Happy New Year to everyone in our McClancy family! Whether you celebrate by eating twelve grapes at midnight or by banging pots and pans on your front steps, we all have hopes and goals for 2025. With the emergence of the new year, many students, faculty, and incoming freshmen are beginning to wonder: What’s next in the future for McClancy? In previous years, multiple student-made requests for improvements to the school have been fulfilled, such as the ice cream vending machines and adding turf to the fields, which our current students enjoy every day. As others before us did, what will we leave for the future generations of Crusaders to enjoy? What new ideas are in the works that we get to enjoy in our remaining years of high school? To answer these questions, the Sentinel went directly to the source: Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School’s principal, Mr. James Castrataro, as well as some commentary from the school’s president, Mr. Melito.
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Q: What are some physical improvements to the school that are in the works?
Mr. Castrataro
A: “ Right now… We’ve been doing the heating and cooling ventilation. We have a whole new system put in place that basically just got turned on a hundred percent on January 1st. We’re going to a much cleaner and more efficient heating and cooling for the school. We also just put up solar panels on the roof which, is an amazing accomplishment for us to get that done this year. The entire roof, from end to end, has solar panels that have been installed.” He adds, “We just put a new cross in the extension… a neon sign… over the Christmas break. We also got brand new vending machines that take Apple Pay and take credit cards. But the drinks and things are a little more expensive. I’m not really happy about that but we have a private vending company that decides the prices.” Lastly, he said “Right now we are planning on building a new fitness center and extending our locker room… to be completed by the fall of next year. We got a major donation from an alumni.”
Q: What are some of your goals/hopes to continue the improvements of the school in the new year?
Mr. Castrataro
A: “The fitness center is the big hope. We’re in the process of getting the plans, the permits, etc. We’re gonna meet with students and ask questions to see what they like and to show them some ideas. ” “Majority of what we do is recommendations by students like the vending machines and music in the cafeteria and the Squeri Center. We put new signs in the cafeteria last year that were designed by a senior.” “We’re also trying to figure out how to add a couple of classrooms. “A big hope is to improve our music building…down the road. And even further out and longer term, a better entrance to the school. Maybe a waiting area before you get in. Maybe some offices out front.” “We’ve been using Walk-a-Thon money for these new things. We just used some to get a new cheer mat.” “Mr. Melito is really the person that’s in charge of those projects… he’s really the person that raises the money, for example, he got the fields paid for.”
Mr. Melito
A: “ We work together. I think safety is always my main concern.” “ We wanted to extend the lobby so whoever is coming in stops there first, gets through security, then comes through the building. Since day one, we’ve both agreed that security and safety are number one. And that’s why we have the doors we have, security guards, and cameras everywhere. We’ll be adding cameras too” “We’re trying to improve and at the same time, make sure that you have a positive, happy experience.” “It’s also not just for athletes. Like the field, you have your gym classes there too. This physical fitness center is not just going to be for athletes. There are going to be physical education classes there. We’re a school for everybody.”
Q: What are some upcoming events that you would like to promote in this article?
Mr. Castrataro
A: “This month we have the Accepted Students Reception where all the students that applied for the 2025 school year can register. It’s the 22nd of January at seven pm.”
Mr. Melito
A: “I think you’ll find our guest speaker very interesting.”
Mr. Castrataro
A: “ We have a big presidents’ dinner at the end of April…it’s our biggest fundraiser. Mr. Melito is in charge of it. But this year is mainly about honoring Brother Brian Curry who’s been here over fifty years.” “ We always do a senior barbeque. Obviously, we have prom. We’ve been trying to see if we can get a senior trip… it’s still in the works. Many want a big trip but the problem with that is senior year has a lot of expenses already and a senior trip on top of that is a lot to ask. I have four kids, and it’s not easy and I’m mindful of that because it could be impossible for some families to do.” “In May there’s a tremendous amount of award ceremonies…there’s sports awards ceremony every night, and there’s junior ring night.”
Q: What are some new courses and clubs that have either been added this school year or will be added soon?
Mr. Castrataro
A: “ So our committee that decides what course that we’re going to add or change meet this Friday, and they come up with new ideas. I know Mr. Pinto is teaching a religion college credit class this year, Christian Theology. There is an Anatomy class. There are new ideas on the table; maybe even adding Computer Science for all the Sophomores next year. We also talked about bringing back a PSAT class.”
Q: How do you feel about the growing population of students in Mcclancy?
Mr. Castrataro
A: “ It’s great. I love the energy and life that is in the school. It’s a really positive vibe. I like seeing smiling faces in the hallway. Everybody seems to be happy and likes being here.”
Q: What are some achievements you’re proud of that the school has accomplished?
Mr. Castrataro
A: We’ve seen an incredible increase in the amount of scholarships that we’re getting. Some schools that we’ve never gotten into and our students are getting into now.” “I’m really proud of the overall improvements around the school. I feel that we are way ahead of everybody else in terms of modernizing classrooms, learning spaces, even our bathrooms. I think that’s really something to be proud of and I think students are proud of our school.”
Q: Lastly, do you have any jokes you would like to leave the student body off with today?
Mr. Castrataro
A: “What do you call an old snowman?……. A puddle. “
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As we can see, there is much to look forward to for our remaining years at this school. Our school leaders care for our safety and the enjoyment of our youth, which they work every day to ensure. They listen when we make suggestions and ask us for our input. They build our school with every unique student in mind and try to help better their futures. Overall, current and recently accepted Crusaders have much to look forward to during their high school experience.
