New Principal, New Look for St. Theresa School

Saint Theresa School's 147 students might not recognize their old school when they return for classes in the fall.

Wth a completely resurfaced gym floor, fresh coat of blue paint covering the formerly yellow walls and hopscotch stencils in the parking lot, the beginning of the school year is meant to feel like "a fresh start."

"It's almost a new beginning," explained Nicole Hallinan, president of the Home School Association (HSA), who is also an alumna of the school.

The school's single-floor building, tucked away on Briarcliff Manor's Dalmeny Road, has been around since 1965.

"We always had this yellow façade," said Hallinan. "It was really cool in the 60s, but not so cool now."

The summer work and materials have been donated to the school.

"I think since we have such a faith-based community, people want to help what we have here," Hallinan said.

And a new color isn't all that's changing at St. Theresa's this fall—Donna Sutton is joining as the new principal after her former school, Sacred Heart of Jesus School, closed.

Sutton's previous school is also donating its entire library to St. Theresa's, which Hallinan said will be situated in the church's lower level.

"This is a huge plus we're gaining," she said. "We used to have the Briarcliff Library come out once a month and we would have a library set up in the lobby."

The school's many trophy cases, won by the school's interscholastic athletic teams, will also be relocated from the lobby to the new library, "hopefully by September," said Hallinan.

Sutton is bringing a greater sense of outreach to the school as well, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

"Donna [Sutton] really believes in giving back as part of the Catholic faith," Hallinan said. "We're really opening our doors, which is not something we've done in a very long time. We want the community to know that we're here."

The school currently serves approximately 100 families from Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Croton, Valhalla, along with ones from Yonkers, White Plains, Peekskill and more.

On the academic side, the Hallinan said the school is looking to enhance its curriculum.

"[Sutton] is adding to what already is a great environment," she said. "Most of our students get into the best high schools around. We attract people based on our academics and how people progress moving forward, which is clearly the most important thing."

To help with the enhancements, a big focus this year is bringing new equipment and technology into the science lab.

These types of changes, said Hallinan will hopefully attract younger families to the school, despite the tough economy, which may make it difficult for some to consider paying tuition.

"I think new numbers from the younger grades and up is what we need to focus on," said Hallinan.

To attract younger families to check out the Roman Catholic institution, "We're adding a lots of events this year," she revealed.

"We're going to do a fall festival and a touch-a-truck event," said Hallinan, in addition to the annual Christmas Concert and Senior Citizens Day, which involves residents of The Atria.

The September 24 touch-a-truck event, she explained, will involve bringing flatbed trucks, fire trucks, etc. to the campus, in addition to a bouncy castle, for the community to enjoy.

"It lets the families know we are here," said Hallinan. "We'll even have a DJ playing Justin Bieber."

The HSA is also pushing to connect with alumni of the school through Facebook, and hopes to involve as many as possible in an art project that will involve each former student designing an individual tile to be placed on one of the walls.

"We're really trying to build a sense of community," Hallinan explained. "There's definitely a family feeling that comes along with being here."