At Judge they’ll say,
‘Yes, ma’am!

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

With boxes on the floor and a book about St. Francis DeSales within reach on her desk, Kathleen Herpich is settling into her new digs at Father Judge High School, where she was named principal last week.
Herpich is the first woman to take that title in the school’s 53-year history. She replaces Joseph DeAngelis, who held the post for six years. DeAngelis, who tendered his resignation in June, remains at the school as a guidance counselor.
Herpich, who received her doctorate in education from Seton Hall University, brings experience in teaching both in public and parochial schools. The New Jersey native is undaunted by the notion of a school full of 1,263 boys.
"When I told friends I was appointed to this position, they laughed, because I often said I wished I was at a school of just boys," she said from her Crusader blue leather chair.
While she said she loved the girls she taught, the girls remember things forever.
"Boys have a tendency to have a blow-up and then it’s done," she said.
Herpich also found that during her teaching career, the older the students were, the happier she was.
At St. Peter the Apostle, where Herpich served as principal for five years and director of curriculum for three years prior, she was surrounded by concrete in an urban center of New Brunswick, N.J.
St. Peter the Apostle became certified to offer No Child Left Behind supplemental education services. It was the first Catholic school in New Jersey to become certified to offer the after-school tutoring.
"The kids needed the help and it gave the teachers a chance to earn extra money," she said.
The certification also served to increase enrollment, as parents in the school district were unaware of the services available at the Catholic school.
That designation also brought Herpich and the school national attention. The principal was invited to speak by the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and New York.
Herpich intends to discuss such certification with the archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Education, as well.
On Judge’s beautiful campus surrounded by trees, Herpich said she feels as if she is in suburbia.
After five days on the job, Herpich’s main goals are focusing on more immediate issues, such as getting to know the students, the staff and her way around the campus.
"I’ve stopped by football practice and soccer practice. I love sports," said the former softball and basketball coach.
The new principal has also tried to be out front before and after school.
"I told the students that I might pop into their classrooms and ask them how to get back to my office," she said, adding that she’ll also be joining them at the table in the cafeteria, as well.
Herpich’s weekends are packed as she works on the move to Pennsylvania and singing at three Masses each Sunday at St. John Vianney in Colonia, in northern New Jersey, where she is cantor.
Once Herpich is settled on this side of the river, she intends to attend as many school events as she can.
"That’s really important to show the students in school and after school that you are interested in what they are doing. It means an awful lot to the kids," she said.
Once their new principal is able to attend Judge’s athletic games, students may be surprised to find out that Herpich, according to the Wilkes University voice-major, has a very big mouth.
"I yell a lot at games," she warned.
While she transitions from New Jersey to Pennsylvania (she closes on the sale of her New Jersey home in late October and is waiting on a rental home to be ready for her and her Labrador/border collie R.J.), she’s been staying at an apartment in Judge’s rectory.
"Everyone’s been very welcoming. They didn’t seem to mind (last week) when he barked every time someone came to the door," she said. This week, R.J. is staying with a friend.
As to challenges facing the principal, the first thing on Herpich’s plate is to address issues pertaining to class size.
"Freshman enrollment is bigger than it was slated to be. That’s a good issue," she said. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com