Catholic elementary schools have taken new steps to manage enrollment, bolster donor support and market schools in the six counties of South Jersey. Drawing on best practices that have been effective in higher education, paid advancement directors are now in place in more than two dozen elementary schools in the diocese. The institutional advancement initiative is being funded in large part through grant monies from the Catholic School Development Program (CSDP), an extension of the International Education Foundation (IEF), a non-profit corporation headed by benefactor Robert T. Healey, a 1947 alumnus of Camden Catholic High School. More than one million dollars in grant monies and pro-bono consulting services from the foundation have been directed to the advancement initiative, a program to reconstitute school boards, and the creation of a partnership for the five schools serving students in and around the city of Camden. "We are grateful for the vision, commitment and support of Mr....

Dr. Robert Palestini of St. Joseph University is named Founding Executive Director of a partnership that will oversee the operations of five Camden schools The Diocese of Camden and the International Education Foundation (IEF) / CSDP today announced a major initiative that will call on the expertise of top education, management,finance and advancement executives in order to strengthen Catholic elementary schools in the Camden city area. Watch Entire SlideshowCatholic School Partnership website  Bishop Joseph Galante; Click here to start the video.Robert Palestini, Ph.D.; Click here...

A recent survey of parents from 30 parishes and 15 elementary schools in the diocese found support for a new Catholic high school in Gloucester County if it were to be built by the diocese. The diocese has not made a final decision regarding the project. It is still evaluating the feasibility of establishing the new school to determine if the level of support indicated by the survey will be sufficient relative to the cost involved.  Bishop Galante also must obtain the input of the Diocesan Finance Council and College of Consultors before a final decision is made. “There still is considerable work to be done before a final decision can be made on this project. However, the parent survey is encouraging because it indicates interest in the proposed new school,” said Andrew Walton, spokesman for the diocese. The survey of parish families with school-aged children was commissioned by the diocese and conducted in April and May by Meitler Consultants, Inc. of Wisconsin.  The study evaluated...

Bishop Joseph Galante has named Nicholas Regina to be executive director of Catholic schools and Mary Boyle to be superintendent of schools for the diocese.  The appointments will be effective next month.  Sister Dawn Gear, who has been superintendent of schools since 2004, will be leaving her position at the end of June to accept a leadership position in her community, the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart.  Mr. Regina will focus on institutional advancement efforts that will strengthen and ensure the long-term stability of the Catholic schools in the diocese, while guiding the ongoing implementation of the “Faith in the Future” initiative.  Previously, he served as foundation director for the Lourdes Health Foundation and senior advancement director for the Catholic School Development Program.  From 1995-2005 he was advancement director for Bishop Eustace Preparatory School and from 1982-1995 taught English there.   He holds a B.A. from La Salle University. Miss Boyle has been...

A web poll conducted by the Courier Post last month found 83% of respondents agreed with the recent school reconfiguration decisions announced by the Diocese. 1,782 online votes were cast in response...

Bishop says we must change "for a better tomorrow, for the benefit of our children, for the sake of stronger, more vibrant schools" WATCH...