June 9, 2005 - Statement Concerning the Closure of Our
Lady of Presentation School
The Archdiocese of Boston announced this
evening that it has decided to close Our Lady of Presentation School
two days sooner than planned based on information it had received that
a group
of individuals were planning to conduct an unauthorized use of the school
later this week. All should be advised that effective today, Wednesday
June 8, 2005 at the close of the school day, Our Lady of Presentation
School's grace period of a one-year extension before closure has ended.
Bishop Richard Lennon, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, said, "We
simply could not permit the school year to continue based on information
we had received about the planned actions of a small group intent on stopping
the Archdiocese from moving forward with its present plans for Our Lady
of Presentation School. The decision to close the school is regrettable,
but a necessary action in order that we are able to insure that our students
and staff are safe. It is not the intent of the Archdiocese to allow our
students and staff to be caught in the middle of any issue. We sincerely
apologize to the families who will be impacted by this decision, and we
pray that they will understand our justification was simply to preserve
the safety of the entire school community."
Bishop Lennon also announced that the Archbishop, in conjunction with
today's action, has made the decision to revisit the future use of the
building.
Earlier this evening, school officials began calling parents to notify
them about the decision.
Arrangements have been made at St. Columbkille School, 25 Arlington St.,
Brighton, to provide coverage for any parent who may need child placement
tomorrow (June 9) and Friday (June 10). Parents are being instructed
to report to the St. Columbkille School's main office and the principal
will direct the children to the appropriate classrooms. Individuals are
asked to use the Arlington Street door. St. Columbkille School hours
are 8am-2pm. Friday dismissal is at 12:45pm. After school care will also
be available at St. Columbkille School on Thursday, June 9 until 5:30pm
only.
All items relative to the closure of a school year, such as academic awards
and Report Cards, as well as any personal items that may have been left
in the school will be forwarded by school officials to the proper individuals
in as timely a fashion as possible.
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