Divine Mercy Academy students back in class with some new faces

Divine Mercy Academy students in Monroeville saw some big changes when classes at the Catholic school started last month.

Kindergarteners will no longer receive report cards. Part of a Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese-wide change, kindergarten and preschool teachers will now use badge books to track milestones and skills such as early literature, math and self-help.

“Badge books are more visual for the students, and there is more participation from the teachers and students,” Principal Nikole Laubham said.

The school also is offering free breakfast and lunch.

“We were already participating in the National School Lunch Program,” Marketing and Admissions Manager Rachel McGuire said.

Students are able to receive free breakfast and lunch under the community eligibility provision, a federal initiative that allows schools to provide meals at no cost. There are no financial applications to complete, and all students can participate.

An extended homeroom period is now in place at the end of the day. During this time, students can participate in a variety of groups such as book club, walking club, student council and yearbook. The school partnered with Gateway High School’s robotics club, Quasics, who will visit twice a month to help with science club.

“We’re very excited about all of the new academic and faith-based programs implemented this year.” Laubham said.

New faces

In addition to McGuire, who was hired in the spring, there are three new faculty members.

Middle school math teacher Isabella Speranza graduated this spring from Washington and Jefferson College. Speranza, who attended North American Martyrs and Oakland Catholic, feels that working at Divine Mercy will tie in with her Catholic beliefs.

“I’m excited to share my faith and values within the school,” she said.

Speranza’s goal this year is to instill confidence in the students – both in math and overall. Her own personal goal is to “remain a happy face” for her students.

Speranza will assist Elizabeth Vita with the drama club.

Vita, also a new hire, is the drama and band director. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Seton Hill University and her master’s in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Vita is also the school’s general music teacher. She’s been playing the flute since third grade. “I can also play the piano, piccolo, saxophone and I sing,” she said.

Band is open to fifth through eighth graders; students can choose from the flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet or percussion.

“Music brings people together; it is a universal language,” Vita said. “Research has shown how music impacts the minds and growth of young people.”

Colleen Cocchi is the new middle school science teacher. The mother of three Divine Mercy students also was the parent-teacher guild’s past president.

Cocchi’s taught chemistry and science electives at Derry Area High School for four years. For the past seven years, she’s worked part time as a program presenter at Carnegie Science Center.

“I’m looking forward to helping the middle schoolers, especially the eighth graders, make the transition and prepare them for high school,” Cocchi said. “I’m also excited to use what I’ve learned at the science center, where I’ve presented and created content for a wide variety of subjects.”

Cocchi will be the adviser for any student who wants to compete in regional science fairs – Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science or Pittsburgh Regional Science Engineering Fair.

“I think learning how to plan a scientific investigation and communicate results are really important skills, and science fairs are a great opportunity for students to develop skills like organization, time management and public speaking,” Cocchi said.

“I am also excited for the opportunity to teach my students about important contributions from Catholic scientists and how we can use faith and reason to learn about the world.”

Returning faculty

STREAM — science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math — teacher Loretta Marrone has new projects planned.

Marrone, who is in her sixth year, will also be facilitating Family STREAM Nights for second through fifth graders. The first one, “Fun on the Farm,” is set for October and will include games and projects related to math and coding.

On Sept. 24, Marrone and her students will receive duck eggs, which take 28 days to hatch. Last year, the school had chicken eggs, which was a fun and educational project.

Marrone plans to teach the older students about careers, such as forensics. She hopes to “have kids know what’s out there, career-wise, and to be able to interact with others who have similar interests.”

Mackenzie McCarthy just began her second year at the school. The religion and language arts teacher earned her undergraduate degree in early childhood education from Penn State University, as well as her certifications to teach PreK through fourth grade.

McCarthy had three minors – special education, deafness and hearing studies and early childhood development. She also is pursuing her master’s degree in reading and literacy education at Duquesne University.

Before joining Divine Mercy, McCarthy worked as a building substitute in Shaler Area School District and served as a day-to-day substitute at several public school districts.

McCarthy added a classroom fridge – a space where students can display works they’re proud of, photos of family, or other things that bring them joy.

“My classroom is a space I pour my heart into, and it continues to be one of my proudest accomplishments,” she said.