St. Joseph
of Cluny Sisters’ School
1957 – 2017
History:
The St. Joseph of Cluny
Sisters’ School or Cluny School, in Newport, is a private catholic elementary
school for girls and boys sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny. As a
private elementary school, Cluny School first opened its doors in September of
1957 with a small kindergarten. At that
time the naval operations in Newport were flourishing and a large number of
naval families sought a school for their children. As the local parochial
schools were filled to capacity, Captain and Mrs. Black asked Sister Angela
Schartz, the Provincial of the Cluny Sisters, to consider opening a school.
Each year the school added another grade until the first Cluny eighth grade
graduation was held in 1965.
Along the way construction
had taken place to provide adequate classrooms and space for the students. In
1960 classrooms for Grades 1 to 3 were constructed and became commonly referred
to as ‘the Little School.’ The stone cottages and the ‘carriage house’ on
Hammersmith Road were used as classrooms while the ‘Big School’ was being
constructed in 1965. The sisters
throughout the Province worked and contributed to the cost of expansions until
in 1978 the mortgage was retired.
By the 1990’s the idea of
renovations began to surface. Nothing evolved until after the Station Nightclub
Fire in 2003 and the resulting changes in fire codes. The school would have to do significant
renovations or close. In August of 2007,
the ground breaking ceremony for the new renovations took place and in
September of 2008 the entire school moved into a newly built and renovated
modern building which united the entire student body from Pre-Kindergarten
through eighth grade.
On Friday, June 30, 2017, a
Mass of Thanksgiving was offered under the ‘Big Tent’ on the grounds of Cluny
School. Following the Liturgy, the
Honorable Henry J. Winthrop, Mayor of Newport, presented a Proclamation by the
City of Newport, declaring,
June 30, 2017 “Cluny School
Day”, calling on the citizens to join in celebration of 60 Years of service to
the local children and families and to extend thanks and appreciation for all
Cluny School had contributed to the community over the years.
Mr. Daniel Ferris,
Superintendent of Catholic School for the Diocese of Providence, greeted us and
shared a letter from His Excellency, Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of
Providence. In particular, the Bishop
expressed gratitude to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny whose generosity and
commitment to the school over these 60 years has been remarkable and thanking
them for their witness and work.
After Michael Garman, 2017
Cluny School Graduate, shared his thoughts in regards to his school experience,
Sister Luke, Provincial of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny for the Province
of USA & Canada, gave some closing remarks.
She began with an invitation: You are here, we are here, on this land
set aside in 1957 to be used for the mission of Jesus and the Teaching Mandate
of the Church – a command to go to all peoples, everywhere and teach them. So for a moment, take a deep breath, and
bring to this place and this time – Your ‘Cluny Moment’.
Our hearts are full of gratitude for these 60 Years
Of Service and Collaboration in the Mission of
Catholic Education.
Thank you for your generous support
as sponsors and supporters
of Cluny School.
Be assured of the sisters’
deep appreciation and gratitude for these 60 years.
Each of you are especially remembered in the sisters’
prayers
on
behalf of our donors and benefactors.
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