​Like other school communities across America, Saint Peter’s students celebrated Black History Month in February. One specific activity included fourth and fifth graders in Ms. Morgan Duffy’s Social Studies classes researching and writing a report on notable African Americans. Each student was asked to investigate important dates and landmarks, childhood and adult milestones, and professional achievements for their assigned African American leader and write an accompanying report that summarized what they learned about the individual.
For example, fifth grader Shaw Vanderpool researched the life and accomplishments of John Lewis, a civil rights leader who served in Congress representing the state of Georgia for 17 terms until his death in 2020. When asked about the assignment, Shaw commented: “It was really interesting to learn about John Lewis’ dedication to public service, his friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his involvement in the March on Washington in 1963. I am glad that my classmates and I were able to learn more about African American leaders and Black History Month.”

David Duggan, a fourth grader, reported on Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. The significance of Jackie Robinson’s trailblazing career is highlighted by the fact that the number 42 has been retired across all MLB teams. David shared that he “really liked learning about Jackie Robinson, especially all of his personal and professional achievements such as serving in the military, winning the World Series with the Dodgers in 1955, and his commitment to civil rights.” Both Shaw and David noted that their assigned notable African Americans were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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In reflecting on the assignment, Ms. Duffy commented, “During the month of February I try to share with my students the many ways that African Americans have significantly influenced our society. Many of our students know about certain individuals like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Vice President Kamala Harris, but individuals like Arthur Ashe, Mae Jemison, Wilma Rudolph, and so many more also deserve the recognition and credit for transforming our society in such a positive way."   

​A new holiday tradition inspired by the Saint Peter’s School community got off to a rousing start on December 10, as the school’s inaugural Christmas Tree lighting brought students, parents and faculty together to celebrate with hot chocolate, handmade ornaments and an eight-foot tall tree that kids couldn’t wait to see lit up.
Student chants of “light the tree” followed by a countdown from ten filled the air just before Principal Vincent Spadoni flipped a red-and-white handheld switch to illuminate the multicolored bulbs on the tree, an artificial Virginia pine donated by the school’s Mueller family. This tree will return each year for the ceremony.
The idea for the event came from parents, Spadoni noted, something he welcomes. “I love ideas from the ground level,” he said. “I love that our parents come forward with a lot of ideas.”
Parents, students, and teachers all welcomed the chance to get together for the event.
“I think it’s really nice bringing everyone together,” said Jules Burritt, a seventh-grader in her second year at Saint Peter’s.
“It’s very fun,” added eighth-grader Maggie Friel. “I think it’s very creative how they had the little kids make the ornaments for the tree.”
Friel was referring to a section where younger students could create and hang their own ornaments, a creative outlet for children who, according to second-grade teacher Kelly Nichols, were excited. “The kids are totally psyched,” said Nichols. “We were talking about it today.”
The tree-lighting ceremony is the school’s second new tradition in as many years; last year, amid the pandemic, a neighborhood Christmas lights tour was launched, giving families a chance to get out of the house and get into the Christmas spirit by driving past Saint Peter’s homes decorated for the holidays. This year’s Christmas lights tour kicked off immediately following the tree-lighting.
Events like these help infuse renewed vibrancy into the school, said parent Margaret Giron,. “I like the new sense of community and energy flowing through the school,” she said.
“I’m so looking forward to doing this every year,” added parent Marie Joseph
With the tree lights shining, Spadoni thanked the vibrant crowd for attending, and wished everyone a safe and happy Christmas season.

From Saint Francis of Assisi to Saint Veronica, Patron Saint of Photography, holy saints dotted the blacktop at Saint Peter’s on November 2nd, when the school held its annual Hall of Saints in-person again after a hiatus in 2020.
Fourth graders in detailed costumes stood, six feet apart, with informative poster displays they made. They gave three-minute presentations on various saints, informing and delighting parents, grandparents, and guests with tales of the holy miracle-workers.
Blessed Virgin Mary held baby Jesus in her arms, Saint John the Baptist regaled listeners with the tale of his beheading, and Saint Patrick described how he had used a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people.
“I was so very proud of our fourth-grade students, who brought to life the good works of so many holy men and women, each of whom they exemplify here at school every day,” said Principal Vincent Spadoni, who is in his first year serving as the head of Saint Peter’s School.
The special event was the culmination of weeks of hard work done by the fourth graders, who researched the saints, made posters, created costumes, and wrote their presentations. The speeches included tidbits such as what each child most admired about his or her saint, and a question they would ask the saint if they could.
Mindy Saia, mother of two fourth graders, Capri and Marty, said she greatly enjoyed the Hall of Saints. “We were so surprised by the format of these presentations! It was a great idea, and each child did an amazing job presenting their saint. We learned so much from each of them.”
 

​As is the case with many schools, Saint Peter’s offers traditional band instruction during the school year. There is, however, another band offering which is a bit less conventional, and that comes in the form of the “Ensemble” program.
Back in 2015, Saint Peter’s choir director and music teacher Mr. Peter Nguyen came up with the idea of creating a band jam session that would allow students to play an alternate style of music in a group setting. Ensemble was born from that concept.
“The ensemble group was formed to offer students, who play instruments that are not traditionally found in a school band, a chance to play along with others,” said Nguyen.
Ensemble is offered two quarters out of the school year for students in grades 3 through 8. All that is needed to participate is a willingness to learn and a desire to play as part of a musical team. Included instruments are guitars, basses, keyboards, drums, and vocals. The program has proven to be a success, with repeat faces often returning for each session and students showing steady improvement, and increased confidence along the way.
On October 26, the fall Ensemble session concluded with a one hour concert held in Saint Peter’s Parish Hall. Mr. Nguyen was joined onstage by five student musicians who alternated performing a mix of six different rock/pop songs that were chosen collectively by the entire troupe. Student guitarist and vocalist Marin Cobo said, “Ensemble is really welcoming and feels like home. It is a great environment to play music with your friends.”
The entire group joined together for a finale which was the highlight of the afternoon. The impressive performance by the band had audience members on their feet and clapping with the rhythm!

​Two Saint Peter’s parents who have dedicated many years of service to the school were celebrated on November 12 at the Catholic Business Network of Montgomery County annual gala.
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Mrs. Anna Santos is the current President of the School Advisory Board and has held this position for the past four years. Santos has seen the school through its most recent strategic plan and is currently overseeing the formation of team that will create the newest one. Santos, a registered nurse, also assists as a substitute in the Health Room.
 
Mrs. Megan Clark, an alumna of Saint Peter’s, has dedicated many years of service to the school, including serving as the President of the Home and School Association. 

​In August of 1957, Saint Peter’s Parish opened the doors to its day school. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill arrived in Olney from Philadelphia to teach the 160 pupils. One of the students in the inaugural first grade class was Catherine Yates.
Catherine was one of fifteen siblings who each attended Saint Peter’s School. Her parents were very active in the parish and school. Her mom, Marie, took on many roles including working in the school office and coordinating church wedding receptions. Her father Richard, a doctor, provided medical care to the Sisters, and was instrumental in many parish affairs, including securing the commission of the statue of Saint Peter, which remains the parish’s signature symbol today.
“In those days, Olney was very country,” said Catherine. She recalls having to walk through farmland, dodging past cows on her way to school each morning. Catherine has especially fond memories of the Sisters, “I loved the nuns, they were very special. Saint Peter’s was always a happy and holy atmosphere. It was a wonderful place to be.”
Catherine married Bill Mooney in 1971. The ceremony was held in Saint Peter’s Parish Hall, which at the time was the main church. The Mooney’s had two children, Brian and Karen, and when the time came, they proudly enrolled them at Saint Peter’s. “They loved the school from the start,” recalls Catherine.
When Brian and Karen attended Saint Peter’s in the 1980’s, it had undergone several changes since their mom’s time at the school. Most of the faculty were now lay people, and in 1989, a major milestone occurred when the new church was completed.
“Our teachers were wonderful, I still remember many of them vividly today,” said Brian Mooney. “There were high expectations, but we had a lot of fun.”
Karen Mooney recalls the many special community events, some of which continue today, like spaghetti dinners, bingos, and Donuts for Dad. 
Both Brian and Karen enjoyed the strong sense of community that Saint Peter’s provided them. So much so, that years later, when they each became parents, they made the decision to send their children to Saint Peter’s, forming a three-generation tradition.
Brian’s son Nathan is now in 4th grade. “We wanted to give Nathan a strong academic foundation and sense of community, and St. Peter’s felt to be the natural choice,” said Brian. “School has changed a lot, but there are these moments that harken back to the time that I spent there, and it is really feels special to share that with him.”
Karen’s daughter Harley is in 2nd grade, “I wanted my daughter to be in a loving environment that focused on faith and education. There are many times that Harley will ask me about how things were when I was there. I try to explain that there was only one hallway, and she can’t even comprehend it!”
While many things at Saint Peter’s have changed over the decades, from the expansion of the school building to the curriculum to the uniforms, the experience gained within the walls has not.
“Through all of the years and all of the changes, it’s clear that the core of St. Peter’s is the community,” said Brian. 
“It is very reassuring to know, based on my own firsthand experience, that my daughter is in the right place,” added Karen.
Today, Catherine attends school masses as often as she can. “I just love seeing my grandchildren there.”  She also enjoys accompanying them down the same halls she once walked, though she admits she sometimes gets lost navigating the newer parts of the building. “I couldn’t be happier with my own children’s choice to follow in our footsteps and send their children to Saint Peter’s, it’s such a blessing.”

Mr. Vincent Spadoni, a familiar face in the Archdiocese of Washington, has been appointed principal of Saint Peter School in Olney.
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“It’s one of the greatest honors of my career to be called to lead this community,” said Spadoni. “As long as I’ve been in the Archdiocese, Saint Peter School has had such an outstanding reputation for its community, its connection to the parish, and its strong academic program. I look forward to building on the legacy that was here, while bringing some of my own energy and excitement to the school.”

Spadoni has served in administrative roles in the Archdiocese of Washington for more than 20 years. Most recently, he served as the President of the Consortium of Catholic Academies in Washington, D.C. where he was responsible for the oversight of all operations, from finance and facilities to academics and development for four urban Catholic schools. Prior to that, Spadoni served as principal of Saint Ambrose School in Cheverly and Saint Elizabeth School in Rockville. In 2012, he was named the Distinguished Principal of the Year for the Archdiocese of Washington.

Mr. Spadoni describes his transition to Saint Peter as incredibly warm and one of the smoothest of his career. “I’ve had all of these connections to Saint Peter over the years, so I didn’t feel like a stranger coming in,” said Spadoni. “I’m coming into a very strong, solid school in every way, and I credit my predecessors, Mrs. Liz Whelan and Mrs. Kristen Cocozzella for that. Mrs. Cocozzella made this transition incredibly positive and helpful.”

Saint Peter is experiencing a period of growth, with enrollment up 11% and several grades expanding into two classes for the 2021-2022 school year.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know our students, our teachers, and our families, and seeing how best I can serve our community,” said Spadoni. “My hope for the coming school year is that our community will experience a new sense of normalcy, and a renewed excitement and enthusiasm for Saint Peter.”

In 2021, In lieu of the traditional in-person event, Saint Peter's Families celebrated International Night by sharing some of their favorite family recipes.  
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