Over 3.5 million people in three states were introduced to St. Joseph’s Parish Day School in Queens Village after their recent appearance on The Steve Harvey Morning Show.
The school appeared on the WBLS morning show on Friday, April 29.
The students, from Kindergarten to eighth grade, learned some behind the scenes of the radio business from WBLS’ Bob Lee and practiced their cheering before appearing on air.
“We’re serving up academic excellence in a Christian environment,” broadcasted Principal Monique Maylor to the host and all his listeners. The segment aired at 9:15 a.m.
The children had been waiting for their moment for two weeks since they first heard the news that they and their school would be on the radio.
“We just got back from Easter break,” said eighth grader Harry Vallon Jr. “We couldn’t wait for this morning.”
A mutual friend of the principal put them in contact and Lee who heads an education foundation. Lee thought the school’s values and story should be known.
“I believe in education, you have to get to them early,” Lee said the community affairs director at the station and overnight host. “That’s why I started my foundation, to give them something positive.”
The foundation, Make the Grade, is a non-profit organization that facilitates and encourages academic achievement by implementing programs to tutor, mentor and motivate students.
“These are good kids and a great school,” said Lee. “There are so many negative things in the media; it’s good to show something positive.”
Every parent, child, teacher and administrator used one word when describing the experience of attending and working at St. Joseph’s – family.
“It’s a family-oriented school,” said Paulina Chacko, a third grade teacher who has been at the school for 25 years. “The parents, children and staff all work together to make it a success.”
“Once you get to school, you don’t want to leave; it’s a second family,” said eighth grader Tonia Curtis.
The family atmosphere is furthered by the small class sizes – the largest class has only 17 students.
“I love the smaller class size,” said eighth grader Denay Richards. “The teachers have more time with each student to make sure they understand the material.”
This point was driven home by Maylor who said communicating with students is vital to the job. Maylor, who is in her first year on the job, says she wants the children to stand out and for people to discover the school and the work they are doing.
“I don’t want to be the best kept secret any more,” said Maylor.
Almost four million listeners found out about the secret Friday morning.
