| Our
Parish School As
early as 1949, the late, beloved pastor of Holy Trinity, Monsignor
Leo J. Gregg, was convinced of the great need for a Catholic School
for the children of the parish. So he decided to proceed with the
raising of the funds needed for it. A capital campaign was begun
in 1950 and combined with the existing school fund which was actually
begun during the pastorate of Father Conaty. A ranch-type, L-shaped
fieldstone exterior school was designed and is situated on the northeast
corner our eight acre campus. The cornerstone was laid on June 5,
1952. At that time, Monsignor Gregg said "The supreme function
of the new school is symbolized in the words inscribed in the cornerstone
'For God and Country .'Holy Trinity School will lead the way for
the building of character and strength in the hearts, souls, minds
and bodies of the young people. "Among the articles placed
in the copper box of the cornerstone were pictures of Pope Pius
XII, Francis Cardinal Spellman, Father Peter P. Conaty, the first
pastor, and a list of contributors.
Holy Trinity School was
formally opened on Monday, September 8, 1952, the Feast of the Nativity
of Our Lady, with 423 students in grades kindergarten through six.Theteaching
staff consisted of six Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary and two lay teachers, Mrs. Anna Gates and Mrs.Palmer. In 1954,
more than 100 children had to be refused admittance due to overcrowded
conditions. A new, two-story wing was planned to comprise eight
classrooms and a combination gymnasium and auditorium. This was
to become the Father Peter P. Conaty Memorial Hall. Then, it became
possible to have as many as 793 students in 1958 and 870 in 1960.
June 24, 1955 was the
occasion of the first graduation with 40 students receiving their
diplomas. Marist Brothers were part of the teaching staff from September
1957throughJune1963. Holy Trinity Home School Association was established
in February,1967 in order to create a unified effort and spirit
among parents and teachers in the most significant duty of educating
the children.
In recent years, the
school has also been staffed by a devoted lay faculty. Like the
religious sisters and brothers, they have been dedicated to challenging
the young to establish a strong and broad foundation upon which
they can build their future. During the past 55 years, Holy Trinity
has prepared thousands of students for the challenges of a secondary
and higher education. Our basic objective is to help form each child
into a Christ-like, well educated, responsible citizen. We believe
in the education of the total person, spiritually, intellectually,
physically and emotionally. With an enrollment of260, the school
has been able to provide greater diversity in course material and
subject matter while fostering programs with greater individualization.
Grades Pre-K and Kindergarten follow the educational theories of
Maria Montessori, while grades one through five firm up the skills
that they have developed, now in a more traditional educational
setting. Finally,grades six through eight learn to adjust to and
take advantage of a departmentalized academic program that does
wonders in preparing our graduates for their future education. These
programs have been enriched by conversational Spanish, physical
education, art and music appreciation, computer labs, and library
science. In attempting to develop the whole person, band, chorus,
field trips and cultural events have been added to its academic
offerings. The Monsignor Gregg Scholarship is an assistance program
for financially needy young boys and girls established in 1996 in
the name of the second pastor of Holy Trinity and the founder of
our school. Today, we are proud that Holy Trinity School is accredited
by the Middle States ssociation.
The school stands today
as a monument to those whose aspirations and sacrifices made it
possible. The cross which adorns the school proclaims the faith
of those who built, those who taught and those who put their faith
in the spirit which has given fuller life to generations of young
people. For all this, we thank God, the Author and Giver of all
good gifts. |
