July 27, 2020
Dear Paramus Catholic Families,
I hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of the Faculty and Staff, I would like to thank you for your support during the 2019- 2020 school year, one that certainly ended historically. The dedication and endurance of the Paramus Catholic faculty and staff, while working closely with our great families, allowed our students to continue to work to achieve their greatest potential. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new students and parents to the Paramus Catholic family.
Currently, we are working on our re-opening plan for the 2020 – 2021 school year. School will start on September 10, 2020, for incoming freshmen and September 14, 2020, for the entire student body. A letter will be sent outlining the details of the plan no later than August 15, 2020. In completing the plan.
For reference, I would like to note the following roles and names of Administrators and Directors of Paramus Catholic High School should you wish to reach out to them:
Mr. Declan Lynch- Executive Business Administrator
Mr. Lynch manages the collection of tuition, budgeting of finances, and financial reporting. Mr. Lynch is also responsible for employee payroll and benefits administration as well as all insurances. This position also oversees the accounts payable and receivable functions.
Mr. Ralph Manno, Mr. Joseph Wilson – Vice-Principals
Mr. Manno and Mr. Wilson provide leadership and direction to our students and staff regarding the ongoing evaluation and improvement of educational programs, including curricular and extra-curricular activities. They promote a school environment that is safe and conducive to individualized instruction, cooperative curriculum development, and student learning.
Mr. Scott Langan – Vice-Principal /Director of Athletics (DA)
Mr. Langan’s role as DA is to oversee all aspects of the athletic programs and clubs sponsored by Paramus Catholic. This includes the hiring of staff and coaches, ordering equipment for teams, promoting games, matches, and meets. The DA also supervises all sports personnel and assists in resolving any administrative issues.
Mr. Brian Niland- Vice Principal of Operations
Mr. Niland oversees the operations of the school along with safety procedures. He is responsible for compliance with State guidelines as they pertain to security and COVID-19 health measures.
Mr. Mike Featherstone - Director of Admissions
Mr. Featherstone leads a team responsible for the growth of enrollment and admissions while collaborating with our entire faculty and staff. The positive culture our school is built on is based in our Faith, Academics, and Safety. We truly follow the definition of what a Paladin portrays in its loyalty and dedication to others.
Fr. D. Layosa, Fr. D. Hummel- School Chaplains
The Chaplains provide support for the spiritual, educational, social, and emotional wellbeing of students, staff, families, and the wider school community of PC. They officiate at school masses and are available for confession, spiritual direction, and bereavement counseling. They assist at school activities, student retreats, as well as teach theology-classes.
Deans of Students- Mrs. Jacki McKenna, Mr. Joseph Torchia, Sean Pekarsky
The Deans of Student Life maintain an active presence throughout the building, grounds, cafeterias, hallways, and extracurricular activities.
Each Dean serves as a liaison among all community stakeholders including students, parents, teachers, and administration. The Deans of Student Life foster a school climate where diversity is valued and respected.
Mrs. Kelly Sietsma - School Nurse
Mrs. Sietsma supports student success by providing health care through assessment, intervention, and follow-up for all children within the school setting. She performs applicable screenings as mandated by the State of New Jersey. In addition, the school nurse addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and social health needs of students and supports their achievement in the learning process.
Mrs. Heidi Godau – Director of Guidance
Mrs. Godau oversees the Guidance Department whose role is to support PC's students' academic, career/vocational, and social/emotional success. The department designs opportunities and a safe equitable space where students can connect, heal, and build their capacity to reflect and examine their experiences relating to the pandemic. The team is available for any inquiry you may have for the well-being of your child.
Mrs. Nancy Killgallen-Registrar
Mrs. Kilgallen’s primary duties include maintaining the school database, scheduling, and transcripts. The Registrar creates student schedules, report cards, and transcripts, reviews incoming transfer candidates’ transcripts for the potential to graduate on time and evaluates sending school transcripts for completion of Paramus Catholic’s graduation requirements.
Mr. Michael Shea- Dean of Campus Ministry, Director of Transportation
Mr. Shea directs a team that consists of our two school Chaplains and the Coordinator of Service and Outreach. As the Dean of Campus Ministry, Mr. Shea is directly responsible for the retreat program, which includes freshman retreats, overnight weekend retreats, our all-school retreats and retreats our student leaders run for local parishes. Other responsibilities include preparing for school liturgies and prayer services, training student leaders, promoting Campus Ministry programs, pastoral care, and ensuring the transmission of Catholic Tradition, teachings, values, and principles in all activities run/sponsored by Campus Ministry.
Mr. Michael Shea- Director of Transportation
Mr. Shea is responsible for ensuring all Transportation to and from Paramus Catholic is both safe and cost-effective for the community. The Director works closely with the Archdiocese, school districts, bus companies, and families to establish bus routes that provide students the opportunity to attend Paramus Catholic High School. Other responsibilities include overseeing transportation for sports, activities and service projects, maintaining the school bus fleet owned by PCHS, and creating policies to protect the safety of all students while riding on our buses.
Mr. Mike Freimuth - Director of Operations
Mr. Freimuth is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising the day-to-day maintenance, grounds, janitorial, and security functions of the school. serving as a liaison to the Principal and Vice-Principal of Operations providing these school administrators on the daily functioning and status of all aspects pertaining to the facility and grounds.
Mrs. Amy Shea, Dr. Luke Frangione – Academic Deans
The Academic Deans serve under the Administration as the academic leaders of the school. They are the facilitating link between the Administration and the Academic Departments, ensuring that the school’s academic standards are met. Each works very closely with the faculty to create and foster a challenging curriculum and to set new academic goals.
Mrs. Jean Cousins – Director of Marketing
Mrs. Cousins plans and executes a strategy that advocates the mission of Paramus Catholic to all stakeholders and beyond. Through ads, events, print media, social media platforms, and the website, the Director builds support for the school and advances its brand.
Mrs. Danielle Mutovic- Director of Technology
Mrs. Mutovic provides technical support to staff and students while working with the Operations department to facilitate a leading-edge technological environment for educational purposes. Oversees the hardware and software infrastructures on campus, providing enhanced instruction inside and outside of the classrooms.
Mr. Richard Garcia- Licensed Athletic Trainer/ Contact Tracer
Mr. Garcia conducts COVID-19 screenings and orthopedic evaluation and rehabilitation of PC student-athletes. Trainer Garcia also serves as a screener to student/faculty. He works with the nursing staff under both the administration and PC team's physician supervision to assist in COVID-19 screening within the scope of practice.
As stated above, you will be receiving a letter with a detailed plan for the upcoming school year by August 10, 2020.
Please know that Paramus Catholic is vital and strong. During the last four months of school, Paramus Catholic was an example to many other schools. We maintained the structure of the school day for the students. Through Virtual Learning, teachers maintained the rigorous college-prep curriculum while continuing to engage students and help them reach their maximum potential
It is my primary intention for families, students, faculty, and staff to know that every detail for reopening will be evaluated before being carefully implemented. You may reach out to me at any time at smacaluso@paramus-catholic.org.
I wish you a safe, healthy, and enjoyable remainder of the summer.
In your gratitude,
Dr. Stephanie Macaluso
Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak, and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: “Do not be afraid” (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, “cast all our anxieties onto you, for you care about us” (1 Pet 5:7).
-Pope Francis Strong in the Face of Tribulation: A Sure Support in Time of Trial
