October 12, 2019

St. Stanislaus School welcomes accreditation team with dinner, prayer

REGIONAL
Staff report

Students at St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee bless members of the New England Schools & Colleges accreditation team during their recent visit. (IObserve photo/courtesy of St. Stanislaus School)

CHICOPEE – St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee hosted the New England Schools & Colleges (NEAS&C) accreditation visiting team last week, beginning with a dinner at the school on Sunday, Sept. 29. 

The school has been working on its accreditation self-study report for the past two years, assuring that the school meets all mandatory academic, governing, and infrastructure standards. After careful review during the self-study process, the school made several improvements to prepare for the team visit. 

This is the third NEAS&C accreditation for St. Stanislaus School. Accreditation is conducted on a 10-year cycle. St. Stanislaus School was first accredited by NEAS&C in 1999, and reaccredited in 2009.

The visiting team was welcomed with a dinner and tour of the school on Sunday evening.  Dinner guests included Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski; Daniel Baillargeon, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Springfield Diocese; Joshua Agnew, assistant superintendent for Catholic schools; school administration; staff; students; school board members; parents; and alumni.

On Monday morning, faculty and students welcomed the committee with a prayer service and said a special prayer over the team for their successful visit. Team members worked for two days in the school music/art room, observing classrooms and school grounds, meeting with staff and students, and compiling their report.

On Wednesday morning, faculty and students thanked the visiting team members with a prayer service and parting gifts, which included traditional Polish foods reflecting the founding heritage of St. Stanislaus School.

The final report of St. Stanislaus School accreditation visiting team findings will be reviewed and voted on by the NEAS&C for accreditation approval later in the school year.