Special Message from IHM School
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April 24, 2021Important Message
from
IHM School
April 23, 2021Message from Mr. Marcello Monte
IHM School Principal
Dear IHM Parents and Guardians,
I have had the tremendous honor of working for Immaculate Heart of Mary for the past 6 years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to serve as a Catechist, the Religious Education Director, Vice Principal, the 8th Grade Religion Teacher, and – for the past school year - Principal.
It is because of my love for the IHM institution that it is with mixed emotions that I am here today to inform you that - after many prayers and a lot of self-reflection - I have decided to follow another professional journey, effective June 30th.
Having worked alongside Father Matt for the past school year, it is reassuring that the day-to-day operations will be in such capable hands. His heartfelt commitment to Catholic Education, his ability to articulate a clear vision for the academic growth of our school, and his desire to enhance the use of technology throughout our instructional program, provides a bright future for the Immaculate Heart of Mary School. I have no doubt that his involvement in the selection of my successor will ensure our school community will continue to thrive.
I’ve been honored to have worked with the staff, children, and parents at IHM — together we have created an outstanding school despite an unprecedented time in our nation’s history. In addition to the COVID-19 dynamic, we have also successfully navigated the merging of two school families into one. Going from 130-180 students was an evolution that not only made us bigger but also stronger as educators and a community.
I am extremely proud of our staff and faculty. Their dedication to make our school a great place for learning during the past year is clearly evident. The teamwork between teachers, specials, specialists, office staff, assistants, and our custodial team is like nothing I have experienced personally and professionally.
I will truly miss the children. I love to start my day greeting students and families outside. I walk through the building daily, stopping in classrooms to listen and help, noticing a genuine sense of community. My interaction with your children brings joy into my life. I will miss their stories and the smiles that are now shared through their eyes.
Finally, I want to express a special thanks to all of you — you are amazing! I will always appreciate your commitment to ensuring your children are receiving a stellar education and a valuable experience through the power of faith — along with the countless efforts you extended to enhance our school’s culture and sense of community. You exemplify the importance of a strong partnership between home and school.
IHM has been my religious home since I moved to Wayne in 2000, and has been my professional home for the past 6 years. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Principal and to leave at the end of this school year knowing together we have had a positive impact in your child’s life. Although I am physically leaving Immaculate Heart of Mary, it is the ties that bind that will forever keep me connected — I will miss you all.
With warm regards,
Marcello Monte
Message from Rev. Mateusz Jasniewicz
Pastor of IHM Parish and School
On Target for a New Principal
One day Charlie Brown is playing with his toy bow and arrow set. He is shooting his suction cup arrows at his backyard picket fence. As each arrow sticks to the fence Charlie gets his piece of chalk, walks up to the fence, and draws a target circle around the arrow – therefore – on each shot he gets a bull’s-eye!
Lucy walks by, sees his process, and says, “Charlie Brown, that is not the right way to do it! First, you draw the target and then you shoot the arrow.”
Charlie sighs and says, “I know, but when I do it my way – I always get a perfect bull’s-eye!”
We laugh at Charlie Brown because we recognize that he is not on target with his goal and aim. He may have been having fun, but he was not developing better and more effective skills. We understand Charlie’s desire for a shortcut to the work – and we also recognize his need to do it the right way.
Speaking to you today I would like to reinforce the information that you will be receiving simultaneously via e-mail. As you know principal Marcello Monte has resigned to pursue other academic goals and aims.
We are grateful for his years of service particularly during this last year as Principal when our school flourished under his leadership.
Now we are faced with the new goal and aim which is to engage a new Principal for the 2021 – 2022 academic year. Unlike Charlie Brown, our target is established, and our aims and goals are clearly defined. We will hit the bull’s-eye of acquiring an academically competent, administratively creative, and compassionate principal leader for our teachers, staff, parents, and most importantly our students.
How will we proceed to reach this target goal?
As you may know, I am enrolled in a Master’s level degree program for leadership at Seton Hall University for Catholic Education. Therefore, I have acquired a plethora of resources from my colleagues and professors.
In addition, I have gleaned the best practices for a new Principal search from our Diocesan Superintendent of Schools and the other Diocesan Offices for Education in our State.
A committee has already been formed with people outside of our school community which is the recommended procedure in this type of process.
What an exciting group of professionals has been assembled!
Just listen to this array of talented people who are excited to dedicate their considerable time and talent to help us hit the bull’s-eye!Rev. Matt Jasniewicz
your Pastor passionately dedicated to Catholic education.
Rev. Joe Garbarino
23 years of experience as a Pastor with a Catholic School.
Ms. Barbara Zito
over 25 years experience as the Principal of the most successful Catholic Preparatory School in our Diocese.
Msgr. Jack Carroll
a Dr. of Education who served for 15 years as Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Paterson.
Ms. Deb Duane
Diocese of Paterson official of Department of Education
Mr. Michael Knowles
a professional entrepreneur and businessman, President and Principal of many Catholic High Schools and recently served in a search committee for the Superintendent in the Trenton Diocese.
With a group like this, I can not wait to get started!
Many of you have so kindly asked how you can be helpful in this process.
My answer is simple but heartfelt.
Pray for our committee. Pray for wisdom and a vigilant spirit for each member. Pray that the Lord will provide the perfect leader for our time here at IHM.
I can assure you of this. Whoever God gifts us with will be blessed to join our most excellent school.
The new Principal will be arriving at a peak time in our history.
In addition to the dozens of physical improvements made to our school during the last year – we can be very proud of our totally revamped state-of-the-art technology program.
We have worked together as a collaborative team during one of the most challenging years any of us can remember.
We celebrate our Lord’s goodness and our parent’s commitment to Catholic Education. Thank you!
Our enrollment numbers speak for themselves. Our enrollment reflects our success and the projection for the next year is astounding.IHM enrollment:
2017 - 177
2018 - 165
2019 - 147
2020 - 176
2021 - 200 - projected (220 total cap population for our school)
Please know that we pray for you during this time of transition and commit ourselves fully to the best possible education for your children.
The children’s education and spiritual welfare are our bull’s-eye!
May the Lord continue to direct our efforts in reaching our goals and aims!
May the Lord afford us the guidance of the Holy Spirit and through the intercession of St. Anthony help us to add a good Principal and faithful steward of education to our school family.
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary intercede for us!
Thank you.
Rev. Mateusz Jasniewicz
