March 11, 2010 |
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Technology is tops at John Paul II High
Sywal Mezonlin, 13, a sophomore from West Africa, is in his second year at JPII. “What I like most about the school are the teachers. They listen to you and help you,” said Sywal, whose family now lives in Midway. TALLAHASSEE | The key word at John Paul II Catholic High School this year is “technology.” With a new principal at the helm and plans for new computer equipment and programs, the school’s 125 students will have new and expanded opportunities to keep up with the fast-paced, high-tech world. “We’re concentrating our efforts on technology to get our students and faculty up to par,” said Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sister Ellen Cronan, who succeeded the school’s first principal, Dr. Randall Felton. “It’s good for the faculty’s professional development and we’re looking into the acquisition of computer equipment.” Today’s faculty faces a different situation from those of years before, Sister Cronan said. Instead of standing at the head of rows of desks and lecturing students, today’s teachers serve more as guides, she said. Students will see some new faces on the faculty and staff this year. JPII has a new athletic director, Matthew Olesnevich, who’s enrolled in Barry University’s master’s program in educational leadership. The school has seven new faculty members, including a new Spanish teacher, Anthony Van Gessel. In addition to Spanish, JPII also offers Latin and now has two journalism teachers. A member of the Florida High School Athletic Association, the school has 11 different sports and athletic teams for boys and girls. Eric Jakubowski, director of technology, will play a major role in JPII’s technology expansion. He’s working to acquire what the school needs. “I’ll be advising Sister Cronan based on her vision for technology,” Jakubowski said. “I’m the ‘how-to-do-it’ person. We also have collaborated with parents, teachers and even some students who came up with a technology plan to bring the school into the 21st century.” John Paul II has a special fund called Felton Funds for the Future, named after former Principal Felton, who retired June 30 after being the school’s first and only principal for the eight years since it was founded. The fund was named in Felton’s honor because one of his major goals as principal was to expand the use of technology in the school, which Sister Cronan is continuing. Jakubowski and Henry Garrigo, president of the Parent-Teacher Organization, are on the technology fundraising committee and work closely with others. “The PTO is looking at some activities and events to help with the technology fundraising,” Garrigo said. “We have the SouthWoodstock event in the spring and the Booster Club sponsors an annual golf tournament, but we also have several other less visible activities that are still significant to us. We recently had an online auction and we’re working on a Catholic business directory, a sort of Yellow Pages for businesses that are owned by or supportive of Catholics.” One of the highlights of the new technology program will be wireless capability available throughout the campus, Garrigo said. It’s the vision of the technology committee and will be used not only for students, faculty, staff and administration, but also to draw more students to John Paul II. “It is instrumental in attracting more Catholics and non-Catholics,” Garrigo said. “It will really help us grow and be known as a school with state-of-the art technology.” That’s not the only reason students stay at JPII until graduation, according to student Clare Gallivan. “I like it because it has a really nice learning environment,” said Clare, who plans to go to Florida State University and major in “something in English” after she graduates next year. Erin Marshall, a member of the JPII chorus who helps set up chapel music, said the school has helped her form her future plans. “I know what I want to do. I want to go to Tallahassee Community College, then to FSU and get a degree in music therapy or psychology,” she said. Both girls are seniors and have attended JPII throughout their high school years. Sywal Mezonlin, 13, a sophomore from West Africa, is in his second year at JPII. “What I like most about the school are the teachers. They listen to you and help you,” said Sywal, whose family now lives in Midway. He said he’s thinking about going into teaching. Hayden Forehand, 15, a sophomore, is seriously considering studying to be a lawyer, like his father and grandfather. “I like JPII because it’s small and is like a nice homegrown community. People here all know each other,” Hayden said. Sister Cronan, who joined John Paul II July 1, said she’s “very pleased” with her new role and the people involved with the school. “We’re right at 125 students now and we’re trying to build up our enrollment. When we have 200 students enrolled, we hope to build a new building with a cafeteria, theater and more classrooms. The people here are committed to the values of the school and are well educated. I’m very pleased here. The people have accepted me warmly and they’re so supportive. They all want to benefit the school.”
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