Meeting for parents interested in St. Michael's Academy set for April 29

Date: 4/21/2009

By Debbie Gardner

PRIME Editor



SPRINGFIELD -- Parents of students planning to enroll in the Diocese of Springfield's new St. Michael's Academy for the fall of 2009 are invited to a meeting at Cathedral High School at 7 p.m. on April 29.

According to Mark Dupont, director of communications for the Diocese of Springfield, the Diocese will introduce the Academy's new leadership team to parents at this meeting. A presentation on the before and after-school programs, a discussion of some curriculum issues and a uniform fashion show will also be part of the meeting.

On March 25, Springfield Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell and diocesan superintendent of schools, Franciscan Sister of St. Joseph M. Andrea Ciszewski, announced the makeup of the new leadership team for St. Michael's Academy. Nelly deCarvalho, current principal of Our Lady of Hope School in Springfield, was named as head of academy. In this new role deCarvalho will oversee the academic mission and accreditation of the entire academy as well as be responsible for marketing, development and business operations.

Claire Cote, current principal at Holy Cross School, was named the new principal for the elementary (K-5) division of the new academy which will be located on Eddywood Avenue in the present Holy Cross School building. She will be assisted by Ann Dougal, current principal at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School Springfield, who will serve as assistant principal in the elementary division.

Carol Raffaele, current principal of Mt. Carmel Academy Springfield, will be the new principal for the grade 6 to 8 middle school division on Wendover Road. She will be assisted by David Nortz as assistant principal in the middle school division. Nortz is presently the principal at Holy Name School, Springfield.

In addition, on April 13 Amy O'Brien, currently the Business Manager at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish and School, began working three days a week in her new roll as business manager for St. Michael's Academy.

At publication time the Catholic Schools Office is still reviewing candidates to oversee the preschool program.

"As of [April 16] we have just over 750 students registered and we continue to receive new registrations," Dupont told Reminder Publications by e-mail. We have begun interviewing teachers and are close to determining how many classes of each grade will be required. "

Dupont said that in some grade levels, the class maximum has nearly been reached.

"All in all we continue to feel great confidence as we move forward," he said. "Our enrollment numbers seem very good, especially in light of the economy. And the overall response from parents and the community as a whole remains very favorable."