49.0°,
Fair Catholic schools shine
Celebrating faith-based education
Saint William the Abbot and Maria Regina Catholic schools, in Seaford, held open houses last Sunday as part of Catholic Schools Week. The schools extended an open invitation to parents and children in the community.
Already looking toward next year, Catholic schools in the area are opening up registration early to all those interested in sending their children there. Maria Regina, on Jerusalem Avenue, offered a combined book fair and tours, with current students showing off their projects and artwork.
“This open house is a great opportunity for our new families to meet with those families who are presently in our school,” Maria Regina Principal Leona Arpino said. “It gives the children in the school the opportunity to have their parents walk through all of the things that are on display, and gives them an idea of what the end products are like.”
For families who are unsure about sending their children to a Catholic school, the open house was a way to see all that the school has to offer, Arpino explained. “When new families come in, they will talk to the administration or a teacher,” she said. “But I think they need to see the kids and actually see the parents to help with nerves.”
Celeste Montello, a school board member, alumna and school parent, said that sending her children to Maria Regina was one of the best decisions she ever made. Although her children do not attend the school anymore, Montello still comes back to help out.
“Many Catholic schools in the area are holding open houses to help increase enrollment,” she said. “We’re happy to see that many are enrolling on the spot, and it’s also important to current parents to see what their children have done during the school year.”
Maria Regina has enrolled students from the surrounding area, including Seaford, Wantagh, Levittown and Massapequa. Some even come from as far away as Amityville and Copiague.
“It’s really a win-win for new parents and current parents to see what we are accomplishing at this amazing school,” Montello said.
