From Two Schools, One New School

After and parishes made the decision to merge the schools because of decreasing enrollments and economic issues, the next step in the challenging process was hire a new principal to lead the school system into the future.

A search committee was formed shortly after the decision to merge as , and after extensive interviews of prospective candidates, the committee presented the top three candidates to the Wauwatosa Catholic School Board, who chose Julia D'Amato as the first principal of the new program.

The school administration made the announcement on Feb. 11. The merge will take effect at the beginning of the academic year beginning in August, and the new school will be housed at St. Bernard, 1500 N. Wauwatosa Ave.

Since her hiring D'Amato has been moving ahead to get her plans and ideas on track. She recently hired 17 people who makes up her “Dream Team” staff. The school held a “Meet and Greet” at the Griffey Center in the basement of the church Wednesday evening so the public could meet and speak with D'Amato and faculty members.

D'Amato, a graduate of , was a previously employed with Ronald Wilson Reagan College Prep and Milwaukee Public Schools.

D'Amato said that one of her challenges coming in was to take two previous school traditions and create one new tradition for Wauwatosa Catholic School.

“We will try to put into place the concept of 'growth teaching,' which will empower teachers and give the necessary tools to students at all grade levels to develop the skill sets that will prepare them for after high school,” D'Amato said.

“We need to be constantly thinking outside of the box over time so we can better our curriculum and encourage our students to become active learners. We are committed to providing an environment that fosters spiritual and moral growth, as well as academic progress.”

She received the International Baccalaureate (IB) affiliation for the IB Programme in 2005 and the IB Middle Years Programme in 2011.

D'Amato said that when school opens in fall, it will be the first Catholic International Baccalaureate school of its kind serving the area. She will implement the IB program accreditation for all grades.

“The new plan the school system wants to implement, called “Project Embrace,” should fit in nicely with the IB program,” D'Amato said.

D'Amato added that the new school system would like to celebrate internationalism and different cultures more in the education process, as both of the schools have shown growth in the number of multicultural students.

D'Amato's peers have given her full support as she takes over the reins and tries to move Wauwatosa Catholic School in another direction.

“I welcome the proven expertise of Julie D'Amato,” Kathleen Cepelka, superintendent of schools of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, said. “Wauwatosa Catholic School and the Archdiocese have a true educational leader in Julia. I know Mrs. D'Amato is an expert in International Baccalaureate education. The mission of Catholic schools and social justice tenants of the church are enhanced and supported by IB objectives.”

Capelka added that she was inspired when she heard that D'Amato felt “called by God” to dedicate herself totally to Wauwatosa Catholic's mission.

Ann Carter, a teacher and professional acquaintance of D'Amato said, “Julia D'Amato has used her sharp professional expertise to choose devoted teachers and install sound educational practices and improvements that will continue to grow daily.”

St. Pius' Bob Marsicek and St. Bernard's Peter Drenzek, pastors of the two merged Catholic schools, said that they could hear the passion from D'Amato in regard to her using her talents in Catholic education.