St. Patrick's School at 354 Elizabeth St., Oneida, NY 13421 US - Principal featured on TV

ONEIDA ~ Peg Brown, principal of St. Patrick’s School knew a news crew from WSTM Channel 3 was coming to her school to do a profile on her, but she did not know that the entire school had planned a day of surprises in her honor. The television crew and the day of surprises were in honor of Brown being named WSTM’s Educator of the Week and the students and faculty of Madison County’s only parochial school, were determined to make it clear to the news crew and their viewers that in their hearts, Miss Brown is educator of the day – each and every day. Brown was nominated for the award in recognition of her tireless efforts on behalf of the school, which many credit with saving the school from closing last spring. The segment on Brown aired Monday, Feb. 23. While Brown was waiting for the news crew to arrive, she busied herself preparing for the next day’s visit from John J. Cataldo, the new superintendent of Schools for the Syracuse Diocese. As she was preparing reports, two third grade students rushed into her office saying that she was needed in the gym because a student had twisted her ankle. Brown, dropped everything to run to the child’s aid. When she opened the gym door, the entire student body yelled, “Surprise!” The only reason Brown was needed in the gym was to be the guest of honor at an assembly honoring her for being chosen for this award. The beloved principal watched as a representative from each class from kindergarten through sixth grade went to the podium to read a tribute to her. The children thanked her for saving their school, spending her summer painting the entire interior of the building, making their playground safer and for “being the heart of St. Patrick’s School.” The news crew captured it all and when the assembly was over, WSTM anchorman Don Lark marveled at the adoration the children held for their principal. He said the tribute assembly was the first any school had ever held in honor of the Educator of The Week award. He said the assembly showed how much the faculty and students thought of Brown and certainly showed she was a deserving recipient of this honor. While Brown has only been principal of St. Patrick’s for a year, she is no stranger to the school or the education scene in Oneida. In fact, she is now educating her third generation of Oneida-area children. She retired from the Oneida City School District in 1995 and no doubt believed her days of school books, report cards and chalk dust were behind her. She was wrong. Brown has returned to the field of education as principal of St. Patrick’s School in Oneida. Last year when St. Patrick’s principal retired in December, Brown took over, volunteering her time and talents to the school. During an April visit to the school, Bishop Moynihan named Brown as principal of the local parochial school, much to the delight of the faculty, students and families who credit her with helping the school remain open. With this assignment, Brown jokes that she is now helping to educate a third generation of Oneida children. Last year’s kindergarten class took an immediate liking to their new principal. Whenever Brown bent down to tie one of their shoelaces, the young child would pat her head, in what became a ritual with the class. At last June’s awards ceremony, the students presented their new principal with a painting created by art teacher Theresa Gena. Each student signed the painting and the inscription read, in part, “Miss Brown, we count you among our many blessings. Thank you for all you have done for St. Patrick’s School.” Even though Brown came out of retirement to run the school, the faculty, staff and families of St. Patrick’s have to run to keep up with her. She is constantly dashing from one room to another to answer a question, meet with a perspective student and his or her family, or one of the many other millions of things that need her attention throughout the day. Brown is very proud of the education available at St. Patrick’s School and is eager to share with the community all that the school has to offer. To learn more about the school or to register your child, call Brown at 363-3620.

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