-
September 7, 2021By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press
We’re supposed to spread the faith, and one of the best places to do that is a Catholic school.
So says Jay Sweet, who took the helm as principal of Holy Family Academy in Gardner last month.
A Catholic convert, he comes to his dream of serving in a Catholic school with a background in teaching and administration in public schools.
“I am eager to assume my position as the next principal at Holy Family Academy,” Mr. Sweet said in an Aug. 26 letter to the school community. “I am committed to the school's mission of providing a Catholic liberal arts education, bringing members of a diverse community to a deeper life with Christ. We will provide a safe and loving environment that challenges students intellectually, spiritually, and morally so that they grow in wisdom, grace, and strength before God and mankind.”
Mr. Sweet said he grew up at First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury and married a cradle Catholic in the Catholic Church, to which he was drawn by “my belief … that God is present in the Eucharist.” He went through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and joined the Catholic Church at St. Joseph Parish in Charlton, where he and his family are still members.
“The priorities are God, family, work … in that order,” he said.
Some of his family members are in education too. His wife, Jean, teaches at West Brookfield Elementary School, their daughter Danielle teaches in Marlborough and their son, Andrew, is beginning studies at Springfield College, hoping to become a teacher. Their other child, Allyson Janosz, is a nurse in Springfield, and her husband, Jonathan, is training to be a police officer.
Mr. Sweet said he has taught health and physical education to kindergarten through grade 12 in a number of schools in Central Massachusetts and on Cape Cod. He also served as a school administrator.
Earning his master's degree in school administration from Salem State University enabled him to become certified as a principal/assistant principal for pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, he said.
He said he applied for the position at Holy Family Academy because “I realized it was time to follow my faith” and evangelize, and a Catholic school is a great place to do that. He said he’s always wanted to serve in a Catholic school. Now, for the first time, he gets to do that.
In his letter to Holy Family he reached out to teachers and other school personnel, parents and students.
“I have been blessed to work alongside outstanding elementary, middle, and high school teachers, support staff, and administrators,” he said in his letter. “I am dedicated to teachers. Their assignment is to deliver quality, challenging lessons that test children's unique intellectual abilities while embracing the highest instructional expectations and learning outcomes. Please recognize them and support their efforts.
“Parents, as a father, I understand the love you have for your children. I know the worry and joy of raising children. I pledge to work with you to find common ground and mutual solutions during times of disagreement.”
He said students deserve the best a school can offer, and that success depends on a partnership among school, family, and community.
“Let's make HFA the type of school everyone wants to attend!” he wrote. “Let's make HFA the talk of the town as a great school. I ask you to join the HFA partnership and bring others aboard.”
In the letter he told students that “every decision I make and every action I take will be for you. You are #1.” He asked that, when invited, they join the student leadership team, which will meet regularly with him, implementing some of their ideas to make the school better.
“Now, with Christ, let's move forward,” he concluded.
