Departments & Courses
English
Fine and Performing Arts
Mathematics
Physical Education
Religion
Science
Social Studies
World Languages
Guidance
English Department
Valerie Doucette, B.A. English and German, M.A. English, Chairperson
Sara D. Avery, B.S.Ed English, B.A. Theater Arts
John A. Cusson, B.A. English, M.A. Literature, CAS Secondary School Administration
Lorraine DeCrescenzo, B.A. English Literature
Joan Keating-McKeon, B.A. English, M.A. English Literature, J.D. Law
Jeffrey Przech '92, B.A. English
Kerri Smith, B.A. English, B.F.A. Acting
The objective of the English Department is to challenge students by creating a college preparatory curriculum throughout the four years. Freshman and sophomore English classes are full-year courses with an emphasis on reading a variety of fiction genres, writing essays, critical thinking skills, vocabulary enrichments, grammar usage and PSAT/SAT preparations. Junior year features full-year courses in Honors Creative Writing and AP Language and Composition. Semester courses include Honors American Literature, Honors Expository Writing, American Literature and Language Arts. Focus is on literature, nonfiction readings, language study, critical thinking skills, writing analysis papers (including a research paper) and PSAT/SAT preparations. In senior year, AP Literature is a yearlong course divided into World Literature and British Literature. Semester courses include Honors British Literature, British Literature, Honors World Literature, World Literature, Speech and Communication and Introduction to Theatre. While courses differ in content, focus and level of difficulty, students' skills in literature, writing, critical thinking, vocabulary and grammar receive careful attention.
Required Courses: 4 years including Language Arts, American Literature, and English Literature
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Fine and Performing Arts Department
Elizabeth Lynch Oates '94, B.A. Art History, M.S. Art Education, Chairperson
Daniel Avery '97, B.M. Music. Director of Choral Music
Sara D. Avery, B.S. Ed English, B.A. Theater Arts, Director of Theater
Daniel Luddy '03, B.M. Music
Andrew Selig '06, B.A., Music
Kerri Smith, B.A. English, B.F.A. Acting
Brie McDonald, B.A. Fine Arts, M.F.A.
The Fine and Performing Arts Department offers courses, which provide a variety of experiences for all abilities and musical, dance, or artistic backgrounds. These courses are designed for students who wish to pursue the arts as a hobby as well as those planning a career in the fine or performing arts. Some of the courses are open to all students; others require a special audition/portfolio for membership. In the Visual Arts, courses in a variety of media and disciplines are offered to provide the best studio and academic background for students. These courses are taught in a state-of -the-art studio environment with the finest materials and computer technology available. This curriculum emphasizes the merging of traditional techniques and media with the technology of the future. The sequence of visual arts classes is Introduction to Visual Arts, Drawing and Painting, Design. The Northwest Catholic fine & performing arts program was expanded with the addition of the Breen Center for the Arts, the Dyber Art Studio, the Alice C. Mortensen Theater and the Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Art Lobby, all of which were dedicated in 2001.
The art curriculum includes Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, and Crafts. The performing arts curriculum includes Concert Band, String Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Advanced Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, Women's Choir, Concert Choir, Women's A Cappella Quartet, Chamber Choir, and Jazz Choir.
Theater offerings include Acting, Theater, Dance, Dance Repertory and Black History Club productions. Students are also encouraged to participate in several annual dramatic productions and the annual spring musical.
Northwest Catholic's music students take part annually in several competitions including The Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival and the Heritage Music Festival.
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Mathematics Department
Claudia Hart '78, B.A. American Studies, M.A. Education, Chairperson
Daniel Avery '97, B. M. Music
Catherine Curran, B.A. Mathematics, M.A. Mathematics
Elizabeth Godwin, B.A./B.S., Math and Statistics, M.A. Math and Statistics
Deborah Metzler, B.A. Economics, M.A. Education
Stanley Piorkowski, B.A. Chemistry, M.A. Education
James Shugrue, B.S. Mathematics; Fifth-Year Certificate Mathematics
Terri Turley, B.S. Education
Danielle Kondratuk, B.A. Mathematics
The Mathematics Department believes that each student should increase his or her ability to analyze real life situations in mathematical terms and appreciate the beauty of math. The department strives to teach students to define functions that model the world around them. An in depth analysis of these functions will foster a greater understanding of real life phenomena. The math department also commits itself to developing in each student the technological skills to help them solve problems that would otherwise take substantial amounts of time. In addition, the Mathematics Department strives to develop a strong spirit of intellectual curiosity and to develop the confidence in each student to be a creative problem solver. The emphasis on computers and graphing calculators will enable each student to adapt to the increasing demands of the workplace.
Required Courses: Most colleges expect at least one year of Algebra and one year of Geometry, and prefer two years of Algebra. A fourth year of math is required for prospective engineering or mathematics majors. Beginning with the Class of '14, four years of math will be required.
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Physical Education Department
John Mirabello, B.A. Psychology, M.A. Social Studies Education
Health Education is required for graduation.
The program stresses the growth and development of sound physical and mental health through an examination of nutritional practice, drug and alcohol education, sex education, mind and emotional maturation. The program is designed to meet the needs for health education at an early teenage level. Visual aids -- videos, films and slides -- are used extensively, and several speakers come in to lecture on dealing with health problems.
Physical Education
1 credit required for graduation
The aim of the physical education program is to contribute to the development of the whole person through emphasis on developmental skills, physical fitness, and participation in physical activities that will be beneficial to them in their adult years.
Sports Physical Education
Any student playing a Varsity or Junior Varsity Sport will receive 0.2 credits/sports season towards fulfillment of the Physical Education requirement in place of Physical Education during the school day.
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Religion Department
Deacon Richard Santos '82, B.A. Religious Studies, Chairperson
Teresa Giegel Bournique '84, B. A. Religious Studies
Madonna Burke, A.B. Religion, M.A. Pastoral Ministry/Youth Ministry, 30+ Credits, Religious Education
Kristina Gillespie, B.A. Spanish, M.A. Spanish, Director of Campus Ministry
Fran Laffin, B.A. History, M.A. Pastoral Ministry
William Tressler, B.A. History, M.A. American History
Sister Angela Marie Castellani, F.S.E., J.D., M.A. Theology
Through experiences both in and out of the classroom, the Religion Department works cooperatively to educate and encourage the student to know, love, and serve God, to follow Jesus, to love others as Jesus loves us, and to empower others to do the same. Three basic goals stand out: 1. to educate students regarding the twin pillars of the Jesus: Scripture and Tradition; 2. to educate students in the academic and intellectual aspects / realities of the past and present Church (with emphasis on teaching and beliefs); 3. to nurture in the students a strong Christian spirituality and a life giving faith. By virtue of our human dignity and of the gifts of Baptism and Free Will, in order to have respect for life and all its forms, the department believes that each student must learn to take responsibility for his/her own faith development, becoming an informed critic of his/her own choices and social milieu.
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Science Department
Virginia Murphy, B.A. Biology, M.S. Marine Environmental Education, Chairperson
Danielle Belliveau, B.S. Biology
Timothy Crowley, B.S. Health Studies, M.S. Marine Environmental Education
Mark Dodd, B.S. Biology, MBA
Scott Fletcher, B.S. Geology, M.A. Science Education
Richard Luddy, B.S. Physics, M.S. Physics, PhD. Physics
Jennifer Montoney, B.S. Biological Sciences
Deacon Jeffrey Sutherland, B.S. Chemical Engineering, B.S.C. Management Studies
Most colleges require at least two years of science, preferably laboratory science. Advanced Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and all Advanced Placement Science courses are laboratory courses. The laboratory experience is a vital part of these courses and comprises at least one-third of the class time. more competitive colleges as well as majors related to science generally require or strongly recommend a three- to four-year program including Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Most colleges also look upon participation in Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Physics and/or Advanced Placement Chemistry very favorable.
Required Courses: 3 years of Science, including Biology (instituted with Class of 2010). Suggested: 3-4 years
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Social Studies Department
Paul Fitzpatrick, B.A. History, M.A. Public Policy, Chairperson
Nita Beeman Vitaliano, B.A. History and Anthropology, M.A. History
Cory Carlson, B.A. Sociology, M.A. History
Matthew Martorelli '03, B.A. Sociology
Jennifer Puskarz, B.A. History, M.A. Curriculum and Instruction
Joseph Ohleiser '05, B.A. History, M.A. Education
The Social Studies Department believes that since students learn in a variety of ways, materials should be presented to accommodate these learning styles. Methods of presentation would include lecture, discussion, role-playing, debating, various technologies, and others. The department also believes that a proper understanding of the social sciences will nurture the all important leadership skills that our students must have in order to make a positive contribution as knowledgeable citizens of a democratic society.
Required Courses: 3 years including World History and U.S. History. Beginning with the Class of '14, 3.5 credits will be required.
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World Languages Department
Ana Barrett, B.A. Spanish, M.A. Spanish, Chairperson
Kristina Gillespie, B.A. Spanish, M.A. Spanish
Barbara Fanning Iorillo '69, B.A. Spanish, M.A. Hispanic & Italian Studies
Nancy Martin, B.A. Spanish
Katy Sibley, B.A. Spanish
Ronald Swanson, B.A. Latin and Education, M.A. Classics
Nancy DaSilva, B.A. World Languages, M.S. Early Childhood Education
Jeff Gurganus, B.A. Chinese
The overall purpose of the World Languages Department is to expose students to other cultures through the study of the language and to prepare them to communicate in at least one language other than English. Most colleges require a minimum of two years of language study, and prefer that one language is carried through three or four years if the student has the ability to do so. Three years of one world language is preferred over two years of two world languages. The qualifying grade to move to the next level is "C-." No student with a lower grade will be advanced pending completion of Summer School or approved tutoring.
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Guidance
Northwest Catholic's guidance counselors are dedicated to ensuring that students not only reach their highest potential while in high school, but are also prepared to meet the challenges they'll face throughout their lives. We use individual and group counseling to help nurture and monitor a student's academic progress, extracurricular activities, and social interactions from freshman through senior year. Our goal is to cultivate successful, well-rounded students who are equipped to achieve their own individual goals and to matriculate at the best possible college or university.
The Guidance Department has four full-time counselors and a full-time secretary:
Joyce O'Rourke, Director of Guidance jorourke@nwcath.org
Betsy Quinn, Counselor bquinn@nwcath.org
Mary Jo Foran, Counselor mforan@nwcath.org
Michael Tyler '73, Special Needs Counselor mtyler@nwcath.org
Lynn Prendergast, Guidance Secretary lprendergast@nwcath.org
Our counselors are members of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling, the Connecticut School Counselor Association, the College Board, and the Greater Hartford Guidance Directors Association.
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