I was devastated to learn today that St. Mary's Elementary School in Claremont will be closing at the end of this year. St. Mary's was to celebrate its 120th anniversary next year. The enrollment has dropped in half, to approximately 85, over the past few years. This news is incredibly sad for Catholic schools in New Hampshire and really has upset me to the core. I am not sure what the answer is, but the challenge and importance of saving our Catholic schools is great. I wonder if it would be ever possible to assemble the top minds in education and business in the state to plot a strategy to save these gems in our midst. My heart breaks to lose another school, and I know all to well it is only a matter of time before we lose more.
I do not believe for one minute that the days of Catholic Education in New Hampshire are over. To the contrary, I believe bright days lay ahead. The challenge is to use our Yankee ingenuity to make the impossible reality and to have the audacity to place our hope in Christ. In the past, generations of immigrants with much less were able to do the unthinkable and build great churches, schools and hospitals. I can't help but think what we can do if we are willing to dream, to invest and to give from our hearts. Now more than ever is the time to act boldly. We can quietly retreat or we can march bravely forward. Call me a fool, but I think our best days are ahead and that we need to start making them a reality. I welcome your thoughts and comments.
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6 comments:
Now is the time!
If the diocese would pay more attention to this side of the state it might help. This has been a problem for years!
I have so many thoughts on this topic, but it feels weird writing it as a comment. Short answer: if Catholics embrace their faith fully and incorporate it into the fabric of their existence, Catholic Schools would be thriving.
If the diocese showed more interest in the western side of the state that might also help. The problem has been around for years. It is very sad to see St. Mary's closing. The students and parents are in my thoughts and prayers.
So long as Catholic schools have the best education and best teachers in their region--parents will continue to send their studens there. This is what they pay the tuition for--not for a fancy building or great sports team....parents love the discipline, religious values, etc...but the majority of parents still care about the quality of the education--first and foremost. Thus, to survive, I believe the Catholic Church must invest in their schools...offer teachers competive pay and benefits (ie: some type of retirement plan)--and thereby get the best and the brightest teachers going. Then, parents will have no problem paying a little as they'll get a good long term return on their investment. It takes money to make money. Likewise, it takes an investment in a school to have a succesful one.
There is hope for our schools! We just need to continue to embrace new ideas and ways of doing business.
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