The decision was made by a search committee set up by the Newark Archdiocese and comprised of a parent and teacher from each parish. They interviewed Dolan in late June and approved her.
On July 10, Dolan met with the area's five pastors: Fr. Michael Guglielmelli of St. Francis, Fr. Gary Ward of St. Lawrence, Fr. Alex Santora of Our Lady of Grace, Monsignor Frank Del Prete of St. Peter and Paul, and Fr. Thomas Crangle of St. Ann's, who was also the president of the Search Committee.
On July 11, Dolan's appointment as principal was announced.
"It's like coming home," said Dolan, who had moved out of the city in 1999 to teach in Verona. "There's something about being involved in Hoboken, having grown up here. It just feels right."
As a youngster, Dolan attended Hoboken's Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School, where her mother was a teacher for more than 20 years. After graduating from St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City, Dolan went on to Caldwell College, a private Catholic liberal arts school, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Religious Studies. Dolan also received a master's degree in counseling from New Jersey City University and a master's in Education Administration from St. Peter's College while she was teaching.
Dolan is very proud of her Catholic schooling, which she said provided a sense of community and belonging throughout her education.
"My faith is a very important part of who I am as a person. To be able to incorporate that into my career is very fulfilling and important to me."
Dolan began her teaching career at St. Aiden's School in Jersey City, after which she taught at St. Ann's in Newark, St. Catherine's in Spring Lake, Sacred Heart Academy and St. Joe's in Hoboken, and Our Lady of Lake Verona in Verona. She also served as principal at the Visitation School in Jersey City in 2002 until her recent appointment at Hoboken Catholic.
"I always knew I wanted to do something that involved helping others and working with children. Education just seemed like the right combination," she said.
Her vision for the academy
Dolan is currently developing an academic action plan for the school based on the test scores from the prior year, as required by the Newark Diocese.
She said the students are doing very well overall but there are some places where the curriculum can be "fine tuned."
"My goal is to continue to build on the academic program and the sense of community that should be in every Catholic school - working together for the good of the children so that they have a place where they're happy and can grow to their fullest potential," she said.
Dolan has already met with the teachers and the school's Parent-Teacher Executive Board to discuss the upcoming academic year, and a meet and greet session is scheduled for all parents and children on Aug. 24, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Over the past month, many parents have already met with the new principal to discuss their child's future at the school.
"I want to work with [parents] to make their child's experience at Hoboken Catholic Academy a very positive and growth-filled experience," said Dolan. "I recognize the trust they put in our hands when they put their child in our care."
Dolan has invited parents to call or visit the school office with any concerns.
The reason for the appointment
Dolan's appointment to the position came after Hoboken Catholic Academy abruptly terminated former Principal Michael Massone on April 24 for an investigation into alleged "financial improprieties," according to Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio.
According to a source close to the situation, the investigation stemmed from a decision Massone made to hire a vendor to fix the air conditioning and exhaust system in the school without getting the required number of bids. At the time of Massone's dismissal, many parents were outraged and attempted to have him reinstated, but to no avail.
Laurie Baer, whose three daughters attend the academy, said in April, "Massone energized that place like nobody's business. It has been a fabulous place for my kids to go to school."
So far, the current student body is about 330, although 20 to 30 students who attended the school last year did not re-enroll.
Massone said good-bye to his "little cardinals," as he referred to his students, through a letter that was posted in the Hoboken Reporter.
Michael Mullins can be reached at mmullins@hudsonreporter.com.
Post a Comment