When students arrive at St. Helena School, Edison, they are greeted at the door by their parish pastor, Father Anthony Sirianni, as well as school principal Sister Mary Charles.
“This very important aspect of the day contributes to the school’s family environment,” said vice principal Lynn Jurcsek.
The morning routine continues with some time to socialize in the all-purpose room, and then classmates gather and are led to their classrooms by the eighth grade Safety Patrols. Morning prayer is led for the school community by a member of the eighth grade Spirituality Club, and Sister Charles shares morning announcements.
“The Safety Patrol is a very important tradition at St. Helena School,” said Jurcsek. “Safety Patrols lead the younger students to class in the morning, assist with activities on the rare occasions lunch is in the classroom, and set cones for recess and pickup. The Eighth-Grade students are truly respected by the younger students.”
She explained that the last Mass of the school year is known as the “Pass It On Mass,” during which graduating eighth graders pass on their responsibilities and leadership to seventh graders in anticipation for the year to come. At the first school Mass, the now-eighth grade students take an oath to follow the rules and set positive examples for the younger students.
Jurcsek, who has been teaching at St. Helena School for 14 years, recalls how moving it was to participate in her first school Mass.
“The first school Mass I attended brought me to tears,” she said “Every month, a different grade leads the Mass. The students are the readers, cantors, altar servers and the choir members. They lead the congregation in song and prayer, and also perform a meditation song. That is one of the reasons St. Helena School is known as ‘the school that sings’.”
As students settled into the new school year, they shared some of the things that they most enjoy about their St. Helena community – with fellow students and their teachers being among the favorites.
“I like how our school always has a positive mind and we have nice teachers and staff members,” said one fifth grade student.
Another fifth-grade student shared, “I like how our amazing teachers allow the advanced students to work ahead and learn a lot.”
Jurcsek noted that many teachers come in early, stay late and offer lunchtime tutoring sessions to help students, and that teachers who staff the school’s aftercare program provide homework assistance.
Another popular part of daily life at St. Helena, honored as a Blue Ribbon School, is the wide range of clubs that are offered to students – including a chess club, book club and finance club. Students can initiate their own clubs by presenting a plan to Sister Charles, and a teacher will volunteer to monitor and support the group.
The school has a research club, which meets after school and includes students in the fourth and fifth grade. Throughout the year, teams research various topics, formulate presentations and build a walk-through display – which last year consisted of a walk-through brain. The largest group is the Drama Club, which has put on some great presentations, said Jurcsek.
“The director, Ms. Phillips, has quite the flair for choosing musical productions to meet the talents of the students. Last year’s production of “Newsies Jr.” was a hit,” she said. “The music teacher, Mr. Steffani, equally amazing, coaches the singing students in the play, but also runs the vocal and handbell choirs.”
With the new school year underway, Jurcsek said that the community is excited to be back, and to welcome its newest members – both students and staff.
“The students and teachers are glad to be back at St. Helena,” said Jurcsek. “We welcomed new students and new teachers and are off to a great start. We are looking forward to an awesome year.”
Mission Statement Saint Helena School is dedicated to providing a well-rounded education for students. Gospel values are instilled by creating an environment of stewardship and by encouraging respect and tolerance. Strong academic skills are achieved through a challenging curriculum enriched by the study of fine arts, technology, and physical education.