Nancy Peluso, 12 Memorable Years! In an unpredictable year during an unpredictable stretch of years, one thing is always for certain, and that is that Nancy Peluso will greet you with a warm smile and instantly make you feel welcome to the NFA community. It’s a gift she has been using on local school campuses since 1974. From Philadelphia to Pottstown, Mrs. Peluso has faithfully served in Catholic schools all over the Delaware Valley, and, here at NFA, we are fortunate that Mrs. Peluso decided to spend her final 12 years as our beloved principal, helping us navigate some unchartered waters, including a world pandemic. “I love helping young people to know of their goodness, to believe in themselves and feel successful because of the effort they put into their learning, and to understand that ‘to those who have been given much, much is expected.’ The NFA Vision says it all,” said Mrs. Peluso, who is retiring at the end of the 2021–2022 school year after spending 46 years in education. Aside from a three-year hiatus, Mrs. Peluso has been a mainstay in Catholic schools for close to five decades. A native of Northeast Philadelphia (the Frankford side of Roosevelt Boulevard for locals), and a graduate of St. Martin of Tours and later Little Flower High School, Mrs. Peluso began her career in the Cadet Program at La Salle University. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Our Lady of Angels College (now Neumann University) as well as her Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Gwynedd Mercy University. “I was inspired by numerous teachers, but decided to go into education when I entered the Sisters of St. Francis,” said Mrs. Peluso. “I was a Sister for eight years then continued my teaching career as a lay person.” Mrs. Peluso first taught at Our Lady of Consolation School in Tacony before working at St. Benedict’s in Philadelphia, St. Aloysius in Pottstown, St. Stanislaus in Lansdale, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Doylestown. “I have taught every grade from first to eighth, each for years, and loved each of those levels as I had them,” said Mrs. Peluso, who went on to become an assistant principal at St.Joseph/ St. Robert in Warrington and later served as principal at St. James School in Elkins Park before coming to NFA in 2010. “I consider my coming to NFA a gift,” said Mrs. Peluso. “I was Principal of St. James for seven years and in November, 2009 I was told that the school would close in June of 2010. It was one of the hardest times of my life. With the help of God, all teachers got a position and all students were in new schools by June. One day, an envelope appeared on my desk. Inside was a flyer—an ad for a Director of Lower Grades position at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy. I had never heard of NFA, but when I researched and learned of the vision for students, I was hooked, and the rest is history. After I announced my retirement this year, I finally found out from where that flyer on my desk in Elkins Park came from.” “Mrs. Peluso has generously served the NFA community for twelve years,” said Dr. Ryan Killeen, President of NFA. “Mrs. Peluso is an incredible educator, leader, and friend. Her passion for education, expertise in curriculum development, academic leadership, and deep commitment to the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph are a gift to Norwood-Fontbonne Academy and to all of us.” 12
EXTRA CREDIT: What will your lasting memories of NFA be? “There were a number of difficult times during my tenure, including Covid. However, I choose to remember all the good: wonderful, dedicated teachers and staff, engaged, happy students, and parents passionate for and dedicated to their children. I choose to make my lasting memory of NFA to be our working as a team to be our best selves for the sake of our families.” What are you thankful for in regard to NFA? “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in a school that is a sponsored work of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters’ Mission ‘To live and work so that all may be one,’ is my forever goal. The children and my colleagues have supported me and each other. I can only hope that all have felt my unwavering support as well.” What is a memorable quote or verse that you live by? “This is not quite a mantra, but I pray this each morning: Mother God, Father God, Jesus God, Holy Spirit God, God of the Universe – fill me with your love, your grace, your wisdom and understanding, your courage and your strength. Guide my thoughts, my words, my actions so that all that I think, do, and say is loving best.” What does the next page of life look like for you? “I haven’t quite figured out my next steps, but I believe that there is a next path for me. I would be surprised if that journey did not involve education in some way – I’m passionate about all children having a quality education. Also, I am the oldest of eight, mom of three, and mom-mom to two (so far). I want to spend more quality time with family and friends; read; visit the beach. A vacation in Hawaii is on my bucket list!” What will you miss most about NFA? “My decision to retire was made after much prayer and reflection, but my leaving is bittersweet. What’s best about NFA are the relationships developed among staff, students, and families. Those special relationships are what I will miss most.”
Norwood-Fontbonne Academy
