NEWS AND VIEWS: St. John's School alive and well, and on the road to more progress (09/21/03)

NEWS AND VIEWS

St. John's School alive and well, and on the road to more progress

by Myron Martynetz

NEWARK, N.J. - On September 3, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic School opened its doors for its 64th year of educating young Ukrainian American students in the Newark metropolitan area. Timid kindergartners, holding on to their mommies' hands, were welcomed to the school by eighth graders steeped in the traditions and customs of the school. After the opening liturgy and orientation, the students were treated to a picnic as a way of starting off the school year on a happy note.

Little did the youngsters know of the work and effort needed to keep those school doors open.

Historic and sweeping changes have occurred at St. John's School since the Rev. Bohdan Lukie, pastor, announced that St. John's Parish would no longer be able to support the school. A grassroots effort was launched to raise funds, restructure the school and develop the trust needed to convince the Parish Council and Archbishop-Metropolitan Stefan Soroka that the school can and must survive. The concerted effort of the entire community, led by the Ad Hoc Committee for the Development of St. John's School, culminated in the creation in June of the independent St. John's School Board, with Dr. Ross Robak elected president.

The independent school board, with its own constitution and by-laws, has allowed St. John's School to formulate its own budget, separate from the parish's, and to forge ahead into the future. Entrusted with nearly $200,000 in donations, the board will oversee operation of the school and report to the archbishop on a quarterly basis.

One of St. John's School Board's first decisions, after extensive interviews, was to appoint Natalie Kudryk, a longtime teacher at St. John's, as the first lay principal in the school's history. The dynamic Mrs. Kudryk has already instituted progressive changes by implementing a new optional uniform consisting of navy "skorts" for girls and white polo shirts and navy vests for both boys and girls. Sister Stephanie was added to the faculty as first grade teacher and Sister Zenovia continues to teach second grade; thereby preserving the religious presence at the school.

The school board members have met every week during the past summer and have already produced the following innovations and improvements:

purchased or obtained through donations all new computers for the computer lab;
wired all of the new computers into a network with a server and back-up server for teacher control and greater computer teaching ability;
sent all teachers to workshops for improved computer use in teaching;
held conferences with outside educators in the community to share new teaching concepts;
consulted with grant-writing professionals and identified potential new benefactors;
drafted standards and criteria for financial aid with the goal of having all immigrant students paying the full $3,000 tuition by their third year;
instituted a scholarship program with recognized donors;
instituted real-time auditing, separate checking accounts and quarterly budgets overseen by both the Board and the Parish Trustees;
established a standing committee of professional contractors, engineers, and electricians to oversee maintenance, improvements and repairs to the school buildings;
conducted a thorough inspection of the school buildings with a four-page list of needed maintenance and repair work;
completed cosmetic improvements to the outside of the school;
created an alumni relations and donations program;
instituted an active recruitment program for newly arrived Ukrainian immigrants, as well as established families;
conducted numerous in-house service programs for faculty and staff; and
opened lines of communication with surrounding Ukrainian parishes in New Jersey, including Whippany, Jersey City, Hoboken and Elizabeth.

The new school board is committed to developing St. John's School to its fullest potential. Many more steps need to be taken.

The primary need is for more students, as this brings down the cost of operating the school. Unfortunately, last year's uncertainties over the future of the school led to numerous students transferring. That trend will be reversed. As parents are being asked to bypass their local schools, the board's goal is to have St. John's academic, technical and extracurricular activity program become better than any competing public or parochial school in the area. The computer and upper grade math programs already have been upgraded and the faculty that has brought accolades to St. John's academically over the years has been retained.

The obvious drawing card of Ukrainian language and heritage instruction, as well as religious education in the Ukrainian Catholic rite cannot be duplicated. There is no more nurturing or caring school than St. John's, where each child is special. Disciplinary problems are rare, and a healthy environment conducive to learning is maintained by caring teachers and sharing students. Children who speak little English and those who speak little Ukrainian help each other and form lasting bonds.

Continuing fund-raising and financial support from the community is needed to maintain the school. To this end, numerous fund-raisers will be held during the course of the upcoming school year, beginning with the annual St. John's Ukrainian Festival on Saturday, September 27, from noon to 6 p.m., followed by a dance from 7 p.m. to midnight on the church and school grounds in Newark. Admission to the festival is $5 and includes a lengthy entertainment program featuring professional Ukrainian entertainer,s as well as student performers.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy a day of Ukrainian music, dance, food, arts, crafts and fun. Take the opportunity to visit the school and hear further news of the school and upcoming events.

Myron Martynetz is a member of St. John's School Board and chairman of the St. John's Festival Committee.

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