The people who will know your child by name.
One faculty, one building, nine years. Most of the names on this page will still be here when your three-year-old reaches Grade 8 — which is the whole argument for a school this size.
Holy Spirit School accepts the challenge of fulfilling our mission as a Catholic school. Our aim is to educate the children’s minds, strengthen their God given intellectual powers, satisfy their soul with knowledge of their faith, and strengthen their bodies with organized physical activity. As educators we assume our responsibilities to God, and treat each of our students as precious gifts. Our primary goal is to give each student a solid moral and academic foundation so that they will be prepared to make a difference in this world.
Sr. Marie Antonelli, M.P.F.Three people you will meet in the first week.
Sr. Marie Antonelli, M.P.F.
Professed her final vows as a member of the Community of Religious Teachers Filippini. B.A. in education from Seton Hall University, M.A. in administration and supervision from Fordham University. She has spent her entire religious life as a teacher or principal in Catholic education — more than thirty years of it here.
Named a Distinguished Principal by the National Catholic Education Association. Received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal from Pope John Paul II, the Vivere Christus Award from Bishop Serratelli, and the Caritas Award for Advocacy. Her citation called her “a legend in our Diocese for her fierce commitment to Catholic education.”
Fr. Cesar Jaramillo, JCL
Ordained for the Diocese of Paterson on 1 July 2017. Bachelor’s in Catholic Studies from Seton Hall, a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Appointed by Bishop Sweeney as the eighth pastor of Holy Spirit Church, Pequannock, effective 1 July 2025. He continues to serve the Diocesan Tribunal and teaches at Seton Hall. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian.
Meet our clergy →Mr. Paul Hirsch, M.A.
Union County Catholic School Teacher of the Year in 2020, and a product of Catholic education himself. He first discerned a call to teaching while preparing middle schoolers for Confirmation in his parish.
Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certification, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instructional Design, and a Post-Master’s Certification in Administration, all from Caldwell University. He joined Holy Spirit in 2020 teaching Social Studies and Religion.
26 people, and your child will know most of them.
Reach any of them through the school office — call 973‑835‑5680 or email info@hsspeq.org, and the office will put you through to the right person.
Administration
- Fr. Cesar JaramilloPastor
- Sr. Marie Antonelli, M.P.F.Principal
- Mr. Paul Hirsch, M.A.Dean of Academics · Technology Director · Grade 8 Religion
Faculty
- Mrs. Kristen BrownPreK–3
- Ms. Erin GranataPreK–4
- Ms. Kim HickockKindergarten
- Ms. Alexandra CascoGrade 1
- Mrs. Ellen CamioloGrade 2
- Ms. Laurie DuhamelGrade 3
- Mrs. Erika SeidellGrade 4
- Ms. Dolores HansGrade 5 · ELA 5 · Social Studies 5 · Religion 5, 6, 7
- Mrs. Sherri PicioccioGrade 6 · ELA 5, 6, 8
- Mrs. Nora LennoxGrade 7 · Math 5, 6, 7, 8 · Social Studies 7, 8
- Mrs. Krislyn SutherlandGrade 8 · ELA 6, 7, 8
- Mrs. Nicole ZarembaMath, Grades 5–8
- Mrs. Lois PerezMath, Grades 4, 6, 8
Specialist teachers
- Mrs. Rosalie Araujo-QuintinoArt, Grades 1–8 · Spanish, PreK–4 through Grade 8
- Ms. Prin SielskiMusic · Choir Director
- Mrs. Elizabeth VandenbosScience, Grades 5 & 7 · STREAM, Grades 4–8
Supplemental instruction
- Mrs. Jennifer MondelliGrade 3 ELA and Math
- Mrs. Patricia JewellELA, Grade 2
- Mrs. Tori BudesheimELA Grade 4 · Social Studies Grade 6
Health services
- Mrs. Laura LevineSchool Nurse
Office
- Mrs. Marianne KopelmanSecretary · Safe Environment Coordinator
- Mrs. Kathleen VanderValkAdministrative Assistant · Finance
- Miss Gale VanHefterTuition