|
|
CatholicTV is a 24/7 television network that broadcasts local and national religious programming and live events for the Catholic church in America.
|
 |
Sister Joan Magnetti to Lead Six Diocesan Inner-City Elementary Schools in Bridgeport
Jan 27, 2010
Contact: Brian Wallace (203) 416-1335
BIOGRAPHY: SISTER JOAN MAGNETTI
Sister Joan Magnetti grew up in New Jersey, attending both public and independent Catholic schools.
She graduated from Manhattanville College with a B.A. in Government. Upon graduation, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, an international religious congregation dedicated to the education of youth.
Sister Joan Magnetti earned an M.A. in Theology from Union Theological Seminary and has had extensive experience as a classroom teacher, academic dean, and curriculum director. She served as Headmistress at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, New Jersey for 13 year and as Headmistress at Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich for 19 years. In May 2008, she received an honorary Doctorate degree of Humane Letters from Manhattanville College. She retired as Headmistress in 2009
She is active in national educational associations and has served on the boards of Manhattanville College, the National Association of Independent Schools, the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools where she served as President for four years, the Commission on Independent Schools for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools and the Board of Governors of Fairfield College Preparatory School.
Sister Magnetti is past-president of the Headmistresses’ Association of the East, and has served on many boards of independent and Network of Sacred Heart Schools and colleges. She was President of the Headmasters’ Association and is a member of the National Association of Principals of Schools for Girls. She currently serves on the Boards of Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Union Theological Seminary.
She has been the recipient of many awards from professional organizations including the New Jersey Business and Professional Women Award, the YWCA TWIN (Tribute to Women in Industry) Award, the BRAVA Award for commitment to the educational needs of youth by the YWCA of Greenwich, and in April 2007 the Woman of Conscience Award from the Associated Alumnae of the Sacred Heart. In Spring 2009, she received the CASE (Counsel for Advancement and Support of Education) national Educational Executive Leadership Award at Kennedy Library Boston.
|
BRIDGEPORT—Nationally known educator Sr. Joan Magnetti, rscj, has been named Executive Director of the six inner-city Bridgeport schools of the Diocese of Bridgeport, according to the Most Rev. William E. Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport.
Her appointment was announced by Bishop Lori and James L. Bailey, Chairman of the Cathedral Education Cluster Advisory Board, during the January 26th board meeting at the Catholic Center.
Sister Magnetti, a Sister of the Society of the Sacred Heart, is best known locally for her successful, 19-year tenure as Headmistress of Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich.
“Her record of educational leadership, innovation and commitment to Catholic schools is extraordinary,” said Bishop Lori. “Sister Magnetti brings a proven track record of excellence in private education and a great love for all young people, including the economically disadvantaged. I look forward to working with her as we seek to serve the children and families who are part of our Cathedral Cluster Schools.”
The Bishop said that Catholic elementary schools in Bridgeport have made tremendous strides since the formation of the Cathedral Cluster Advisory Board in 2004. He thanked the board’s first Chairman Larry A. Bossidy of Ridgefield and Madeline Lacovara of New Canaan for their leadership.
James L. Bailey, a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Darien, said that Sister Magnetti “understands what it takes to sustain a school and provide a quality education.”
He said that one of the major goals of the advisory board is “to make sure schools continue to remain financially viable.”
“What we’re trying to do in our Bridgeport schools is to create a path for kids that gives them an opportunity to have a successful life.”
Dr. Margaret A. Dames, Superintendent of Schools, said that Sister Magnetti will be responsible for the overall growth and development of the six Bridgeport schools also known as the Cathedral Education Cluster.
“We welcome Sister Magnetti’s leadership and vision as we seek to expand resources for the Bridgeport schools, which play a unique role in the lives of the children and the larger community,” said Dr. Dames, who leads the entire Diocesan system and its 39 schools.
Six of the 32 Diocesan elementary schools have been designated “Blue Ribbon Schools” by the U.S. Department of Education. The designation places the schools in the top 10 percent of schools academically in the United States.
Sister Magnetti has run private schools in Greenwich, Connecticut and Princeton, New Jersey. She said that one of her goals has always been to work with inner city children who have huge educational needs and great potential.
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS-- More than 200 parents, educators and students came
together for the Breakfast of Champions on January 27 at Our Lady Queen of
Saints Hall in the Catholic Center.
Bishop Lori and Dr. Margaret Dames,
Superintendent of Schools, presented 42 awards to scholar athletes in
Catholic elementary and high schools throughout the Diocese.
“The parents who are sending their children to our six Bridgeport elementary schools view Catholic schools as a serious alternative to public schools in the city. In fact, people of all income levels across the country want their children in Catholic schools. They understand what can happen when children learn in a faith-based environment where they are loved, trusted and respected,” she said.
“Parents in the suburbs as well as the cities often need financial aid to act on their decision to provide a Catholic school education,” Sister Magnetti added.
The six elementary schools that form the “Cathedral Cluster” in the Diocesan system are St. Ambrose School (461 Mill Hill Ave.), St. Andrew School (395 Anton St), St. Ann School (521Brewster St.), St. Augustine School (63 Pequonnock St), St. Peter School (659 Beechwood Ave.), and St. Raphael School (324 Frank St.). They offer Pre-K through Grade 8.
Dr. Dames said since the formation of the Cathedral Cluster, the Bridgeport schools have made technological upgrades including the introduction of computers and smart boards for students. The Bridgeport students have also excelled academically by scoring at or above grade level on the Iowa test.
According to Dr. Dames, 81 percent of students in the Bridgeport elementary schools are minority and more than 34 percent are from non-Catholic families. Over one-third of all students live below the poverty line .The city of Bridgeport is ranked one of the 20 poorest cities of its size in the nation in the rate of child poverty.
Diocesan Schools
The Diocese of Bridgeport sponsors 39 schools with over 11,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12 in Fairfield County. Five schools have been named Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S Department of Education and another nine are eligible. Ninety-nine percent of the high school graduates seek higher education. All schools are fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and colleges (NEASC).
Statistical Overview, Catholic Elementary Schools in Bridgeport
Demographics: 66% Catholic/34% Non-Catholic Students
Total Bridgeport Enrollment: 1,314 Students
Ethnicity: Asian, 4%; Black 36%; Hispanic, 35%; White 21%; Multi-Racial,4%
Cost of education per student: $5,700 Catholic/$13,000+ Public
Languages spoken by Children: Chinese, Creole, French, Indian dialect, Korean, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese
<< Back to Main Page
|
|
