RSS 2.0 FeedThursday, December 15, 2011, Merrick Life
Save Sacred Heart School
Parent seek response from diocese on school closure.
Sacred Heart School held a "save our school" rally Saturday afternoon. Attended by parents, alumni and students the meeting was held in the school's brand new gymnasium that just opened last school year. The gym's renovation was the culmination of a massive fundraising effort by the parents and alumni and of course the students - earlier this week the Diocese of Rockville Centre slated the school for closure in June of 2012.
A letter (from Bishop William Murphy) went home earlier this week that stated North Merrick demographics and low enrollment among the reasons for the decision - it stunned parents and faculty alike.
One speaker at Saturday's rally Patrick McGrory, a school parent and alum challenged the words of the bishop, stating that North Merrick's demographics should not be a factor since many of the school's families come from outside the community. Another interesting point was that in Murphy's letter it state enrollment at 160 (for grades K-8) but that did not included the very successful and tuition-based pre-school and toddler programs which totals about 73 kids. These families pay tuition, and their kids spend often a full day at the school but yet weren't factored into the school's enrollment.
School board member, Shane Palotta boasted of the school's increasing enrollment from year to year and how it graduates students that have gone on to great successes. He noted the class of 2007 (20 students), how four of those students went on to become their high school valedictorians.
The parents seek answers from the diocese in effort to save the school and Merrick Life will continue to follow their campaign.
