St. Hilary School, Fairlawn, Ohio

by Ruth A. Matheny

A faith-filled program that inspires and encourages creativity while developing an appreciation and understanding of the arts—that is the Enrichment Program at St. Hilary School in Fairlawn, OH.

A faith-filled program that inspires and encourages creativity while developing an appreciation and understanding of the arts—that is the Enrichment Program at St. Hilary School in Fairlawn, OH.

Originated by Sr. Carol Joy Cincerelli, H.M., the program began in 1995. With a background of degrees in both art and gifted education, Sister Carol Joy is uniquely qualified to develop and carry out this K-6 program. Over her years of service at St. Hilary, she has touched the lives of hundreds of students.
Parent Katarina Cook points out, “The only complaint for my boys as they became the older students at St. Hilary was that they didn’t get to take Sister Carol Joy’s Enrichment class any longer!”

As for Sister Carol Joy, she says simply, “I enjoy enriching their lives.”

This is not a program just for the gifted students. It seeks to broaden the cultural experiences of all children. It is a non-graded program which incorporates literature and history as they enrich the student’s talent, creativity, and enjoyment. Students come to the realization that not only are their own talents God-given, but so are those of the masters of the arts throughout history.

The administration, convinced of the program’s value, supports the program in terms of staffing, budgeting, and scheduling. Assistant Principal Karen Alestock sees it as “an opportunity for the students to learn about great artists, musicians, writers, and performers... Appreciating the God-given talents of others and recognizing the beauty of art are key components of the program.”

Sister Carol Joy has designed her room as a museum where the children can view, feel, and manipulate its contents. Students come for 40-minute periods once a week. Each lesson concludes with a project that students work on until the following week. Often the classroom teachers coordinate work in history, geography, science, or literature to reinforce that week’s special project. Classes have focused on a variety of notables of fact or fiction.

Sometimes one subject area may be used at all levels. For example, during a teaching of the works of Picasso, first graders learned how he drew and painted abstract faces; second graders drew themselves in his style; third graders created a Picasso family; fourth graders designed Picasso clowns; and so forth.
St. Hilary School has other special teachers in the areas of art, music, French, Spanish, and physical education. They meet once a month to review developments in their areas. Interestingly, the art teacher and Sister Carol Joy do not cover the same areas, but the art teacher may give her students additional background on the project of the week. Parents sometimes sit in on the Enrichment class and even serve as volunteers.

Says Mary Lyons, mother of both a current second grader and a St. Hilary graduate, “Through the Enrichment program, Sister Carol Joy has a unique way of inspiring the children both by exposing them to many aspects of the arts and by personally and spiritually touching their hearts.”

Mother of three graduates, Kay Greenwald Winer is impressed by Sister’s ability to activate the imagination of the students and inspire creativity. “There is no greater confidence builder,” she declares.
Melissa Ost has two children now enjoying the Enrichment program. She adds, “Sister’s gift is not only her ability to enrich our children’s lives through culture and the stories she weaves throughout it, but her genuine love for each child as a gift from God.”

“The very best part of each year for me and, I believe, the children,” concludes Sister Carol Joy, “is when all second graders create their First Communion paintings. They are large paintings which we pray over as they select a way Jesus is a part of each of their lives. They are hung in church before the First Communion Masses.”

Not surprisingly, Sister has developed a literature and arts series for the Diocese of Cleveland called “Art About Jesus.” In 2006 she was named diocesan “Teacher of the Year.”

Source: Today's Catholic Teacher, March 2010

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