Wavated parents and destroyed students fiddle after a Catholic school in New York City has announced its plans to close abruptly in a late e -mail.
The 75-year-old Preston High School of the Bronx will close at the end of the school year due to the falling registration percentages, financial limitations and outdated infrastructure, the board of directors warned families on Wednesday.
“It is unrealistic, based on historical trends to expect the registration to reach a level that would enable Preston to thrive.”
But members of the close -knit community of the school believe that the story is more and the closing plans were attacked that many of the 369 students have left uncertain about their educational future.
“The school is active in the black, registration is up,” Gerilyn Harty, a former member of the Preston Board of Trustees, revealed to CBS.
'The only thing in the letter that they said they closed the school, because that is true that it is an old building. It will need care. But it has been provided for 50 years by the Preston administration. '
Preston High School director Jennifer Connolly also denounced the decision in a follow-up e-mail and told students and their families that the choice was over.
The e -mail said that the sisters of the Divine compassion – the board of directors and owner of real estate – were given a chance and acted against the interests of the school.
Dozens of parents, students, teachers and alumni gathered for the Preston High School to protest against the closure at the end of the school year
The Katholieke School, located in the Throggs Neck -Wijk van de Bronx, has been leading girls for 75 years
Students have panicked the sudden announcement and clambered to find out their academic future
“This was not the decision of the school or the director or the teachers,” parent Maria Degliuomini told ABC 7.
'This is the silence of young women, young women of color in the Bronx. This is not correct. This removes opportunities from people who need it the most and keep us here, “explained student Cielo John to Fox 5.
Those who gathered for Preston – Jennifer Lopez's Alma Mater – believe on Thursday morning that 'greed' is the true reason why the facility will close its doors forever.
Many have accused the leaders of the Sisters of the Divine compassion of priority to financial profit compared to the training of young girls.
“It's just greed. All these developers want to build all kinds of casinos and apartment buildings that we do not need in Throggs Neck, School Alumn Christine Monnelly told ABC 7.
The dozens of parents, teachers, students and alumni present sang 'Save Our School!' And signed signs to call on managers to remember the school's mission about education and charity.
Various signs were addressed to board leaders Sister Laura Donovan, Sister Carol Peterson and sister Susan Becker.
“Dear nuns: greed is not part of the holy curriculum!” one sign claimed.
Jennifer Lopez went to Preston High School and some members of the community called her to keep the school open
The sisters of the Divine compassion have been accused of choosing 'greed' above the importance of the school
Another display referred to the three prevailing nuns as the 'sisters of no compassion'.
For the young girls who are registered at Preston, the school served as the second home and they are not willing to give it up easily.
“I'm very upset here because Preston is more than just a school for me,” Jazmine Waller told ABC 7.
Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato also went to Thursday's protest and shared on Facebook: 'These girls and families do not earn this. They deserve continuity, respect and an open school! '
More than 6,500 people have signed a petition to save the school, described by organizers as “a sanctuary of faith, sisterhood and empowerment for young women in the Bronx and beyond.”
Some students and alumni have even called the most famous participant in the school, Lopez aka JLO, for her help and support.
“Someone gets Jenny on the phone!” A passionate former Preston -student said in a tap.
“We need you to donate some money, because if you want to restore the Bronx, be your high school.”
For the young girls who are registered at Preston, the school served as second home and are not willing to give it up easily
A second rally is planned for Sunday outside the sisters of the Divine Compassion's Home
Another protest is organized for Sunday, but this time people will gather for the house of the Sisters of the Divine compassion.
“Hear it out of nowhere and from nowhere, where was such a shock for all of us and the way it happened was so heartbreaking and devastating and not okay,” student Briana Cherubino told ABC 7.
“We have to gather, as a family we have to stay together – the Preston family that we are – and everyone has to stand up for Preston.”
