Fall 2021 Newsletter for Families, Donors, and Staff of the 14 Catholic Schools in the Independence Mission Schools Network
8th Graders and their Families Celebrated Graduation Day Across the Independence Mission Schools Network.
IMS Schools Returned to In-Person Learning with Proven Health and Safety Protocols in Place
Since welcoming back our students for five-day, in-person learning, our classrooms are once again the vibrant environments in which education flourishes. After-care is again open where offered. Fully reopening this fall is the payoff for the safety investments we made during the 2020-2021 school year to minimize COVID-19 transmission risk. As part of our commitment to keep teachers and scholars safely together indoors, we are continuing many of the health and safety protocols proven effective last year.
What Our New Strategic Plan Means for IMS Families, Staff, and Donors
The Strategic Plan Independence Mission Schools adopted earlier this year is a document identifying and prioritizing changes designed to raise up our schools from solid to superior over the next four years.
Alumni Spotlight:
Grads in College & Careers
Three accomplished graduates of St. Rose of Lima Catholic School described the school’s positive impact on their lives during the second annual Virtual Rose Petal Gala and Day of Giving. Read their comments and share the pride felt by everyone across the IMS network.
Future Is Bright for Our 8th Grade Graduates
Congratulations to the IMS Class of 2021, our 8th grade graduates! Despite a challenging year, these 399 young men and women persevered to the very end and we couldn’t be prouder of them. We know that they are prepared, both academically and spiritually, to be successful in high school and beyond.
IMS Awards Recognize Outstanding Contributions
Please join us in congratulating all of our 2020-21 IMS Award winners! The winners were chosen for outstanding contributions to their school communities and their impact on students. The IMS Awards, given at the end of each school year, are the highest forms of recognition within our network. Awardees are nominated by their schools and recognized throughout the greater IMS community.
Journalists in the Making at DePaul and St. Veronica
The DePaul Catholic School and St. Veronica Catholic School participate in the Healthy NewsWorks program, which teaches journalism to students in multiple grades through the process of creating school newspapers.
Student Article: Company Leader Says to Believe in Yourself
Three 8th grade student journalists at The DePaul Catholic School — Nashiya M., Joshua H. and Desmond R. — interviewed the CEO of Merck & Co.
Read excerpts from their article.
Leader Spotlight: Two Earned Graduate Degrees
Congratulations to our IMS school leaders who recently earned new graduate degrees! With a commitment to lifelong learning, they practice what they preach and demonstrate to our students that education is a pathway to achieving your goals and dreams.
IMS Leaders in Performance Partners Program
Once again, IMS Leaders are participating in the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders Performance Partners Program!
St. Malachy Principal Steve Janczewski is a Senior Fellow Coach. Van Robinson, Principal of St. Frances Cabrini, and Jennifer Nobles, Principal of St. Martin of Tours, are Performance Partners.
Leaving a Legacy: Pat Wright Retires
Congratulations to Pat Wright, Principal of St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic School, upon her retirement. Pat was part of the St. Raymond family for 22 years, starting as the 7th and 8th grade teacher in 1999 and becoming principal in 2007.
Generous Book Donation Fueled Summer Learning
A big THANK YOU to NSM Insurance Group, CEO Geof McKernan, and President Bill McKernan, who made a large donation to cover the cost of books for students in grades Pre-K through 8th at Our Mother of Sorrows/St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School.
Two New Opportunities for Families this School Year
Saints Cyril & Philomena Catholic School became the new name of St. Cyril of Alexandria when it moved into the school building on the St. Philomena parish grounds at 41 East Baltimore Avenue in Lansdowne.
Independence Mission Schools
  • St. Barnabas
  • SS. Cyril & Philomena
  • St. Frances Cabrini
  • St. Helena-Incarnation
  • Holy Cross
  • St. Malachy
  • St. Martin de Porres
  • St. Martin of Tours
  • Our Mother of Sorrows/St. Ignatius of Loyola
  • St. Raymond of Penafort
  • St. Rose of Lima
  • The DePaul Catholic School
  • St. Thomas Aquinas
  • St. Veronica
How to Support Our Catholic Schools
You can help Independence Mission Schools make a transformative difference in the lives of nearly 4,000 children in some of the most underserved neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
Donate to any IMS school online or by sending a check to PO Box 37012, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Redirect your PA tax dollars to scholarships for IMS students. Click here to learn how.
Make a stock gift by emailing Christina Soza or by calling 610-200-5100 x108
Independence Mission Schools is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. EIN: 45-4720688