Divine Mercy Academy students, teachers excited for new year

Aug. 22 marked the beginning of a new school year for the students at Divine Mercy Academy, and students and teachers had a variety of answers to the question “What are you looking forward to this school year?”

The school teaches students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Art and STREAM teacher Loretta Marrone is looking forward to utilizing the newly renovated STREAM labs and the arrival of chickens.

Through the organization Rent The Chicken, Marrone will have seven eggs delivered that will take about 21 days to hatch. During the waiting period, younger students will learn about the life cycle of a chick and older students will be tested on the parts of an egg.

“The whole school will participate. We’ll set up a video with the eggs in the art room.” Marrone said, adding that the eggs need to be away from vents and windows.

Not all seven eggs will hatch, “Which is a lesson in itself,” Marrone said. Every class will participate in a name the chicken contest and then teachers will select names.

“Our goal in the future is to have a chicken coop out back next to the garden,” Marrone said. After the chicks hatch, the students will keep them for a few weeks, and then Rent The Chicken will take them to live on a farm.

“I’m looking forward to the new parts of the STREAM rooms. I’m happy to have the chicks and see my friends,” 12-year-old Kylee Willis said.

Seventh grader Joe Shanahan said, “Seeing my friends. And I’m excited for the basketball season.”

Pio Hanna is excited about the “field trips and using the 3-D printer.”

Principal Nikole Laubham said that the school’s STREAM labs have been revamped and now include a new printer, laser engraver and green screen. The green screen is used by eighth graders for morning announcements.

DMA is also renovating the library, which was closed during covid.

“We got new flooring installed and some new furniture,” said Laubham. “Two of our retired teachers are working hard logging and reorganizing all the books.”

Melissa Seech is a preschool teacher and, over her 20-plus years at DMA, she has taught most grade levels.

“I look forward to seeing the growth the students make – socially and academically – throughout the year,” Seech said. “It’s something you really get to see in the younger classes.”

“I’m looking forward to watching the children learn and grow,” agreed Bonnie Benacquista, who has been an assistant at DMA for 29 years.

Four-year-old Gianna Hill said, “I like playing with all of my friends. We care about each other.”

And James Neubauer said, “I like playing with my friends and the toys.”

Kim Rossetti’s kindergarten class is excited about the classes. Madison Cocchi said that math is her favorite subject, while Julie Taramelli prefers reading.

“I’m looking forward to teaching the students how to read,” said Rossetti, who has been at DMA for 15 years. “The kids love doing math with their hands. They are very eager to learn at this age.”

Sami Rathjen’s second grader Max Hanna is excited about Fun Fridays, when the students will participate in STREAM activities or games.

Rathjen said that by doing good deeds and being thoughtful, students can use their reward cash – or “moolah” – on Fridays to buy prizes, such as candy, desk pets or stuffies.