Protesters rally to keep schools open

Braving a snowstorm, several hundred Long Island parents and students Saturday protested a plan by the Diocese of Rockville Centre to close six Roman Catholic grammar schools in June.

The hourlong rally held in front of St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre buoyed hopes that Bishop William Murphy will stop the closures or be willing to consider alternatives, such as allowing parents to manage the schools without diocesan oversight or financial support.

"We want to work with the diocese to come up with new plans and new solutions for continuing to provide Catholic school education in our community," said Anthony Scuderi, who has three children at St. John Baptist De LaSalle Regional School in Farmingdale.

The protesters came from across Long Island by car and railroad. Many carried signs calling on Murphy to "save our school." Others drank hot chocolate and chanted "give us a chance" as they marched down Quealy Place near Murphy's residence.

"We are out here in this terrible weather looking to be heard," said Eileen Flood, who has three children at St. Catherine of Sienna School in Franklin Square.

Church officials, however, said their decision is final.

In a statement, diocesan spokesman Sean Dolan said nearby Catholic schools will be available to students now attending schools scheduled to close.

"There is a space for every one of these children in one or more of the 43 Catholic elementary schools, all of whom offer the same quality Catholic education children and parents have found in their school that will close in June of this year," Dolan said.

The diocese says it's shutting the schools because of declining enrollment and a need to strengthen the overall Catholic school system.

The other schools to be closed are St. Ignatius Loyola School in Hicksville; Prince of Peace Regional School in Sayville; Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Lindenhurst; and Sacred Heart School in North Merrick.

The students who spent the day marching in snow and sleet said they have no interest in transferring to another school.

"We are hoping to change the bishop's mind," said Francesco Crisafi, a sixth-grader at St. Catherine. "Why do you have to close us down? We didn't do anything."

Parents vowed to keep fighting to preserve a Catholic education for their children close to home.

"We don't want to lose this," said Debra Greulich, who has two children at LaSalle. "This is too important to all of us."