Holy Innocents, St. Joachim, St. Joan of Arc and Mater Dolorosa
Working together for quality Catholic education
*Feasibility Study Update - November 2002*
During the process used at each of parish meetings on restructuring our schools, common questions in the following
areas were raised: transportation, educational programs, class size, parish participation, after school programs,
uniforms and scholarships. The purpose of this update is to bring clarity to these questions for each of the options
presented.
Option # 1 - Closure: This means that our school closes. Those families who choose a Catholic educaiton
for their children have the option of choosing any near by parish school. For contributing parishioners, the parish
has the responsibility of paying some form of subsidy to the new parish school chosen.
Transportation - The parish school chosen is responsible for investigating transportation through the Philadelphia School District. In the State of Pennsylvania transportation may be provided for children grades 1-6 who live 1.5 miles away from school or cross a dangerous intersection.
Class size - The parish school chosen determines class size. The archdiocesan recommendation for class size is as follows: Kindergarten (20); grades 1-3 (30) grades 4-8 (35)
Parish Participation - Parishioners will be expected to support the parish in which they are registered (home parish), not the parish attached to the school chosen. By supporting your home parish you become eligible for a subsidy toward your child's education, which is in addition to tuition. All children preparing for the sacraments are expected to attend Mass at their home parish and will receive the sacraments in their home parish with the children in the parish religious education program. Finally, each parish retains its CYO program as it presently exists.
Educational programs - The parish school chosen will have educational programs particular to the situation.
After School Programs - The parish school chosen determins the availablity of an after-school program.
Uniforms - Students wear the uniform of the school chosen.
Scholarships - The family will be responsible for applying to the scholarships that are available to the school chosen. Please note: If you are presently receiving tuition assistance from your school, it will not automatically follow you to the school chosen.
Option #2 Consolidation: This means that the parish schools of St. Joachim, St. Joan of Arc and Mater Dolorosa would close and a "new school" with a new name would be established. The pastors of the parishes involved in the colsolidation form a commitee to hire a new principal and new faculty, as well as determine the specifics of the new school. The pastors involved in the Consolidation determine the location of the new school based on an assesment of the school facilities, number of students, etc. Each parish is responsible for financial support according to the number of students from the parish attending the school.
Transportation - The consolidated school will be responsible for investigating transportation through the Philadelphia School District. In the State of Pennsylvania transportation may be provided for children in grades 1-6 who live 1.5 miles away from school or cross a dangerous intersection
Class size - The consolidated school will not exceed the recommendations of the Archdiocese for class size. The archdiocesan recommendation for class size is as follows: Kindergarten (20); grades 1-3 (30) grades 4-8 (35)
Parish Participation - Parishioners will be expected to support the parish in which they are registered (home parish). By supporting your home parish you become eligible for a subsidy toward your child's education, which is in addition to tuition. All children preparing for the sacraments are expected to attend Mass at their home parish and will receive the sacraments in their home parish with the children in the parish religious education program. Finally, each parish retains its CYO program as it presently exists.
Educational Programs - The consolidated school will attempt to offer full educational programming according to its financial means.
After School Programs - The consolidated school will have a new uniform.
Uniform - The consolidated school will have a new uniform.
Scholarships - The consolidated school will assist families in applying for scholarships that are available to the consolidated. Please note: If you are presently receiving tuition assistance from your school, it will not automatically follow you to the consolidated school.
Option #3 - Area School - This means that St. Joachim, St. Joan of Arc and Matar Dolorosa schools close, and Holy Innocents Area Catholic School would be established at the present location of Holy Innocents School. Catholic families from all participating parishes who want a Catholic education for their children would be expected to attend the Area Catholic School. The participating parishes financially support the school through the payment of a subsidy. In addition, since all the children from our parish attend the Area School, the parish continues to be involved in the ministry of Catholic Education through our participation in the various school activities and events.
Transportation - The area Catholic School will be responsible for investigating transportation through the Philadelphia School District. In the State of Pennsylvania, transportation may be provided for children in grades 1-6 who live 1.5 miles away from school or cross a dangerous intersection.
Class Size - The Area Catholic School will not exceed the recommendations of the Archdiocese for class size. The archdiocesan recommendation for class size is as follows: Kindergarten (20); grades 1-3 (30) grades 4-8 (35)
Parish Participation - Parishioners will be expected to support the parish in which they are registered )home parish). By supporting your home parish you become eligible for a discount tuition rate. Your home parish will pay a subsidy to the Area Catholic School in order to provide for a variety of educational programs for our children. All children preparing for the sacraments are expected to attend Mass at their home parish and will receive the sacraments in their home parish with the children in the parish religious education program. Finally, each parish retains its CYO program as it presently exists.
Educational Programs - The Area Catholic School will offer the following educational programs: Advanced Math Classes, Art room, Before and After School Care, Classroom Internet Access, Computer lab with Internet Access, Learning Support rooms, Library classes, Lunch Program, Classroom Music Program, Physical Educational Programs, Science Lab. In addition, the Area School would have the extended or full services (depending on enrollment) of government programs in Title One Math, Remedial Computer Assistance, ESOL, Cora Counseling, reading, speech therapy, fulltime Community Liaison Coordinator & school nurse.
After School Programs - The Area Catholic School will offer an after school program.
Uniforms - The Area Catholic School will have a new uniform.
Scholarships - The Area Catholic School will assist families in applying for the scholarships that are available to the Area Catholic School. Please note: If you are presntly receiving tuition assistance, it will not automatically follow you to the Area Catholic School.