President's Office

View messages from our president

A message from KCFS, Mrs Ionta, & Bishop Persico

A message from KCFS and Mrs Ionta,

In light of recent events, we are encouraging parents to monitor their children’s social media use/activity. We have been made aware of videos and pictures that are popping up across social media platforms depicting graphic and distressing images of the ongoing conflict in Israel. With so many avenues of access that are made available to our children we urge parents to limit or observe their child(ren)’s social media use and urge all parents to be cautious and discerning.

Statement from the Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, bishop of Erie, regarding violence in the Middle East:

In light of recent events in the Holy Land, I ask Catholics and all people of good will across northwest Pennsylvania to pray on behalf of all who are caught in the atrocities of terrorism and war in the Middle East. Politics do not matter as we witness the unimaginable cruelty being perpetrated on the most vulnerable, including children and the elderly. We keep all those in Ukraine and other war-torn countries in our hearts as well. May we create peace in our own lives, treating everyone we encounter with generosity and kindness, as we follow the teachings of Christ to pray unceasingly.

Now Hiring-President

Now Hiring-President

President Position Announcement

 Shenango Valley Catholic School System, Inc., a private educational institution of the Diocese of Erie for students in Pre-K through 12th grade, is seeking to fill the position of president to lead and direct operations of the school system, fulfill the educational needs of students in accordance with the mission of the school, implement its philosophy and meet its objectives.

The ideal candidate is:

  • Able to articulate the intellectual and moral traditions of the Catholic Faith.
  • Committed to the mission of Catholic Schools.
  • Focused on Faith formation and Catholic Identity.
  • Focused on student achievement.
  • Able to engage in positive relationships with parents, students, and the community.
  • An excellent communicator exhibiting strong organizational, interpersonal, oral, and written abilities.

Required Qualifications:

  • A practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church
  • Valid and active Pennsylvania Administrative Certificate(Preferred not required)
  • Master’s degree in education or related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years in education,including school administration (Catholic school administration strongly preferred), and demonstrated ability to function in this arena.
  • Required clearances.
  • Familiarity with budgeting and financial reporting.

Desired Qualifications:

  • History of effective fundraising, fiscal responsibility, and public relations initiatives.
  • Collaborative and social competence in managerial and supervisory tasks.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead change processes in complex situations.
  • Demonstrated record of developing educational programs.

A complete job description may be viewed at www.eriercd.org/employment.html

For Consideration:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and other information as required by the Diocese of Erie

https://www.eriercd.org/schools/teachingforms.html by Friday, March 3,2023 to:

Laura Blake, Assistant Superintendent,429 East Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16514 (lblake@eriercd.org).

The application packet should include the following fifteen items:

  1.          A letter of interest that includes desired compensation
  2.          Completed application form*
  3.         Current résumé
  4.          Official university transcripts
  5.          Three current letters of reference
  6.          Pastor recommendation form*
  7.          Current Pennsylvania health report*
  8.          Copy of all active PDE certifications
  9.          The following clearances:
  10.          Diocesan Statement of Intent of Compliance
  11.          Current Act 34 PA State Police criminal record check
  12.          Current Act 151 PA Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Certification
  13.          Federal Criminal History Record Clearance
  14.          PDE Form 6004 (Arrest Conviction Report) *
  15.          Diocesan Mandated Reporter Compliance Document
  16.          Act 168 Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release*

* Application form, PA Health Form, Pastoral Recommendation Form and Act 168 Release may be found at: www.eriercd.org/schools/teachingforms.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A message from Mr. Iacino

Dear Kennedy Family

I am thrilled to announce that through the efforts and generosity of many, we have exceeded Bishop
Persico’s challenge of raising $400,000.00 by month’s end.

Additionally, I have done a complete review and reorganization of the budget for 2022-2023 and
identified a number of changes that will result in significant savings without the need to reduce any
program or activity. The School Board has approved my recommendations and they have been
supportive and heavily involved in the fund-raising activities.

The response the last couple of weeks has been quite incredible. The level of commitment and the
willingness of many to help in various ways is one of the many things I remember most fondly of my
previous years here, and happily it is still alive and strong.

Our current and past families understand the importance of the work we do. We are here to serve
those who continue to seek quality educational opportunities in a Catholic environment.
While there is work yet to do, including Bishops Persico’s challenge to raise the remaining $400,000.00
by year’s end, I am confident that whatever needs to be accomplished will be accomplished.

We will be opening on August 30th as planned.

Stay Kennedy Catholic Strong

Pete

Peter Iacino ‘69
Interim Chief Executive

Message from Melissa Joseph, President

Dear Kennedy Catholic Families and Friends,

I would like to begin by thanking you for the outpouring of support and kind words I have received since the announcement of my appointment as President of the Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools.  I am honored to serve in this position and filled with pride to return to Kennedy and continue the good work of so many.

In my efforts at the Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools, I hope to strengthen a culture in our schools that focuses on each child’s spiritual, emotional, physical, and academic growth as a whole.  Students at Kennedy Catholic are given the opportunity to grow each day in an environment that encourages their faith formation and places an emphasis on the importance of academics.  My hope is to foster the individual strengths and desires of our students, which will allow them to development confidence in their ability to analyze, lead, and serve.

On a personal note, I am truly invested in this school system.  My husband and I are proud to be alumni of Kennedy; our experiences at Kennedy and the education we received have served us well.  I was afforded leadership and service opportunities here that showed me what it means “to serve Christ” (Christo Servire).  Now, my husband and I are thankful we can provide our three children with a Catholic education at St. John Paul II and Kennedy Catholic.  It is my sincerest aspiration to bring Kennedy forward for the benefit of many future generations of Golden Eagles.

There is no doubt in my mind that Kennedy Catholic has a strong future.  We are fortunate to have so many talented and committed individuals contributing to fulfilling Kennedy’s mission.  The teachers and principals have shown true dedication during this past schoolyear, and I am immensely thankful for each of them.  Our enrollment and advancement efforts have been reinvigorated and we are working on strengthening our alumni outreach and connections.  We are continuing our strategic planning efforts and are grateful for the time and effort of the volunteers assisting us in that process.  There is hard work to be done, but no hurdle is insurmountable when we work together.

I humbly ask for your prayers and support for the entire Kennedy Catholic Family as we work through this transition.  Please know that I, in turn, keep all of you in my prayers.

If I can be of assistance to you, please call me at 724-346-5531 or email me at mjoseph@kennedycatholicschools.org.

Sincerely,

Melissa Joseph
President, Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools

Testimonial from the Rosa Family

The thing that stands out to us in addition to an amazing education, is the family feeling you get from being part of this school system. Starting with the teachers and administrators, they go above and beyond to make sure each student is getting exactly what they need to succeed. Whether it is the principal putting on a band-aid or a devoted teacher staying after school and working during the summer tutoring a struggling child. They really care. We are so happy we chose the KCFS for our children.”

– The Rosa Family: Lewis, Elizabeth, Abby and Andrew
KCFS Board & Committee Members & SJPII Parents

Testimonial from Carol Shields, M.D.

“Kennedy Catholic welcomed me into its wonderful nurturing environment. Kennedy planted the seed of my career and taught me discipline, integrity, and loyalty – 3 assets for success. That opened the door to an excellent University, then Medical School, and now blossomed into a top tier medical practice in Philadelphia. My roots remain at Kennedy.”

– Carol L. Shields M.D., Class of 1975
Ocular Oncology Service, Co-Director Wills Eye Hospital