Sister Georgine

         

                              Sr. Georgine Wohnhaas, a Glen Riddle Franciscan, was for many  

                    years a  teacher in elementary education. In 1965, at the request of Bishop

                    Ahr, Sr. Georgine ventured out to St. Coletta's in Milwaukee to begin

                    training in religious education of pupils with educational disabilities.

                              The first religious education class for pupils with educational

                    disabilities in Trenton opened in 1966 in Immaculate Conception Parish.

                    Sr. Georgine and many volunteers conducted Saturday religion classes.

                    Much was accomplished during these Saturday sessions. Students not only

                    learned about God, but were also enjoying music, art, storytelling and

                    printing. It was evident that the children were learning more in their             

                    Saturday classes than in special classes in local public school

                             With encouragement and the backing of parents of these children,     

                    Sr. Georgine proceeded to request that a day school be started to educate

                    pupils with educational disabilities in the Catholic school setting. With the

                    blessing of Bishop Ahr, Sister Euthalia, Provincial, Father Timothy,

                    Pastor Of Immaculate Conception Church, and Msgr. Frain,

                    Superintendent of Schools at that time, Sr. Georgine opened the first full

                    time day class for pupils with educational disabilities in 1969 in

                    Immaculate Conception Grammar  School. Sr. Marie Anthony, the

                    principal at Immaculate, graciously found room in the grammar school to

                    house this class.

                              The school, known as Diocesan Learning Center, opened with seven

                    students in September 1969. The dream of many parents of students with

                    educational disabilities had come true. Sr. Georgine was determined that

                    these special children were capable of learning and becoming active

                    members of society. Her infinite patience, effort and determination paid

                    off. The students were using basal readers, doing math, singing, speaking

                    French, conversing, acting, playing the organ, and learning about God and

                    His goodness; and achievement at that particular time in the education of

                    students with educational disabilities was unheard of. Sister marched to a

                    different drummer and her success was recognized by many. The Diocesan

                    Learning Center was a place where people came to see what was     

                    happening with these special children.

                              Due to the growth of the school (12 students), a second class was

                    started in 1971. Because of lack of space in the present grammar school, Sr.

                    Georgine moved one class to St. Ann's Convent. Sr. Barbara Furst

                    became the new teacher for the class at Immaculate.

                              God had other plans for Sr. Georgine. Early into 1971 school year,

                    Sister was stricken with Leukemia. Both classes were combined into one

                    at Immaculate. Sister recovered and was very positive. In 1972, through the

                    graciousness of Msgr. Frain and the Sisters at St. Ann's the school moved

                    into St. Ann's Convent. The parents of the students worked tirelessly in

                    remodeling a part of convent into classrooms. The population had increased

                    from seven to seventeen.

                              The school year 1973 was another milestone; the first lay       

                    teacher was hired. Now there were three classes and nineteen students. The

                    school year  1973-74 was one of great anxiety. Sr. Georgine's health grew

                    worse, and she was confined most of the year to a hospital bed. Still she

                    constantly planned for the children and encouraged all the strive for

                    the best.

                              On August 31, 1974 Sr. Georgine died from leukemia. Her dream

                    was completed. Could we continue on? With much encouragement, help and

                    support of many, the program moved forward.

                              The summer of 1975 the entire school moved back to Immaculate

                    Conception School. School opened that September with twenty-eight

                    students, two sisters and four lay teachers. In honor of Sister, the name of

                    the school was changed to Sister Georgine Learning Center For Exceptional

                    Children.

                               The school was formally approved by the State of New Jersey as a

                    Private School for the Handicapped in 1977. This allowed local public

                    school districts to refer students to the school. Prior to this approval the

                    students were private and parents were responsible for tuition.

                                Sr. Georgine's dream and message is still alive today due to the

                    dedicated staff, former and present at the school.

                                In 1993 the name of the school was changed to Sister Georgine

                    School.