February 11, 2005

Most Holy Trinity School

Local parochial school nearing 40th anniversary

By Elizabeth Estrella-Basilio
Staff Writer

Tucked in the east side of San Jose is a small parish school that will celebrate its 40th anniversary on April 30.

Little is known about Most Holy Trinity School (MHT School as it is fondly regarded today). Most of the time, its discovery is accidental due to its location beside the neighborhood parish, Most Holy Trinity Church, in between three other public schools, around the corner from a park and within a few streets behind the Reid-Hillview airport.

Students (from left) Daurline Sarpolio, Diane Cisners, Francesca Pena, Martiza Vargas, Rebecca Valdivia and Juleanna Lopez surround Sandra Jewett-Silva, the new principal of Most Holy Trinity School.

Strong academic roots
Originally established by the Sisters of Notre Dame, Most Holy Trinity School is now run by Jesuits. Both religious orders are very well known for their drive and emphasis on education.

Since opening its doors to elementary children in 1965, the school has grown into a full-fledged educational facility, catering first to the parish children and then to providing a parochial education alternative for the rest of the community.

Although the school has maintained a “quiet” presence in providing K-8 education for almost 40 years now, it paves the way for 97 percent of its alumni to head off to four-year colleges and successfully pursue degrees after finishing high school.

Former student and parent, Rose Duerr shares, “I remember MHT as a very quaint and conservative school. It has grown to provide one of the best elementary schoolings in the Valley—I am proud to be an alumnus and happy to see that my children, who are attending the school, are greatly benefiting from its curriculum.”

The school has never pursued a promotional program to grow the student body. Yet today, the school has shifted its gears to a more aggressive means of outreach to make sure that many people learn about the Most Holy Trinity community by April 30, when the school hosts its first 25-year class reunion in conjunction with its 40th anniversary festivities.

Progressive new principal
Thinking ahead, MHT School’s efforts started when Sister Susan Barry, the veteran principal, decided to retire from her position. The parish then hired a progressive new principal and encouraged significant changes to heighten school standards, morals and stewardship.

Sandra Jewett-Silva, a decorated school administrator and educator, joined MHT School as the new principal in the summer of 2004 after serving six years at Five Wounds School in San Jose. Her presence has undoubtedly electrified the school.

In her first four months, Jewitt-Silva immediately established an elective music program, invited middle school students to participate in an academic decathlon, continues boosting school athletics, and most of all, introduced new church and community service activities among the students and their families.

Previously, the music program was only for the fourth and fifth grades, limiting its school-wide participation. Today, the school choir embodies all grades and a noteworthy band accompanies the choir. Last December, the principal directed a school-wide play, where each of the classrooms and lead singers produced their first CD to raise more funds for their music programs.

The school’s expanded library is three times larger than the old one. The city of San Jose has given the school a grant for a Homework Center to help children with homework, research and study skills after school.

The academic decathlon has excited many students to vie for a spot on the 10-member team for the school. This is a rigorous academic competition among Catholic schools within the diocese. It focuses on disciplines like religion, art, music, literature, logic, current events, science, history, math and geography.

In sports, the school continues to compete in the East Valley leagues in volleyball, basketball, flag football and softball.

As early as October 2004, Principal Jewett-Silva was clearly determined to encourage the school body to partake in its parish’s ministries. As soon as the school year began, she immediately rounded up the students, parents, teachers and administrators so that they could play a significant roll in the success of the MHT Parish’s Festival. Their participation brought at least $10,000 in raised funds for the school.

“It is truly a pleasure serving such a caring, dynamic and diverse community,” said Jewett-Silva.

At the end of January, MHT School invited the community to an open house to introduce the school and its new $6 million facility, filled with a state-of-the-art computer classroom, a science lab, an expanded library (three times larger than the school’s old one) and a full-size gymnasium, complete with basketball courts, jumbo screens and bleachers.

Called the Trinity Center, the new building also has a few meeting rooms, a function hall and a well-equipped commercial kitchen. Computers in every classroom and office across the entire campus are now networked together with the ability to communicate with one another.

“I have been with the school for 19 years. It has always been a wonderful place and a microcosm of this diverse jewel that is East San Jose,” said Nick Keitges, MHT School’s most senior staff member.

“With the new facilities in place, MHT School can now share an environment that fosters compassion, acceptance and the living Catholic Christian values,” he added. “In beautiful new surroundings, MHT School can continue to provide children academic achievement and encourage them to participate in co-curricular activities.”

The school today maintains a high level of excitement in preparation for its 40th anniversary celebration and first 25-year class reunion. MHT School invites all alumni members who attended the school from 1971 to 1996 to partake in the festivities and join the many core committees planning this major event.

It will just be a matter of time before someone introduces you to the MHT community. The once quiet school is turning 40 and they want everyone to know about it.

For more information, contact Dan Griffey at (408) 729-3431, ext. 211, or e-mail him at DGriffey@MHT-School.org. Jewett-Silva can be reached at ext. 208 or at SJewettSilva@MHT-School.org.