Our Lady of Perpetual Help School closing for coming school year

Our+Lady+of+Perpetual+Help+School+closing+for+coming+school++year

The office of the superintendent of schools of the Archdiocese of New York this week announced that Our Lady of Perpetual Help’s (OLPH) school program will not be in operation for the 2020-2021 academic year, along with 20 other Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York.

The news comes after unusually low registration for fall classes within the system due to health concerns and varying financial situations creating an inability for families to pay tuition. The pandemic has also caused a loss of parish contributions due to canceled fundraising efforts and public masses. The contributions would have been used to support the school system. Without them, the system has been forced to close down programs in Westchester County, Dutchess County, Manhattan, Putnam County, the Bronx, Rockland County and Staten Island.

“Children are always the most innocent victims of any crisis, and this Covid-19 pandemic is no exception,” said Archbishop of New York Timothy Cardinal Dolan. “Too many have lost parents and grandparents to this insidious virus, and now thousands will not see their beloved school again. I’ve kept a hopeful eye on our schools throughout this saga and my prayers are with all of the children and their families who will be affected by this sad news. Given the devastation of this pandemic, I’m grateful more schools didn’t meet this fate, and that Catholic schools nearby are ready to welcome all the kids.”

The organization expects that approximately 2,500 students and 350 staff will be affected by the closure of the schools. The superintendent’s office said that it is dedicated to helping both teachers and students find opportunities to learn and teach in neighboring churches “Much deliberation and analysis went into the final determination of which schools would not reopen,” the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York website stated. The closures “will have the positive effect of ensuring the overall financial stability and strengthen the vitality of New York Catholic schools for decades to come.'”