Written by Ryan MacFarland
My wife and I attended Catholic grade school, high school and college. We always knew we wanted to provide our children with this same experience, but when the time came, our circumstances had changed. We were living in a great school district, we both worked full-time, and busing to a Catholic school was not available to us. We had some big decisions to make.
One summer morning we met with Laureen Brady, advancement director at Saint Margaret Regional School in Woodbury Heights. Within 10 minutes my wife had made up her mind. The familiar feel of a Catholic grade school, welcoming staff, and signs of our faith throughout the building had sold her pretty quickly, but I had lots of questions. I wanted my daughters to grow in faith, but their academic and extracurricular growth was just as important. Mrs. Brady was patient and informative, explaining how important academics were at Saint Margaret’s and how successful the students were after leaving the school. Feeling happy with our decision, our daughter started the Pre-K 3 program.
It’s three years later, two of our daughters are at Saint Margaret’s and we couldn’t be happier. There is something to be said about sharing experiences with others who have similar values and traditions, and that is exactly how we feel about our school community.
Since my wife and I work full time, transportation is not easy. We are fortunate to have a neighbor now attending Saint Margaret’s, which helps a lot, but it still has its challenges. A few months ago our kindergartener asked why all the neighbors get to ride the bus together. I explained they go to a different school that’s closer to home. She asked what was different about their school and I told her they don’t get to learn about Jesus or go to church. The look of shock on her face was priceless as she asked, “They don’t learn about Jesus?” I immediately thought, “This is why we send our girls to Catholic school.”
Saint Margaret’s challenges students academically and helps them grow spiritually. The values instilled in our children are the same we teach at home. I constantly hear, “That’s what Mrs. Noonan says too.” The idea that a teacher is delivering the same messages when it comes to schoolwork and real life situations is so reassuring.
At dinner one evening before Thanksgiving we asked the girls, “What are you thankful for?” Our 3-year-old said her family. Her class had been talking about the importance of spending time with family and friends and the point hit home with her. Our 5-year-old’s response was, “I’m thankful for my school.” My wife and I looked at each other with a smile of content and I know we were both thinking the same thing: That is something you can’t put a price tag on.
Our parents sacrificed to send us to Catholic school and we see the multitude of reasons why. We are paying it forward and giving our three girls the priceless opportunity of a Catholic school education.