Principal's Welcome

Dear Friends of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth Community,

We opened the school year with great excitement, eager anticipation and lots of love. Perhaps the best part of our return to campus was welcoming our young women to a new year, with a new principal, new initiatives and endless hope for a remarkable journey into 2024. I want to express my sincere gratitude for your support and trust in me to further our school’s mission and values. Together, we will continue to create a nurturing environment where young women can grow academically, spiritually, and personally.

Recent data from the US Department of Education unequivocally illustrates that the pandemic resulted in a learning gap for millions of students across the country. We are committed to taking deliberate and compassionate action to bridge this gap, which will be reflected in our collective focus throughout the year ahead. One way we will seek to assist students and faculty alike is by focusing on the 4 R’s of Routine, Religion, Response, and Reflection/Rest.

Routines: Students and adults find comfort in routines. As a result of COVID-19, many students did not have the opportunity to work inside of routines to develop time management skills and establish clear boundaries. Routines help students move through the core competencies of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), including self awareness, social awareness, responsible decision-making, self management and interpersonal relationships. Routines help students develop these skills and serve as a roadmap for important moments during their day, allowing them to internalize and take ownership of their choices and move confidently into new learning experiences.

Religion: Our faith is the reason we are here; the reason our students are here. We will work to ensure all are following, celebrating and embracing our Catholic education and the mission set forth by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. Not only will we embrace prayer each morning, but at the start of each class period. We will also celebrate Mass several times each month. Through our campus ministries, we will come together as a school community to continue to learn and celebrate our faith.

Responses: We each have natural responses to events and experiences in our lives. This year, we will help students to manage appropriate responses through learning effective SEL strategies. We will also engage in additional support and resources that will help faculty and students feel more confident in addressing their individual needs, not only academically, but socially and emotionally.

 

Reflection/Rest: We will spend time in Reflection/Rest; reflection allows one to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, using this to guide on-going learning. Through reflection, we will develop our skills in self-directed learning, improve motivation, and enhance the quality of care we are able to provide.

Our first few days of the academic year were filled with lots of learning, albeit in extreme heat within the building. Even so, our students, faculty and staff made the most of it through collaborating, connecting and learning from one another. Holy Family Chapel came to life with prayer, inspiration and song on September 13 for our Opening School Liturgy. Beginning each new school year with gratitude in our hearts and hope for the journey ahead allows us to discover God in both the ordinary and extraordinary events throughout life.

At the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, we are committed to providing a Catholic education that nurtures the spiritual growth of our students. Bi-weekly Masses, prayer, and faith-based activities will continue to be an integral part of our school community. We encourage your daughter(s) to actively participate in these opportunities to strengthen their faith.

I am excited to embark on this new school year journey with our students. Together, we will continue to inspire them to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives, embracing the values of faith, knowledge, and service.

If you have any questions or concerns over the course of the year, please do not hesitate to contact our school office at 973-290-5200 or via email at bazar@aose.info. We are here to assist you in any way we can.

Thank you for entrusting us with the education and spiritual development of your daughter(s). May God bless you and your families abundantly in the coming year.

Principal

bazar@aose.info