sp scsc.pmd - Diocese of Allentown

St. Catharine of Siena School, Reading
Background/history: St. Catharine of
Siena School (SCS), Reading, opened Sept.
1, 1938 across the street from St. Catharine
of Siena Church, serving that parish as well
as Immaculate Conception BVM, Birdsboro
and the surrounding area. The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
(IHM), who had previously taught catechism at St. Catharine of Siena Parish,
staffed the school. A new school building
was constructed in 1955.
In 1988 St. Catharine of Siena and Immaculate Conception joined to form St.
Catharine of Siena Regional School. Immaculate Conception expanded and
opened Immaculate Conception Academy,
Douglassville in 2001.
Mission: SCS provides a quality Catholic education in a Christ-centered environment for the children of the parish and the
surrounding community. Rooted in the
Gospel message, its challenging academic
program incorporates strategies and techniques necessary for success in the 21st
century.
SCS nurtures the growth of the whole
child to prepare students to become active
members in their faith, life-long learners and
moral citizens in a global society.
Enrollment: There are 325 students registered for the 2013-14 school year in
prekindergarten (4 years old) to grade eight.
The student-teacher ratio is 16:1.
Principal and teacher biographies:
Principal Sister Teresa Ballisty, an IHM,
has been in education for 41 years. She is a
graduate of John W. Hallahan Catholic
Girls High School, Philadelphia. Sister
Teresa earned a bachelor of arts degree in
math, education and theology from
Immaculata University.
She earned a master of science degree
in education in administration and supervision from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va. Sister Teresa has done postgraduate continuing education at Notre
Dame Catechetical Institute, Arlington, Va.
(religious studies); University of Virginia;
The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.; and Immaculata University.
Fourth grade teacher Eleanor Albright
graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High
School 45 years ago, and graduated from
Alvernia University, Reading with a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education
with a concentration in math. This marks
her 40th year of teaching in the Diocese of
Allentown; two years at the former St.
Francis of Assisi School, Allentown and
38 at St. Catharine of Siena.
Fifth grade teacher Karen McDonough,
who also teaches sixth grade math, has
been a faculty member for 33 years. Prior
to SCS she taught at the former St. Mary
School, Reading for approximately five
years. She is a graduate of the former Reading Central Catholic High School, and
earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and library science
from Kutztown University. She is a certi-
fied master catechist.
The faculty is comprised of four IHM
sisters and 21 lay teachers with more than
300 combined years of teaching experience.
All teachers have either a master’s or
bachelor’s degree with certification. All faculty participate in ongoing professional
development, attending workshops and
classes. There is also a full-time counselor.
Special programs/technology: Students have weekly classes in art, music,
physical education, library, computers and
Spanish. SCS has a fully equipped computer lab with a Smart Board, Smart Boards
in many classrooms, and netbooks available for classroom use.
Some students qualify for and participate in the accelerated math program in
grades five to eight and a gifted/enrichment program for grades one to eight.
Extra-curricular activities: These include band, drama club and IHM Math
Contest, CYO activities and junior high
sports at BCHS.
Kindergarten program: There is a fullday program for 5-year-olds. Students participate in all the encore classes: art, music, physical education, computer, library,
and Spanish. Prekindergarten offers the
option of five full days, three full days or
three half days for 4-year-olds. The children participate in the encore classes:
physical education, computer, library and
Spanish. Music and art are integrated into
the prekindergarten program.
Extended care: Children in grades
prekindergarten to grade eight can use the
after-care program, which is available for a
set fee. The program runs from dismissal
to 6 p.m. on school days.
Academic achievements and awards:
Students score consistently high in the
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS).
Catholic high schools students attended: The former Reading Central Catholic and Holy Name High Schools, Reading;
BCHS; and John Paul II High School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Colleges and universities students have
attended include: Alvernia University,
Reading; DeSales University, Center Valley; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Mass.; Princeton
University, N.J.; Seton Hall University,
South Orange, N.J.; University of Notre
Dame, South Bend, Ind.; and University of
Pittsburgh.
Financial aid availability and transfer
grants: Financial aid is available through
the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholarship
Foundation (EPSF) and the Opportunity
Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC). Parishioners can also apply for financial aid through
SCHOOL
SNAPSHOT
the parish. Transfer grants ($1,000 for the
first year and $500 for the second year) are
available for students transferring from
public school.
School contact information: 2330
Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA 19606; 610779-5810; altbscs@ptd.net; www.scsreading.org.
Additional information: The school will
celebrate its 75th anniversary with a Mass
celebrated by Bishop John Barres Saturday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. at St. Catharine of
Siena, Boyertown Pike, Reading. A reception and dinner will follow in the parish
social hall. The school would like to have
many graduates attend. For more information, contact Martha D’Achille,
mdachille@scsreading.org.
School tours: Two open houses are offered during Catholic Schools Week. At
other times call Maryann Weiser in the
school office to set up an appointment for
a tour or shadow day, 610-779-5810.
The school will celebrate its 75th Anniversary with a Mass
celebrated by Bishop John Barres Saturday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m.
at St. Catharine of Siena,Boyertown Pike, Reading. A reception
and dinner will follow in the parish social hall. The school
would like to have many graduates attend. For more information, contact Martha D’Achille, mdachille@scsreading.org.