Saints Mary and Elizabeth Academy

Where Children Grow in Mind, Body, and Spirit 

Academy Class of 2008 

Anthony J. Abad

Brittany Jalisa-Marie Adams

Lianne Rachel Adolphe

Roman Bednarz

Chandon Stefaun Camillo

Brittney Carson

Wojciech Chmura

Lauren Jennifer Faria

Stephanie J. Gomulka

Alexander Thomas Heimbuch

Tiffany Nneka Igwe

Napooma N. James

Kaitlyn Marie Jones

Patricia M. Krupinski

Roslin Louis

Olivia Esther Lubintus

Nicholas Darryl Martin

Juliette Christine Monroy

Amanda Frances Murray

Regine Alexandra Osias

Gerilynn M. Protacio

Brian A. Rincon

Megan Elizabeth Roberts

Jalyn Nicole Thomas-Dewer

Angelica C. Valderrama

Daniel G. Weatherington, Jr.

Minji Won

James Brian Wong

Graduation Day began with a Baccalaureate Mass concelebrated by priests of our three sponsoring parishes.  The eighth grade class mothers held breakfast afterwards for the graduates and their parents.  The class then signed the official Class of 2008 Rock that will mark their class tree donated to the Academy.

Graduation ceremonies were held that evening.  Newly ordained Father Pedro Bismarck Chau delivered an inspirational speech.  Class Valedictorian, Patricia Krupinski, and Class Salutatorian, Minji Won also spoke to the graduates and their families.  Students were awarded medals and certificates for outstanding achievement in all subjects.

The graduates presented a song as tribute to their teachers and families.  Miss Minji Won, accomplished cellist, played the Prelude from 1^st Cello Suite by Johann Sebastian Bach and Ave Maria by Franz Schubert.

It was a beautiful ceremony!

We bid a fond farewell to our graduates, and congratulate them on their accomplishments.  Students in the Class of 2008 were awarded scholarships that totaled over $60,000.  Four graduates were accepted to the Union County Magnet School.

The Academy family joined forces to "Walk for Noelle."  Students took pledges to help raise money to defray medical costs for 4th grade student, Noelle Sollivan, who had two surgeries to remove a brain tumor.  Noelle is recovering at home, but was on hand to take part in the walk!

Thank you to Miss Brown and the Walk-a-thon committee who made necessary arrangements, to the Linden police for helping to maintain safety, to the Clark Shop-Rite who donated bottles of water and ice pops, and to the many people who made donations. 

The Linden Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a benefit dinner on June 22 from Noon to 5:00 p.m.  If you are interested in attending, tickets cost $12 for adults, and $6 for children under 10.

There were many things to celebrate at the Academy during the week of June 2.  5th Grade students began the celebrations when they graduated from the D.A.R.E. program.

D.A.R.E. Officer Joe Birch poses with teacher Mrs. Tripodi and student Danielle Murray.  Danielle's essay was chosen from the 5th grade entries. 

The 5th graders proudly display their shirts, certificates and goodies presented to them.

The Pre-K classes graduation featured a jungle theme.  Four-year olds dance to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."

Kindergarteners march in to "Pomp and Circumstance."

Miss Brown hands out diplomas to kindergarteners while excited family members watch.

Mrs. Raudys meets one of her future Pre-K students.

Third grade students invited moms and dads to an Author's Tea.  Students read the "chapters" they wrote for the book Sideways Stories from the Academy.  Their original stories were written after reading the novel Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar.

They also recited poems, and read selections from their original books of poetry.  The morning ended with cookies and refreshments.  A great way to end a good year!

8th Grade Dinner-Dance 2008

"We Could Have Danced All Night" could have been the theme for this year's Dinner Dance held at Nuno's Pavilion in Linden.  Eighth graders were soon joined on the dance floor by teachers, moms, and dads. It was a night to remember!

Mrs. Cannon seems to be extraordinarily tall!  Or is that Mrs. Cannon's head with Mrs. Tripodi's legs???

The obstacle courses got tougher as the students got older.

Students in Grades 2 and 8 form the procession to honor our Blessed Mother.  This year's crowner was Stephanie Gomulka.  Her attendant was Kaitlyn Jones.  Second graders Kaitlyn Diaz and Alonso Torres were flower bearer and crown bearer.

Congratulations to Konrad Wiklinski, Makayla Caple, Rakim Davis, Joseph Waltner, Nekeia Scotland, Millie Savaille, Napooma James, and Nicole Moncrief who were chosen as students of the month of May.

                    

D.A.R.E. Officer Joe Birch shows the 5th graders everything they need to know about a police squad car.  

Pre-K aide Mrs. Josette Sollivan teachers the Pre-K classes the fine art of flying a kite.  Chasing the kite came after a recess period of blowing bubbles and creating masterpieces on the pavement with sidewalk chalk.

Mrs. Sollivan was able to get the kite "up to the highest heights!"

K-9 Officers Edward Joos and George Sykowski brought their best friends K-9 Officers Bo and Irving to demonstrate their abilities to sniff out controlled and dangerous substances.  Students and teachers were amazed with the dogs' obedience and talents!

Stephanie and Nicholas, Student Council officers and Mrs. Cannon and Ms. Smid, Advisors, were given a young 5-foot crab apple tree and learned how to plant and care for it through generous donations and efforts of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and UC Green. 

The tree found a new home on school grounds as a gift from the graduating class of 2008 who spent Earth Day afternoon planting and watering.  Now we can watch the tree flourish!

Student Council President Stephanie Gomulka and Vice President Nicholas Martin pack up the grocery bags that the Academy students designed to help celebrate Earth Day 2008.  The bags will be distributed at the Clark Shoprite on April 22 to remind shoppers to take care of our planet.

Students Samantha Valderrama, Farley Thomas, Gabriela Pawluczuk and Amanda Cunha helped with the finished bags.

Members of the Forensics team show off their certificates of participation after competing in the Union County Catholic Forensics League Competition.  The "duo" competition, a first for the League, had students prepare a humorous or dramatic speech to judges.

We are proud of our forensics team and thank their advisor, faculty member Mrs. Lorraine Sarra.  A special thanks is also in store for Mrs. Sara Pender, who serves as a judge for the year's competitions.

Kindergarteners spent a fun-filled day at the Liberty Science Center where they were able to experience all kinds of interesting things, and see some really neat animals!

Congratulations to Gabriela Pawluczuk, Noelle Sollivan, Amanda Cunha, Matthew Hozer, Benjamin Czylek, Jessica Vida, Chloe Smith, and Lauren Faria who were chosen as students of the month.  

Kindergarteners' Irish eyes are smiling as they pose before heading out to search the school for leprechauns (who already paid a visit to Grade 2's classroom and left it a mess!).  Only thing, when the kindergarteners returned to their class . . .

. . . they discovered that the leprechauns turned their room upside-down as well!  Kindergarteners check the trap that they set to see if they caught the tricky elves!

Academy parent and violinist Mr. Joseph Krupinski shared his love of music with the upper grade Music classes this week.  Mr. Krupinski gave the students background information and played several tunes that included minuets, selections from modern day composers, and Irish jigs!

Academy eighth graders received their class rings during the first week in March.  Eighth graders began the tradition of having friends turn the ring.  Student rings were blessed by Chaplain Fr. Alex at a School Liturgy.

Receiving Class Rings is a momentous occasion that symbolizes pride and accomplishment.

Congratulations to Kilsy Ramos, Kayla McClain, Jordan Harris, Jean Charles, Emily Badalis, PeterPaul Manongsong, Amanda Murray, and Vanessa Ramirez who were chosen as students of the month.

Pre-K students wore their favorite hats, listened to Mrs. Calleja read their favorite Dr. Seuss book, Green Eggs and Ham, and then had a breakfast of green eggs and ham all in celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday.

Kindergarteners use their imaginations and borrowed clothes to play grown-up.   Let's hope they don't grow up too quickly!

Grades 3 and Kindergarten studied American Presidents in honor of Presidents' Day; Grade 1 made family trees; Grade 2 prepares for the Sacrament of Reconciliation . . .

. . . while Grade 4 learns about the systems of the body.

Linden Officer Joe Birch presents the D.A.R.E. program to the Academy 5th Grade.  This week Officer Joe brought in a bulletproof vest to show the students.  5th grader Tyler Smith models the vest to the class.

100 Days Celebration!

So many Froot Loops, so little time!  Kindergarten and Grade One celebrated the 100th day of learning stringing froot loops on a chain. 

Let's see -- if there are 42 children with 100 Froot Loops each, how many Froot Loops in all?  And, how many Froot Loops were eaten?

The Academy Forensics Team members proudly display certificates awarded them for competing in the Declamation match of Union County Catholic Schools Forensics League held here on February 13.  The girls chose a famous speech to memorize and present to the judges.

Congratulations to the students chosen for the month of February:  Sophia Morin, Gerilynn Protacio, Angelica Ulloa, Melonie Reyes, David Tibbs, Samara Perez, Rayanna Correia, and Gabriel Czopik (not shown).

Food, games, parades and prizes all made for a great celebration before the season of Lent!

The Academy celebrated Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic schools and their contribution to their communities and the nation from Jan. 27 through Feb. 2, 2008.

For more than three decades, the nation’s Catholic schools have spent the last week of January recalling what makes Catholic education special.  

The 2008 theme is “Catholic Schools Light the Way,” which highlights the mission of Catholic schools to provide a faith-based education that supports the whole child academically and spiritually and prepares students for future success.

Click here to see CSW highlights. 

Congratulations to 6th grader Nekeia Scotland who became the School Champion in the annual National Geographic Bee.  Nekeia competed against 60 students in grades 5 through 8 and advanced to the Championship round before claiming the title.

Nekeia took a written exam that was submitted to the National Geographic Society to see if she qualifies for the State Championship held later in the Spring.

Mrs. Bonnie Smith, an employee of ConocoPhillips Bayway Refinery, poses with several 5th grade students.  Mrs. Smith conducts a 6-week program with the students to teach them about the business world.

Congratulations to the students chosen for the month of January:  Michael Lindnal, Stephanie Gomulka, Ludmia Savaille, Krystyna Krupinski, Domenic Ippolito, Marco Garcia, Emily Jones, and Colleen Badalis.

Santa's elves, shepherds, angels, and carolers were all part of the celebration of Christmas on December 18.

Click here for details

Student Council representatives visited the Senior Citizens at the Gregorio Center in Linden.  The students sang Christmas carols and then handed out hand-made ornaments and goodies to the seniors.  The students left feeling the true spirit of the season.

SANTA ARRIVES!

What better way to start the day than with a hearty breakfast of french toast sticks, sausage, and juice?  How about finishing it off with a visit from Santa!  Student Council made arrangements with Mr. Claus to arrive at the Academy just as the Pre-K students were finishing the breakfast Student Council provided for them.  Each boy and girl was able to tell Santa just what they wanted for Christmas.  Santa stayed around to make a second surprise appearance at the Christmas Play later that evening before heading back to the North Pole!

It has become a tradition for 7th grade to sponsor a Christmas Shoppe in order for students to purchase gifts for those special people in their lives.  They even offer to wrap gifts--and of course they do all with a smile!

7th graders use the proceeds from the sale for their 8th grade class trip.

Congratulations to the students chosen for the month of December:  Angelica Merced, Izabell Wilk, Nestor Guerra, Alyssaminna Manongsong, Dawn Gergich, Chelsea Monfort, Bryan Raabe, and Minji Won (not present when the picture was taken).

O Come, O come, Emmanuel . . .

Academy students in Mrs. Warnock's 3rd grade hold a prayer service to celebrate the first week in Advent.  Students prepare for the Coming of Jesus through prayer, penance, and giving.

      Who knew that Science could taste so good?

8th graders enjoy the results of their lab that involved studying changes in the state of matter.  Students found that salt lowers the freezing point of water.  This allows the water to get colder, but remain a liquid.  Knowing this fact helps to make ice cream freeze.  8th graders also found out that hands get EXTREMELY cold handling the baggies of cream.  Thank goodness Mr. V had them wear gloves!   All of their discomfort was forgotten when they tasted how delicious their ice cream was! 

Happy Thanksgiving from our Pre-K and K classes!

Spirit Day takes place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Highlights include cheers from our cheerleading squads, demonstrations of skills from basketball and volleyball teams, and the annual faculty-8th grade volleyball tournament.

Click here for more pictures. . .

Congratulations to Dylan O'Donnell, David Labrador, Jaylen Rose, Matthew Youn, Destiny Cabrales, Samantha Valderrama, Patricia Krupinski, and Joseph Czylek for being chosen as students of the month.

Happy 800th Feast Day, Saint Elizabeth! 

Noelle Sollivan and Erin Waltner display their winning posters that will be displayed at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church on November 17th, the 800th anniversary of Saint Elizabeth's feast day.  Students made cards, wrote essays and prayers to honor one of our Academy's patron saints.

The Academy Forensics Team competed in the Reading Division on November 7 at St. John's in Clark.  8th grader Stephanie Gomulka placed second in the competition of 53 area students.

Team members included Katherine Kujawa, Monica Youn, Stephanie Gomulka, Patricia Krupinski, Katie Barna, and Krystyna Krupinski.  Michelle Cao was an alternate.  Fourth grader David Tibbs attends the Forensics meetings but is still too young to compete.  Next year, David!!

LINDEN HALLOWEEN POSTER CONTEST

Pictured are the students in Grades 1 through 5 who were winners in Linden's annual Halloween Poster Contest. 

Students received medals for their accomplishments.

Grade 1 - Stephanie Valderrama (1st place); Grade 2 - Andrew Ciarczynski (1st place), and Thomas Ciarczynski (2nd place); Grade 3 - Erika Valderrama (1st place); Grade 4 - Angelica Merced (1st place), Toan Tang (2nd place), Grace Carranza (3rd place), Samantha Valderrama (4th place), and Norah Bianculli (5th place); Grade 5 - Sophia Morin (1st place), Nicole Ciarczynski (2nd place), Dawn Gergich (3rd place), and Sierra White (4th place).

Grade 3 turkeys announce that Academy kids are learning some very interesting lessons.  See their various projects below.

Grade 2 Art Projects

Kindergarten spiders crawl over Christopher Columbus!

Grade 8 Social Studies

Kindergarten studies the life cycle of a pumpkin

Extra! Extra! Read all about our 6th graders!

Pre-K 3 did leaf rubbings for Fall

Grade 2 puts the life cycle of a jack-o-lantern in correct order.

Scarecrows line the 5th grade hallway

Grade 4 researched endangered animals

"These are a few of first grade's favorite things!"

Congratulations to students who won first place and Honorable mention in the Halloween coloring contest.  See the Student Council link for details.

This year the Academy added a new "twist" to its annual trunk or treat parade - Academy classes joined the parents and decorated their teachers' trunks based on classroom topics.  Themes ranged from spooky words to describe spiders (grade one) to fearful events from Mother Nature (grade 7).  Take a peak at many of the trunks that were on display at the Academy's Halloween Parade by clicking here!

The Academy takes part in Linden's annual Halloween Parade.  This year's parade was held on Sunday, October 28.  This year's theme was "Greasers and Pink Ladies."   Parents and students, young and old, join in the fun.

We thank Mrs. Fran Czylek and Mrs. Joanne Gardner for coordinating this annual event.

Go Academy cheerleaders!

Who ARE these masked men?

SCHOLASTIC OLYMPICS 2007

The Scholastic Olympics is an academic competition sponsored by Roselle Catholic High School for eighth graders.

Chandon Camillo, Brian Rincon, Juliette Monroy, Stephanie Gomulka, Patricia Krupinski, Albert Chmura, Alex Heimbuch, Lianne Adolphe, Roslin Louis, Tiffany Igwe, Kaitlyn Jones, Regine Osias, Lauren Faria, Nicholas Martin, Anthony Abad, James Wong, and Gerilynn Protacio made up this year's Academy Scholastic Olympics team.  We are so proud of our students . . .

. . . especially Stephanie Gomulka who placed 2nd in the Forensics Competition and Patricia Krupinski, who placed 3rd in the Science Competition of the Scholastic Olympics.  These two young women receive $300 scholarships for their freshman year at Roselle Catholic High School

Fire Prevention Week at the Academy includes a visit from the Linden Fire Department.  Students in grades pre-k through grade 2 learn lessons in Fire Safety.  See more pictures by clicking here.

Substitute teachers gain excellent experience at the Academy!

Miss Jen Houck helped release the butterflies that Mrs. Warnock's 3rd graders watched emerge from their cocoons.

Mrs. Warnock was attending a professional development workshop on "Free the Butterflies" day.

Students of the month are chosen in each class, grades 1 through 8, based on a student's Christian behavior and good class performance.  They are recognized at the monthly Student Council meeting and awarded with a "student of the month" pin.

Pictured are Simone Abdullahi, Zamina Abdullahi, Brianna Alves, Bridgette Badalis, Stephen Barna, Kaitlyn Diaz, Nicholas Martin, and Chantley Thomas.

Academy science classes are able to do hands-on experiments in the school Science lab.

Eighth grade students learned about density by layering liquids.  Regine Osias carefully adds a mystery liquid to the vial.

Dayana Valderrama looks closely at bacteria cultures that are present in yogurt.

Student Council officers were inducted at the September assembly.  One responsibility of the Academy Student Council is community support.  Members of the Council work to make students aware of community and world needs. Students in grades 5 - 8 can become members of Student Council.

The Academy began the 2007-2008 school year with all students ready and eager to learn!  Our oldest students listen intently to 8th grade teacher Mrs. Sara Pender discuss ways to handle conflict.

Kindergarteners get re-acquainted with old and new friends...

...while Mommies and Daddies listen intently to Kindergarten teacher Miss Colleen Brown explain classroom procedures.

Thanks Dad!!

The Academy Father's Club (and sons and former students) helped install bleachers in the gym over Labor Day weekend.  Bleachers had to be delivered, dismantled on the parking lot, carried in, and then re-assembled.  The work was difficult, but well worth it!

Vinny Badalis

Ben Coccia

Tony Czylek

Marco Garcia II

Tom Heimbuch

Stan Hilton

Joe Ippolito

Gary Martin

Dwayne Meima

Frank Murray

Phillip Purcell

Brian Tucker

and to our Academy Alumnus Eric Gergich

and Academy students Ben Czylek, Alex Heimbuch, and Tyler Tucker!