30 The Courier sun • catholic school • january 15, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com catholic school week Community rallies to stop closing of Astoria Catholic school THE COURIER/Photo by Angy Altamirano Our Lady of the Angelus Catholic Academy 98-05 63rd Drive • Rego Park, NY 11374 OPEN HOUSE Sunday, January 25, 2014 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tours & Registration materials will be available. Registration for 2014 –2015 academic year begins on February 2nd. • Small Class Sizes • Early Morning Drop Off • After School Program • Full Day Early Childhood Program • Computer Lab • SmartBoard Technology In Classrooms • Laptops and Mobile Devices • WiFi Access in Classrooms • Foreign Language Classes • Math and Science Enrichment Program • Monthly Litergies • Music & Art • Athletics 718-896-7220 Email: [email protected] www.ourladyoftheangelus.org INFORMATION NIGHT Accepted & Interested Students Tuesday, January 20—6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For details, please call 718.721.7200 ext 699. Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders Knowledge, faith, virtue, service, creativity, and a passion for learning. These are the marks of true leadership and the foundation for learning and success at St. John’s Prep. • High standards including AP, Honors, enrichment • Personal engagement with each student • Close-knit, vibrant community of Catholic faith • Active engagement in athletics, arts, service, campus ministry, and more • Experiential learning through apprenticeships, global travel, STEM, and partnership programs with St. John’s University • Outstanding guidance and college placement 718.721.7200 | stjohnsprepschool.org org St. John’s Preparatory School 21-21 Crescent Street | Astoria, NY 11105 BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected]/@aaltamirano28 An Astoria community is speaking out after finding out that one of its Catholic schools, which has served the community since 1957, will be shutting its doors this June. Parents and students at Most Precious Blood School, located at 35-32 37th St., found out on Jan. 9, through a letter written by Reverend William Krlis, pastor at Most Precious Blood Church, that the 58-year-old school would be closing due to drops in enrollment and the need for costly structural repairs. Over the past five years enrollment has dropped “precipitously,” Krlis said in the letter, adding that enrollment from kindergarten through eighth grade this year is 191 students, compared to 303 students in September 2008 and 20 students less than last year. Krlis also said that an estimated $5.5 million in structural repairs are needed for both the school and church. The school building needs about $2.55 million in repairs and work cannot be done at the site while being used full time. “These essential building repairs, combined with declining enrollment, will not allow us to continue,” Krlis said. “This decision was not made easily. After much dialogue with all relevant parties, including officials from the Diocese of Brooklyn and local Catholic schools, as well as consulting with engineering firms regarding the state of these necessary repairs, I presented these facts to the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn. With his support, I made this painful decision in the best interest of the parish community.” However, for parents, who started an online petition Saturday against the closing, the reasons that lead to the decision aren’t enough to close the doors at the school. “We do not want our children and beloved teachers and staff displaced! Quality Catholic Education is almost nonexistent and we cannot afford to close yet another school,” wrote Jennifer Masterson, who started the petition. “Schools in this area are already overcrowded, this will only add to the problem.” Parents signing the petition also said the timing of the announcement did not leave them enough time to find another school for their children or give them an opportunity to attempt to raise the money needed for repairs. Since Jan. 13, the petition, which has a goal of 2,500 signatures, has garnered 2,104 supporters, including parents, residents and alumni. According to the Diocese of Brooklyn, help will be provided for parents, and the neighboring Catholic schools will have seats to accommodate Most Precious Blood students and provide information on upcoming open houses. A meeting with parents was scheduled for Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium to review what led to the decision to close the school.
SC01152015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above