Open House

Joe Scarpino Takes Helm at St. Mary Catholic School-Open
House Planned

Known as a diamond in the Kendall County area, St. Mary
Catholic School will be continuing its long tradition of providing an
academically strong and faith-filled curriculum with the recent appointment of
a new principal, Joe Scarpino of Sugar Grove. 
St. Mary’s is a kindergarten through eighth grade facility with an
off-site preschool at St. Patrick Parish in Yorkville.

The public is invited to attend an open house at the
school on Thursday, August 29th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The school is located at
817 N. Center Street in Plano. 

Scarpino has been an educator for the past eight years
and an administrator for the past two years. 
He began his career at Downers Grove South High School where he taught
English as a second language, U.S. history and world history for three
years.  He helped facilitate the opening
of Holy Cross Catholic School and taught religion and history to students in
grades sixth through eighth for two years before moving on to Thompson Middle
School in St. Charles.

Scarpino pursued his administrative certificate and began
working as dean of students prior to being hired as principal of St. Mary’s
this summer.

Scarpino said his goal for year one of his administration
is to increase enrollment by getting the word out to the surrounding community
about the fully accredited, academically challenging school in their
midst.  The school is guided spiritually
under the direction of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception from St.
Mary Parish in Plano and St. Patrick Parish of Yorkville.  The Marians, as well as the staff at St.
Mary’s are dedicated to providing a safe, challenging and rewarding educational
experience to students.

“I believe in fostering the atmosphere of a nurturing
environment; providing for the social, emotional, spiritual needs of the
students.  Catholic schools are able to
take a holistic approach to education,” Scarpino said.

Scarpino believes in forming strong partnerships between
the parents, the teachers, and the administration.

“I am a big believer in empowering students.  Fostering trust is a key to students feeling
empowered.  Kids can accomplish amazing
things, whether it is peer tutoring, organizing fundraisers, or running an
assembly,” Scarpino said.

St. Mary’s School provides a curriculum that includes all
core subjects with 45-minute instruction blocks and double math periods twice
per week. 

“This is a real benefit to our students that helps to
make St. Mary Catholic School unique,” Scarpino said.

Every week the students are offered art, music,
technology in the computer lab and twice a week physical education, in addition
to regular religious instruction.  By the
end of the year, all K-8 classrooms will have Smart Boards.

The school participates in a full line-up of sports
offerings like boys and girls soccer, track, and basketball; and girls
volleyball.  A before and after school care
program is in place this year to help accommodate the needs of working parents.

Anyone who would like to take a student-led tour, meet
the staff, and see the facilities can stop by any time during the open house.