Sacred Heart School, originally located on Robinson St. in Lynn, was established just a few short years after the formation of Sacred Heart Parish. The Rev. Dennis F. Sullivan, the first Pastor, was well aware of the importance of Catholic Education, and set about making his dream of a parish school a reality. Fr. Sullivan looked to the parish community to help fulfill his vision for Sacred Heart School. Through the generosity of one loyal parishioner, he would not have long to wait.

One unnamed lucky Irish parishioner informed Fr. Sullivan that he had made a great winning in the sweepstakes of his native land. Although he was returning home to Ireland, he wanted to share his good fortune with the West Lynn parish he so loved. A piece of land on Robinson Street was purchased and given to Fr. Sullivan for the new parish school. Shortly thereafter, Andrew Welch was hired as the architect to design the new elementary school.

In 1902, Sacred Heart Grammar School opened its doors to serve the educational needs of the parish and the surrounding West Lynn community. Initially, the school had double grades in which girls and boys were taught in separate classrooms. It wasn’t until later years that classes were combined into single classrooms for grades 1 – 8. Classes were taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, who embodied a true devotion to teaching and enriching students’ lives. The Sisters not only taught the three R’s, but also how to incorporate the Gospel message into their daily lives.

Fr. Sullivan’s successor, Fr. Gilfeather, came to the parish in 1905 and under his direction the upper church building was completed. He was also responsible for making certain that the parish school would survive and flourish in unstable economic times. It was at this time that Fr. Gilfeather and the Sisters of Notre Dame hosted parish lawn parties, whists, and fairs of many varieties to help support the school. A women’s Sodality was started and meetings were held at the school. These social gatherings helped keep parishioners involved in their parish and offered an opportunity to build a community in trying times.

After Fr. Gilfeather passed away in January 1917, Fr. John Sheridan became Pastor. He was able to clear away much of the parish debt. Fr. Sheridan initiated the building of a convent next to the church on Boston Street as the Sisters of Notre Dame had been living on the upper floor of the school building on Robinson Street.

In 1930, the Sisters of Notre Dame were called by William Cardinal O’Connell to broaden their duties in the Archdiocese of Boston. The Sisters of St. Joseph came to Lynn to teach at Sacred Heart School. The entire community welcomed the new staff of nuns as they assumed the duties of teaching the students, while living in the recently built convent next to the church. These sisters were led by their Superior, Sister Euphrasia, who later became the Reverend Mother of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Each day, Jimmy Banks, their chauffeur, drove the sisters from Boston Street to the school on Robinson Street. The younger sisters walked to school and on stormy days had to brave their way during all kinds of weather conditions. The sisters labored, loved and embodied their faith for many generations of Sacred Heart School graduates. To this day, in 2002, on the occasion of the school’s centennial, Sister Theresa Pond, a Sister of St. Joseph, continues to serve the school in the tradition her community embodied for so many years.

As Sacred Heart School moved from its infancy in the early years, it quickly earned a wonderful reputation as a community of faith that fostered the complete education of the whole child. It didn’t take long before Sacred Heart School alumni were making their mark in the community they loved. Many a SHS graduate furthered his/her education in high school, college and beyond and went on to become leaders within all types of professions, industries and callings. To this day, one of the great items of note of a Sacred Heart education is the number of multiple generation families who call Sacred Heart School their alma mater. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all share a common bond beyond being relatives, that of a Sacred Heart School education. To foster this spirit of community and involvement, in recent years Sacred Heart School has opened a fully staffed alumni office to meet the needs of a loyal alumni population.

As the war years ended and the turbulence of the 1960s brought much social and cultural change, Sacred Heart School continued to offer a beacon of stability and a foundation for a successful life inside as well as outside of the classroom. It was during this time that more and more lay people found the calling to teach at Sacred Heart School to be one of satisfaction and fulfillment. Coupled with the zeal and dedication of the Sisters of St. Joseph, our lay teachers offered energy and passion for a quality Catholic education. The 1970s brought new programs to Sacred Heart including Title I, which provided small group remediation in the areas of reading and math. A physical education program was also introduced to meet the challenge of nurturing the mind, body and spirit of each Sacred Heart student.

In September 1984, a Kindergarten program was added and computers were introduced to enhance learning techniques available to teachers and students. A change also occurred during this year in the Administration Office. Historically, the Principal of Sacred Heart School was always a Religious and in 1984, following in the footsteps of the lay teachers before her, Mrs. Joanne Ford Eagan ’63 became Sacred Heart School’s first lay principal. As an alumna herself, Mrs. Eagan brought a deep love for Sacred Heart, its people, its students and its traditions with her, to her role as Principal. Taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mrs. Eagan dedicated herself to constantly living and teaching the gospel message:

“To teach as Jesus did.” To this day, she continues to inspire her faculty to see the best in each child by challenging them to reach their potential inside as well as outside of the classroom.

After a storied history, rich in tradition and impact, 1989 saw the relocation of Sacred Heart School on Robinson Street to Boston Street as part of a consolidation of church property. The Robinson Street property was sold to the City of Lynn, while the Monsignor Francis J. McDonnell Parish Center underwent extensive renovations in order to relocate Sacred Heart School.

The 90s brought rapid changes to all facets of life at Sacred Heart School. In 1993, Sacred Heart School began welcoming four-year olds into its Pre-Kindergarten Program. A science lab was added for the middle school students and a “Writing to Read” Program was utilized in Grades K – 2. Cultural enrichment was provided to the students as a result of hiring a music teacher and an art teacher. Spanish classes were added for students in Grades 1 – 8, with expanded classes for the middle school students in order to prepare them for advanced placement in high school. Additionally, a full-time librarian was hired who would be charged with updating learning opportunities and technology use in the library. Maintaining and expanding the Library has been one of the school’s major priorities. During this time the entire school was completely networked with a computer in each classroom, two computer labs, and a six-station computer lab in the Library. These enhancements offered a practical step toward fulfilling the founding mission of the school, the education of the whole child.

In 1995 an Extended Day Program began operating as a service to families with children in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. The program operates from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. An After School Program with hours from 2:30 - 5 p.m. was established to aid working parents. This program staffed by teachers and a parent allows the student to prepare homework assignments, develop computer skills and participate in crafts, games, and sports activities.

As part of the school’s strategic plan, a Director of Development and Alumni Affairs, together with a part-time assistant, were added to the staff in September 1995. Their initial goal was to establish a database of alumni, community leaders and businesses and to develop scholarship programs. A variety of alumni programs and activities have been developed since then to support the mission of Sacred Heart School. In the fall of 1999, the school embarked upon a comprehensive development program in order to more fully involve many constituencies in the life of Sacred Heart School. As a result, the School Advisory Board was expanded and reconfigured to comprise 18 members who serve as chairs/vice chairs of the following committees: finance, development, school life, alumni, spiritual life, physical plant, technology and admissions/marketing. These committees with many volunteers, under the guidance and direction of the Principal, Mrs. Eagan, and Sister Theresa Pond, Director of Alumni and Development, have developed a variety of community building and revenue programs that support the school: a Legacy Gala, Annual Auction, Comprehensive Annual Fund, Annual Golf Tournament as well as a variety of Centennial celebration events.

This new model of volunteerism, support and participation has created a variety of opportunities that have remained meaningful in the life of the school: alumni visiting the classrooms as “guest readers,” authors invited to share stories and create an interest inchildren’s literature and creative writing. Additionally, the Development/Alumni Office initiated a Career Day for the students in Grades 5-8. Visitors from the various professions come in to talk to the students about careers available, the importance of having a goal and obtaining a solid education in order to achieve that goal. Each of these activities demonstrates the valued role of community in the education of a child.

During the summer of 2001, the front schoolyard was completely repaved and areas were designated for foursquare ball and hopscotch. A beautiful Sacred Heart statue was placed in a newly built garden area in the school’s front entrance. New doors were installed in the gym and the entire school was repainted in a red, white and blue motif. New lights and ceiling tiles were replaced to complete this renovation project. Each of these projects was the result of involving more people in the life of the school.

Today, Sacred Heart School has 260 students, a staff of 16 teachers, and a support staff totaling 15. Sacred Heart School continues to serve the families of the Greater Lynn area regardless of race, color or creed. As in years past, parents are making great sacrifices in order for their children to learn to be responsible and faith-filled people who have a great love for God and their neighbor, and are active and involved citizens in our country.

Sacred Heart School remains true to its cherished history and is a valued component of our parish ministry. Catholic values are emphasized in the daily life at Sacred Heart School as each day begins and ends with school-wide prayer. Our Catholic identity is a way of life and the true essence of a Sacred Heart School education.

It is our belief that when we recognize the Christ in each of us, we in turn give rise to the hope of glory in others. Our students are valued as unique individuals whose talents can have a lasting impact on each other, the school and the world in which we live.

As we celebrate our Centennial and finish this chapter in the life of our parish school, we look to the future with confidence in what has been accomplished and with hope that the next chapter in the life of Sacred Heart School will be filled with as many blessings and good fortune as the one we celebrate this year.

Sacred Heart School
A Century of Excellence
1902-2002

 

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