OUR HISTORY

St. Joseph Day School, as we were known then, was officially opened in November 1955. His Excellency, Archbishop John F. O'Hara of Philadelphia, dedicated the school on April 14, 1956. Monsignor John E. Boyle, former pastor of St. Patrick's in Pottsville, made this school for special needs children a reality. The original school was housed in the old Sisters of St. Joseph Convent on Mahantongo Street. Sister Irma Helen, SSJ, was the first principal and also taught the twenty-five children who attended St. Joseph's. It wasn't long before enrollment had increased and Sister Irma Helen added Sister Marie Cornelia, SSJ, to the faculty and divided the children into two classes. Ten years later, in 1965, Sister Elizabeth Leona, SSJ, became the new principal and teacher. The enrollment was at 27 at that time and Sister Mary Vincent, SSJ, was the other teacher. In 1967, Sister Carmelita, SSJ, replaced Sister Mary Vincent as teacher. When Sister Elizabeth Leona received a new assignment in 1974, Sister Carmelita became the new principal. At the same time, Mr. Philip Brown became the first lay teacher and a third class was formed. Also in 1974, Mrs. Mary R. Burns, who had been volunteering her services as a dance instructor, was hired to teach dance and physical education. Mrs. Burns remained with St. Joseph Center until 1992. In 1975, Sister Joan Kathleen, SSJ, came to St. Joseph Center as principal and teacher of the Primary Class. Sister Francis Helen, SSJ and Miss Nancy Neary, taught the intermediate and advanced classes at this time. Sister Joan Kathleen was at St. Joseph Center until June of 1981. She planned the celebration of the 25th anniversary in November 1980. In 1981, Sister Susan Cunningham, SSJ, replaced Sister Joan Kathleen as principal. In 1985, the school's name changed from St. Joseph Day School to St. Joseph Center for Special Learning in order to reflect an emphasis of a learning skills center rather than as a day care facility. Sister Cunningham, SSJ, remained at St. Joseph Center until 1988 when Sister Kathleen McShane, SSJ, became principal. Sister Kathleen immediately became involved in the Capital Campaign to raise the local funds needed for the beautiful new building being constructed at our present location. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 9, 1989. The new school officially opened its doors on December 18, 1989. It was dedicated on February 11, 1990 by The Most Reverend Thomas J. Welsh, Bishop of Allentown. Our seventeen years in our beautiful facility at 21st and Norwegian Streets have been very busy. Sister Kathleen received a new assignment in 1991 and Sister Francis Helen, SSJ, became the principal. The Development Advisory Board was formed in 1990 and has been very active in assisting the school with public relations and fundraising to supplement the Bishop's Annual Appeal. In 1994, Sister Francis Helen left St. Joseph Center to care for her parents and brother. Sister Grace Christi, SSJ, a former teacher of St. Joseph Center from 1989-1991, became the new principal for the 1994-95 school year. Following Sister Grace's departure, Mr. Richard Webb assumed the role of school principal for the 1999-2000 school year. Current St. Joseph Center principal, Mrs. Julia Leibensperger, took over the reins in 2002-2003. In all we have had 11 principals in our 50 year history. Nine of them were Sisters of St. Joseph. Thank you to these wonderful individuals, all the many teachers, teachers aides, support staff, volunteers and many others who have helped to provide special needs children in Schuylkill County with a loving, nurturing environment in which they are encouraged to reach their fullest potential.