News and Awards

Sacred Heart becomes a Paterson Diocese "Star School" in May, 2005

The Paterson Diocese has awarded Sacred Heart School this prestigious award for its outstanding "Literacy for Life" Program in grades K-8. This integrated Language Arts / Reading Program incorporates literature based reading, writing, and performing arts activities with various learning styles. This comprehensive program begins each June with summer reading assignments and activities and continues each and every month of the school year so that the scope of the program is cyclical and continuously on-going as a student moves from one grade level onto the next level of academics. Congratulations to the faculty, who have developed this award-winning program, and to the students of Sacred Heart School who have strived for academic excellence while participating in this innovative and unique program!

"A Star School in the Paterson Diocese is a school on the 'cutting edge.' It promotes high student achievement and has an identifiable specialization which addresses the educational services and needs of students. The faculty is engaged in professional development; there is administrative and fiscal efficiency demonstrated in the educational program. Outstanding performance is measured in terms of student results and school accomplishments and there are collaborative efforts with parents, parish and community."

Our Fourth Best Practice Award 2007

Sacred Heart School in Rockaway is being recognized for an outstanding "Best Practice" that promotes understanding and appreciation of cultural differences as well as supporting the Social Studies curriculum by identifying patterns of immigration in the United States.

"Monday Lunch" is a program for the seventh grade students that has been in place for ten years with great success. On Monday of each school week, a designated student provides a lunch that is traditional for his or her ethnic background. For example, the Star School Selection committee visited Sacred Heart School on Monday, March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph. We enjoyed a delicious Italian lunch, served by the students, and a most informative talk on the traditions of the St. Joseph Table. Every "Joseph" in the entire school was invited to partake of the St. Joseph Table in honor of their special feast day.

Through the generosity of parents and a very minimal charge to each student, this collaborative effort truly celebrates cultural differences and promotes self-esteem and pride in one's heritage.

"At the root of prejudice is fear based on a lack of knowledge and sensitivity to differences". Congratulations to all at Sacred Heart School for their efforts in combating prejudice and promoting love and tolerance for all of God's children.

Our Third Best Practice Award 2006

Sacred Heart School in Rockaway has won another Best Practice Award from The Home & School Federation of the Diocese of Paterson. For the past several years, we have surveyed parents to find out how we are doing in meeting their needs and expectations on everything from fundraising, volunteer requirements, academics, religious training, and creating a safe and nurturing environment. So, How well are we doing? The reaction to the survey was fantastic, with over 40% of returning parents responding and 70% of new parents. The responses, both positive and negative were summarized and reported back, with action plans prepared on many items. Many changes have been made in response to ideas from the survey, including: revising the Volunteerism system; revising some fundraisers; improvements in some academic programs; changes in the lunch program; and consolidating mailings to a once a week. As one parent commented, we may not have been able to implement all of the suggestions, but the fact that we were asked for our opinions and ideas, was new and refreshing.

Our Second Best Practice Award 2005

We are pleased to announce that the Home & School Federation of the Diocese of Paterson has awarded SHS a Best Practice Award for Academics for 2004-2005 for our Career Day that is held during Catholic Schools Week. The award was presented at the Convocation Meeting February 26, 2005 held at DePaul Catholic High School. Special thanks go to Flossie Haeberle and teachers for putting in many hours of labor and love into this program and to our parents who volunteer their expertise and gifts to our students. Way to go!!!

Peer Mentor Program Wins Best Practices Award 2004

A special thanks to all the teachers and parents who invested many hours of time to prepare an award-winning presentation for the visiting team who came to our school community to observe our Peer Mentor Program. Your devotion and commitment to our school truly enriches the Christian atmosphere that we strive to provide for all our students and their families. Thank you to all our parishioners who support our school community and continually help us to offer an outstanding education to all our students.

Sacred Heart School proudly announces that it has been recognized as one of the "Best Practice Schools" within the Paterson Diocese. This prestigious award has been awarded to our school for its Peer Mentoring Program between the 4th and 8th grade students developed and coordinated by Mrs. Jackie Hendershot and Mrs. Kanapaux for the past ten years.