For Immediate Release: May 10, 2012

Media Contact: Ken Goldfarb 518 453-6618

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard today announced his appointment of Michael E. Pizzingrillo as the new Superintendent of Schools for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.

“I am extremely pleased that we have been able to attract an educator who has the varied professional experience and the depth and breadth of knowledge as does Mr. Pizzingrillo,” Bishop Hubbard said. “I am confident that under his leadership our on-going initiative, Covenant to Educate, will continue to make great strides with its focus on academics and a foundation built on strong beliefs.”

Mr. Pizzingrillo, of Oceanside, NY, said, “I am honored and privileged to be able to collaborate with the leadership, staff and other stakeholders of the Albany Diocesan Catholic schools to ensure that the Strategies for the Future, as outlined in the Covenant to Educate, are continued and realized.”

He assumes his new duties on July 1, coming to the Albany Diocese from the Brooklyn Diocese where he currently serves as deputy superintendent for their Catholic schools. The longtime educator has been with the Brooklyn Diocese in a number of roles beginning as an elementary and junior high school teacher in 1995. He since has served as an elementary school principal at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Brooklyn, and then as an associate superintendent for strategic planning, government programs and public policy. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Fordham University.

Mr. Pizzingrillo is completing his Ph. D. at Fordham. He has a professional diploma in School Administration and Supervision from Manhattan College, a Master of Science in Elementary Education, and a Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s University.

He fills the vacancy created by the departure of Schools Superintendent Sister Jane Herb, IHM, who has been elected to the role of major superior in her religious community. There are more than 5,600 students enrolled in the 24 schools operated by the Albany Diocese.

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St. Mary’s Academy Announces Third Quarter Honor Roll

Mrs. Ninette Kondratowicz, Principal of Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons.

Mrs. Ninette Kondratowicz goes to Jail for a good cause – “MDA LOCKED UP”

Notre Dame – Bishop Gibbons School worked to “bail” out Mrs. Kondratowicz by donating to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. With the help of the ND-BG faculty, community, and student body, Mrs. Kondratowicz raised over $600 for MDA.

The seventh and eighth graders of St. Mary’s Institute recently participated in the Spring 2012 Catholic Campaign for Human Development Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest. CCHD is the U.S. bishops’ anti-poverty and social justice program. Students from schools across our Diocese submitted a visual art, a writing, or a performing art. Participants are invited to a luncheon at St. Mary’s School in Waterford where the winners will be announced this Thursday, March 29. These award-winning projects will be on display at St. Mary’s Institute after Easter recess.

1st place, Literature

Mr. Slichko, Principal at St. Augustine’s School, congratulates Madeline Sanvidge, grade 5, for winning 1st place overall at the school’s 16th annual Science Fair.

last Friday night. All students from Nursery School – Grade 6 had a project on display. We thank the following individuals for their attendance: Sr. Jane Herb, Superintendent of the Albany Diocese and our guest “judges” who critiqued our 5^th and 6^th grade projects: Dr. Michael Martinelli – Cardiologist at St. Peter’s Hospital, Dr. Eileen Slichko – Community Pharmacist at Price Chopper, Mr. Christopher Bott – Principal at CCHS and Mr. John Coleman – Science Dept. Chair at La Salle Institute.

Congratulations to the following award winners:

3^rd Grade  

1^st Place – Vanessa McIntyre

2^nd Place – Ava Ganc

3^rd Place – Connor O’Brien

4^th Place – Aidan Brown

4^th Grade  

1^st Place – Gabriel Purcell

2^nd Place – James Turner

3^rd Place – John Pernicaro

4^th Place – Kaitlin Moore

5^th Grade  

1^st Place – Madeline Sanvidge

2^nd Place – Emma Richards

3^rd Place – Jaden Rosa

4^th Place – Tess Gauthier

6^th Grade  

1^st Place – Thomas Zakrzewski

2^nd Place – Nore-Onna Thomas

3^rd Place – Cameron Canfield

4^th Place – Cassidy Call

 Overall Winners

1^st Place – Madeline Sanvidge

2^nd Place – Emma Richards

3^rd Place – Vanessa McIntyre

4^th Place – Jaden Rosa

After listening to Madeline’s oral presentation on the lungs and respiratory system, Dr. Martinelli commented “Some of my externs could not have explained the respiratory system that well.”

“Our Science Fair is by far one of the most demanding academic projects I have ever seen in an elementary setting,” said Joe Slichko, Principal of St. Augustine’s School. “Our students, faculty and parents work diligently both in school and at home to come up with creative and academically sound projects at all age levels. We pride ourselves in the fact that our Science Fair, which has been in place for sixteen years, aligns directly to the new Common Core Standards in terms of research, using informational text and giving presentations. We believe that it is never too early to begin preparing our students for middle school, high school, college and the work force.

This year we have some guest “judges” who will critique our 5^th and 6^th grade projects: Dr. Michael Martinelli – Cardiologist at St. Peter’s Hospital, Dr. Eileen Slichko – Community Pharmacist at Price Chopper, Mr. Christopher Bott – Principal at CCHS and Mr. John Coleman – Science Dept. Chair at La Salle Institute. We thank each of them for bringing their enthusiasm and vast knowledge to our students.

“Our Science Fair is by far one of the most demanding academic projects I have ever seen in an elementary setting,” said Joe Slichko, Principal ofSt.Augustine’s School. “Our students, faculty and parents work diligently both in school and at home to come up with creative and academically sound projects at all age levels. We pride ourselves in the fact that our Science Fair, which has been in place for sixteen years, aligns directly to the new Common Core Standards in terms of research, using informational text and giving presentations. We believe that it is never too early to begin preparing our students for middle school, high school, college and the work force.

Founded in 1861,St. Augustine’s is a parochial school owned and sponsored by the Catholic community of Lansingburgh, serving students Nursery through grade 6. Our academic and spiritual program sets about helping each student develop the power to think constructively, to reason independently, to solve problems, and to communicate their ideas clearly in spoken and written word through other creative means.

Contact: Joe Slichko, Principal, staug@nycap.rr.com

By Angela Cave

Evangelist Staff Writer

SISTER JANE SPEAKS with a student from All Saints Catholic Academy, Albany, about her artwork in the Catholic Schools Week art exhibit.

Sister Jane Herb, IHM, diocesan superintendent of schools, will leave her post at the end of the school year to become president of her religious order in Michigan.

She told The Evangelist the news seems surreal: “I’m still trying to wake up – and yet it feels so right.”

Sister Jane will be major superior of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, heading a six-person leadership team and more than 400 nuns in the U.S., Africa, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

For the full text of this story please visit the official website for The Evangelist – The Official Publication of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.

Bishop Hubbard, Sr. Jane Herb, and several proud Catholic School students at last Friday's Siena Saints basketball game celebrating Catholic Schools.