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SS. Simon & Jude Catholic School working to remain open
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Parents at SS. Simon & Jude Catholic School in Scott are on the move to keep their doors open.
Within days of learning April 26 that the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh may close the school because of dwindling enrollment and rising costs, parents had secured 20 outstanding registrations and accompanying $100 registration fees.
That means, at this point, the school would be holding steady on enrollment at about 80 children for next year. But the parents understand more students are needed to keep the school open.
"The only way to get enrollments is from the ground up," said Megan Mickle of Collier, a parent of three. "We need every parent to turn over every stone."
Parents in the parish, which consist of more than 1,400 families, also are contacting donors and businesses. One large unidentified donor already has stepped forward.
The school's PTG is sponsoring a cash bash party on May 15 in the school gymnasium. The doors will open at 6:15 p.m.
One thousand tickets at $20 apiece will be sold, and ticketholders can win multiple times. The drawings, which will be done lottery-style, will take place every 15 minutes starting at 7 p.m. and conclude with the final drawing for $1,500 at 10:45 p.m.
School supporters are hoping also to gain support from the diocese.
"We're closing schools at an alarming rate. All we're asking is for [the diocese] to remain positive, too," said parent Pat Catena of Carnegie.
"I don't think there's a person in the parish who doesn't want to keep the school open," added another parent, Tim Bissert of Pittsburgh.
A second school-wide parent meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday in the school gymnasium.
First Published May 6, 2010 6:04 am
