St. John Neumann expects another exciting school year

St. John Neumann Regional Academy has exciting updates this school year, including the first year that a foreign language class will include Mandarin, a dialect widely used and spoken in China.

"We are going to have a foreign language class in Mandarin available for upperclassmen," High School Principal Alisia McNamee said with enthusiasm in her voice.

Mandarin has supplanted English as the world's most spoken language.

In another development, a Memorandum of Understanding between the school district and Commonwealth Schools -- which include Lock Haven University Mansfield University and Bloomsburg University -- has been forged.

This Memorandum of Understanding allows for guaranteed scholarships for St. John Neumann School District graduates who meet certain criteria.

Additionally, the district has a Memorandum of Understanding with four Catholic universities in the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre area regarding scholarship funding.

As the school year kicked off, the principal updated the parents on the upgrades at the buildings and facilities.

These include new LED lighting and a boiler.

St. John Neumann Regional Academy comprises three campuses: A pre-school on Winthrop Street in South Williamsport; an elementary school on Franklin Street in Williamsport and a high school on Penn Street in Williamsport.

"This is an exciting year as it is the first year the district will be operating the pre-school for 3- and- 4-year-olds and for 4- and-5-year-olds preparing for kindergarten readiness.

Once again, the district is excited about its Noble Knights walk-a-thon which will be held to highlight social and emotional connectivity for the student body in all three campuses.

This is highly anticipated each year and is made possible by the dedicated faculty staff and the students.

The overall purpose and theme of the walk-at-thon is to demonstrate how St. John Neumann Regional Academy students show and value the importance of kindness, bullying prevention, respect, responsibility, preparation and service to others others.

The event also teaches restorative discipline based on the Catholic faith. It builds morals and values for the student body, from pre-kindergarten through senior year of high school.

During the event, students take part in yard games, listen to music by a disc jockey, are served ice cream and help support the district with raising funds.

The event also showcases the district's emphasis on social and emotional programs and how important it is for students to be enrolled in classes that are conflict-free and who are in a welcoming environment.

This year, there is a therapy dog for the kids on all of the campuses. His name is Carson and he is a golden retriever owned by the Director of Guidance Jennifer McPherson.

In terms of the faculty they will be getting upgraded technology such as 3D printers that can be used in the woodshop class.

Overall, St John Neumann Regional Academy has about 250 students and 40 faculty.

It is a faith-based education and theological teaching that falls under the umbrella of the Diocese of Scranton.

Besides the strong educational core curricula the students are taught morals and values and to respect others.

The Catholic academy is for students ages 3 on up to seniors who are preparing for post-secondary education, military or careers.

Tuition is required, however, there are several avenues to obtain financial aid, including scholarships.

McNamee was grateful to the diocese for its financial aid program and for the aid available through the Clarence Eck Foundation, an alumnus of the school, which offers scholarships to students pursuing a Catholic education. The foundation scholarship is available to any of the interested students.