ST. HELEN CATHOLIC ACADEMY - HOWARD BEACH, QUEENS - EDITOR IN CHIEF: CLARA WIERZBICKI

A New School Year Begins

Containing important information regarding the 2026-2027 school year

SCHOOL LIFE

9/5/20261 min read

At the beginning of the school year, our principal, Mrs. Di Rico, has forwarded an email regarding student arrival and dismissal time. She will continue to promptly inform all parents about security and academy changes throughout the year.

Arrival and Dismissal

As written in the calendar, the first day of school for grades K-8 will take place on Wednesday, September 9th and will dismiss at 12:00PM. Students are expected to arrive between 8-8:10AM. Grades K-1 will enter through the Fr. Dooley Hall entrance, and Grades 2-8 with enter through the main door and proceed to their homeroom class. Parents will not be allowed to guide their children to their classroom.

Dismissal time varies depending on grade level. Grades 3-4 will dismiss through the main door, and grades 5-8 will dismiss through 83rd Street. All remaining information can be found on the email "Welcome to School Year 2026-2027" sent by Mrs. Di Rico.

Before and After School Programs

Both before and after school programs are available for all students. The before school program begins at 7:00AM and costs $7.50 per day. The after school program will take place from after school ends to 6:00PM.

New Teachers

St Helen Catholic Academy has a surge of new teachers in elementary school. We would like to welcome them all to our school.

Ms. Ortega is our 4th and 5th math teacher; her ultimate goal is to make her classroom a safe, hands-on environment where students can optimize their learning. She looks forward to getting to know all of her students.

Mr. Ikiodia will be the 4th and 5th grade science teacher; in his classroom, students' drive for learning will be satisfied, and they will develop the skills necessary to grow further academically and spiritually.

Ms. LaMantia will be the ELA teacher for grades 4 and 5. This May, she graduated from Salve Regina University and earned her bachelor degree; it will be her first year teaching. She promises to help all students-no matter their analytical and reading skills-to excel in all they do.

Ms. Jolly will be teaching UPK-3. She graduated from Molloy University and studied Deaf Culture at Hunter College. As she begins this chapter at St. Helen, she hopes to use her passion for teaching to bring out the best in her students and give them the opportunity to shine.