D&C: Catholics Tested But Not Defeated by Change

Today's front page feature in the Democrat and Chronicle carries the headline, "Catholics tested but not defeated by change." According to columnist Mark Hare, "Change, doubt, anger, scandals, [school and church] closings, faithfulness, optimism and love for the church are all part of the Catholic experience today." What's striking is a sense portrayed by the article that the ongoing decline of the Church will pass in time.

Weigh in on the D&C discussion board, or by leaving a comment here.

Catholic Courier: Update on Holy Family Conversion to a Christian School

The Catholic Courier carries a lengthy story on Holy Family's hopes to convert itself to a nondenominational Christian school, after its closure as a Catholic school this June.

"Holy Family has been here as a Catholic school for 150 years and enrollment is declining. The board felt maybe if we were a Christian school ... it might make it seem a little more welcoming," Principal Lisa Dirlam said. "We think there are people out there who might feel a little more welcome if we were a nondenominational school."

DOR Catholic Breaks Down the DOR's "Spin"

The DOR Catholic blog breaks down comments by the Diocese over the past two days, comparing them to earlier statements and goals associated with the still-undisclosed "expert" task force report. The result isn't pretty -- see for yourself:

Massive MCCS Defections Ahead?
Contradictions Abound: Diocese Won't Seek New Students

St. Louis School: Confirm Enrollment by Monday

We've heard from a few parents whose children have been accepted into St. Louis School in Pittsford, concerned that their notification letter states that they must confirm enrollment by this coming Monday, March 30. We're in the process of obtaining a sample letter for posting.

Again, this raises questions about true MCCS control of the re-enrollment process, since this stipulation doesn't apply to other schools. Recall that St. Louis pastor Fr. Kevin Murphy has already stirred discontent by telling his parish that he would not accept new families from affected schools into his faith community, which the notification letter also echoes.

D&C Reader-Submitted Editorial: Bishop Has No Plan for the Future

The Democrat and Chronicle Web site carries a lengthy reader submitted editorial today entitled "Catholic School Closings: Bishop has No Plan for the Future." Here's an excerpt:

"The community needs to know what Bishop Clark’s plan for the future is. We believe that at best, there is no plan for the future. At worst, the plan is to continue to close schools until there are none."

WROC: Diocese Says "Trust Us"

The WROC report on the re-enrollment figures contains an interesting quote from Diocesan spokesperson Doug Mandelaro: "We are very grateful to people who were very angry and frustrated still found it in their hearts to trust us to come back to Catholic schools. Catholic schools are so important to them they were able to rise about their initial anger and frustration with the closings." (Click here for the direct video link, with different quotes from the written story, including a comment about class sizes and quality of education.)

Is the Diocese again misreading the sentiment of affected families? Are families trusting the Diocese (as the DOR alleges in the RNews report from yesterday), or only playing the hand they've been dealt? Will the true test not be these figures, but actual enrollment come September?

Democrat and Chronicle: Displaced Students Fill Most Available Seats

The Democrat and Chronicle's front page story this morning describes how displaced students have filed most of the open seats at area Catholic schools remaining open, leaving little room for new families to take advantage of tuition breaks. This comes after Bishop Matthew Clark rejected proposals by multiple parent groups to keep select schools open to reduce overcrowding, again calling into question the effectiveness of the "expert" task force convened by the Bishop in Fall 2007.

According the the D&C, "Registration for families who are new to diocesan schools began on Tuesday, but diocesan spokesman Doug Mandelaro said that marketing to new families would raise false hopes. 'There just aren't a lot of seats available,' he said."

Relocation Data Coming In

We have the first data on "relocation assignments" via e-mails from a number of parents. Schools represented thus far include Holy Trinity, Good Shepherd, St. Margaret Mary, Holy Cross and Catherine McAuley.

Click here to see the spreadsheet (then click on the tabs at the top of the page for your school). As new data comes in, the spreadsheet will be updated on a daily basis.

Please submit your own relocation information via e-mail to gssparents@gmail.com, noting:

1. Your current school
2. The school where your child (or children) has been placed for '08-'09
3. The grades that your children will be entering next year

All e-mails will be kept private; only the rolled-up numbers will be made public.

Catholic Courier: Re-enrollment Figures Exceed Expectations

The Catholic Courier reports that re-enrollment by students whose schools were closing reached 48.7 percent for the remaining 11 schools, and reached 60 percent when non-MCCS schools were added into the mix (far exceeding the "expert" predictions of the Diocesan task force). Read the full story, including comments from DOR spokesperson Doug Mandelaro.

WHAM-TV, News 10 NBC and RNews Report on Reassignments

WHAM-TV 13 airs a follow-up on the arrival of letters assigning displaced families to their new schools, and obtains additional information about some families the Diocese was not able to accommodate, as well as some indication of class sizes.

Meanwhile, News 10 NBC airs some of the most extensive comments yet from the Diocese on the closings, although from spokesperson Doug Mandelaro (not Bishop Matthew Clark).

RNews may have the most unique quote of the bunch, with the Diocese asking parents to "trust us to do the right thing."

Submit Your "Relocation" Data This Week

This site will attempt to provide some degree of consolidated data as to where students will be "relocated" next year. When you receive your notification letter, please send an e-mail to gssparents@gmail.com, noting:

1. Your current school
2. The school where your child (or children) has been placed for '08-'09
3. The grades that your children will be entering next year

All e-mails will be kept private; only the rolled-up numbers will be made public.

WHAM-TV: Catholic Families Sweat School Assignments

WHAM-TV 13 reports on families affected by the school closings awaiting letters assigning their children to new schools.

Other Coverage: News 10 NBC - Catholic School Acceptance Letters Sent Out

D&C: Holy Family in Dansville to Reorganize as Christian School

Today's Democrat and Chronicle carries a story about Dansville's Holy Family School -- slated for closure in June -- which is attempting to reorganize as a Christian K-5 school. Holy Family is outside the control of the centralized Monroe County Catholic Schools system, operating under direct parish management with Diocesan influence.

D&C: CYO Basketball to Continue Despite School Closings

The Democrat and Chronicle reports that CYO basketball will continue, even for parishes whose attached schools are closing. According to Diocesan spokesperson Doug Mandelaro, "Our hope is to go into parishes and build this program up even more. CYO is a ministry to families and we want to see it prosper, grow and thrive."

DOR Catholic Blog: Did Catholic Ministries Appeal Play a Role in Closings?

The DOR Catholic blog asks an interesting question -- could there be a correlation with Catholic Ministries Appeal giving and schools targeted for closure? While CMA giving was not among the official criteria that Diocese officials have stated was considered in their assessment, the DOR's continued refusal to release the task force report will allow such theories to spread.

Rush-Henrietta School District Considering Good Shepherd School Use

Parents attending a recent kindergarten information night for Rush-Henrietta Central Schools report that the district is now considering using Good Shepherd School to alleviate packed classrooms at Leary Elementary. Kindergarten students could be moved there for the next two years, until five new classrooms are added to Leary (assuming approval of a bond vote in May). R-H administrators toured the facility within the past few days.

The school district had previously said that incoming Leary kindergarteners would be sent to Winslow school, followed shortly thereafter by a letter to parents stating that the Vollmer complex would be the new kindergarten site. Should the May vote not pass, redistricting will occur instead.

Rejection, Acceptance Letters Arriving for St. Rita's Applicants

This site received two independent e-mails from readers, noting that some Holy Trinity parents who had applied for "relocation" spots at St. Rita's just received rejection letters.

Also, a family has said on the Save St. Margaret Mary blog that it has received an acceptance letter from St. Rita's.

As we reported last week, families are expected to be notified of their new school placements in the coming days.

Holy Trinity Denied Use of Building for Independent School

A parent from the Holy Trinity group attempting to open an independent school writes that "we have been told by our pastor that we will not be allowed to rent the school building... In the past few weeks, we have gone down a serious path of making this happen. All we needed was a lease but we were denied."

Catholic Courier: Bishop Clark Agreed to Registration Quota for St. Patrick's

The Catholic Courier reports that St. Patrick School in Owego has met a quota for new registrations (55 students in K-5), and will remain open for the 2008-09 school year. St. Patrick's was one of two non-Monroe County schools that Bishop Matthew Clark identified in mid-January as being "at risk." The other, Holy Family in Dansville, will close come June.

While we applaud the efforts of St. Patrick's families to keep the school open, we must ask why the same opportunity to meet a registration quota was not given to the 13 Monroe County Catholic schools who will be forced to close come June? Perhaps we'll never know, as the Diocese continues to hide behind closed doors, refusing to make public its task force report.

Related coverage:
Press and Sun Bulletin
News 10 Now

City Schools Budget to Rise; Catholic School Closings One Reason

Today's Democrat and Chronicle reports on a proposed four percent increase in the Rochester City Schools budget for the 2008-09 school year, in part because of an anticipated enrollment jump from Catholic school closures.

News 10 NBC also has its own report.

St. Bonaventure to Honor Bishop Clark

An astute reader of this site pointed out a small article in this morning's Democrat and Chronicle, which noted that Bishop Clark will be honored by St. Bonaventure University with its Gaudete Medal. The award is for business and community leaders who exemplify the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi through their joy, hope, positive outlook on life, sincerely compassionate spirit and desire to serve humankind."

The ceremony will take place April 10 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. If you'd like to share your thoughts on Bishop Clark's recent actions (and post-announcement inaction) regarding the Catholic schools closures with St. Bonaventure, e-mail University President Sr. Margaret Carney, Vice President for University Relations Emily Sinsabaugh, or Anne Goergen (Gaudete Medal event contact).

Two Months Later, Bishop's Silence is Deafening

Two months after announcing his decision to shutter 13 local Catholic schools (followed by a 14th more recently), Bishop Matthew H. Clark has remained silent on his decision. Despite having multiple opportunities to reach out in person to the community, he has refused to speak with parents, affected teachers, or members of the media, instead relying on prepared statements and hollow letters (many of which he didn't even sign, raising questions as to if he even reviewed them). The question remains -- why is the Bishop fearful of addressing those his decision has harmed?

DOR Cover-Up? Task Force Report to Remain a Secret

In response to a request for the release of the task force's report on the school closings by Good Shepherd School, interim superintendent Sr. Janice Morgan denies access, citing it as for "internal use only." (Click the image to the left to view the letter.)

Task force moderator Kent Gardner, Ph.D., has also recommended the report not be released (yet he's recently been named as a judge for a community ethics award -- see the story here).

Considering that the task force's report is responsible for the shuttering of 14 schools, layoffs of 200 teachers and staff, and displacement of nearly 2,000 students, doesn't the Diocese owe the community a full accounting of the process and recommendations? What exactly is the Diocese trying to cover up?

Share your thoughts by contacting the Diocese directly.

Students to Be Notified of New Schools on March 25

According to parent reports surfacing this morning, students whose schools are facing closure will receive notification of their new school assignments on or about Tuesday, March 25 (letters will be mailed to families on March 24).

WHAM-TV: Good Shepherd Closing Adds to Rush-Henrietta Schools Overcrowding

WHAM-TV 13 reports this evening (click here for video) on the overcrowding of Rush-Henrietta elementary schools, which has been exacerbated by the Diocesan decision to close Good Shepherd School in Henrietta without warning to RHCSD school officials or parents.

Fox 5 NY: Archdiocese of New York Gave Schools Chance for Corrective Action

Fox 5 New York reports that the Archdiocese of New York will close six Catholic elementary schools in June 2008, and will merge four elementary schools into two new schools to open in September 2008.

What's interesting is that at least one school -- Holy Rosary in Hawthorne, N.Y. -- was given the chance to implement a corrective action plan to grow enrollment, beginning in 2005. Unfortunately, the Diocese of Rochester did not conduct itself in the same manner, choosing to shutter 14 area schools without allowing any the opportunity to implement corrective actions.

Related Coverage
* Daily News: New York Archdiocese Shutting Six Grade Schools, Merging Four Others
* Mid-Hudson News: Archdiocese Announces Mid-Hudson Elementary School Closures, Mergers
* AM New York: Archdiocese Announces School Closings

Catholic Courier: 14th School to Close (Holy Family in Dansville)

According to today's Catholic Courier, Holy Family School in Dansville (Livingston County) will close at year-end, upping the total Diocesan school closure count to 14. Bishop Matthew Clark had identified the school as "at risk" when he announced the Monroe County school closings on Jan. 18.

Democrat and Chronicle: Packed Classes to Come

The Democrat and Chronicle reports on packed classrooms that may result from the consolidation of Rochester's Catholic schools. Diocesan spokesperson Doug Mandelaro notes a maximum class size of 30 students, which is in stark contrast to promises made at the post-decision "listening sessions" where Diocesan officials stated maximum class size would be 27.

The story also notes that Bishop Matthew Clark, who has outright refused to meet with parents or teachers (or speak with the media) since his Jan. 18 announcement, met with Rochester City Schools Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard on Feb. 27 to discuss student transitions.

The D&C story contains an extensive Story Chat area for posting comments.

D&C: Part 6 of "A Prayer for Good Shepherd" Video Series

View Jeff Blackwell's latest video in the "Prayer for Good Shepherd" series here:

A Prayer for Good Shepherd - Part 6

This segment features the forgotten victims of the school closing decision -- the teachers and staff who have been forced to search for new employment while maintaining a positive attitude around the students. Physical education instructor Domenico Danesi already works three jobs to support his family; where will he go now?

Click here for the prior videos in the ongoing D&C series.

DORSchools Nominated for Catholic Blog Awards

This site has been nominated for the 2008 Catholic Blog Awards in the "Best Catholic Blog" category. Click through to cast a vote of support, and help bring greater attention to this story.

St. Joseph Parish Welcomes All; Still No Clarification from St. Louis Parish

According to the Save SJR blog, Fr. Schwartz of St. Joseph's parish in Penfield, N.Y., has pledged to accept any new families into that faith community, should displaced students choose to also attend school there. This stands in contrast to Fr. Murphy of St. Louis parish in Pittsford, N.Y., who has specifically announced his plans to ban families of incoming students from affected schools.

D&C: Task Force Moderator Named a Business Ethics Judge

The Democrat and Chronicle reports today that the Rochester Business Ethics Award committee has named Kent Gardner, president and chief economist of the Center for Governmental Research, as a new judge for the competition. Mr. Gardner was a lead moderator of the Catholic schools closure task force.

Considering that Mr. Gardner does not support full disclosure of the Diocesan task force's report on the recommended school closings, despite its impact on thousands of local families and hundreds of teachers, is he qualified to serve as a judge of other organizations' ethics? Let the Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation know what you think. E-mail them at sfsp@riversorg.com, or visit the Foundation comment page.

D&C's Mark Hare: Diocese Should Engage Teachers, Administrators and Parents

In today's Democrat and Chronicle, columnist Mark Hare (pictured) writes a thoughtful column on reinventing Catholic schools, and points out that the Diocese still has the opportunity to engage teachers, administrators and parents to help look at the future.

The Save St. John of Rochester blog has sounded off on the column, as have readers below (click the "comments" link).

Diocese Wants Spiritual Renewal in Face of Closings

The Auburn Citizen reports on "Spirit Alive!," a Diocesan program to reinvigorate the people and communities of the Diocese of Rochester. In a letter to Diocesan officials, including Catholic schools principals, Peter Clifford and Maribeth Mancini, co-chairs of the Diocesan Spiritual Renewal Committee, write that the program "will offer some resources and ideas to spark spiritual renewal in the Diocese."

In a time where spiritual renewal is needed, isn't it interesting that Bishop Matthew Clark continues to hide behind Diocesan walls on the schools issue, not having addressed the news media, parents, teachers or administrators for six weeks?

Still No Response from St. Louis' Fr. Kevin Murphy

The Save St. John of Rochester blog reports that it has still not received a response from Fr. Kevin Murphy of St. Louis parish in regard to his exclusion of new families from St. John and Good Shepherd (see original story here).

The blog also has two new posts (first post, second post) discussing what truly constitutes a "regional" school, as Fr. Murphy describes St. Louis in last week's parish bulletin.

Catholic Courier: Imperfect Process of Student Relocation

Read the Catholic Courier story on the "imperfect process of relocation" for affected students, caused by Bishop Matthew Clark's (pictured) decision to shutter 13 Catholic schools. Diocesan spokesman Doug Mandelaro said that schools are receiving a steady stream of registrations, but that a more complete picture of 2008-09 enrollment will be available as the March 19 registration deadline for previously enrolled families nears.