HEWITT Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Elementary School has a new principal this year. Patricia Hurd came to OLQP from Our Lady of Mount Virgin in Middlesex. She is a fully accredited administrator, certified to be principal of any school from K - 12 in New Jersey. Hurd spent her own educational years in Catholic school from kindergarten through graduate school, attending St. Elizabeth’s College for undergraduate work and then went on to Seton Hall. She is married with three grown children. Her youngest is a senior in college, an Eagle Scout and a graduate of Pope John XXIII in Sparta. Today’s Catholic schools are different than the memories some adults may have of days gone by. At OLQP, for instance, with the exception of one part-time nun in the kindergarten, all of the teachers are state-certified lay people. There are between 12 - 15 students per class and parents are more than welcome to volunteer. In fact tuition, which ranges between $3,200 - $3,900, is lower for involved parents. In addition, every child in every grade takes Spanish as a second language and has art, music and gym instruction. Hurd said the school “strongly adheres to the NJ State core curriculum and reinforces it with the Diocesan standard.” She is currently looking into starting a gifted and talented program for those students that excel in class. In the interest of helping families with working parents, OLQP has no half-day sessions, offers before and after school care, multiple and flexible pre-K classes, busing and hot lunches. But most surprising perhaps, is the student body. While the majority of them are Catholic, they also have Jewish, Hindu, Protestant and non-denominational Christians among the population. “Everyone is welcome. We value each student as a child of God,” Hurd said, “and we are tight knit community that adheres to Gospel values.” With her professional qualifications, Hurd could be making her salary several times over in a public school. But she doesn’t see it that way. “It’s a vocation, a way of giving back,” she explained. Our Lady Queen of Peace goes up to eighth grade. Hurd is particularly proud that every one of the eighth graders has already been accepted to a Catholic high school. “Whether they go or not, it’s nice that everyone of them was accepted.” Catholic high schools have proficiency requirements in order to be accepted as a student. The school is currently taking registrations for the 2006/07 year. Hurd invites anyone who is interested to “Come see how we live.” Call 973-728-9339 for a private tour.