While the announcement that the K-8 Grey Nun Academy was closing permanetly and more than 50 years of providing a quality Catholic education to area children,
it did present an opportunity for the Club.
Dick Newbert reached out to Mrs. Deborah Kost, the schools, head administrator inquiring if any of the school's equipment, books and other materials might be made available to our Club for onward distribution to the William Dick School. After a favorable response, we were able to borrow a 40' box truck from Bobby Burns of the Integrity Auto Gorup in Langhorne.
This morning, six Club members, along with Bobby's son, max
(l to r) Alan Agree, Jeffy Redington, Syd Baron, Fred Edelman, Max Burns, Irv Perlsteein and Steve Manas
and William Dick School principal Amy WIlliams and her daaughter Alexis packed the truck
with 35 Toshiba Google chrome computers, 8 – 3 sided tables, 4 adjustable tables for class presentations, ~ 60 chairs for classrooms and offices, 4 microscopes, 5 pan balances, numerous books, a Nikon Camera, assorted desk top pieces for paper etc.,a new printer, one large square table with adjustable height, many basic school supplies, colored pencils, a hanging pull-down map of the world, a world globe and other items … collectively worth many thousands of dollars.
These items are presently being stored in the garages of two Club members and will be delivered to the William Dick School prior to the beginning of teh 2019-20 school year.
While we all feel a local loss when an institution like Grey Nun must close. However, the school's generosity to help our Club help the William Dick School is yet another example of the moral compass which carried the academy throughsince it opening 1963. Therefore, we though a quick look back at the school was appropriate.
Sponsored by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart and located on the grounds of the former Motherhouse in Yardley, PA, Grey Nun Academy proclaims a rich history and heritage dating back to 1963. From its humble enrollment of nine kindergarten students housed in the original Manor House on the Dietz estate in October of '63, the original school was called d'Youville Manor Academy in honor of our community foundress, Marguerite d'Youville. Plans were soon made to add an additional class each year.
As the Sisters became established and well known in the local community, the school name was changed to Grey Nun Academy. Fundraising became important to support annual expansion and renovations.
Kindergarten children enjoyed field trips by train to Philadelphia and first graders to the Liberty Bell Race Tract and to the World's Fair in 1965.
Since the beginning, parents have always been an active, integral part of the Grey Nun Academy community. By 1968, a Home and School Organization was initiated and challenged to live out the theme: "If we succeed in our goals, then children will experience the joy of learning and their continued pursuit of this joy will become their own goal."
By fall 1972, Sacred Heart Junior College was closed and remodeled. The Academy lower school then took up residence there. Subsequent building projects have provided a multipurpose gymnasium, connecting to the Moyle Gallery and Fine Arts Center.
Until recently, the school was a thriving part of the community it serves, proudly educating children to carry out the mission of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart and to be thoughtful, compassionate, contributing members of our society.