Administrators Meeting Unites Salesians and Youth

By Julia St. Clair, Province Communications Coordinator

(New Rochelle, NY – April 4) – This year’s School Administrators Meeting took place from Thursday, March 31 through Friday, April 1 at the Marian Shrine in Stony Point, NY. Around 20 people came from Salesian schools to this important gathering, which was also the first school administrator official gathering since the NCEA Convention in Baltimore, MD in 2006.

The goals of the meeting were to explore the Salesian mission, vision, and charism and the roles and responsibilities of the director, president, and principal in the qualities of a Salesian school. The objectives also included qualities of a Salesian school, context in the Salesian world, and the network of Salesian schools.

"There’s a sense of unity in our mission and the importance of forming in the Salesian Charism," Fr. Steve Ryan, SDB, Director of the Marrero Community, observed. A few attendees described the meeting as "introspective, engaging interesting, and clarifying." One participant noted that "knowing one’s role solves a lot of problems." Additionally, another attendee observed how the meeting was "rooted in hope and love for the Salesian mission."

One highlight of the meeting was a morning youth panel given on Friday, April 1 with five seniors. Three were from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, NJ, and two came from Salesian High School in New Rochelle, NY. The students discussed what they enjoyed most about their schools, as well as their schools’ strengths and weaknesses. There were many similarities in their school experiences, which included supported faculty in and out of the classroom, the ability to be vulnerable and fully themselves, and encouragement to step outside of their comfort zones. Additionally, athletics do not define the schools, which both have many extracurriculars to offer, including media and drama clubs.

Additionally, the panel addressed their experiences during and post- pandemic. Despite having been remote for nearly two years, students remained united through quarantine and rose to the challenge of keeping in touch with each other. They felt that something was missing, and all had a burning hunger to return to their campuses. Overall, students at both Don Bosco Prep and Salesian High School returned in person to school stronger and bonded with themselves and the Salesian Family.

As Fr. Louis Molinelli, SDB, Province Delegate for Youth Ministry, told the group at the end of the discussion, "We can’t do what we do unless we include you [young] in the planning." Students in Salesian schools "are part of the Educative Pastoral Community (EPC) and have voices to be heard." May all Salesian schools and Salesian Family members rise to the challenge to be better by God and His Love.