FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MARCH 8, 2018 • THE QUEENS COURIER 33
An Open Letter From the Catholic High School Principals Association
regarding School Safety
As the Principals of the Catholic High Schools of Brooklyn and Queens we have kept the administration,
faculty, staff, students and parents from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in our prayers since the
thoughtless tragedy on February 14, 2018. We stand in support of the Parkland, Florida survivors as they draw
strength in knowing that their efforts to effect necessary change are heard. We call on our elected leaders to
do everything necessary to help us protect students against senseless acts such as the one in Florida and too
many others across our country.
The mission of Catholic education within the Diocese of Brooklyn is to form children in the knowledge and
love of Jesus Christ as celebrated in the Catholic Church, while providing a comprehensive academic education
that will help them reach their full human potential and contribute to the common good of our nation and
the world. The alumni of our schools are leaders in every stratum of society, and our current students are the
leaders and policy makers of tomorrow. We must stand as examples to them of the morality, justice and peace
which we expect them to go forth and spread in the world. As Principals, we are responsible for carrying out
the mission of our schools, the education of our students and the safety and security of the adolescents in
our care. As educators we are facing a world where we are increasingly called upon to become the last line of
defense against unspeakable horrors.
Collectively, we as Catholic educators…as Americans…know that these attacks must stop and the time for
action on all levels is long overdue. We unite in one voice to call upon our elected officials to effect nothing
less than meaningful, proactive change. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi we must “be the change we wish to
see in the world”. That change starts today.
Mrs. Providencia Quiles
Nazareth Regional High School
Mrs. Susan Nicoletti
Saint Agnes Academic High School
Mrs. Allison McGinnis
St. Edmund Preparatory High School
Mr. Patrick McLaughlin
St. Francis Preparatory School
Mr. William A. Higgins
St. John’s Preparatory School
Mrs. Caroline Latham
St. Joseph High School
Dr. Paula T McKeown
St. Saviour High School
Sr. Kathleen McKinney C.S.J, Ed.D.
The Mary Louis Academy
Dcn. Kevin McCormack
Xaverian High School
Mr. Darius Penikas
Archbishop Molloy High School
Dr. Margaret Lacey-Berman
Bishop Kearney High School
Mr. Edward A. Bolan
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
Mr. Richie Diaz
Cathedral Preparatory School & Seminary
Ms. Geri Martinez
Christ the King High School
Ms. Mary Ann Spicijaric
Fontbonne Hall Academy
Mr. Edward Burns
Holy Cross High School
Mr. Joseph Dugan
Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School
Mr. James V. Castrataro
Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School