Jaguar Journal Autumn 2009

In this issue:

• St. Joseph’s School at 60—Still Fulfilling the Dream
• Christmas Comes Early to St. Joseph’s School
• St. Joseph’s Students Celebrate Halloween by Caring, Not Scaring
• Spotlight On…Mrs. Laurie Niederhauser

St. Joseph’s School at 60—Still Fulfilling the Dream

During the 1930s, St. Joseph’s parishioners dreamed of giving their children a Catholic education. But the nearest Catholic school, St. Mary’s in Katonah, was inaccessible to most families. The pastor of St. Joseph’s, Fr. Edward Dargin, responded by arranging for a bus—it became known as “the little brown St. Joseph’s bus”—to take children from Croton Falls, Somers, Lincolndale, and Goldens Bridge down Route 22 to Katonah. Traveling so far to a Catholic school, however, proved to be a hardship for many families and students, some of whom had to walk miles to reach the stop for the little brown bus. And so parish families continued to long for a school of their own.

In 1943, Fr. Dargin returned to St. Joseph’s as Monsignor Dargin, and tucked in his pocket was the dream that he had carried from his earlier days at the parish, the dream of establishing St. Joseph’s Catholic School. With the support of the parish, he set to making the dream a reality, and in 1949, St. Joseph’s School opened to 143 students. That school is what we know today as the Library, Faculty office, and the classrooms for the First through Fourth grades. In 1960 the school was expanded to add additional classrooms (today’s Fifth through Eighth grade classrooms), the gymnasium and a convent for the Sisters of Divine Compassion, who were the administrators and teachers at the school until 1994. The convent was later converted to the Little School where we now have Pre-K and Kindergarten classes.

The establishment of St. Joseph’s, which began with determined, faithful parents, a pastor who heard them, and the little brown St. Joseph’s bus, continues today with equally determined and involved parents, a caring administration led by Monsignor James Moore, and dedicated students. Plans are now in the works to mark the school’s 60th Anniversary. A committee led by Principal Hugh Keenan is organizing a reception to bring students and their families, parishioners, alumni and the Sisters of Divine Compassion and other former teachers for a celebration of the school. The event will be an occasion to share what St. Joseph’s School has meant to all who have come through its doors, and to recognize its importance for those who will come through in the next 60 years. Details about the Anniversary celebration will appear in the next issue of the Jaguar Journal.

Christmas Comes Early to St. Joseph’s School

St. Joseph’s has been awarded a $5000 grant from Entergy, Inc. which will be used to create a Science, Technology and Math Center at the school. The award was presented to the school on November 24. The grant, which will be part of an initial outlay of funds, will be used to purchase a demonstration desk as well as student lab desks, seating and upgraded storage facilities for the Center. The demonstration desk will be state of the art, allowing for connection to computer technology and the school’s Smart Board system to create computergenerated, interactive demonstrations and hands-on student lessons and projects.

The grant is the beginning of a two-year funding plan to enhance the school’s science program to better integrate curricular offerings in science, technology, and math for students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. While the math and science curricula are currently taught as both as independent and cross-curricular disciplines, the addition of the Center will enable students to more easily integrate technologies to their class work and science projects. In addition to changes to the physical plant, the Science Center will boast new digital microscopes, a document camera, and additional learning aids such as measurement equipment and 3-D models. It is anticipated that at completion of the plan, the school will also be able to introduce engineering-related components, particularly as part of the school’s participation in the Annual Tri-County Archdiocesan Science Fair. According to Principal Hugh Keenan, “Our goal with the Science Center is to expand the school’s science and math curriculum to incorporate STEM learning--Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.” While the New York State middle school science curriculum focuses on Earth, Life and Physical sciences, there are opportunities to bring such concepts into each area. “The Center will better prepare our students for the rigors of math, science and engineering study in high school and college and—we hope for many students—in their chosen careers,” he added. Mrs. Catherine Both, who teaches math and science for the middle school students, is excited by the prospect of the new Center. “Students will be able to investigate matters in structured lab activities as well as on their own, since all the materials and equipment will be readily accessible to them. They will have more ‘hands on’ time not only to enrich and reinforce lessons, but also to learn more effectively as they step out of the role of student and into the role of the scientist. I’m thrilled!”

The $5000 grant is an “Open Grant,” which is one of several different philanthropic grants offered by Entergy, Inc. to local schools for science and education-related endeavors. Thanks go to parent and PTO Co-President, John Dignam, who spearheaded the effort to apply for the Entergy grant.

St. Joseph’s Students Celebrate Halloween by Caring, Not Scaring

Students at St. Joseph’s celebrated Halloween by dressing in costumes, eating candy, and playing games—and at the same time spreading joy and love to old and young in their community and in disadvantaged parts of the world. The students of Mrs. Susan Gusmano’s Kindergarten class brought Halloween fun to the residents at Salem Hill, Somers Manor and Waterview Hills nursing homes. The visit has been an annual event for more than 20 years.

Mrs. Gusmano began the tradition to give the residents the gift of a visit from five-year olds. She says she has been pleasantly surprised to find out that “every year it turns out to be a greater gift for us! The residents have such smiles and are so appreciative and happy to see the children, they give us much more than we give them.” The visit allows the students to put into practice principles taught at St. Joseph’s school. “We talk about how God loves everyone, and how we help spread God’s love when we love others,” says Mrs. Gusmano. The lesson involves the book, The Very Lonely Scarecrow, whose title character learns he is loveable despite his appearance.

Mrs. Gusmano explained that “for this age group God’s love is experienced through family and friends, who children naturally love in return. But when it comes to others we don’t know so well, some of whom may not be not in good health, may have reduced abilities or who may look different, the truth of the lesson comes home.” The Kindergarten students paraded through each residence, showing off their costumes, collecting many treats (that they were not allowed to eat until they got home!) and performed songs for the residents. Some residents, however, disagreed about who gets more out of the visit. Catherine Smith, a resident at Waterview Hills said, “We love seeing them—they make us happy!” Mary Walker, an 8-year resident, added, “We see older people all the time, and the children are so happy. Many come over and talk with us. We get a lot out of it.” Whether it’s the students or the residents who enjoyed the visit more may not be settled any time soon, but what is certain is that joy and love were shared by all.

The Eighth grade students made caring for others the central meaning of the Fall Festival that they sponsor for the students in the lower grades and their families. They designed and assembled Halloween-themed carnival games such as “bowling for candy” and “ring the witch’s hat.” The students in middle school helped run the games as well as paired up with the younger children to escort them during the Festival. School families and siblings also joined in the fun. Tickets were ten cents per game, and all proceeds were donated to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, a worldwide Catholic organization that gives financial and other support for missionary work in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Money the Society receives is most often used for education and medical care for children and families.

Prior to the Festival, Sr. Pauline Chirchirillo of the Society visited the middle school students, giving them a presentation on the missionary work of the Society, answering questions and presenting slides of the children and families who are helped by the students’ donation. Mrs. Barbara Kavanaugh, who teaches Eighth grade English and helps run the Festival, stated, “Sr. Chirchirillo’s presentation was an eye-opener for many students, who by the grace of God live very comfortably.” She has helped students sponsor the Fall Festival for 30 years. For the last five years students have chosen the Society as its charity and have donated more than $1000 to aid its important work. St. Joseph’s students prove that Halloween can be as much about loving and caring for others as it can be about trick or treat fun. 

Spotlight On…Mrs. Laurie Niederhauser

Second grade teacher, Mrs. Laurie Niederhauser, has taught at St. Joseph’s for over 30 years. She is also a graduate of St. Joseph School, class of 1965. We sat down with Mrs. Niederhauser to get her thoughts about her career as a teacher, her experience at St. Joseph’s School, and her life.

JJ: How did you come to teach at your alma mater?
LN: My husband and I met and got married while I was in college in Ohio. After college we moved to Kentucky, where I taught for a year. We moved back to Ohio, and I taught there until 1978. I was terribly homesick and by then I couldn’t take it anymore! We came back to New York, and shortly after my return, Fr. Brady saw my dad in church and said, “We have an opening. Tell your daughter to come see us.” And here I am!

JJ: Can you describe one of your favorite teaching experiences?
LN: I often have parents help with reading groups. Usually it’s a group of moms, but one year I had a group of dads. And they just brought something different. They were so lighthearted and active. They would stay after reading and play with the children on the playground. That was a special year for me.

JJ: What sets Catholic education, and St. Joseph’s School in particular, apart from other schools?
LN: The family atmosphere. The teachers look at the children as family, that each could be one of our own. We care about each individual child. And I think that’s what sets us apart. Also, teachers willing to stay after school to help a child, to do what’s needed. You don’t find that in many schools.

JJ: You prepare students to make their First Holy Communion. Can you give us your thoughts on that part of your job?
LN: I start at the beginning of the year and have the children pay more attention to what goes on at the Mass. I point out the Liturgies of the Word and Eucharist. I explain the Consecration, that during that part of the Mass a miracle is performed, and the wine and bread becomes the Body and Blood of Christ. Once the children learn about the Mass, they start to ask questions themselves. I also incorporate [First Communion preparation] into other things I teach. For example, we’re going to make bread in class. And I will teach them the difference between regular bread, which has yeast, and the bread of the Host.

JJ: And now, on a more personal note, which teacher had an impact on your life?
LN: Back when I went to St. Joseph’s, all the classes were taught by the Sisters of the Divine Compassion. Sr. Marie Murphy taught me in Sixth grade and then again in Eighth grade, and I just loved her. She was a good person, so down to earth. She would come out at lunchtime and play basketball, baseball. She always wanted to play with us, to help us with extra math—she was big on math. She would joke with parents. I went to school with 20 first cousins, and we would pile into one car, because buses didn’t come up our road. And Sr. Marie would count us as we got out of the car—we were the clown car. She did fun things like that. She’s always had a soft place in my heart.

JJ: What is your favorite book?
LN: Gone With the Wind. I read it in Fourth grade. It was my first really big chapter book, and it has always stayed with me. I didn’t like the film as much! You’d think at that age the movie would be so much better to me. I guess it didn’t live up to my imagination.

JJ: Who is your favorite saint?
LN: St. Thérèse, because she was my dad’s favorite. My grandfather emigrated here from Scotland a couple of years before the rest of his family. In 1925 when my dad came off the boat, my grandfather was waiting, holding a statue of St. Therese. And I still have that statue.

JJ: If you could be a superhero, what powers would you want?
LN: I always wanted to fly. Does Wonder Woman fly? I don’t really know my superheroes. But I loved Superman when I was young. I thought George Reeves was super. In fact, I burned down part of my house watching Superman when I was in Eighth grade. My brother asked me to fry him some fish for dinner while my parents were out, and he went to take a shower because he had a date. I started to heat the oil on the stove and then went to watch Superman. I began to see a reflection of orange across the ceiling, and I thought, “What a beautiful sunset.” But it wasn’t the sunset—it was flames! My father—a New York City fireman!—was at work. My uncle, a battalion chief, lived next door, and he and my cousins came over with their hoses and put it out.

JJ: When you retire, how would you like this sentence to end: “Mrs. Niederhauser was …”
LN: Well, the school has been here for 60 years, and I’ve been here for almost 50—either as a student or as a teacher. I don’t think anybody’s ever going to be able to top that! I will have the all-time record of physical presence in the building. When students come back to visit, they always say, “Mrs. Niederhauser—you’re still here?!” So, I guess I would say, “Mrs. Niederhauser: She was always here!”