Save Ironbound Catholic Academy

I am supporting my friend Ana Moreira. It is very important for her daughter Samantha. She loves that school. She is always mentioning about good is the school.

Parent input and participation should account for something. Thank you for your consideration!!!!

Great school, my daughter attended 3 years.

This school should be saved. It would be such a shame to see it close.

Please keep Ironbound Catholic School open the children need to grow withe Chritian education.

Please keep school open

I am a product of a Catholic school education . My elementary school run by the Benedictine sisters of elizabeth has been closed for many years and the high school I attended closed in June of 2020 ,after educating students (girls) for 105yr. The closure of any school community, imparticular catholic schools in the tri state area is an alarming trend. In the age of covid 19 there are obviously many trials facing the education system; and remote learning requires a certain level of teaching expertise that many educators in fact lack. Also technology and safety upgrades to facilities are required investments that the diocese and parents in regards to possible nominal tuition increases must make. To close any institution so close to the start of an academic school year is an in-depth discussion that must be held in a respectful timely manner with parents of present student body , alumni ,community (ironbound), political and business sectors in the City of Newark and on the state and federal level to see if assistance can be given to sustain the mission of such an auspicious and revered educational institution serving the heart and soul of students in the ironbound and beyond. The Catholic elementary school is increasingly important in a secular world where Christian morals and value systems are lacking. Parents choose a Christian based education purposely making at times significant financial sacrifices when they can; especially in the midst of global pandemic with far reaching economic challenges to the populous. The safety of educators, school staff , children , parents and surrounding community is paramount of course. No persons life must be compromised as talk of a second wave of the virus is a possibility if we don't adhere to stringent and necessary safety requirement including remote learning. At this time when faith is challenged on so many levels, we must collectively stay the course by keeping God's name in schools and most importantly keep the

Great school with great people.

This school means a lot to many people I love.

It’s regretful to close the only catholic school in the Ironbound. It’s simply not just a school but a part of history. The Polish pride of St. Casimir’s which was once a beacon of hope, security and belonging the new immigrants. Time and decades have gone by and although the identity of The school changed from St. Casimir to Ironbound Catholic Academy (ICA) it continues to bring a sense of belonging to the current community of immigrants. Regardless of its name it is still associated with the pride of its original community. Of course times are difficult and Catholic education continues to endure the hardship of the times. Closing schools certainly is an ease fix, but in insult to the dreams of those that originally built them. Christ of yesterday, today and future continues to be the same. Why then attack the very nature of a community that built a center of hope and continues to serve its members. Do we simply shut down the elderly or the sick, because they’re not productive members of society? What is the difference between them and a community?

I hope y'all can stay open ❤️

I attended the now defunct IIES (Ironbound Interparochial Elementary School /formerly St.James). Please try to keep the last Catholic school open in our neighborhood.

I went to a catholic school and it would be sad to see this catholic school get shut down.

Our school has the best values for our childrens please save our school!!

2020 has been a year filled with grief. Challenges are being faced daily, however losing ICA shouldn’t be one of them. Students attending ICA deserve the wise education they were receiving and the essential lessons they were being taught. The class of 2020 shouldn’t be the last class to graduate. Grant the students an opportunity to experience how it feels to graduate Ironbound Catholic Academy. As well as saving the parents and teachers from all the hassle of finding new schools for their children and finding new job opportunities.

Please keep this school open for the children.

I have dreamt of my graduation at Ica. It was taking photos with my class and best friends. Showing my family my great achievement and now, now I can’t. I can’t take photos with my class in the same school. I can’t take silly pictures with my best friends. I can’t hug my best friend at grad and say “We did it!”. All those years together, building friendships to last forever, education to help me in life and the staff as my second parents. And now it’s all gone. It’s sad all I needed was one more year and another and maybe 10 more after that. I would love for Ica to continue legacies and traditions to stat in place. For all of us to go and enjoy our families company. And now I can’t.

ICA was like my second home. i made so many friends from ICA. obviously we had our ups and downs as every school has but this school was always fun. everyday felt like a new adventure. and i honestly want other kids to experience it. the memories that i’ve made from this school will stay with me forever. save ICA :(

Keep catholic schools open. We need you in our community. God bless

I am graduate of St. Casimir's Academy and am still connected with the nuns that helped raise me in my faith and education. Catholic schools are vital! We need to keep these open at all costs!