Sr. Ernestine Jeck, FDC High School Library and Learning Commons

St. Joseph Hill Academy Sr. Ernestine Jeck, FDC High School Library and Learning Commons
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
November 28, 2022
 
 
Thank you to the Benefactors who have supported the creation of a state-of-the-art, traditional yet modern, Library and Learning Commons. The St. Joseph Hill Academy Sister Ernestine Jeck, FDC High School Library and Learning Commons has become a bustling hub for learning that fosters community and collaboration, versatility, and comfort. Library and Learning Commons Benefactors have built your lasting legacy by investing in our students' futures!

As we envisioned this project, our goal was to transform the existing library into an innovative Library and Learning Commons that features useful areas for students to work in groups, to create an environment conducive to lifelong learning, and inspire students to become engaged, active scholars. The renovated space provides a hub for learning adn sharing where technology and innovation are paramount. We have designed a collaborative, comfortable, tech-friendly center supporting both a setting for socializing, as well as working quietly. 

It provides students with a sense of community while preparing them for both the academic challenges they will face at Hill and in their future education and careers. The support of our Library and Learning Commons Benefactors has enabled us to manifest our vision and for that we are very grateful. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement, allowing us to be the BEST we can BE.

rebeccaA Message from Ms. Rebecca Arciprete, St. Joseph Hill Academy High School Library Media Specialist
 
We celebrate the creation of a space that is a blend of the traditional and modern and more responsive to the student of today. As an alumna and Library Media Specialist, I am excited for all that can be accomplished here. In our Reading Room we have a space to borrow books, study, and research. Students come to the library for research preparation sessions, using our own online databases and those of the NYPL, to help them learn how to find and use sources for their papers and projects. This is highlighted in our new class this year, AP Seminar, which focuses on research and presentation skills and allows our students to get the experience they need in this area to be better prepared for the demands of college.
 

We also have versatile space for collaborative work. Club meetings have already made use of the SMART boards for presentations, and the iMac and standing table provide space to work for student clubs, activities, and projects. The additional outlets in the room are a great improvement from the past, when we had only a few and had to resort to numerous extension cords. Now students can plug in their laptops at the tables or chairs around the room, and even use the USB ports in the lamps to charge devices.

We anticipate using this greatly improved and versatile space to hold a variety of events, workshops, lectures, and receptions. We have had our college interviews and visits here, both over Zoom and in person. National Honor Society peer tutoring is held here after school. Our HELM Institute (Hill’s Educational Leadership in Medicine) has hosted guest speakers from Staten Island University Hospital and we look forward to additional guest speakers here in various areas, including the business, legal, and literary fields. We are also excited to host alumnae careers panels in this space. We see the new Library and Learning Commons as the ideal place to bring people together for these events at Hill.

I thank the Library and Learning Commons donors, the administration and leadership of St. Joseph Hill, the Daughters of Divine Charity, and all those involved in helping make this space a reality. We have brought our library into the future as a beautiful and relevant space for students and faculty to enjoy for many years to come.

Hill has a subscription to ProQuest Research Library Prep, a database that provides many useful resources for research for papers or assignments. There are more than 6,500 journals, magazines, and newspapers available. Subjects include arts, business, education, health, medicine, history, law, literature, psychology, and science. ProQuest can also generate citations in different formats (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc). Usernames and passwords can be obtained from Ms. Arciprete.

Students also have access to Bloom's Literature. Bloom’s Literature contains resources for English classes such as character studies, videos, author biographies, thematic and structural analyses, and literary criticism. Bloom's Literature requires a username and password that can be obtained from Ms. Arciprete.

Students are encouraged to make use of the New York Public Library and the Brooklyn Public Library. Library cards are available to residents and students of New York State. Public libraries provide a wealth of books and resources that can be utilized for reading, supplemental course material, and sources for research. To access these online and print resources, students need to sign up for a New York Public Library or Brooklyn Public Library card.

EX-LIBRIS CIRCLE

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cardinale

(Reading Room Benefactor)

Mr. Peter Shudtz

(Library and Learning Commons Lobby Benefactor)

Dedicated to the Daughters of Divine Charity

 

INNOVATION CIRCLE

The Staten Island Foundation

(Circulation Desk Benefactor)

Mr. and Mrs. Peter E. Montanti

(Collaborative Learning Room Benefactor)

Mr. and Mrs. Jack LoCicero

(Collaborative Learning Room Benefactor)

 

REFERENCE CIRCLE

Dr. Jessica Krietchman Seneca '94 and Mr. Carlo Seneca

(SMART Board Benefactor)

 

SCHOLAR CIRCLE

Ms. Danielle DaSilva, '07

Ms. Kathleen Golden

(iMac Computer Benefactor)

Mrs. Donna Griffo-Johnson, '65

Ms. Kristin Corapi, ES '91, HS '95 and Mr. Thomas Moeller

 

MULTIMEDIA CIRCLE

Dr. Joseph Buono and Nicole Buono

Ms. Maria Esposito and Mr. David Dowd

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Gordon

Ms. Jane Ernst Harris '71

Dr. Alicia Sisk '82

Ms. Diane Lisa Sobin and Mr. Larry Sobin

Richard Terranova and Family

Ms. Sharmila Rao Thakkar, ES '87, HS '91, P'23

Mr. and Mrs. Nino Tristani

 

ARCHIVES CIRCLE

Ms. Joanne Caputo, '86

The Cyrgalis Family (Jenna '12 and Sophia '22)

Ms. Isabella DiMaggio, ES '17, HS '21 and Ms. Giulia DiMaggio, ES '21, HS '25

Dr. Philippe Akhrass and Dr. Jocelyn Karam

COL Harris Lawrence and Dr. Marguerite Rossiello Lawrence, DNP ’90

Mr. David Luci & Mrs. Donna Luci

Anne McGee, Col, USAF (ret), DLS ’78

Ms. Doreen Inserra and Mr. Andrew Ottrando

Ms. Tara Regan ’96

Mr. and Mrs. Craig Sheikowitz

 
 
 

SUPPORTERS

Dr. Loreta Andersen ES '71, HS '75

The Arciprete Family - Rebecca '12, Veronica '20, Giada '24

Mrs. Jennifer Arena '92 and Mr. Ryan Feldman

Dr. Elizabeth and Mr. Allen Basile PES '96, '98, HS '00

Mrs. Zosia Campisi ’92 and Mr. Mark Campisi

Ms. Ilycia Chiaromonte

Lynda Costagliola, In Memory of Terry and Jerry Costagliola

The DeGennaro Family

Mrs. Diane Hemmes Del Priore ES ’64, HS ’68

Jonathan and Vielka Garriss

Mr. and Mrs. Giampiero Gassoso

Ms. Stefani S. Gomez ’19

Dr. Danielle Hernandez ’11

Ms. Donna Chan ’98 and Mr. Daniel Locke

Mary Beth Gunther McCarthy '59 and James McCarthy

Ms. Maria McFeeley ’18 

Ms. Patsy McFeeley '22

Ms. Kathleen Mulcahy-Reed ’96

Ms. Eva Marie Nabavi '11

Kristen Norberg '23

Ms. Betty Ann O’Brien ES ’53, HS '57

Dr. and Mrs. John Paskowski

Ms. Victoria Piccone - In Memory of Amelia Badichek and Christian Badichek

Dr. and Mrs. Vincent Piccone Jr.

Ms. Rita Polidori O'Brien, '86

Ms. Danielle Riccardi ’19

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Riccardi, P '19

Mrs. Heather (Nowicki) Ronco ’90

Ms. Brianna Rotunno, CPA ’16

Ms. Grace Ruocco '24

Kerry S. Sullivan, Esq. '81

Ms. Frances Torres-Eckert

Ms. Cathryn Basile Traphagen ES '96, HS '00

Mr. and Mrs. Zeyar Tun

The Viggiano Family

 

We are still accepting support for the SJHA High School Library Learning Commons Campaign, please visit www.stjosephhillacademy.com/donate/ and select Library and Learning Commons Fund from the dropdown menu.
 
(Reminder: Donors with Gifts of $500 or more will be eligible to renew or earn new membership in The 1919 Society.)
 

If you are interested in one of the naming opportunities below, or if you have questions about how you can support his project,  please contact Dr. Elizabeth Basile at [email protected] or call (718) 447-1374, Ext. 9163.

 

 

friends of hill hs library

 

Naming Opportunities