Keep The Academy of Our Lady of Peace, New Providence Open

Is this what Jesus would do?

The closing of AOLP is not only heartbreaking, but will affect so many people. Many will lose their jobs and others will lose the school they call their second home. Please reconsider. The closing of AOLP will negatively affect the community and its residents not only in the near future, but for years to come.

An amazing school with dedicated educators and a community that is like family. AOLP deserves to stay open.

Your decision to close Our Lady of Peace and the other schools in the middle of the C19 crisis is very unchristian-like.  It leaves teachers and other school employees with no place to go for the next academic year, though I suppose you'd be willing to feed them in your soup kitchens and house them in your shelters.  With more warning, they could have adjusted their spending habbits and started saving. This action doesn't treat them like the human beings that they are and doesn't treat them with the respect that they certainly deserve after caring for our children with such devotion for years and even decades in some cases. Additionally, it leaves many families attending these schools with no way to visit prospective schools to make decisions and without the ability to seek financial assistance at new schools outside the archdiocese.  This may force some of us to leave the Catholic school community altogether as there may no longer be any affordable Catholic schools left to attend in the area.  Your action does not think of the parents who have given substantial portions of time and effort into making their own schools work.  It does not leave the Schools time to reach out to alumni in order to seek funding from alumni and others in the community for continued operation of the schools. It does not treat the students fairly who have invested so much of their lives to earn their grades and make what could be lifelong friendships. Your decision is despicable and teaches the children that business comes first before people, even in the church.  You could have made the announcement to close the schools, but make the closing at the end of the 2020/2021 academic year.  Yes, there might be financial losses, but you would have treated the faculty, the students and the parents in a respectful, caring and Christian-like way.

The AOLP has been my boys’ second home. They have thrived under the care of amazing, kind and nurturing faculty and staff. These wonderful people have done a remarkable job in providing a sense of security and consistency to the students during these tumultuous times while maintaining the quality of education that has earned them the Blue Ribbon. The staff, faculty, parents, and especially the students deserve a chance to find solutions to keep the school open.

Working for a company who has proudly put people first, and committed to care for its employees and also refrain from layoffs during this difficult time, it saddens me that the most kindness I have seen is coming from Corporate America. One would have expected during a pandemic, and during Teacher Appreciation week, the Archdiocese as representative of that Catholic Church would extend the same love and courtesy for its family. It has not. What a message to send to our children and our community. Money first, it’s children second. What a sad reality during an already stressful time.

Please keep our school open ! We love it !

Your decision to close Our Lady of Peace and the other schools in the middle of the C19 crisis is very unchristian-like.  It leaves teachers and other school employees with no place to go for the next academic year, though I suppose you'd be willing to feed them in your soup kitchens and house them in your shelters.  With more warning, they could have adjusted their spending habbits and started saving. This action doesn't treat them like the human beings that they are and doesn't treat them with the respect that they certainly deserve after caring for our children with such devotion for years and even decades in some cases. Additionally, it leaves many families attending these schools with no way to visit prospective schools to make decisions and without the ability to seek financial assistance at new schools outside the archdiocese.  This may force some of us to leave the Catholic school community altogether as there may no longer be any affordable Catholic schools left to attend in the area.  Your action does not think of the parents who have given substantial portions of time and effort into making their own schools work.  It does not leave the Schools time to reach out to alumni in order to seek funding from alumni and others in the community for continued operation of the schools. It does not treat the students fairly who have invested so much of their lives to earn their grades and make what could be lifelong friendships. Your decision is despicable and teaches the children that business comes first before people, even in the church.  You could have made the announcement to close the schools, but make the closing at the end of the 2020/2021 academic year.  Yes, there might be financial losses, but you would have treated the faculty, the students and the parents in a respectful, caring and Christian-like way. Christopher Muir

Incredible school ..teachers..and Principal. It literally saved my kid!

My wife has been a teacher at the Our Lady of Peace for the last eleven years. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the administration, teachers & all the families involved. Our Lady of Peace has a a fantastic reputation that goes far beyond the town of New Providence. This is one of the best schools in the area, with top notch educators & truly some of the finest families. I’m honored to sign this petition for this Blue Ribbon School & all those involved. Stay strong!

I worked here for many years and love the teachers and students very much

6 years ago Featured

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.

Please keep this amazing school open for our children! We are in a national pandemic and these children were giving no warning or closure.

I understand that it is a difficult time. Please do not make this more difficult for students and ALOP families. We need some kind of hope to be back in school. Hope to know that they can see their friends and teachers again. Raise the tuition if you have too. Please do not close the school.

I agreed with all the points.

Please keep this open !

My children are in 2nd and 7th grade at wonderful AOLP. The wonderful school community at AOLP has been a true benefit to my children and family.

Please reopen The Academy of Our Lady of Peace! At least engage our school family to have a discussion on what can be done to help the situation.

Shocked is an understatement as to what we have been feeling in the past 24 hours. My daughter is devastated and so confused. She’s shed many tears. These kids and ALL the staff at AOLP have been so strong and dedicated while transitioning to online learning due to COVID 19. This was a blow that no one saw coming. How can we do this to them, students and faculty, after all they’ve been through this year. Please reconsider, so we can try to keep this amazing school open.

I agree with all the points made in this petition.