St. Peter's Elementary — Community of Learners
"I really love how everyone relates to each other at St. Peter's," says Greg Patient, an 8th grader at the Catholic elementary school founded in 1921 and situated in the heart of Worcester's Main South. "And you can practice your faith openly without any pressure. That's really great!"
Amelya Hagearty agrees. Greg's fellow student in classes throughout the day she says, "St. Peter's is like a big family. We have lots of wonderful activities together and we have them all the time."
The soon-to-graduate duo come from families with a longstanding commitment to the school, families that have had excellent experiences there. Amelya has a younger brother in the school and "a cousin is coming here too." Her grandmother teaches in the school.
Amelya plays on the girl's basketball and soccer teams and will travel across town next year and continue her Catholic education at Holy Name High School.
Not to be outdone, Greg says, "I'm going to Holy Name as well!" In high school he will continue his efforts on the basketball court and add football to his extra-curricular activities.
But Greg cites his involvement in religious aspects of St. Peter's as well. An altar server at St. Peter's Church up the street, he joins Amelya and their classmates in service activities that provide for the needy.
The school and local parish collaborate together, with students often praying at the church and priests regularly visiting the school. "We had a wonderful turkey drive at Thanksgiving and all of us joined together to help the poor of our area by delivering 520 Thanksgiving baskets this year, and we did this through the church," says Greg.
His mom, Marlene, has been a Pre-School assistant at the school for a decade. She worked in the office prior to that. Two of Greg's older sisters and an older brother have already graduated.
And one proud Headmaster, Mrs. Meg Kursonis, beams as she listens to them. She is now in her 11th year at the helm. Prior to that she taught here for thirteen years. Earlier, before taking a few years off when her children were small, she taught in the local public school system. She is a graduate of St. Peter's Elementary School as well as St. Peter's High School. Four generations of her family have attended St. Peter's! Being at the school she couldn't be happier.
Saint Peter Central Catholic School is a community of learners. Like so many of the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Worcester it nurtures children from preschool through grade 8 and provides a caring atmosphere and a sense of belonging by acknowledging each individual. It does this one by one, and heart to heart.
Within Catholic and culturally diverse communities these schools endeavor to enrich and foster the intellect and spirit of all who enter. Their environments encourage children to further develop their relationship to God, make responsible decisions, and reach their academic potential.
The stories of Mrs. Kursonis, Greg and Amelya are similar to those of thousands of others. Some of those families have been able to pay the tuition and some cannot. Those families share in the joy of Catholic schools only because they receive grants-in-aid from the Annual Partners in Charity Appeal.
This campaign, so vital every year, makes a Catholic education possible for many who desire it but would otherwise be unable to afford it. Too few dollars are available to offer many others the financial aid they need and deserve. But you can be part of the solution!
Good students will always need your help.
Bless these students of Worcester County. Support Partners in Charity.