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Lourdes names new principal
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COAL TOWNSHIP — Sister Margaret McCullough, who has served as the elementary principal at local Catholic schools since 2003, has been named interim principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.
The 56-year-old McCullough, a sister in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Order, becomes the parochial school’s 10th principal in its 49-year history. She succeeds John McKay, who held the post for five years before retiring last month.
Her appointment as principal for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade becomes effective immediately.
The 30-year educator served as elementary principal at Lourdes for the past two years and previously was the principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in the Shamokin area for three years.
McCullough’s appointment was recently approved by Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Harrisburg and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School Board of Education.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges of becoming a high school principal,” McCullough said. “Just like an educator, an administrator is constantly learning and I’m willing to meet the necessary needs of the high school and elementary schools.”
The new principal said she wants to develop more interaction between the elementary and high school students in various programs, including computer work.
She added, “I want to continue the positiveness that has developed as a result of the elementary and high school merger two years ago and build upon that atmosphere. Having served as elementary principal, I plan on becoming more familiar with the high school and its operations.”
Sister Margaret hopes to increase enrollment at the school and would like to see two small classes in each elementary grade with approximately 20 students in each class.
The principal said a pre-kindergarten class, which currently has a projected enrollment of 19 students, will be started at the school for the first time in August.
She also stressed the importance of a new program offered by the state that allows business owners to obtain earned income tax credit by financially supporting needy families through the annual Neumann Scholarship Fund offered by the Diocese of Harrisburg. Any business owner who would like to participate in the scholarship program is urged to call the school at 644-0375, extension 141.
Sister Margaret, a Philadelphia native, graduated from West Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1970 and spent one year as a lay elementary teacher before professing her vows in 1979.
She earned a degree in elementary education and obtained early childhood certification from Immaculata College in Philadelphia. She also earned a master’s degree in sacramental theology from St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia and obtained her principal certification in kindergarten through 12th grade while serving as elementary principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School and Lourdes during the past five years.
Prior to being named principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School for the 2003-04 school year, Sister Margaret taught elementary school in Coatesville, Berwyn, Sellersville and Norristown.
She is a daughter of the late Margaret and Henry McCullough and is one of seven children.
The principal said there will be four new full-time teachers and one new part-time instructor at the elementary school. The high school will have a new Spanish teacher.
She said the projected high school (grades eight to 12) enrollment at Lourdes is 177, while the projected elementary school (pre-K through seven) enrollment is 254.
Sister Margaret said an open house will be held at the school on Aug. 24 for parents of students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade.
Students in grades one through four and grade eight will report to school Aug. 25, while students in grade five, and grades nine through 12 will report for classes Aug. 26. Classes for all students will be in session Aug. 27.
The 56-year-old McCullough, a sister in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Order, becomes the parochial school’s 10th principal in its 49-year history. She succeeds John McKay, who held the post for five years before retiring last month.
Her appointment as principal for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade becomes effective immediately.
The 30-year educator served as elementary principal at Lourdes for the past two years and previously was the principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in the Shamokin area for three years.
McCullough’s appointment was recently approved by Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Harrisburg and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School Board of Education.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges of becoming a high school principal,” McCullough said. “Just like an educator, an administrator is constantly learning and I’m willing to meet the necessary needs of the high school and elementary schools.”
The new principal said she wants to develop more interaction between the elementary and high school students in various programs, including computer work.
She added, “I want to continue the positiveness that has developed as a result of the elementary and high school merger two years ago and build upon that atmosphere. Having served as elementary principal, I plan on becoming more familiar with the high school and its operations.”
Sister Margaret hopes to increase enrollment at the school and would like to see two small classes in each elementary grade with approximately 20 students in each class.
The principal said a pre-kindergarten class, which currently has a projected enrollment of 19 students, will be started at the school for the first time in August.
She also stressed the importance of a new program offered by the state that allows business owners to obtain earned income tax credit by financially supporting needy families through the annual Neumann Scholarship Fund offered by the Diocese of Harrisburg. Any business owner who would like to participate in the scholarship program is urged to call the school at 644-0375, extension 141.
Sister Margaret, a Philadelphia native, graduated from West Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1970 and spent one year as a lay elementary teacher before professing her vows in 1979.
She earned a degree in elementary education and obtained early childhood certification from Immaculata College in Philadelphia. She also earned a master’s degree in sacramental theology from St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia and obtained her principal certification in kindergarten through 12th grade while serving as elementary principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School and Lourdes during the past five years.
Prior to being named principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School for the 2003-04 school year, Sister Margaret taught elementary school in Coatesville, Berwyn, Sellersville and Norristown.
She is a daughter of the late Margaret and Henry McCullough and is one of seven children.
The principal said there will be four new full-time teachers and one new part-time instructor at the elementary school. The high school will have a new Spanish teacher.
She said the projected high school (grades eight to 12) enrollment at Lourdes is 177, while the projected elementary school (pre-K through seven) enrollment is 254.
Sister Margaret said an open house will be held at the school on Aug. 24 for parents of students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade.
Students in grades one through four and grade eight will report to school Aug. 25, while students in grade five, and grades nine through 12 will report for classes Aug. 26. Classes for all students will be in session Aug. 27.
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