Dear Bishop Sullivan and Superintendent Dr. Watson,
We realize that these are difficult times to lead our Church, but we are writing to express disappointment and concern over your recent decision to prohibit July graduations for our Catholic school seniors, thus preventing them from having in-person graduations. As you know, under Governor Murphy's new order, in-person graduations are now permitted in July. Public schools are busy organizing July graduations with social distancing and limitations on the number of attendees. Like our Catholic schools, the public school administrators have obstacles with teacher contracts and adapting to new circumstances. But unlike our Catholic schools, public school administrators are making the necessary efforts to have live graduations. Many families of our seniors have paid over $80,000 for Catholic education for their child or children, and so it is very disappointing to be told that delaying graduation a few weeks to properly honor this important life milestone cannot be accommodated.
Our seniors have already had many of their best opportunities for high school memories and celebrations eliminated. They did not have a senior trip or a prom and now, due to the Diocese’s decision, they will not have an in-person graduation. This will particularly hurt as they watch their public school peers celebrate in-person graduations.
Even more concerning, the Diocese’s lack of effort to accommodate graduations is a signal to parents that the Diocese will also be unwilling to accommodate in-person learning in the fall. Virtual learning is inferior for reasons that are obvious and places a tremendous burden on parents. Parents are paying for an in-person education. They can purchase an online Catholic homeschool curriculum for less than 1/8th the cost of Diocesan schools. And unlike the Diocesan online learning curriculum, an inexpensive Catholic homeschool curriculum is designed for use at home. Without in-person instruction, there is no reason for parents to pay Catholic school tuition. Our Catholic schools need to get students back into the classrooms to survive.
While there are many factors that contribute to a school closure, one of those factors is an unwillingness to adapt to changing circumstances. We know there are a lot of unknowns for the fall, but one thing is for certain -- our leaders will have to make changes and work hard to adapt to provide the best possible educational experience for our children.
The future of Catholic education in this Diocese is in your hands. Thousands of parents and families have made sacrifices for many decades because they desire a Catholic education for their children. Please join them in that sacrifice and effort to adapt and make decisions that put our children and their needs and experiences first.
Sincerely,
Parents of Diocesan Catholic School Children
Updates
May 31, 2020
The momentum is undeniable. This shows how much our seniors deserve a proper farewell.
May 31, 2020
Constant silence from the Bishop's office while public schools move forward with their plans. We are still pushing for an explanation.
9 Comments
I would add that the above 8th grade graduates as well. Many of them have spent 9, 10 or even 11 years in one school, only to be deprived of many of the privileges and closure that they have seen granted to every class before them for a decade.
I would also like to apply this to 8th grade graduations. Some of these students have been together since prek and now may never see each other again after this year because of going to various high schools in the fall.
Let these students have a real graduation. They have been working towards this since they were in preschool. They will never be able to get this chance back.
Please let our seniors and 8th grade students have a graduation.
I feel we should be able to hold responsibly safe outdoor graduations in July as these students have earned it. Thanks.
I have a son set to be a sophomore at CCHS and I also have a son classic 2026. I wish nothing more to have both of them receive the Catholic education of CCHS. Unfortunately I can’t foresee paying the tuition while they school at home.
Please all for all 2020 graduates to have a graduation ceremony. For many, this may be their only opportunity to graduate. They have missed so many special events that go along with their final year in the school.
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Dear Bishop Sullivan and Superintendent Dr. Watson,
We realize that these are difficult times to lead our Church, but we are writing to express disappointment and concern over your recent decision to prohibit July graduations for our Catholic school seniors, thus preventing them from having in-person graduations. As you know, under Governor Murphy's new order, in-person graduations are now permitted in July. Public schools are busy organizing July graduations with social distancing and limitations on the number of attendees. Like our Catholic schools, the public school administrators have obstacles with teacher contracts and adapting to new circumstances. But unlike our Catholic schools, public school administrators are making the necessary efforts to have live graduations. Many families of our seniors have paid over $80,000 for Catholic education for their child or children, and so it is very disappointing to be told that delaying graduation a few weeks to properly honor this important life milestone cannot be accommodated.
Our seniors have already had many of their best opportunities for high school memories and celebrations eliminated. They did not have a senior trip or a prom and now, due to the Diocese’s decision, they will not have an in-person graduation. This will particularly hurt as they watch their public school peers celebrate in-person graduations.
Even more concerning, the Diocese’s lack of effort to accommodate graduations is a signal to parents that the Diocese will also be unwilling to accommodate in-person learning in the fall. Virtual learning is inferior for reasons that are obvious and places a tremendous burden on parents. Parents are paying for an in-person education. They can purchase an online Catholic homeschool curriculum for less than 1/8th the cost of Diocesan schools. And unlike the Diocesan online learning curriculum, an inexpensive Catholic homeschool curriculum is designed for use at home. Without in-person instruction, there is no reason for parents to pay Catholic school tuition. Our Catholic schools need to get students back into the classrooms to survive.
While there are many factors that contribute to a school closure, one of those factors is an unwillingness to adapt to changing circumstances. We know there are a lot of unknowns for the fall, but one thing is for certain -- our leaders will have to make changes and work hard to adapt to provide the best possible educational experience for our children.
The future of Catholic education in this Diocese is in your hands. Thousands of parents and families have made sacrifices for many decades because they desire a Catholic education for their children. Please join them in that sacrifice and effort to adapt and make decisions that put our children and their needs and experiences first.
Sincerely,
Parents of Diocesan Catholic School Children
Updates
May 31, 2020
The momentum is undeniable. This shows how much our seniors deserve a proper farewell.
May 31, 2020
Constant silence from the Bishop's office while public schools move forward with their plans. We are still pushing for an explanation.
9 Comments
Please reconsider and let schools host outdoor ceremonies. These ceremonies CAN be done with social distancing being maintained.
I would add that the above 8th grade graduates as well. Many of them have spent 9, 10 or even 11 years in one school, only to be deprived of many of the privileges and closure that they have seen granted to every class before them for a decade.
I would also like to apply this to 8th grade graduations. Some of these students have been together since prek and now may never see each other again after this year because of going to various high schools in the fall.
Let these students have a real graduation. They have been working towards this since they were in preschool. They will never be able to get this chance back.
Please let our seniors and 8th grade students have a graduation.
I feel we should be able to hold responsibly safe outdoor graduations in July as these students have earned it. Thanks.
I have a son set to be a sophomore at CCHS and I also have a son classic 2026. I wish nothing more to have both of them receive the Catholic education of CCHS. Unfortunately I can’t foresee paying the tuition while they school at home.
Please all for all 2020 graduates to have a graduation ceremony. For many, this may be their only opportunity to graduate. They have missed so many special events that go along with their final year in the school.
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Please reconsider and let schools host outdoor ceremonies. These ceremonies CAN be done with social distancing being maintained.