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March 4, 2010
Dear Parents, Alumni and Friends,
We learned yesterday that 13 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese will be consolidated at the end of the current school year and will not reopen in September. One of the schools is a high school: Cardinal Gibbons High School. This is very difficult news for all those who work and teach in Catholic schools. As the results of many factors, including the challenging economic times, Catholic schools here and around the country are facing declining enrollment, a changing workforce, aging facilities, and increasing operational costs. The Archdiocese made clear this week, however, that the consolidation plan, as well as the addition of exciting new academic programs and other initiatives, will help ensure that there will be a strengthened and vibrant school system in the future.
As a result of the consolidations, many families will be assessing the school options for next year. At Archbishop Spalding, we plan to offer a warm welcome to these families and do everything we can to answer the questions and help them realize the great school we have here. I hope that you will join with us in that hospitality effort. It is possible that we will have a number of students and parents visiting us in the coming weeks. I ask you to extend a hand to those who find themselves in the position of searching for a new school.
The Archdiocese has established a very specific process to handle the transfer of students to other high schools in the area. Our admissions office will coordinate shadow visits for any student from Cardinal Gibbons who is considering transferring to Archbishop Spalding.
Our time of transformation in the Archdiocese is still an ongoing process. The Blue Ribbon Committee on Catholic Schools will present its report to the Archbishop in June and we anticipate that its strategic plan will affect all of us in Catholic school education. In the meantime, if you are interested in reading the Archdiocese’s recent report, Preserving the Tradition, Transforming the Future: The Rebirth of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, you may access it at: http://www.archbalt.org/aplacetogrow
We want to take this opportunity to thank our parents and alumni for helping make Archbishop Spalding High School the strong and vibrant school that we have today. With the support of our community, we have been able to expand our religious life, academic and extracurricular programs as well as our facilities. As administrators and faculty, we are committed to ensuring that the Spalding traditions continue for generations to come. While the press is telling tales of Catholic schools closing, they are not telling the stories of schools like Spalding who have a strong enrollment and balance sheet. Catholic education is alive and growing at Archbishop Spalding High School.
In closing, we ask that you remember the families, the principals and the teachers at the consolidated schools in your prayers. May God grant us the vision to guide us in the days and months ahead.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Murphy, President
Mrs. Kathy Mahar, Principal
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