PRESS RELEASE:
 
Mr. Cushing sends great word from the administrative confines of St. Joseph School as of Tuesday, August 10 at 1:00 pm.
 
"The student enrollment at St. Joseph School in Webster is soaring with the Eagles as of this date.  At the start of school in 2008, the enrollment was 104 with 15 students being in the 8th grade. Translated -- this meant meant that only 89 would return from that year of education after graduation at SJS in June of 2009", said Mr. Cushing.
 
"In August of 2009, the student enrollment crept back up the ladder from 89 in June to 112 at the start of the school year 2009-2010 due to a continued strong boost in the Pre-K area", said Principal Cushing.
 
With the loss of the SJS graduating class in June 2010, the enrollment slipped to 109.
 
"Now, as of August 10, 2010 the enrollment has soared up to 141 and climbing" stated Mr. Cushing.
 
The increases are virtually coming in every grade (Pre-K thru 8).
 
Pre-K still remains strong even with dividing into 2 class sections and totals 16 and 12 students for a total of 28 In Pre-K.
 
Last year the total was 31 in Pre-k (1 section).
 
"I believe that the total Pre-K figure for 2010-2011 will even continue to increase over the next month from a total of 28 to at least the early 30's.", said Principal Cushing.
 
Kindergarten is an area where a tremendous boost took place!!
 
"Last year, there were 10 students in Kindergarten. We are pleased to announce that it has increased to 22 as of this date. A new aide (Sr. Mary Valenta Akalski) will be assigned to that room to assist Miss Cormier", said Principal Cushing. 
 
"Building from the lower classes up -- plus retention -- has proven to be the most successful enrollment growth formula", stated Mr. Cushing  
 
Other class size increases over last year are: Grade 1 from 7 to 14;and Grade 5 from 9 to 14.
 
The 8th grade graduating class of this coming year will be 14.
 
"We return the same veteran staff from last year and our visibility and marketing of the school has been going in the right direction", said Mr. Cushing.
 
"To go from 104 students just 2 years ago -- to at least 145 students going into the coming school year is a period of growth which the entire St. Joseph School Community should be buzzing about", stated Principal Cushing!!
 
"We can't wait to see what the building of the new school addition -- thanks to the $1,000,000 donation from St. Joseph School, Bartlett High School and West Point Academy graduate Richard Nowak has spearheaded -- brings  to St. Joseph School and becomes a reality!!! 
 
I truly envision and believe that St. Joseph School will return to the days of a 200  student enrollment"  said Mr. Cushing.