Catskill students find new home in Delmar

When St. Patrick's School in Catskill closed in June, families lost the last option for Catholic education in that area.

"Naturally, when parents learned that their children's school was going to close, there were a lot of hurt feelings," said Thomas Kane, principal of St. Thomas School in Delmar. "Most families make sacrifices to send their children to Catholic school. As is so often the case when one closes, parents give up on Catholic education."

Many families didn't want to give up, however. A dozen of them expressed an interest in enrolling their children at another Catholic school.

"One of the big concerns when a Catholic school closes is for administrators to ask, 'How can we continue to serve these families with Catholic education?'" Mr. Kane told The Evangelist. "With the closing of St. Patrick's, the question always was one of distance. If students wanted to transfer to another Catholic school, it would have to be in either southern Albany or Rensselaer Counties."

Planning process

In February, when the closing of St. Patrick's was officially announced, Mr. Kane began a dialogue with members of the diocesan Catholic Schools Office and principals of other Catholic schools to see what could be done.

"Evangelization is the job of the Catholic School administrator," he remarked.

The problem of transportation was solved when the diocesan Catholic Schools Office offered to fund a bus for St. Patrick's students wishing to attend St. Thomas for a minimum of two years. Now, 12 students from Greene County are being bused to St. Thomas School each day and home again, a 30-minute ride in each direction.

According to Mr. Kane, the transition has been virtually seamless.

"Actually, the Catskill students have told us that they are at home and off the bus before our own, local Bethlehem students are, due to the traffic here in our area," Mr. Kane noted. "The Catskill and Coxsackie students have a shorter time on the bus."

Change is good

Mr. Kane said that all the students have made a smooth transition from one school to another, as well.

"These are students whose school has suddenly closed. They took a big step in coming to a new school where they really didn't know anyone. Often, when students transfer, it is not an easy process. However, we have found them all to be well prepared both academically and socially, and it's been a very smooth transition process for each one of them," he said.

The principal also credited the students' families for their determination. "The students that are now coming here are doing so because their parents made a conscious, reflective choice to continue their Catholic education," he told The Evangelist.

Involvement

"Our policy here at St. Thomas is that each family be actively involved in school life and in their child's education, and for us, this means utilizing 'time, talent and treasure.' These families really wanted this. They were willing to find a way, on their own if necessary, to meet that need.

Regarding funding for the bus from Catskill, he said: "In providing bus transportation for the next two years, the Catholic Schools Office has met the needs of these families and has made it possible for these students to attend St. Thomas School.

"Change is easier when people feel supported in their choices. This is the pastoral process at work in the best sense. It's a win/win situation for everyone," he said, adding: "Here in the Albany Diocese, we really are a universal Church. Catskill is closer than we think."

(11/01/07)