MEMBER SPOTLIGHT / MATERNITY BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Mon., November 6, 2017 Member Spotlight

Michael McDonough is Advancement Director at Maternity B.V.M. Catholic Elementary School in Bustleton.  Their mission is to provide students with the tools needed to become successful citizens in the global community.  Keeping Mary as our model, we encourage students to say, Yes, to God.  Their vision is to Be the Change, View the Goodness and Make a Difference, Mr. McDonough said.  He took time to answer a few questions from our Marketing Director Don Brennan, who has been writing about Northeast Philadelphia for 41 years.

Tell us about Maternity BVM.  Maybe a little history, and snapshot of the school today.                                         Maternity B.V.M. located in the Bustleton Neighborhood, opened in 1948 on the porch of the rectory. In 1949, less than a year after the school’s inception, a one-level, school with a large auditorium/church was dedicated. The school has continued to grow ever since. The school today has an enrollment of over 500 students from Pre-Kindergarten 3 to Grade 8.  The school strives to lead the way in Catholic Education.  The students have access to state of the art computer and science labs as well as the latest educational trends. This year the school opened a new media center that features a video studio that produces a weekly news broadcast.

What are your duties as Advancement Director?

As Advancement Director my position is to promote the school, increase enrollment, register new students, raise funds and submit grants.  In addition to those duties I am the school’s liaison to the Alumni Association, faculty supervisor for the Student Ambassadors program and the Weekly News broadcast.

(To promote the school, I use social media, website, open houses, print materials, press releases and newspaper ads.)

 

What do you hope to accomplish by being a member of the GNPCC?

To connect with area business people and raise awareness of not only Maternity B.V.M. but of all Catholic education. To promote EITC/OSTC government tax programs that benefit businesses.

 

How can networking with area businesses help Maternity BVM?

It will allow me to tell the story of the school and Catholic Education and show the need to support it. To connect to other chamber members who might be able to come to the school and be guest speakers.

 

Tell us about you personally.  Where you were born, went to school, hobbies, etc.

I grew up in Bryn Athyn attended Lower Moreland High School, and received a BS in Elementary Ed. at Bryn Athyn College. Taught for a few years in San Diego California and then came back east and worked for 30 years at various YMCA’s including the Northeast Family YMCA on Knights Road. I did many things at the YMCA including: teaching swim lessons, youth sports, summer day camps, marketing, fundraising and a Branch Director.  My favorite hobby is organic vegetable gardening.

 

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