ST. BRENDAN SCHOOL

LAKEVIEW  & CROOKS AVENUE, CLIFTON, NJ

...where knowledge, faith, and family meet!

Now accepting registration for the 2011 - 2012 school year.  For information and tuition, click on "Handbook" at left.

 

Welcome to the Saint Brendan School website!

154 East First Street Clifton, NJ 07011-1057 973-772-1149
For a look back at our history, click here * What is Middle States Accreditation?* The goal of this website is to bring together the community of students, alumni, teachers, parents and our extended family of Saint Brendan parishioners.  We hope you will share ideas as well.  If you would like to get involved in our website, or have some ideas you would like to share please contact our Principal principal-st-brendan@hotmail.com      Learn more about our Principal, Mrs. Patricia Deleu   contact: principal_st_brendan@hotmail.com   Laptop Computers for Middle School Students Thanks to a technology grant from the State of New Jersey, Middle School students now have access to laptop computers.  This allows them to research information and work on reports without having to go to the computer lab.  With Smartboards in every classroom and the new collection of laptops, St. Brendan is truly offering our students the latest in modern technology! About Saint Brendan School St. Brendan School offers its ethnically mixed student body a sound academic background with emphasis on moral principles. The school, Pre-K through Grade 8, has a full range of subjects from the three R’s to courses in science as well as physical education and music. It also provides activities such as student council, scouting, basketball and cheerleading. One of its unique features is its summer camp. Most importantly, however, with its long standing diversity in the cultural back grounds of its students, the school exemplifies the motto of our United States, E Pluribus Unum, one from many. In the case of St. Brendan’s, the force which helps to unite the many into one is the Catholic faith. Each year the classes hold programs that reflect the varied ethnic cultures of the students in order to teach them to appreciate and respect differences. There is even a food-tasting event that presents the varied foods from these cultures. Holiday Celebrations There is also a major focus on American traditions through the assemblies and festivities held in honor of our national holidays, such as Presidents’ Day, Thanksgiving and Halloween. Through these events the students join together to celebrate their common American heritage. Christian Lifestyle Yet, most significantly, St. Brendan’s is a Catholic school stressing the values of a Christian lifestyle through the practice, in word and deed, of the commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” During Catholic Schools Week, each February, our parish school celebrates the unique contribution of Catholic education to students, their families, and society itself. Community Involvement The small community of St. Brendan’s is also part of a larger one. Each year Clifton police and firemen visit the school to show students how to be responsible citizens and how to be safe in their homes and on the streets. By establishing rapport with these young people, they hope to gain students’ respect and earn their trust.  Through our Kids Helping Kids Club our students learn how to reach out to their community as well and help those less fortunate. Appreciation of the Faculty and Staff The students also celebrate an annual Principal’s Day, established by the National Catholic Education Association, in order to honor the person responsible for the effective operation of the school.  At St. Brendan, the Principal is also offers moral support to the teachers and is available at any time to help a student with academic or personal problems. The students also take time during Catholic Schools Week to thank their dedicated teachers.  Our wonderful office staff is also remembered on Administrative Assistant's Day for the hard work they do "behind the scenes".  It is part of learning how to show respect and appreciation for those around you. Home and School Association All the meaningful education could not take place without a strong Home and School Association in which parents are encouraged to interact with the principal and her faculty toward forming and implementing school policy. The Association also raises substantial funds through various events throughout the year.  General Meetings also include guest speakers that provide helpful information to parents on various topics from gang problems to highlights of New Jersey Counties.  The ladies also make a wonderful cup of coffee! Graduation Students graduate from the school each June in a church ceremony that is both solemn and festive. As the diplomas are issued, it is hoped that all the students will take with them the academic and moral foundation they received from their teachers and mentors at St. Brendans. We also hope that students will stay in touch with us and continue to support their Alma Mater through our newly formed Alumni Association. The Leaders of the Future Our students have become teachers, lawyers and doctors as well as politicians, artists, and dedicated parents.  The foundation they have received at St. Brendan School has prepared them to meet the demands of a wide variety of careers.  As the Disney theme park’s song says, “It’s a small world after all.” St. Brendan’s students are well prepared to go forth and help make this small world into a better and more peaceful one.

# Of Visitors to Our Site as of 1/5/2005

 

School History

circa 1959

The year was 1946, Father Louis had purchased the land on the corner of Lakeview Avenue and two army barracks had been purchased and reconditioned for use as a Church.  Planning for a school was foremost in the mind of Monsignor Louis, despite the lack of funds or a suitable building.  His determination to provide for the education of the youth for Saint Brendan's Parish led to the purchase of a dwelling at 425 Trenton Avenue and the job of converting the building into a combination convent/school began.

On Sept.9, 1946, St. Brendan's School began with a total enrollment of 72 children under the administration of our first principal, Sister Mary Denise and her faculty of three; Sister Constance Mary, Sister Margaret Agnes and Sister Margaret William.  Enrollment increased and each year a new grade was added necessitating additional faculty and space.  Renovation at 425 Trenton Ave and a second house at 360 Knickerbocker Ave became "make shift" quarters.  It became evident that a real school building was needed.

Plans were drawn and the red brick building housing eight classrooms, a kindergarten, library, offices and a temporary church facility was erected and ready for the opening of school in September 1949.  A total of 194 students were enrolled with a faculty of five Sisters of Charity; Sisters Mary Denise; Principal and teacher of grades 4 and 5, Alice Rosarii (grade 6), Mary Robert (grade 3), Constance Mary (grade 2), and Margaret William (grade 1). Kindergarten was taught by the one lay teacher, Ms. Rita Merner.

The 1946 to 1956 enrollment increased steadily from 72 to 702 children and by 1966 the number of students had reached an all time high of 745.  The addition or annex had been erected in 1953 to accommodate both the increasing need for classrooms and attendance at Sunday Mass.

The all time high enrollment of 745 gradually decreased due to many factors; educational, cultural, social and financial which impacted all Catholic schools across the nation.  By 1971, just five years later, the drop in students attending St. Brendan was a noticeable 533, but two classes of each grade were retained with the average class size at 35 students.  By 1973, the class size and decrease in Sister of Charity available to staff the school greatly increased the financial burden on the parish.  Tuition had been increasing steadily by this time placing a heavier financial burden on the families.  In September of 1963, the enrollment had declined to 271 with single grades throughout the school, excepting the second grade which remained a double class.  The faculty consisted of only 3 Sister of Charity and 9 lay teachers. 

By 1990, the only Sister of Charity on staff was the Principal.  Class sizes were purposely kept small; 25 - 30 to meet the changing educational scene with 12 lay teachers.  In 1993 the enrollment was 295 with Sister Anne Donnelly, administrator, 13 full time lay faculty, 3 part time teaches, a full time secretary , 1 part time teacher aide and 1 part time office assistant.  A pre-K class for 3 1/2 to 4 year olds was added to the school in 1987.  A total of 30 wee ones added a joyful group of eager learners to the school.

St. Brendan School is a Middle States accredited school guaranteeing on going self evaluation and yearly reporting required by both our Diocesan School Office and the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools.  St. Brendan School continues to provide quality education in an environment permeated with Christian Catholic values.  Our dedicated Christian faculty supported by our pastoral staff and with strong parental participation make possible this reality.

In 2005, we are looking forward to an enrollment of 358.  The development of a strong fund raising program, strategic acquisition of grants and aid, and the active participation of the families has relieved the burden of support that used to fall upon the Church.  Please browse this website to see more about the curriculum, faculty and activities taking place at this dynamic school.

 

Middle States Accreditation

St. Brendan School is Middle States Accredited.  A recent article in The Beacon explains the process to become accredited and the benefits to the students and parents when a school warrants this rating.

Through a self evaluation, the school discovers it it has what is needed to fulfill the promises offered by its philosophy.  It also acquires the self knowledge to plan with confidence.  Having completed a successful self-study, the school is evaluated by a team of recognized evaluators named by the commission.  The evaluators, who have no prior relationship with the school or its sponsoring authority, verify the findings of the self-study and during a three day on-site visit offer evaluative judgments of their own.

At the time of its objective evaluation or shortly thereafter, the school is requested to provide a plan for its further development and improvement.  The commission grants accreditation if the the self-study, evaluation and planning reports reveal that the school meets the standards for accreditation.  Accreditation is given for a period of ten years.  During this time, through networking with other quality schools, periodic progress reporting, and participation in other commission-sponsored school improvement events, accredited schools work toward their own improvement and the improvement of other schools.

Accredited schools have met standards for the following:

    * Defining appropriate education goals and providing educational programs to achieve them

    * Maintaining a qualified faculty and an effective school organization

    * Assessing outcomes of school experiences and controlling the quality of educational programs

    * Responding to concerns of parents and needs of the school community

    * Providing for the continuity of its programs and planning for the future

    * Describing with accuracy the content of its services and programs

 

 

Members of the Kids Helping Kids Club collected school supplies for children.  The United Way of North Jersey accepted the box of pencils, paper, scissors and more for distribution to those in need.  This is just one of the projects sponsored by United Way that the students of St. Brendan support through the Kids Helping Kids Club.

Catholic Schools Week

The 8th Grade vs. the faculty volleyball game was once again won by the faculty.  The Kindergarten class cheered the players on!

Fascinating projects were featured at the annual Science Fair including "Fog in a Bottle", investigation into the Bermuda Triangle and the building of molecules and a generator.  The lower photograph shows students wearing green and white on School Spirit Day.

Religious vocations were celebrated during Catholic Schools Week.  Both Priests and Sisters spoke to the students about their personal call to vocation.  The week long celebrations concluded with a special Mass featuring singing by the Kindergarten and 8th graders and songs by the new choir conducted by 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Fico, and accompanied by Mrs. Capobianco.

 

Winners of our Annual Declamation Contest!

Students learn a poem, story or prose and prepare a dramatic presentation for the student body.  A panel of faculty members then chooses the best based upon difficulty, creativity and delivery.  This year's winners were really outstanding!