To: Cardinal Joseph William Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D., Archbishop of Newark, Rev. Msgr. Thomas Nydegger, Ed.D, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Barbara Dolan, Acting Superintendent of Schools, and Ann Oro, Assistant Superintendent for Union County and Instructional Technology
The parents, students, and faculty of The Academy of Our Lady of Peace in New Providence, NJ implore you to reconsider the decision to end our school operations in 5 weeks. We ask for a joint dialogue to cooperatively keep AOLP from closing its doors in June 2020.
The letter from the school board office states that this decision was made because of declining enrollment and the need for further financial support in an effort to make Catholic schools more sustainable. The ongoing subsidy from the archdiocese to our school is low in comparison to neighboring schools. The decision also disregards the quality of the curriculum and programs offered at a school that was honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon Exemplary High Performing school just 2 years ago.
The announcement at this late time in the school year, during “stay at home” orders, prevents families and faculty from performing the normal functions and routines necessary to switch schools. This seems contradictory to making Catholic schools more sustainable, when the easiest option all around is for parents and teachers to turn to public schools during this pandemic. The letter also indicates this change is for the long-term benefit of students and families. However, that goal seems counter intuitive to the situation that has been placed upon our students, families, and faculty as detailed below.
Students
On top of the COVID-19 adjustments made over the past 7 weeks from in person to distance learning, you are now forcing students who are all under the age of 13 to endure additional social/emotional adjustments and extend their stress through the next 5 months. Older students may not be able to receive effective recommendations for high school, which could keep them from receiving the same amount of scholarships. All students will be separated from teachers and friends that know them best. Students will have no time to experience a new school before September. Some students are experiencing the loss of the only school they have known, while others must yet again make the change to another school, after seeing previous Catholic grade schools close.
Parents
No warnings were given to parents to allow them to digest this information over time. Also, no support materials were readily available at the time of the announcement. General expectations in the business world are that the human resources department of a company would provide all information materials at the time of the announcement. In addition, because of COVID-19, families are not able to make alternative plans. Potential visits to schools (Catholic, private, or public) and opportunities to shadow at a new location (before the 2020-2021 school year) starts are not options. Parents who have dealt with Catholic school closures previously are less likely to move to yet another school, which is highly likely to be shut down prior to their student completing their elementary or middle school years there.
Faculty
Our teachers have dedicated their careers to AOLP. During National Teacher Appreciation week, they should have been thanked for their efforts. Instead they were abruptly told in a group video call that they no longer have a job for the upcoming school year. This approach is neither professional nor displays Christian values. As contracts are normally signed in March, most openings are already filled at other schools. The economic turmoil of this pandemic makes job hunting impossible for those starting a search now. With the number of schools closing without notice, there are fewer positions available for teachers who have spent their careers supporting Catholic education.
Updates
May 10, 2020
I truly never imagined that one thousand people would care about our tiny school as much as we do. It is humbling to see this level of support for our community and I am just the person who hit start on this page while you are the ones keeping it alive.
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 9, 2020
May 9, 2020
I honestly never thought this would reach one hundred signatures when I started it. This response belongs entirely to you and your dedication to our school.
May 9, 2020
I am truly overwhelmed by the messages so many of you have sent me about what this school has meant to your families. Please know that I am working hard to get our concerns in front of the right people at the archdiocese. This momentum belongs entirely to the community that stepped up to speak for our school.
Reached 100 supporters
May 9, 2020
484 Comments
Please don’t close this school! My two sons attended all the way through to 8th grade. It got them into St. Peter’s Prep and then into great colleges. The grade school education is the most significant. It’s the backbone on their education!
As an alumni of this school, I ask you to please reconsider this decision! These children do not need their world to be completely turned upside down more than it already is. Let this continue to be the place of faith, community & learning for both the students & the staff.
AOLP is the only school my son has known. A true second home and extended family. The teachers there have prepared him well for highschool and the entire school community has fostered his development into a well-rounded young man.
The way this was handled by the archdiocese is awful and completely unprofessional. Where are the Catholic values the archdiocese is said to uphold? So disappointed by this decision. This school deserves better than this. Keep OLP open, it’s not all about the money.
This is a wonderful school, with a dedicated faculty body and extremely bright children. The timing of this decision couldn't be more inconsiderate to everyone involved. It is short of cruel to add this emotional toll in the midst of the pandemic.
God bless your school
If Holley went to this school, I question their effectiveness after seeing her understanding of the word "literally".
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To: Cardinal Joseph William Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D., Archbishop of Newark, Rev. Msgr. Thomas Nydegger, Ed.D, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Barbara Dolan, Acting Superintendent of Schools, and Ann Oro, Assistant Superintendent for Union County and Instructional Technology
The parents, students, and faculty of The Academy of Our Lady of Peace in New Providence, NJ implore you to reconsider the decision to end our school operations in 5 weeks. We ask for a joint dialogue to cooperatively keep AOLP from closing its doors in June 2020.
The letter from the school board office states that this decision was made because of declining enrollment and the need for further financial support in an effort to make Catholic schools more sustainable. The ongoing subsidy from the archdiocese to our school is low in comparison to neighboring schools. The decision also disregards the quality of the curriculum and programs offered at a school that was honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon Exemplary High Performing school just 2 years ago.
The announcement at this late time in the school year, during “stay at home” orders, prevents families and faculty from performing the normal functions and routines necessary to switch schools. This seems contradictory to making Catholic schools more sustainable, when the easiest option all around is for parents and teachers to turn to public schools during this pandemic. The letter also indicates this change is for the long-term benefit of students and families. However, that goal seems counter intuitive to the situation that has been placed upon our students, families, and faculty as detailed below.
Students
On top of the COVID-19 adjustments made over the past 7 weeks from in person to distance learning, you are now forcing students who are all under the age of 13 to endure additional social/emotional adjustments and extend their stress through the next 5 months. Older students may not be able to receive effective recommendations for high school, which could keep them from receiving the same amount of scholarships. All students will be separated from teachers and friends that know them best. Students will have no time to experience a new school before September. Some students are experiencing the loss of the only school they have known, while others must yet again make the change to another school, after seeing previous Catholic grade schools close.
Parents
No warnings were given to parents to allow them to digest this information over time. Also, no support materials were readily available at the time of the announcement. General expectations in the business world are that the human resources department of a company would provide all information materials at the time of the announcement. In addition, because of COVID-19, families are not able to make alternative plans. Potential visits to schools (Catholic, private, or public) and opportunities to shadow at a new location (before the 2020-2021 school year) starts are not options. Parents who have dealt with Catholic school closures previously are less likely to move to yet another school, which is highly likely to be shut down prior to their student completing their elementary or middle school years there.
Faculty
Our teachers have dedicated their careers to AOLP. During National Teacher Appreciation week, they should have been thanked for their efforts. Instead they were abruptly told in a group video call that they no longer have a job for the upcoming school year. This approach is neither professional nor displays Christian values. As contracts are normally signed in March, most openings are already filled at other schools. The economic turmoil of this pandemic makes job hunting impossible for those starting a search now. With the number of schools closing without notice, there are fewer positions available for teachers who have spent their careers supporting Catholic education.
Updates
May 10, 2020
I truly never imagined that one thousand people would care about our tiny school as much as we do. It is humbling to see this level of support for our community and I am just the person who hit start on this page while you are the ones keeping it alive.
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 9, 2020
May 9, 2020
I honestly never thought this would reach one hundred signatures when I started it. This response belongs entirely to you and your dedication to our school.
May 9, 2020
I am truly overwhelmed by the messages so many of you have sent me about what this school has meant to your families. Please know that I am working hard to get our concerns in front of the right people at the archdiocese. This momentum belongs entirely to the community that stepped up to speak for our school.
Reached 100 supporters
May 9, 2020
484 Comments
A nationally distinguished school receiving relatively low financial subsidy should be kept open. Dismantling the faculty and academic program that make up a Blue Ribbon School is a decision that can’t be undone when the financial crisis has passed.
Please don’t close this school! My two sons attended all the way through to 8th grade. It got them into St. Peter’s Prep and then into great colleges. The grade school education is the most significant. It’s the backbone on their education!
As an alumni of this school, I ask you to please reconsider this decision! These children do not need their world to be completely turned upside down more than it already is. Let this continue to be the place of faith, community & learning for both the students & the staff.
AOLP is the only school my son has known. A true second home and extended family. The teachers there have prepared him well for highschool and the entire school community has fostered his development into a well-rounded young man.
The way this was handled by the archdiocese is awful and completely unprofessional. Where are the Catholic values the archdiocese is said to uphold? So disappointed by this decision. This school deserves better than this. Keep OLP open, it’s not all about the money.
This is a wonderful school, with a dedicated faculty body and extremely bright children. The timing of this decision couldn't be more inconsiderate to everyone involved. It is short of cruel to add this emotional toll in the midst of the pandemic.
God bless your school
If Holley went to this school, I question their effectiveness after seeing her understanding of the word "literally".
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A nationally distinguished school receiving relatively low financial subsidy should be kept open. Dismantling the faculty and academic program that make up a Blue Ribbon School is a decision that can’t be undone when the financial crisis has passed.