Wood Dale Holy Ghost School Welcomes Wheaton's Lori Broncato as Principal

WOOD DALE, IL - October 28, 2013 - As the newly appointed principal of Holy Ghost School in Wood Dale, Lori Broncato of Wheaton has a vision - creating community.

"I'm eager to show off what we do," said Broncato, who holds two masters degrees from National Louis University. "Our big plan this year is creating community events where people want to be, where they want to celebrate."

Holy Ghost School Board President Steve Niehoff shared his perspective on what Broncato brings to the role.

"During the interview process, the selection committee was impressed by Ms. Broncato's enthusiasm for education and her broad experience in both public and Catholic schools," he said. "She has already established herself as a strong leader and a very visible proponent of Holy Ghost School in the surrounding community. We are very excited to further our mission of delivering top-quality Catholic education under her leadership."

A teacher for many years, Broncato said quality teachers are the pillar of great schools. She acknowledges Catholic schools have challenges, which include maintaining healthy enrollment levels during economic instability. With Holy Ghost School's preschool program giving young learners early exposure to Holy Ghost as an educational environment, a good amount of kindergarten registration stems from the preschool population, she noted. Grades kindergarten through eight are served.

"I think you also have to have a good reputation (as a school)," Broncato said, adding that tuition fees are between $4000 and $5000 per student, per year. With plans for a fall fest celebration, fashion show, and the annual Catholic Schools Week in January,

The more community events the school offers, the more the public will see what Holy Ghost School is all about, said Broncato, who began her teaching career in Joliet, has worked with at-risk populations of students, and also within the Elmwood Park Public School District. Working with Holy Ghost parent and school board Marketing Coordinator Ron Onesti, CEO/President of St. Charles-based Onesti Entertainment Corporation, Broncato said the school is looking forward to creating experiences that showcase what's enriching about the Holy Ghost culture.

"She really gets it," said Onesti. "Her creative approach to the educational process coupled with the sheer level of excitement she possesses is a welcomed vibe to the school. It is truly infectious."

Among the school's strengths, Broncato said, is family involvement.

"It is a very small, close knit community," she said. "The parents are very interested in their kids' conversations. I think they are very invested, and it seems the teachers know all the kids and all the families."

Another is the freedom to teach subjects that are off-limits in public schools.

"We are able to teach way more than public schools do because we can teach morality and a variety of topics that are not really sanctioned in public schools," she said.

With average class sizes of 19-20 students, flexible grouping is an option for teachers who have students at various levels of learning. While the special needs population is not one that can be serviced at Holy Ghost to a maximum degree, Bronacto said math enrichment classes are offered for gifted students.

As for the cool factor, Broncato says Holy Ghost has an actual tv studio and broadcasts live within the school every day.

Broncato also worked as principal at Our Lady of Peace in Darien. She taught as an adjunct professor at Dominican University since 2008. She has three children, Mary Francis, Jack and Patrick.

More information about Holy Ghost School is available at www.holyghostschool.org.