Archdiocese 'Principal of the Year' Retires from Glen Rock School

Academy of Our Lady School announces the retirement of principal, Mrs. Patricia Keenaghan. Mrs. Keenaghan has served the school for 16 years and will be missed by the entire Academy family.  

She has been instrumental in implementing the strong faith-based, academic curriculum that is in place today. On the last day of school the Home School Association hosted a school wide reception after the celebration of the closing liturgy. Alumni, faculty, parents and students joined in presenting her with a special memory book and spiritual bouquet.

During the 2006 -2007 school year, Mrs. Keenaghan was named Principal of the Year by the Archdiocese of Newark. In September, 2013, the United States Department of Education named Academy of Our Lady a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. In October, 2013, Mrs. Keenaghan oversaw the school’s joint anniversary celebrations, 90 years for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Ridgewood, and 60 years for St. Catharine, Glen Rock. This past spring, she led the way for re-accreditation by Middle States Association.  

Mrs. Keenaghan is the inspiration for many after-school clubs including Student Council, Newspaper Club, Quiz Bowl, Home Ec, Latin Club, French Club, Christian Heroes Club and the Knights and Princesses Clubs. Academy also has a strong sports program thanks to her support. She has created a stimulating learning environment where students can thrive, become well-rounded Individuals and serve others.

Mrs. Keenaghan explains, “The academic accomplishments of the students are due to the supportive, dedicated faculty who made so much possible and were also instrumental with implementing a service learning aspect to the curriculum.”  

Students are given many opportunities to provide for others both locally and globally. This commitment to serve others truly became the culture of the school over the past decade, whether is was writing letters to veterans, sending care packages to soldiers,  learning about congenital heart defects and providing comfort to patients by sewing pillows or learning math problems for the St. Jude Mathathon.

Mrs. Keenaghan wishes continued success to Academy’s Home School Association, Father’s Guild and School Advisory Board. She thanks Msgr. Ronald Rozniak, the pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fr. Tom Wisniewski, current pastor at St. Catharine, Fr. Denis Cohan, former pastor at St. Catharine and both parishes for their never-ending support of Catholic education.

She sincerely appreciates the support of the entire Glen Rock community and those businesses which have donated to the school. In particular she would like to thank the Glen Rock Police Department for its D.A.R.E. program and the Glen Rock Public Library for enabling Academy students to participate in its yearly Readathon.

Mrs. Keenaghan congratulates Academy’s incoming principal Mrs. Heather E. Schnaars on her new position.