St. Mary’s School beginning year of innovation in 2019/2020.

Groundswell of support promises new beginnings in Canton with the school’s 90th year of operation.

With the support of Bishop Terry LaValley, and after careful consideration and
research, the school will begin a year of innovation and advancement marked by changes in
leadership, increased parent and community involvement, advances in fundraising and
marketing, adoption of high impact programs, and review of curriculum.

“There is a great love of the Lord, the children, and this school in our community,” said Fr. Bryan
Stitt, pastor. “Bishop LaValley and I were greatly impressed with the people who presented a
professional and inspiring vision for moving forward—remembering who we are, and open to
whom God is calling us to be.”

“With an increase in offerings, such as a second full day Pre-K room, St. Mary’s will be better
able to serve the community and become more financially self-sufficient,” said Devon Sutton.
“Taking a thoughtful and intentional approach to any potential curriculum changes with
involvement from the entire school community will further cement St. Mary’s School as a center
of academic excellence, in addition to remaining the loving and warm atmosphere that draws so
many to the school.”

The high impact programs will include networking with our local universities and institutions for
developing programs in foreign languages, STEM, robotics, and the arts, as well as continuing
our long-standing relationship with the Crane School for our music program.

St.Mary’s will expand its current Pre-K program by opening up a second room. As one of the
few full day Pre-K programs in the area, St. Mary’s accepts 3 and 4-year old students for half or
full days. The before and after school latchkey program is also open to the Pre-K children.
A national search for a new principal is beginning immediately. A close second in terms of
leadership developments will be developing a Parent Teacher Organization, tapping the
outpouring of support from so many families of the school and beyond. People want to help,
and they need to help, both for the good of the school and for their own investment in what St.
Mary’s School is doing.

There will be no change in curriculum this coming academic year. Moving forward we will
further consider possibilities including the viability of Catholic Liberal Arts and Science
Education (also known as Classical Catholic Education). This year will help us to determine
what the best curriculum model is for our students.

We have always been a Catholic school, we are a Catholic school today and we will continue to
be a Catholic school. We currently have a diverse student population that is roughly 50 percent
Catholic. We will continue to welcome and serve families of all faiths looking to enroll their
children in a deep and rigorous education in a safe, warm and loving environment.

About St. Mary’s: St. Mary’s has been serving the North Country since 1930. Currently on the
cusp it’s 90th year of operation, St. Mary’s is abundantly excited and thankful for the support of so
many families currently in the school and the many new families already reaching out with an
interest in letting their children grow and flourish at our school.
 

For those wishing more information, please feel free to explore our website at 
https://stmaryscantonny.com/.

A special thank you to McCluskey Photography. www.McCluskeyPhotography.net    315-244-5220

St. Mary's Parish is a Catholic Sacramental Community that exists to glorify God.  We are committed to sharing the Good News with our families, our parish, and our community through worship, liturgy, and service to one another.

Visit our school's site at stmaryscantonny.com

Our Sacred Purpose
 
Christ-led, Christ-fed, and Hope-filled,

The Diocese of Ogdensburg joyfully
  invites the people of the  
 North Country to the journey
 of faith through
the proclamation of the Gospel,
 the celebration of the Eucharist 
and the Sacraments,
and the loving service of neighbor.

Thursday:         4:50 PM