Pope Francis Preparatory School

Pope Francis Preparatory School: Our Legacy Reimagined

Preparing students to learn with passion, lead with heart, and achieve in a world yet to be imagined!

S2 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

ADMINISTRATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Paul Harrington Head of School

Michele D’Amour – Chair

Cynthia Geiger Assistant Head of School for Academics Maryann Linnehan, CHS ’78 Assistant Head of School for Student Services Theresa Olejarz Business Manager Daniel Fenton, CHS ’09 Director of Development Ann Rivers Director of Admissions & Enrollment Dianne M. Regnier Chief Communications Officer

Thomas Day – Vice Chair David W. Griffin, Sr. – Treasurer Joseph Peters – Clerk Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv.

Azell Murphy Cavaan Patrick J. Garrity Sr. Patricia Hottin, SSJ. Lawrence Kulig Charles E. Moran

99 Wendover Road, Springfield, MA 01118

Dan Rodriguez

To learn more about Pope Francis Preparatory School, call 833-999-POPE or visit popefrancisprep.org.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

architecture

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

interior design

urban design

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S3

cbtarchitects.com

S4 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

rs a e Y l u f s s e c c u S 0 With Over 10 s... s e n i s u B n o i t c u r t In The Cons

Do o T s U t s u r T s t n e ...Our Cli . e m i T y r e v E t h g i The Job R Our Family at Gagliarducci Construction was pleased to be a part of the construction team of Pope Francis Preparatory School.

Best wishes to the Students and Faculty who a part of this extraordinary learning facility.

2 95 PAS CO R OA D S P R I N G F I E L D, M A 41 3 5 4 3 - 6978 • G AG L I A R D U CC I .CO M

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Letter From Our Head Dear Friends, Since arriving at Pope Francis Preparatory School just a year ago, there has been a tangible feeling of a learning community coming into its own. An important part of this transformation is largely due to the awareness of our unique history. I have come to believe that if you want to understand something and really get to know its existence, the place to start is to study its history. History offers the possibility of getting a little closer to understanding the intentions or accidents that shaped a school’s evolution. The rich histories of our legacy schools span more than 130 years, and the traditions established over the past century inform our tomorrow and tell a story of resilience and a commitment to a reimagined Catholic high school education.

Throughout this last year, I was often asked about how our priorities may be shifting as we opened the doors at our new campus. Some wondered how we planned to structure curriculum delivery informed by our values of justice, peace, service, and mercy; others asked how we will stay committed to academic excellence, diversity, scholarship and financial assistance for families in need. Though answers to such questions are often multifaceted, I can say with certainty that our mission has not changed. We have an incredible opportunity before us, and our new school is a symbol and a message to our students, families, and community that this place is most importantly about the future of Catholic education.

We remain a school focused on faith formation, intellectual stimulation, innovation, wellness, and the development of the whole person. Our graduates will continue to take this formation and preparation into their future, and this will set them, and us apart in the larger educational landscape. It’s our foundation, and will undoubtedly prove to be our strength.

This fall, as the new Pope Francis Preparatory School, we will have the opportunity to demonstrate how an agile school is better able to educate students in an ever-changing educational landscape. We are poised to do just that, by giving students a competitive edge, sharpening skills beginning on day one, building our talent pool of educators, and teaching the next generation of Catholic educated students within a facility designed to encourage collaboration and exploration. I am confident that the level of student engagement provided here will be what continues to create the rigor in our programs.

Rigor, complemented by faith formation, will propel our students to channel their passions and explore new ideas as part of an exciting and fulfilling academic and personal journey.

I encourage you to explore Pope Francis Preparatory School for yourself – you will see a Catholic education reimagined as it now represents a time of important transition. One that reflects on our past, embraces the work of today, and honors our mission as the foundation for the future of our young people.

Dr. Paul Harrington Head of School Pope Francis Preparatory School

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S5

The Legacy of Pope Francis Preparatory School Pope Francis Preparatory School (initially known as Pope Francis High School) was established by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in 2016 through the merger of Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic high schools.

S

Cathedral High School

ince the first graduating class in 1884, more than 34,500 students have received a Cathedral High School education. It all started with a small group of students who, on September 3, 1883, marched up the winding stairs of Springfield’s St. Michael’s Cathedral and into two storerooms that had been converted into classrooms.

The increasing number of Catholic immigrants living in the Springfield area had prompted then Bishop Patrick T. O’Reilly to seek a teaching staff for a high school. Ten members of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Flushing, New York were sent in response to the bishop’s request. Nellie McQuade and Margaret Cruse hold the distinction of being the first to graduate from Cathedral in 1885. In the early twentieth century, students entering Cathedral studied Church and doctrine, Latin, English, algebra and history. Greek and French were added in the sophomore year, and the sciences offered in this classical tract were physics and chemistry. Cathedral also offered a series of commercial classes that included writing, spelling, shorthand, typing, and bookkeeping.

Upon the death of Bishop O’Reilly, his successor, Thomas Beaven, had the foresight to convert the old convent on Elliot Street into the new home of Cathedral High School.

In the 1950s, the growing high schoolage population in the greater Springfield area brought about the necessity of a larger building. Under the direction of then Bishop Christopher Weldon, the diocese purchased the 30-acre Simon Kervick farm at Wendover and Surrey Roads. Ground was broken for the school on March 17, 1958, and the “new” Cathedral opened its doors on September 9th, 1959 and remained at that location until a category EF-3 tornado damaged the building on the afternoon of June 1, 2011.

The tornado, which carved a 39-mile path through western Massachusetts, rendered the school unusable. That fall, students were moved to the former Memorial School in Wilbraham, where they remained for five years until the merger with Holyoke Catholic.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Enderlin, Cathedral ’07 and Nicole Enderlin Cathedral ’10.

S6 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Cathedral High School Photos

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Enderlin, Cathedral ’07 and Nicole Enderlin Cathedral ’10.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

I

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S7

Holyoke Catholic High School

n the early part of the 20th century many Roman Catholic churches started schools to educate children of their parish. Though the schools were successful, they were small and it was difficult for small parish high schools to offer competitive athletic programs.

Monsignor Timothy J. Leary, then headmaster and athletic director at St. Jerome High School in Holyoke, had the idea to bring parish teams together to play as one so they could compete against larger high schools. In the fall of 1947, the parish high schools of Holy Rosary, Sacred Heart, and St.

Jerome played sports for the first time under the banner of Holyoke Catholic. The athletic partnership proved successful and in 1963 the Diocese of Springfield officially merged the three parish high schools to form Holyoke Catholic High School. Later, the high school at Precious Blood Parish also joined Holyoke Catholic. Although composed of students from the four founding schools, Holyoke Catholic also served a number of students from throughout western Massachusetts and the school grew into a larger regional high school.

At first, the school was located in the

building at St. Jerome Parish in Holyoke. Soon, however, the school found the need to use other buildings in the neighboring area. Temporary trailers were also brought in to accommodate the rise in student population. After several decades of use, the buildings’ condition deteriorated, and the Holyoke location was forced to close.

During the summer of 2002, the school moved to the site of the former St. Hyacinth Seminary in Granby, where it operated for six years. The campus, though large, was isolated, and the search for a more suitable perma-

nent home continued. In 2008, the Assumption Parish School property near Elms College on Springfield Street in Chicopee was selected. The existing Assumption Elementary School was completely renovated and a new wing was added. Holyoke Catholic opened in that location in September 2008.

S8 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Holyoke Catholic High School Photos

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

I

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Pope Francis Preparatory School

n the spring of 2015, then Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski announced that Cathedral High School and Holyoke Catholic High School would merge into a new regional Catholic school beginning in 2016. He accepted a recommendation of the joint Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic high schools’ Student Advisory Committee to call the new regional Catholic high school Pope Francis in honor of the pope who was reigning at that time.

In the fall of 2016, students converged under the banner of Pope Francis High School at the former location of Holyoke Catholic in Chicopee while a new facility was constructed at the site of the former Cathedral on Wendover Road in Springfield. In anticipation of the new building opening in 2018, the name of the school was changed to Pope Francis Preparatory School to better reflect the mission of the school.

Building on a strong foundation of excellence, Pope Francis Preparatory School offers its students the best of what its legacy schools had to offer. Students carry on the values and many traditions of both Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic, while forging a new path for secondary Catholic education in the Diocese of Springfield. Pope Francis Preparatory School will provide a beautiful, state-of-the-art, safe environment for students to worship, learn, and succeed for generations to come.

The Significance of the Pope Francis Preparatory School Crest • The cross was borrowed from the Cathedral logo and the Sacred Heart was borrowed from the Holyoke Catholic logo as a symbolic combining of the schools.

• The Triquetra or Trinity knot symbolizes the Holy Trinity and three aspects of Religious school life: Academics, Religion and Extra Curricular activities.

• The torch represents the guiding light of education which removes ignorance and lights our path thru life.

• The open book represents both education and scripture.

• The Pope’s Mitre represents the Holy Father.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S9

S10 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

“A Dream Job and Awesome Responsibility”

Construction of the new Pope Francis High School on Wendover Road is a little more than 50 percent complete. Officials plan to move in for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Head of School W. Paul Harrington Jr. looks over construction of the site. (Don Treeger / The Republican)

construction of a $54 million school at 99 Wendover Road.

New Pope Francis head wel- The building is slated to open comes rare challenge of open- in a little more than a year. ing a new Catholic school “To have the opportunity to W. Paul Harrington Jr., the grow a new Catholic school is new head of Pope Francis an awesome opportunity for High School, considers himnot just me, but for this comself a lucky man. munity,” he said, adding that After nearly 20 years in the Roman Catholic Diocese Catholic education – most of Springfield’s willingness of that time spent in Calito invest in the project is “a fornia – the Massachusetts blessing.” native said landing the job Harrington, 41, grew up as head of Pope Francis at in Holliston and received a a time when many Catholic bachelor’s degree in biology schools are closing presents a from Fairfield University. rare challenge and a welcome After graduation he moved to opportunity.

California, where he enrolled “This is a dream job for in a Catholic-sponsored someone like me,” Harrington teacher development program said recently while surveying run by the Sisters of the Holy

BY CAROLYN ROBBINS

Special to The Republican

Child of Jesus, a women-run counterpart to the Jesuits.

The sisters’ program is similar to the private, nonprofit Teach for America model that aims to attract recent college graduates to teach in high-needs communities like South Central Los Angeles, Harrington said.

Working with middle-schoolers from low-income, Hispanic families was a cultural challenge, Harrington said. “For those families, paying tuition to send their children to a Catholic school was a big sacrifice,” he said.

Tuition at Pope Francis is $9,500 a year, but many students receive financial assistance.

Harrington, who lived in an old convent building with other teacher recruits making a two-year commitment to the program, worked in the classroom and also helped develop a successful soccer league.

“We had to play on blacktops, but it was great experience,” he said. “The kids had so much passion for the game.”

Harrington stayed on in Los Angeles, earning his doctoral degree in educational administrative leadership from USC and then went on to spend eight years leading Bishop Garcia Diego High School in Santa Barbara.

The call for applicants to lead Pope Francis was irre-

sistible. Harrington and his wife, California-born Wendy, parents of 4-year-old Grace, decided a move east was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

“Two things motivated me,” he said: “the future of Catholic education and the challenge.”

For the last few weeks, while awaiting a move into a home in Longmeadow, Harrington has been commuting from Newport, Rhode Island, where his parents recently retired.

Construction of the new school, a state-of-the-art, green building in Springfield’s East Forest Park neighborhood, is about 30 percent

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

complete. The site is the same as that of the former Cathedral High School, which was destroyed in the 2011 tornado.

While the construction project occupies some of his time, Harrington is mostly busy preparing for start of classes at Pope Francis High School’s current home, the former Holyoke Catholic High School in Chicopee. That school merged with Cathedral to form Pope Francis in 2016.

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Harrington said the controversy that swirled around the merger and the site of the new building has been largely replaced by a feeling of gratitude that a new Catholic high school is being built. His position as a relative outsider, with no ties to either of the two legacy schools, is an advantage, Harrington said.

“We’re looking forward,” he said. “My focus is Pope Francis.”

This year, the school will continue to provide a strong college preparatory curriculum for students – including Advanced Placement courses, honors courses and an International Baccalaureate program.

Non-Catholics are welcome to apply to Pope Francis, Harrington said, noting that faith-based values transcend denominations. Theology and religion courses will be

required, but most of those courses will be of the type college students take, he said.

For example, a course on comparative religions will be among the offerings.

Harrington said he hopes excitement about the new school will build during this transition year. The design of the new three-story building includes many large windows and “window curtains” that will provide abundant natural

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S11

light. From the third floor of the south side of the building, a view of downtown Springfield’s skyline is discernible.

And to the east, Wilbraham mountains are visible.

Harrington said the design of the new building reflects his expansive vision for the future.

“I don’t know of any other place in the U.S. that is doing what we’re doing,” he said.

August 13, 2017

“Catholic school emphasizes college prep with new name” school is now under construction on Wendover Road, the former site of Cathedral High Pope Francis High School, School. which is slated to move to a “As we look into moving into new Springfield campus next the new facility, we realize fall, will also be renamed our vision for the future of Pope Francis Preparatory School to reflect its “evolution the school would be best represented under the banner as a rigorous, college-prepaof Pope Francis Prepararatory institution,” officials tory School,” said Michele announced yesterday.

D’Amour, chairwoman of The school, which is a the Pope Francis board of merger of the former Cathedral High School and Holyoke directors. “The mission of the Catholic High School, will be school as a Christ-centered inmoving from its current site in stitution will remain the same.

The name change better Chicopee to its new building reflects the core of that misin August 2018. The new

BY PETER GOONAN

The Republican

sion to develop well-educated critical thinkers and faithbased leaders. The opening of a new facility provides the perfect opportunity to make that change.”

Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield announced in the spring of 2015 that the merger of the two schools would be named in honor of Pope Francis.

The construction of the new, 122,000-square-foot school began in September 2016. It will serve students in grades nine through 12. The former

Cathedral building was heavily damaged by the tornado of 2011 and later demolished.

Pope Francis High School officially merged for the 2016-17 school year in Chicopee.

Pope Francis High School’s academic program includes honors, Advanced Placement and virtual high school classes, along with athletics and extracurricular activities.

“We have an opportunity to redefine Catholic education with this new, state-of-theart facility,” said Head of School Paul Harrington. “The creative use of space will offer

students the ability to gather and share ideas. Our science wing, for example, will feature a makerspace to allow the students to build and create, and we’ll have an open learning common, which will foster collaboration.”

The name change was revealed Sunday afternoon during an event on the new campus celebrating the fact that construction is just over 50 percent complete, a spokeswoman said.

September 19, 2017

“A new school in an old place” ing, ‘I can’t believe it’s high school already.’ Students and Walking into the new Pope families catch up to us.”

Francis Preparatory School Classes last 80 minutes, feels like visiting a college not 45 like at a typical high laboratory and classroom school, and are every other building. day like in college. Textbooks It’s the airy, sunlit feeling. are e-books on a Microsoft It’s the 480-seat theater.

Surface Pro. It’s the aquaculture tanks Pope Francis Preparatory capable of raising 25 tilapia School — built on the site of fish at a time. It’s the “maker the former Cathedral High space” technology workshop. School at a cost of $54.5 It’s the new library featuring million — opens this week bleacher-like seating in what after two years of construcarchitects call a “learning tion. Freshmen and transfer commons.” students arrive Thursday for It’s no accident. orientation. The rest of the “From the first day of fresh- student body starts the 2018man year we are thinking 19 school year on Aug. 27. about how we are going to Catholic high school stuprepare this student and get dents are returning to the site this student into college,” at 99 Wendover Road in the said Paul Harrington, head of East Forest Park section of school. “Moms and dads and Springfield for the first time students might still be think- since the old Cathedral High

BY JIM KINNEY

The Republican

S12

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

COME JOIN US FOR OUR

Open House Sunday, November 4, 2018 @ 1pm

Preparing students to learn with passion, lead with heart, and achieve in a world yet to be imagined!

To register for the Open House, contact

arivers@popefrancisprep.org or call 833-999-POPE ext. 1132

Pope Francis Preparatory School 99 Wendover Road, Springfield, MA 01118

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

S13

S14 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

School building was heavily damaged in the 2011 tornado.

Cathedral operated out of the old Memorial Elementary School in Wilbraham for the next few years.

The diocese merged Cathedral with Holyoke Catholic High School in 2015, creating Pope Francis High School. It operated for three years out of what had been Holyoke Catholic’s building in Chicopee.

Holyoke Catholic had itself been a bit of an itinerant, moving from Holyoke to Granby to Chicopee over the decades.

Harrington said the passage of time and the graduation of older students means whatever divisions may be left from the merger are fading. The school’s St. Joseph’s Chapel is dedicated to and bears the names of nuns who taught at Cathedral and at Holyoke Catholic. Display cases near the gym show off trophies and uniforms from both schools.

But school nurse Mary Ann Jackson said people are just going to have to forgive her sense of nostalgia. She’s a 1977 Cathedral grad whose three kids went through the school. She’s been a nurse there since 2005.

Wednesday was her first time in the new building on the old site.

“It was emotional for me coming in today,” she said. “It got to me.”

The nurse’s office, filled with unopened boxes of supplies yet to be put away, looks out over Wendover Road.

“If we had class in a room that looked out over Wendover, we were lucky,” she said. “The nuns hated it.

They would close all the shades so we wouldn’t be distracted by the traffic outside.”

Catholic education in the region has changed because it had to, Harrington said. St. Joseph’s in Pittsfield closed last year, while St. Mary’s High School in Westfield was ordered closed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield earlier this year before the school was given another chance to grow enrollment.

“This is where Catholic education in this region is now,” he said. “This is where we have to be.”

But at least for a time it looked like the diocese would never rebuild. The empty shell of Cathedral sat rusting even as nearby properties rebuilt from the tornado.

As late as 2015, Bishop Mitchell Rozanski expressed concerns about declining enrollment and reservations about rebuilding. But there was public pressure, including from Mayor Domenic Sarno and U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, to get the school rebuilt. Neal secured Federal Emergency Management Agency money for the diocese

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

after the tornado.

Now that construction is complete, the rechristened Pope Francis Prep has 323 students. That number could, and always does, change even through the first few weeks of the school year, said Ann Rivers, director of admissions.

She’s got a stack of 18 last-minute application on her desk from freshmen or sophomores and juniors looking to transfer in.

As things stand now, there are 74 freshmen and 14 or so transfer students who are in their sophomore and junior years. Pope Francis graduated 84 students this June in the Class of 2018.

Tuition is $9,900 a year, but members of Catholic churches get $1,000 in parish support. There is other financial aid still available, Rivers said.

Students do not need to be Catholic.

The new Pope Francis Prep building was built with a capacity of 450 students.

“The first open house we have here, in this building, is going to be huge,” Rivers said.

Harrington echoed her sentiments, saying up until now all he has been able to show prospective students and their families is architects’ drawings and a construction site. Harrington said Pope Francis sports teams haven’t even been able to host home games.

“It’s easier to sell a school when you live in it,” he said. “It’s easier to get people excited when they can see people here and there is life and activity.”

Among those living at Pope Francis Prep will be the tilapia. Science teacher Robert Brodeur had is students raise the fish in an aquaculture class at Cathedral before the tornado. Now, with the new building, the tanks are back.

“It’ll take about two years. But we’ll be able to have them on Fish Friday,” he joked.

He’s also looking forward to using a pond on the property in his classes, as well as getting students doing handson building in the maker space. The new science labs allow him to go right from lab to lecture — no switching rooms, no wasted time.

Harrington said the innovation at Pope Francis is evident in the library.

There isn’t one. Instead all the library services and resources are in the learning commons. All the classrooms and hallways radiate off that room, and its central feature is a set of step-like bleachers that can be an amphitheater or just a place to hang out.

“The screens come down, we can have assemblies there,” he said.

“That’s something new.”

Photos showing Pope Francis Preparatory School as it neared completion in August August 20, 2018 2018. (Don Treeger / The Republican)

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S15

Dedication of St. Joseph Chapel served Rosary High School – totaling 463 sister years of One of the most thoughtservice filled additions to the new 1912-1963 – 85 sisters Pope Francis Preparatory served St. Jerome’s – totaling School was celebrated Aug. 316 sister-years of service 21 as the school’s St. Joseph 1963-2016 – 78 sisters Chapel was dedicated and served Holyoke Catholic – blessed by Springfield Bishop totaling 510 sister-years of Mitchell T. Rozanski. service During a special ceremony 1884-2016 – 261 sisters attended by more than served Cathedral High 50 Sisters of St. Joseph of School – totaling 3,036 sisterSpringfield, many of whom years of service had taught in the legacy In all he said there were schools of Pope Francis 434 Sisters of St. Joseph who Prep, the sisters were praised collectively served 4,714 for their years of sacrifice sister-years. and dedication to teaching A permanent tribute to thousands of high school the sisters is the inscription students. of the name of every sister For more than 130 years, who has ever served in one the sisters staffed the former of the legacy schools on Sacred Heart, Our Lady the windows of the chapel of the Rosary, St. Jerome, entrance.

Holyoke Catholic and Sister Angela Deady taught Cathedral high schools. at Holyoke Catholic from In his remarks to those 1974-1988. attending the dedication, “I’m a graduate of Paul Harrington, head of Cathedral High School, so school for Pope Francis, when I saw the windows I was tallied the years of service looking for those outstanding and number of sisters who teachers that had inspired served in each school: me not only to be a teacher 1887-1963 – 84 sisters but to be a religious to join served Sacred Heart – totaling them and so I really think it’s 389 sister-years of service appropriate and it will be a 1902-1963 – 83 sisters blessing for this building to

BY SHARON ROULIER

iobserve.org

have this chapel dedicated to St. Joseph,” said Sister Deady.

Sister Alice Kenney said she began her teaching career at the high school building nicknamed the “Gas House” on Elliot Street in Springfield.

When the “first” Cathedral High School was built on Elliot Street, Sister Kenney taught there and was later principal of Cathedral. She said she was moved beyond words, seeing the names of sisters who had taught at the schools.

“While the bishop read, I couldn’t take my eyes off it,” she said. “There were older sisters, really. And I’m old. I’m 90. But I’m looking at all those old people that I didn’t even know were part of Holyoke Catholic and part of Cathedral.”

Harrington presented Sister Joan Ryzewicz, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph, with a leather-bound book inscribed with the name of every Sister of St. Joseph with her years of service and school, to be displayed in the new St. Joseph Chapel for all students, alumni, and visitors to enjoy.

In her address to the guests gathered for the dedication, Sister Ryzewicz said the chapel was “truly amazing.”

“Our sisters not only poured out love and dedication,” she said, noting that she was a student at the former Cathedral High School. “They poured blood, sweat and tears.”

“We daughters of Joseph are delighted that this chapel will carry the name of our patron, St. Joseph. He was gentle and he was strong – probably what every teacher needs to be,” she said.

The dedication of St. Joseph Chapel was an integral part of the school’s history in the Springfield region. (Submitted photos)

S16 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Pope Francis Prep School:

Resilience and Commitment to a Reimagined Catholic Education

Congratulations Pope Francis Preparatory School

Castle of Knights is a full service Banquet and Meeting House providing food and exceptional service.

We specialize in weddings and special events and offer complete banquet service and expert catering for up to one thousand guests.

Whether your event nt is large or small, you’ll experience the warmth and intimacy of elegant dining with your family and friends.

Whether your event is large or small, you’ll experience the warmth and intimacy of elegant dining with your family and friends.

Plan your next reception at Castle of Knights with guaranteed success and satisfaction.

Meeting and Banquet House 1599 Memorial Mem emorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020 • 413-532-2000, 1-866-66-CASTLE • w w w . c a s t l e o f k n i g h t s . c o m

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S17

Pope Francis Prep School:

Resilience and Commitment to a Reimagined Catholic Education

Academics

Community

The value of a Catholic school education is immeasurable.

Students at Pope Francis receive the best possible education rooted in the Catholic traditions that formed the foundation of our legacy schools. We offer a comprehensive, faith-based, college preparatory curriculum in which students receive the fundamentals of religious studies, history, math, science, English, world languages and the arts.

This commitment to academic excellence remains a key component of the Pope Francis mission to challenge students to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically to become critical thinkers and faithbased leaders. We develop students who can think analytically and demonstrate a mastery of oral and written communication; are leaders, but can work effectively as part of a team; have a global perspective; form a unique relationship with God and develop an authentic prayer life; and above all, act with integrity and self-discipline, demonstrating ethical decision-making skills and embracing a commitment to selfless service.

Pope Francis is committed to developing and nurturing the whole student, whether in the classroom, on the field, or out in the community. We strive to develop students who are respectful and responsible role models inside the school and out. No matter where Pope Francis students find themselves, they are ambassadors of the school.

Through extracurricular activities, Pope Francis students have an opportunity to learn and develop beyond the classroom.

The goals of these activities align with our school mission to develop faith-based leaders. We are proud and honored to help each of our students realize their full potential; our goal is to prepare them for successful post-secondary lives as future leaders.

S18 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Faith

Service

Students of all faiths and religious backgrounds are welcome to attend Pope Francis. As a Catholic school, faith plays an important part in the lives of all our students. We offer an education built on a pillar of faith, prayer and service to others.

Every student is required to take a religious studies class each semester and prayer is an integral part of these classes. Students learn the value of prayer in their lives through practice, meditation, contemplation, music, journaling, traditional prayers and service.

Our goal is to challenge each individual to grow in their personal relationship with God, while learning about faith, the Church, and the world in which we live.

Pope Francis students of all faith traditions are called to live and act in ways that benefit others as well as themselves. The academic and faith teachings at Pope Francis manifest themselves in each student through community service. Students are expected to put their faith into action and further their Gospel teachings; their futures are shaped through their service to others. By giving of themselves to their communities, students are able to become teachers, leaders and healers; interacting with both the people receiving services and the people whose life work is dedicated to helping those in need. There are numerous opportunities for service locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The possibilities for helping others are endless.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S19

A Strong Community Broadening a Worldview: Why Families Choose Catholic Education?

Whether they are seeking spiritual grounding alongside the academic experience; or want their child to be informed by the Catholic faith; or value an affordable private school education, families can be certain that Pope Francis Preparatory School is structured to follow a strong set of values around behavior, curriculum delivery and school community relationships. Values such as respect, perseverance, compassion, integrity, and resilience inform our learning environment each day.

based references can serve to enrich a family’s perspective and discussions. Learning about world religions, growing spiritually, and having the opportunity to examine faith from a safe vantage point, will offer students a deeper understanding of the global world.

Personal Development At Pope Francis, a student’s personal development goes hand in hand with their academic preparation. That way, they will graduate with both a degree and a greater understanding of who they are and what their purpose is. Students will be better prepared not just for their All are Welcome! next steps but as citizens of Regardless of a family’s the world. At Pope Francis particular religious affiliation, Prep, it is believed that obtaining an education Catholic education can help instilled with Catholic, faithclose the gap at a time when

character development is so important.

Superb Facilities The new campus, located at 99 Wendover Road, Springfield, welcomed the school’s learning community on August 27, 2018. Its striking design serves as a strength for Pope Francis Preparatory School and the shared life of its students, their families, faculty, and staff.

The building accommodates a multi-purpose learning common, science, arts and humanities facilities, innovation lab, theatre, chapel, gymnasium, audiovisual capabilities and flexible classroom space. The design of Pope Francis Preparatory School encourages crossdisciplinary exploration and collaboration, as well as supports a forward-looking

STEAM curriculum. The campus also boasts a modern athletic complex complete with stadium seating, outdoor restroom facilities, and a fan snack shack.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE High Quality Faculty The faculty proudly provide a model of principled thinking and dynamic engagement, with 100% holding a Bachelor’s degree and certification by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for secondary education in their discipline.

Furthermore, two-thirds hold advanced degrees. Not only are the faculty certified and experienced, they are passionate about mentoring students – with many serving as advisors, coaches and cocurricular activity leaders.

Small Classes, Big Thinking One of the top reasons many parents consider a private high school is for the small class size. At Pope Francis Preparatory School, having a student:faculty ratio of 10:1, with class sizes averaging 18 students allows the teachers time to be available to students before and after school.

Additionally, it is a priority to ensure that students who excel academically will be challenged with advanced courses and online school options.

Focus on Philosophy Like most private schools, Pope Francis Prep is not required to teach to a test, and as a result can focus on teaching students “how” to think, instead of “what” to think. Faculty take it a

03094509

S20 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

step further by changing the dynamic of learning inside the classrooms by facilitating dialogue, encouraging students to ask “how” or “why”, and then model using critical thinking skills, creativity, and teamwork to solve problems.

Cardinal Tech At Pope Francis Preparatory School, academic success requires the ability to think, communicate and collaborate effectively.

The use of technology is integral in providing highly

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

customized, interactive learning experiences that support these requirements.

All students are provided a Microsoft Surface Pro for their use while at Pope Francis. This initiative ensures that each student has the tools necessary to do the increasingly collaborative and dynamic work that is at the heart of a Pope Francis education - where the best of in-class practices complement the best in online learning strategies.

PARENT ENGAGEMENT The Basics There can be plenty of reasons to worry when parenting a teen. Getting them to school and providing a nutritious breakfast and lunch shouldn’t be among them! To support families, Pope Francis Prep offers convenient bus transportation to and from school at no extra expense, as well as free breakfast and lunch served daily. Often there are questions about affording a

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

private Catholic education.

There is a dedicated staff ready to assist a prospective family with any questions they may have. Information about tuition, financial aid and payment options is also available by visiting the website at popefrancisprep. org.

A 3-way Partnership Faculty, staff, and administration at Pope Francis Preparatory School believe it to be an honor to guide students toward a life of quality, persistence,

compassion and principle just as they imagine families intend for their own child.

Relationships with students are valued, and they naturally extend to their parents, grandparents, and families.

The concept of a threeway partnership with the student and their family, is an important part of the way they educate students at Pope Francis Preparatory.

“We will never regret the choice we made in enrolling our daughter at Pope Francis High School. They provided a strong academic foundation for our daughter including qualities that were important to our family: faith, service, and values.”

- Donna T. P’17

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S21

Students, faculty and staff reflect on first week at Pope Francis Preparatory School COURTESY OF IOBSERVE.ORG More than two years of hard work and very detailed planning resulted in a successful first week at the new Pope Francis Preparatory School on Wendover Road, here.

The new $55 million, 122,000 square foot facility opened its doors on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018 to more than 335 students.

On Friday, Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski celebrated the first Mass in the state-of-the- art theater, encouraging students to make the most out of their Catholic school education.

Bishop Rozanski told iObserve, “We began the year with a Mass, asking for God’s blessings and the Holy Spirit’s guidance for all our students.

May this year be filled with learning, joy and enthusiasm

for every subject that helps us to grow and mature in God’s love.”

By all accounts, the first week went smoothly, although it took students a few days to acclimate themselves to the spacious campus.

For many, including faculty and staff, it was the culmination of a long journey.

English faculty member Jonathan Decoteau said, “I’m overwhelmed emotionally – in a wonderful way. Throughout the last seven years, it has been encouraging to have the support of my colleagues, our students and their families and the diocese, as we stepped forward together, creating an amazing space and opportunity for Catholic education.”

His sentiments were shared by art teacher Jackie Bou-

dreau Kinsey, who said, “This has certainly been an exciting and creative adventure.”

Entrusted with the dayto-day operations and future success of Pope Francis Preparatory is Paul Harrington, who begins his second year at the helm as head of school.

“We have an incredible opportunity before us, and this new facility is a symbol and a message to our students, families, and community … that this place is about the future of Catholic education,” he told iObserve.

The students also reflected on the uniqueness of the new school environment.

“I think the new building is an incredible learning environment that will push us to do even better,” said junior Bryant Keeney.

“I love it, especially the ath-

letic fields. Having new teachers and an amazing building is going to be a great learning experience, too,” said Conor Sears, also a junior.

“What a huge improvement! I love having a real campus and being part of this new school,” added junior Emily Boutin.

In giving, we receive...

Supporting Catholic Education in the Diocese of Springfield The Annual Catholic Appeal provides $679,400 in educational support to students from Kindergarten to High School.

St. Mary Parish School, Westfield High School & Elementary School St. Joan of Arc School, Chicopee St. Stanislaus School, Chicopee

St. Agnes Academy, Dalton St. John the Baptist, School, Ludlow St. Michael’s Academy, Springfield

Pope Francis Preparatory School, Blessed Sacrament School, Holyoke Springfield Mater Dolorosa School, Holyoke St. Thomas the Apostle School, St. Mary’s Academy, Longmeadow West Springfield St. Mary’s School, Lee

To make your contribution to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal, log onto www.diospringfield.org

S22 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

New Pope Francis Prep building ceremonially opens with ribbon-cutting

BY JEANETTE DEFORGE jdeforge@repub.com More than a week after students started classes at the new Pope Francis Preparatory High School, officials gathered outside the new $54.5 million building to celebrate its opening.

The controversial choice — made after at least five years of debate — to merge Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic high schools to create the new school was the right one to ensure Western Massachusetts students will continue to get a Catholic education, Joshua R. Sears, a senior at the school, told the group of invited guests.

He and classmate Rachael Shannon talked about how grateful they are for the big and little things the new school has to offer: A parking lot near the building instead of a block away, new science and engineering labs, nearby athletic fields and a permanent place to call home.

“There is something special about a Catholic school, though, where they do not only care about academics and athletics,” Sears said.

“Every day the faculty strives to build our character and make us better people. They strive to have God be a part of our everyday lives and that is a special thing.”

Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski gave a blessing and cut the ribbon and read a letter sent from the Vatican wishing the school well. Michele D’Amour, chairwoman of the school’s Board of Trustees, and Paul Harrington, the head of the school, also spoke at the event. The ribbon cutting was followed by tours of the school.

But the long controversy about the fate of the former Cathedral High School, which dragged on for years after the building on Surry Road was destroyed by a tornado June 1, 2011, and brought bitter feelings especially

from alumni and parents of students, could not be avoided during the ceremony.

Rozanski talked about the “many years of planning” finally coming together to bring a day of joy for the school.

“It was an arduous path. We had a number of meetings with (then) Bishop (Timothy) McDonnell and Bishop Rozanski ... wasn’t that fun,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno, whose two daughters attended Cathedral High School when it was moved from place-to-place after the tornado.

Neal joked about he and Sarno swapping roles of playing the “bad cop” and “the diplomat” during those meetings.

After the school was damaged so badly it was determined it could not be used, Cathedral students first spent several years in a rented elementary school in Wilbraham. As enrollment at Cathedral and Holyoke High School continued to decline Rozanski, as the new bishop of Springfield, made the decision to merge the two schools.

Even then students spent at least two years together at the Holyoke High School building in Chicopee – which has no gymnasium, auditorium, parking or playing fields – before finally moving to a permanent home on the former site of Cathedral High School.

The school was built with the help of $39 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency money. Neal said that money was designated under the national principal to help the “American family” after hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters devastate communities across the country.

He also talked about his experiences teaching at what was then Cathedral High

School so long ago that his original students are ready to retire and especially thanked the nuns, mainly members of the Sisters of St. Joseph, for their long dedication to teaching local students and then heading to homeless shelters and American Indian reservations to help during the summer.

“They saw a potential in every child...no matter where that child came from,” Neal said.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 | S23

Pope Francis Prep is a Catholic co-educational, college-preparatory school which instills Gospel values and fosters academic excellence in a diverse community of learners.

T

heir mission is to challenge students to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically to become critical thinkers and faith-based leaders who embody justice, peace, service, and mercy in the global community.

Today, they strive to accomplish their mission in the following ways:

• Students are invited to explore

and discover the Academic Pathways Program, where a student can concentrate their studies in a particular area of interest such as engineering, health & bioscience, the arts, or law and civic engagement to name a few.

• Students can discover the Fine

and Performing Arts including pottery, photography, theater, acting and more.

• Students can dive into their passion with more than 30 clubs and

TECH ROOFING SERVICE, INC. 896 Sheridan St. Chicopee, MA 01020

leadership opportunities available.

• Students can deepen their faith

with our Campus Ministry Leadership program

• They compete with 25 athletic teams in 12 sports.

• Students’ average SAT scores exceed national averages.

• Students can look towards a

bright future with the assistance of 2 full-time guidance counselors and 1 full-time college counselor.

• 100% of our graduates are ac-

cepted to college: 90% of students matriculate to 4-year colleges or universities.

• Student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1 • On-site technology with a 1:1

Microsoft Surface Pro Program integrated within the curriculum.

Specializing in COMMERCIAL and INDUSTRIAL Roofing Systems 40+ years experience EPDM, TPO, PVC, Modified Bitumen, Built-up, Shingle, Slate and Metal Systems Complete Installation, Repair, Maintenance and Inspection Services for MA & CT

413-331-5667

24-hour Emergency Service

info@techroofing.com www.techroofing.com

Minority Business Enterprise certified by the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council

Proud vendor of the Diocese of Springfield. Congratulations on the opening of Pope Francis Preparatory School!

03094027

MA LICENSE: CS75354/HIC124864 * CT LICENSE: MCO.0902914/HIC.0556186

S24 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

POPE FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Mission

School Profile

Pope Francis Preparatory School is a Catholic co-educational, college-preparatory school which instills Gospel values and fosters academic excellence in a diverse community of learners. Our mission is to challenge students to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically to become critical thinkers and faith-based leaders who embody justice, peace, service and mercy in the global community.

Pope Francis Preparatory School is a private, four-year co-educational, college preparatory high school of the Diocese of Springfield. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Massachusetts Department of Education. Pope Francis High School was established in July of 2016 as the result of the merger of two diocesan high schools, Holyoke Catholic High School and Cathedral High School and changed its name to Pope Francis Preparatory School upon arriving at its current state-ofthe-art facility in Springfield, MA. It is a regional high school serving students from thirty-four cities and towns. Students from all ethnic and religious backgrounds are accepted on the basis of standardized testing, grades, and interviews.

Location It is located in the East Forest Park section of the city of Springfield, MA at 99 Wendover Road. Located in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, the city of Springfield is the largest city in western New England, and the urban, economic, and cultural capital of Massachusetts' Connecticut River Valley. It is the third-largest city in Massachusetts and fourth-largest in New England after Boston, Worcester, and Providence. Pope Francis Preparatory School joins Springfield College, Western New England University, American International College, and Springfield Technical Community College among other educational institutions in calling Springfield their home. Pope Francis Preparatory School moved to its new state of the art facility on Wendover Road in September of 2018.

Faculty Twenty-nine teachers Media/IT Specialist Two guidance counselors

One college counselor One nurse Student-teacher ratio: 10 to 1

Campus The campus boasts a 122,000 square foot building situated on a 38-acre campus.

99 Wendover Road, Springfield, MA 01118 To learn more about Pope Francis Preparatory School, call 833-999-POPE or visit popefrancisprep.org.