SALUTE TO THE 90"1 ANNIVERSARY OF ST. JEROME SCHOOL IN BRIDGEPORT
WHEREAS, On Feb. 2, 2013, the congregation of St. Jerome's Parish in the Bridgeport neighborhood celebrates the 90" Anniversary of St. Jerome's Parochial School with an afternoon Mass held at the church followed by a reception at the Bridgeport Art Center; and
WHEREAS, In the fall of 1922, St. Jerome School opened its doors to four classrooms with more than 200 pupils of Croatian descent taught by the Sisters of the Adorers of the Precious Blood of Christ under the direction of Franciscan Father Vjenceslav Vukovic; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, four more classes were added and the first graduate class of 13 students took place in 1927. The school's enrollment peaked during the 1955-56 school year with 583 children enrolled. In May of 1960, Father VitomirNatetelic was given permission by the Archbishop to build a new school. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on Sept. 18,1960. The school was completed in May of the following year and included a parish social center. On September 24, 1962 His Eminence Albert Cardinal Meyer blessed the new school. In 1975, the social center was enlarged and a new kitchen was added; and
WHEREAS, To this date, more than 2,200 have graduated who have filled many important stations in life including numerous religious, doctors, lawyers, architects and public servants. Many second-third-and fourth generation students currently attend St. Jerome School, a modern building with 9 classrooms equipped for the internet with WIFI, state of the art interactive white boards, handheld interactive devices for the students, new computers and iPads for the teachers, a preschool and a computer lab; and
WHEREAS, The school continues the Croatian heritage of the parish. Although the Croatian language is no longer part of the daily curriculum, the singing of religious and patriotic songs remain; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable James A. Balcer, Alderman of the 1 llh Ward in which St. Jerome'...
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