The 2001-2002 school year also brought many examples of innovative teaching. Students in the science classes observed the world in a whole new way with the recent purchase of microscopes. Social studies students learned about their peers in other parts of the country through penpal programs. Music students could practice their skills further through the newly-created Handbell Ringers Choir. Religion students completed projects that highlighted the appearance of God’s love in our daily lives.

 As a testament to its academic excellence, St. Elizabeth is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. This past school year, our administration and faculty initiated the reaccreditation process with a proposal for new creative approaches to reading motivation. Next school year, the plan will be implemented with the support of the entire school community. (back to top)

 Technology: Director of Technology Ed Fener has overseen a substantial upgrade to St. Elizabeth’s resources and infrastructure in his two full years with the school.

Each classroom now has three computers available for student use. The installation of DSL wiring for the computer network has allowed for much faster communications and allowed teachers to better integrate the use of technology into their daily lesson plans. Mr. Fener has been available to provide inservice training for the faculty to help them in maximizing their resources. Within the administration, communication has been enhanced with the addition of e-mail and telephone voice mail. Each class also has its own file on the server, in which it can store classroom work completed at any terminal.

The school has also been able to acquire new software and peripheral devices each year as the recipient of a Learning Technology Grant from the New York State Department of Education for six consecutive years. Continuing a previous project, the students work with Young McDonald’s Farm, a telerobotic aqua-culture farm in Dover Plains, New York. They monitor data on various sensors at the trout hatchery and green house, and use remote interaction with robots to control maintenance systems. The students use teleconferencing software to communicate with one another and with various schools and experts throughout the world. (back to top)

Library: Following a year of major expansion, students are using the library’s varied resources in all areas of the curriculum. The development of our state-of-the-art library has included Internet wiring and the acquisition of a large number of books, reference materials and periodicals. The card catalogue was replaced with full automation of library resources, as part of the Library Connections Grant of the Archdiocesan Patrons Program. We are grateful to Sr. Eileen Barrow, OP, Assistant Principal and Administrative Coordinator of the project, and Sr. Doris Thibault, OP, Librarian, for their total commitment and dedication.

All classes now have an opportunity to visit at regularly scheduled times, as well during the free period at lunch. Sr. Doris instructs students in grades three through eight in library science, such as use of the card catalogue, and the primary grades in basic skills such as book care. The pre-k and kindergarten classes have story time in the library. (back to top)

Services: About thirty percent of our students now participate in the After School Program, which offers children the opportunity to spend time with friends, begin homework assignments and develop new interests, within a safe environment. This past school year, the program applied for incorporation, which will make it eligible for a broader range of funding sources.

As part of our mission of nurturing the whole child, St. Elizabeth School now offers health services to its students. Annual vision and hearing screening services are provided by the New York City Board of Health staff for grade one and for new admissions. The New York City Board of Health staffs the school with a registered nurse five days a week.

The school continues to offer services for remediation after school, and through the Title I Program provided through the New York City Board of Education. Students in grades kindergarten through two receive additional assistance with language arts, reading and writing in the Writing to Read Program, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Riordan Foundation and $5,000 from the Department of Education, Archdiocese of New York. (back to top)

Preschool: Children returning to the St. Elizabeth Early Childhood Program after the winter break were met with bright, cheery renovated classrooms, complete with fresh paint and new drapes and tiling. This is in addition to the four new Dell computers and new instructional materials acquired earlier this school year.

The program, which provides development in academics, creativity, socialization, motor skills and spirituality, will now be open to three- as well as four-year-olds for the 2002-2003 school year.

Since September 2000, St. Elizabeth School has also served as a site for Universal Pre-Kindergarten, a half-day program offered by the New York City Department of Education. (back to top)

Recreation: This past school year, our dedicated faculty continued to offer a number of extracurricular activities to complement the school curriculum, including Yearbook, Newspaper, Art Club, Band, Choruses, Handbell Ringers, Technology Club, Altar Servers, CYO Basketball, Softball, and Cheerleaders.

A $1500 grant will allow the school to beautify the outdoor courtyard, creating a safe outdoor play area to be used by the children during school and for after school sports and programs. This is the fifth year in a row that we were the recipients of the Neighborhood Fund Grant, sponsored by Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and New York State Psychiatric Institute. (back to top)

Development: In addition to the procurement of some of the grants mentioned here, our Development Office has continued to expand the school’s reach and to ensure that programs continue to grow. The school website at www.steliznyc.org was produced to better communicate news, events, and policies to all members of our school community.

Principal Sr. Noreen Nolan and Pastor Msgr. Gerald Walsh took part in a "Building Advisory Boards," a workshop designed by National Catholic Education Association and sponsored by the Office of Development of the Archdiocese of New York. They will be restructuring the St. Elizabeth Advisory Board this school year. Last fall, we also initiated our Sponsor a Student Program, for the benefit of all deserving students whose families cannot afford to pay for their education at our school. (back to top)

Home-School: Families at St. Elizabeth continue to display the value that they place on education with their overwhelming school involvement. Over 96% of parents participated in parent-teacher conferences three times this year. They supported the Book Fairs, Science Fair, and Spelling Bee, and attended concerts, Catholic Schools Week events, and sporting events. In November over 125 parents attended a workshop intended to maximize their influence in the academic and spiritual development of their children. It was presented by Ms. Auria Martinez, who teaches parenting classes at the Columbia University Parenting Institute, and was sponsored by Project SOAR, a school program that focuses on the prevention of substance abuse by students. (back to top)