For new principal in Holy Savior, prayer anchors school day

Although she said she will miss teaching, Lisa Dell’ Aquila is looking forward to her first principal position at Holy Savior Academy, South Plainfield, a pre-kindergarten to grade 8 school with a student population of 140 and a staff of 15.

Dell’ Aquila comes from St. John the Apostle School, Clark, in the Archdiocese of Newark, where she has been a second- and third-grade teacher since 2016. Prior to that she was an educator for 16 years with the Elizabeth Public Schools. She also taught religious education at both St. John the Apostle School and the since-shuttered St. Agnes School, Clark.

When asked about additions she would like to bring to Holy Savior, Dell’ Aquila said she would like to add a few more clubs to the school’s after-school program. She also plans to take advantage of the school’s underused science lab with hands-on programs.

“I want them (students) in there at least once or twice a week in the labs doing activities, especially with the middle school (grades),” she said. “I also (want to) open it up to the second-, third- and fourth-grade teachers.”

Dell’ Aquila also will be implementing what she called a “Thinking Classroom in Mathamatics,” a curriculum developed by Peter Liljedahl, which, she said, makes math fun for children by getting them to think and do problem solving. She will be working with fourth- through eighth-grade teachers to develop the program.

She said the Holy Savior school day begins with a daily opening prayer in the auditorium. Prayers are also said throughout the day in the classrooms. The school day ends with a closing prayer by each of the teachers. Holy Savior also has a monthly First Friday Mass as well as prayer services led by a different grade each month and Confessions with priests from Sacred Heart Church, South Plainfield.

Dell’ Aquila said she wants to have the grades 3 through 8 attend Mass at least once a week. She also will be bringing back the Living Rosary in October.

Also on the school calendar is a Christmas Pageant in December and the May Crowning.

“Catholic Schools Week is a very big deal (at Holy Savior). I’ve already spoken to the staff (and) told to them to think about some ideas,” she said, noting that any new events would be in addition to the school’s volleyball game and a book fair.

Dell’ Aquila said she is guided by her Catholic faith daily.

“I worship in the Adoration Chapel once a week… I think that prayer is important in your life; [having] Jesus in your life. It centers me, grounds me,” Dell’ Aquila said. “If you don’t have faith I don’t know what you turn to.”

When asked why Catholic education is important to her, she said: “I like the idea that we can share our Catholic identity (and) bring the teachings of Jesus into the classroom …That’s really why I came back to the Catholic school (Saint John the Apostle) … And I think you get a solid education.”

Dell’ Aquila holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in marketing from St. Peter’s University, Jersey City, and a master’s degree in instruction and curriculum from Kean University, Union. She received her teacher certification in elementary education in 1998, a principal certification in 2008, and a school administrator certificate in 2010.