To the editor:
Three years ago, my son was a seventh grader at St. Charles School. I was Chairperson for the School Committee, like PTA president for our school. Suddenly, word came from the Diocese that St. Charles and several other schools were closing their seventh and eighth grades. We scrambled to find an eighth grade for our son and were grateful to Nazareth for their warm welcome. I was completely unaware of this decision until it happened, even though I was in a position of some responsibility for our school.
The moral of this story? The Diocese makes unilateral decisions time and time again. They beg for parental support and involvement, and yet blindside us with bad news. My heart goes out to the parents, children and staffs of all of the schools involved with the latest Diocesan edict. It is pointless for them to put up any resistance at this point. No one is listening. It is heartbreaking for the Diocese to feign partnership in raising our children and then yank the rug out from under us at their whim. Parents are neither involved in the decision making nor given a chance to help.
The worst part is that Catholic education works. These are all wonderful schools we’re talking about with long histories of students successful in mind, body and soul.
The final insult? The staff at St. Charles, many dedicated teachers who have given their careers to Catholic education where they earn a fraction of what their public school counterparts earn, now all have to reapply for their jobs.
I have a three-year-old daughter. We’ve been struggling with where to send her to school once kindergarten time comes. This certainly makes the decision easier for us.
Elizabeth Cilano
Sotheby Drive
Rochester
