St. Lawrence O’Toole School

Dear Friends and Family of St. Lawrence O’Toole School:

As you know, the Archdiocese has decided to close our school, ending our 82-year history of excellent education, which has been the heart and soul of our parish. We believe this decision can be reversed—but we need your help.

The parents of St. Lawrence accept our share of the responsibility for the Archdiocese’s decision and are working diligently on a business and marketing plan to reorganize and improve the school. We intend to present our plan to the Archdiocese in the hope that they will reconsider their decision. As part of this plan, we will need to fund the current operating deficit and a likely deficit in next year’s budget; but most important, we will need to demonstrate the parish’s and the community’s support for keeping the school open.

To bring our budget out of deficit, we are seeking a pledge of donations from the parents, parishioners, alumni and the community. We recently contacted some of our alumni by e-mail to gauge their support, and we received pledges of over $100,000 spread over the next three years. This is an encouraging start. We hope we can count on you to join our efforts!

To make a pledge, simply print and fill out the pledge form attached below or call the Save St. Lawrence O’Toole School Parents’ Group at 845.279.4948 to make a pledge over the phone. You can also make a pledge online or by e-mail.

Although the school has struggled over the past few years, it is well worth saving. Our facility is far and away the best of any of the area Catholic elementary schools. Our teachers are dedicated. And our students are fantastic! In seven of the last ten years, a St. Lawrence O’Toole graduate has been the Valedictorian of his or her high school class. Our graduates have received prestigious scholarships and many go on to attend some of the finest universities in the United States. Finally, and not least of all, our Home School Association’s fundraising efforts (which amount to almost $100,000 every year) are the envy of the Archdiocese. There is much here to be proud of, and much to build on.

We, as parents, want to see the school reopened, reenergized, reorganized and thriving again in the near future. We believe in the strength of a Catholic education and, as Catholics, we believe anything is possible with God—and with hard work and faith. Fr. Doughty has promised his support. We ask for your help and, above all, your prayers.

Yours in Christ,
The Parents Group

A printable version of this letter is available here.