The mission of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School is to form young minds and hearts spiritually, academically, physically and socially in the image of Christ through authentic Catholic teaching within a community of faith with respect and compassion for others.
Belief Statement/Core Values
In keeping with the mission of Our Lady’s School, the faculty and staff are committed to fostering the development of certain core values in our student body so as to help our children become responsible caring individuals. These Core Values are:
- In all our actions, the faculty seeks to model KINDNESS and COMPASSION so our students will learn to be helpful, loving, sympathetic, and supportive of others, now and in the future.2. We seek to foster a spirit of COOPERATION so our children will learn to work with their classmates in a common effort for their mutual benefit.
- As a faculty, we cherish a school rooted in SELF-DISCIPLINE, recognizing that this trait will enable our children to correct and improve their behavior in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ and to model appropriate behavior for others as true disciples of Jesus.
- We are committed to a spirit of TRUTHFULNESS so that in word and deed our children reflect the reality of their lives in God and are faithful to that reality.
- We are further committed to fostering HONESTY in our children so they will learn to be a people of integrity, faithful to the inner voice of their conscience.
- We cherish a school rooted in RESPECT for one another and all of God’s creation. We seek to help our children recognize that each of us, as a child of God, is worthy of dignity and respect.
- Through joint and collegial effort and commitment of a competent faculty, administration, and dedicated parents, our students will continue to grow/practice RESPONSBILITY. As our students mature and their commitment to our Core Values grow in them, they will become students who are trustworthy, who will be able to distinguish right from wrong, and who will be willing to accept responsibility for their actions.
- Finally, the faculty and students of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School are committed to a ministry of compassionate SERVICE to OTHERS. Through their involvement in the many outreach programs at OLGC’s Parish School, our children practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and respond to Jesus’ call of service to others and His instruction to love others as we love ourselves.
Graduate Profile
It is hoped, that upon graduation from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish School, the graduate will:
- live and understand the basic doctrines of the Catholic faith;
- behave in a Christ-like manner, respect authority, bear social responsibility, be considerate and appreciative of the gifts of others;
- hear and respond to the needs of the poor;
- demonstrate self-discipline, a positive self-image, appropriate behavior and take responsibility for personal actions;
- communicate using appropriate verbal, written and listening skills;
- demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, math, and science skills and employ these skills in problem solving;
- apply decision-making skills to daily life;
- be computer literate and knowledgeable of current technology;
- use multimedia and learning resources effectively;
- and be self-motivated and committed to lifelong learning.
History
Our Lady of Good Counsel School opened in 1927 during the pastorate of Father James F. Hendricks. There were four classrooms and an auditorium with an enrollment of 180 students for eight grade levels.
First day of school!
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, agreed to staff the school. Since that time, Our Lady of Good Counsel School has expanded and flourished because of the hard work and commitment of our community.
Between 1950 and 1960, enrollment increased dramatically and the first lay teachers joined the faculty. In 1962, while Father Michael F. O’Keefe was Pastor, a new addition to Our Lady of Good Counsel School was completed, furnishing the school with two classes per grade level. The faculty was increased to 10 Sisters of St. Joseph and six lay teachers.
In June 1986,the Sisters of St. Joseph withdrew from Our Lady of Good Counsel School, recognizing the need to reduce their corporate commitments because the community had aged and the number of vocations declined. After the the departure of the Sisters, Monsignor James J. McGovern, then Pastor, appointed Sister Michael Vincent Dailey, O.P., principal in September 1985. Sister Michael led our school for almost 15 years before retiring.
Principal Jerome T. McGowan was hired to oversee Good Counsel School in September 2000. Our pastor is Very Rev. Damian McElroy.
Today, as a Middle States accredited school, we have an enrollment of approximately 470 students in nursery through 8th grade. Our faculty is a committed and stable presence, providing Our Lady of Good Counsel School with a religious and caring atmosphere as well as academic excellence.
The dedication of Our Lady of Good Counsel School.