Saint Teresa of Avila School
Encyclopedia
Saint Teresa of Avila school is a Catholic
private
elementary school
, including 3-year-old preschool through Grade 8, part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
, located in Norristown, Pennsylvania
.
The cornerstone
for the school was laid by Father Raphael O'Brien in 1959, and the first classes were held the next year. The school, as we know it today, was not the same building that welcomed 96 students in September, 1960.
The interior design of the original school was different from what we know today, with the right wing divided into classrooms, and the left wing initially one large open room which served as an auditorium
, cafeteria
, and parish hall. As the school population grew, this open section was divided into temporary classrooms by using portable blackboard
s.
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
, staffed Saint Teresa of Avila School. Most of the early classes were combined, with children from 2 grades being taught by a single teacher in one room. Mother Beatrice Marie was appointed the first principal.
Those early classes of students wore traditional uniforms. Boys were attired in white shirts, ties and navy slacks and blazers. The girls wore navy jumpers, black-and-white saddle shoes, and navy berets as a head covering when they went to church, where Masses were said in Latin
.
In 1965, a large hall was added to the back of the school building. This served the dual function as a site for parish Masses on Sundays and a gymnasium/auditorium for school and parish activities. Beneath the hall, additional area was allocated for a library and later a kindergarten and nursery school. Initially the new hall was not utilized extensively by students during the school day because of its use for Sunday Masses.
After Father O'Brien retired, Father Thomas F. Walsh was appointed pastor of Saint Teresa of Avila. In 1974, Father Walsh oversaw the establishment of a kindergarten and in 1980, the nursery school program for 3 and 4 year olds. Seven years later, an addition was made to the left wing of the school to house the 7th and 8th grade classrooms. Part of the adjacent older section was remodeled to include a faculty room, copy room, computer room and conference room. In 1974, Father Walsh oversaw the establishment of a Kindergarten but this program closed shortly thereafter.
In 1980, with the blessing of Father Walsh and Sister Helen Marie, Joanne McCann and Mary Emily McCormick re-established the Kindergarten program and also founded a Pre-School program for 3- and 4-year-olds. These programs have grown and flourished, and in 2003, a full-day Kindergarten was opened.
In 1990, Father Walsh retired and the three remaining Immaculate Heart sisters were assigned other work, marking the end of 30 years of teaching excellence by the IHM sisters. Father Francis Kelly became the new Pastor
of Saint Teresa of Avila, and in September 1990, the school began its first year under an all lay faculty headed by Mrs. Maria Brown, Principal. The School earned the prestigious Middle States accreditation in 1994. Father Kelly retired in 1998 and Monsignor Andrew Golias became Pastor. Mrs. Brown remained Principal of Saint Teresa of Avila School until her retirement in 2001, at which time, Mrs. Janet Lazorcheck was appointed Principal.
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
private
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
, including 3-year-old preschool through Grade 8, part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in southeastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. It covers the City and County of Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. The diocese was...
, located in Norristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Norristown is a municipality in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, northwest of the city limits of Philadelphia, on the Schuylkill River. The population was 34,324 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County...
.
History
Although the first Mass at Saint Teresa of Avila Parish at its present site was celebrated in 1952, the parish school did not open its doors for another 8 years. Up to that time children from Saint Teresa of Avila Parish attended either parochial schools associated either with St. Ann Parish in Phoenixville or St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Norristown.The cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
for the school was laid by Father Raphael O'Brien in 1959, and the first classes were held the next year. The school, as we know it today, was not the same building that welcomed 96 students in September, 1960.
The interior design of the original school was different from what we know today, with the right wing divided into classrooms, and the left wing initially one large open room which served as an auditorium
Auditorium
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances at venues such as theatres. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is expressed as the number of screens.- Etymology :...
, cafeteria
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
, and parish hall. As the school population grew, this open section was divided into temporary classrooms by using portable blackboard
Blackboard
A chalkboard is a reusable writing surface.Blackboard may also refer to:* Blackboards are synonymous with "boards of infamy", an element of agitation-propaganda in the Soviet Union in 1930s, coincidental with Holodomor...
s.
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are a Catholic teaching order for women. It is divided among three separate congregations. The original community of the order is headquartered in Monroe, Michigan. The Mother house currently houses more than 400 sisters, more than 100 of which...
, staffed Saint Teresa of Avila School. Most of the early classes were combined, with children from 2 grades being taught by a single teacher in one room. Mother Beatrice Marie was appointed the first principal.
Those early classes of students wore traditional uniforms. Boys were attired in white shirts, ties and navy slacks and blazers. The girls wore navy jumpers, black-and-white saddle shoes, and navy berets as a head covering when they went to church, where Masses were said in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
.
In 1965, a large hall was added to the back of the school building. This served the dual function as a site for parish Masses on Sundays and a gymnasium/auditorium for school and parish activities. Beneath the hall, additional area was allocated for a library and later a kindergarten and nursery school. Initially the new hall was not utilized extensively by students during the school day because of its use for Sunday Masses.
After Father O'Brien retired, Father Thomas F. Walsh was appointed pastor of Saint Teresa of Avila. In 1974, Father Walsh oversaw the establishment of a kindergarten and in 1980, the nursery school program for 3 and 4 year olds. Seven years later, an addition was made to the left wing of the school to house the 7th and 8th grade classrooms. Part of the adjacent older section was remodeled to include a faculty room, copy room, computer room and conference room. In 1974, Father Walsh oversaw the establishment of a Kindergarten but this program closed shortly thereafter.
In 1980, with the blessing of Father Walsh and Sister Helen Marie, Joanne McCann and Mary Emily McCormick re-established the Kindergarten program and also founded a Pre-School program for 3- and 4-year-olds. These programs have grown and flourished, and in 2003, a full-day Kindergarten was opened.
In 1990, Father Walsh retired and the three remaining Immaculate Heart sisters were assigned other work, marking the end of 30 years of teaching excellence by the IHM sisters. Father Francis Kelly became the new Pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of Saint Teresa of Avila, and in September 1990, the school began its first year under an all lay faculty headed by Mrs. Maria Brown, Principal. The School earned the prestigious Middle States accreditation in 1994. Father Kelly retired in 1998 and Monsignor Andrew Golias became Pastor. Mrs. Brown remained Principal of Saint Teresa of Avila School until her retirement in 2001, at which time, Mrs. Janet Lazorcheck was appointed Principal.
Philosophy
A student's Catholic education is the starting point on the path to a lifetime of accomplishment, fulfillment, and faith in action. A Catholic education provides students with a solid foundation for future success through challenging academic instruction and the development of faith and values established in the home. Saint Teresa of Avila School's dedicated teachers and staff model and share their faith and knowledge in a profoundly nurturing, spiritual, and disciplined environment. Our students learn respect for themselves and others through active participation in the community of family, school, and prayer.Activities
- Catholic Youth OrganizationCatholic Youth OrganizationA Catholic Youth Organization is an organization for young Catholics. Usually each group uses the church for meeting and gathering, although some have their own premises. It was initiated by Bishop Bernard J...
(CYO) - Cub ScoutCub ScoutA Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
Pack 650 - Brownies (Girl ScoutsGirl Scouts of the USAThe Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
) - Middle School Youth Group (Youth ClubYouth clubA youth club or youth social club is a place where young people can meet and enjoy activities such as football, soccer, basketball, table tennis, or video games, and other religious, sports activities are frequently sponsored by a community center....
)
Sports
Run by Saint Teresa's CYO program, includes:- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Cheerleading
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Softball
- Outdoor Track
Notable alumni
- Maria BelloMaria BelloMaria Elena Bello is an American actress and singer known for her appearances in the movies Coyote Ugly, The Jane Austen Book Club, Permanent Midnight, Thank You for Smoking, A History of Violence, Payback, and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. For television she is known for her role as Dr...
, actress; World Trade Center (film)World Trade Center (film)World Trade Center is a 2006 American disaster-drama film directed by Oliver Stone and based on the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. It stars Nicolas Cage, Maria Bello, Michael Peña, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon. The film was shot from October 19, 2005 - February 10, 2006...
, Thank You for Smoking, Secret WindowSecret WindowSecret Window is a 2004 psychological horror film starring Johnny Depp and John Turturro. It was written and directed by David Koepp, based on the novella Secret Window, Secret Garden by Stephen King, featuring a musical score by Philip Glass and Geoff Zanelli. The story appeared in King's...
, Coyote Ugly (film)Coyote Ugly (film)Coyote Ugly is a 2000 romantic comedy/drama based on the actual Coyote Ugly Saloon, set in New York City. The film stars Piper Perabo and Adam Garcia...
, and ER (TV series)ER (TV series)ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...