese of Newark schools. She is “proud to be the school’s interim principal.”
Eric Reid is the new interim principal at Notre Dame Academy in Palisades Park. He received his B.A. in Economics from Providence College before deciding to embark on a career in education. He attended Seton Hall University, where he participated in their Educational Partners in Catholic Schools (EPICS) and Catholic School Leadership Programs and received his M.A. and Ed.S degrees. He taught at Sacred Heart School in Jersey City and has served as vice principal for the last six years at Notre Dame Academy. This is his 15th year working in the Archdiocese of Newark.
Thomas Conroy is the new principal of Our Lady of the Lake School in Verona. He completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Montclair State University. He has 30 years of cumulative experience working in public schools and has held teaching and administrative positions at the elementary, middle, high school, and district levels. He is now entering his 23rd year as a school administrator.
Colleen McElroy is the new principal of St. Catherine of Siena School in Cedar Grove. As a lifelong member of the St. Catherine of Siena parish and an alumna of St. Catherine of Siena School, she said she is “thrilled to take on a new role as principal.” She earned her undergraduate degree from Villanova University and earned her graduate degree from Montclair State University. She returns to St. Catherine’s this year with over 20 years of school experience. She is looking forward to using her professional expertise and love for Catholic education to help SCS grow in its mission.
William McGee is the new interim principal at St. Nicholas School in Jersey City. He has worked in the Archdiocese of Newark for 20 years at Saint Michael School in Newark. He holds a BA from Montclair State University, an MA in Liberal Studies from Kean University, and has taken graduate courses in Catholic Leadership at Seton Hall University.
Charles Syby is the new principal at Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair. He received his B.S.E. from Seton Hall University and M.A. in Educational Administration & Supervision from Seton Hall University. He served as a history teacher and vice principal at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington for 27 years, and as Dean of Students at Cristo Rey Newark High School for three years.
Dr. Michael Seeback is the new Head of School at Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair. He is entering his 10th year at ICH, having previously served as the interim principal, assistant principal, and science teacher. He is a proud alum of Catholic schools, having graduated from St. John the Evangelist School in Bergenfield, Paramus Catholic High School, and Seton Hall University, where he earned his B.S, M.A., Ed.S, and Ed.D degrees. He is an active volunteer in the Ringwood community, where he resides with his wife and three sons.
School leaders meet RCAN leadership
The Archdiocese Office of Schools recently welcomed three new members to its administrative team.
Father Stephen Fichter was appointed as Episcopal Vicar of Education for the Archdiocese by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C. Ss. R, archbishop of Newark in July. Father Fichter, who was ordained a priest in 2000, earned his Licentiate in Philosophy (Ph.L.) and Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, an M.S.W. from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service, and M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from Rutgers University. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, having previously served as a chief financial officer and vice rector of two seminaries, led two successful youth groups while serving as parochial vicar of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church in Saddle River, and taught the Ministry of Leadership course for fourth-year seminarians at Immaculate Conception Seminary. Father Fichter is also currently serving as the pastor at St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish in Wyckoff.
“My number one objective at this exact moment is to go through the steep learning curve as soon as possible so that I may be of the greatest use to all our dedicated fellow workers in the various educational arenas,” said Father Fichter. “After that, my second objective is to visit as many of our schools and parishes as possible. Some are flourishing very much; I would like to know what they are doing so that I may share their best practices with everyone else.”
Barbara Dolan, the newly appointed Superintendent of Schools, has dedicated almost 30 years to academic service and leadership within the Archdiocese of Newark, most recently as the Catholic Schools Office Associate Superintendent. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education and Religious Studies from Caldwell University, an M.A. in Counseling from New Jersey City University, and an M.A. in Administration and Supervision from St. Peter’s University. She previously served as an elementary school principal at Catholic schools in Hoboken and Jersey City and taught for almost 20 years at Catholic schools in the Newark and Trenton dioceses.
Brother Christopher Hall, the recently appointed Assistant Superintendent of High Schools, also joined the Office of Schools this summer. Brother Hall brings to his new role nearly 30 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in Catholic schools. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and Master of Science in Educational Technology from Iona College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the College of St. Elizabeth.
Catholic school leaders from the 73 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Newark were invited to a leadership conference at the St. John Paul II Youth Retreat Center in Kearny. The meeting allowed school administrators to connect in person with their peers and the Archdiocese Office of Schools staff for the first time in several years.
The conference began with Mass in The Sacred Heart Chapel. Father Fichter offered Mass alongside Brother Hall. They were joined by Brother Asiel Rodriguez, O.S.B., a member of the Benedictine Abbey of Newark, and a religion teacher at St. Benedict’s Prep.
The conference allowed school principals to connect with each other and with Archdiocesan Office of Schools leaders to discuss the upcoming school year. Principals also met and learned more about the support provided by various archdiocesan office leaders, including the chief operating officer, general counsel, communications director, and Catechetical director.
Archdiocesan speakers emphasized the importance of two-way communication between school leaders and archdiocesan offices as they move forward this school year. “We are here to support you,” said Larry Boland, Chief Operating Officer, to the group of principals. “And if we haven’t said it often enough over the last two years, thank you for all that you do.”
New teacher orientation
On Aug. 31, new teachers from the 73 schools of the Archdiocese of Newark gathered at the Archdiocesan Center in Newark to meet the Office of Schools staff and learn more about the Archdiocese’s Catholic Schools’ mission and vision.
New teachers also completed the required VIRTUS [MM2] training for Protecting God’s Children. VIRTUS is the National Catholic Risk Retention Group’s training program with a “Protecting God’s Children” component that combats sexual abuse of children in the church. It is currently used by over 80 dioceses in the United States.
Featured photos: New school leaders from 73 Catholic Schools across the Archdiocese.
(ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK/ JESSICA RYAN)
