Letter: Heartbroken over school closure

Tell me how to explain to my child that the school he loved will close in June ["Rockville Centre diocese: School closures are final," News, Dec. 22]. How do you explain to a child that his friends and teachers will now be spread far and wide?

St. Catherine of Sienna School in Franklin Square has provided a solid academic and religious education to thousands of children for more than 50 years. Students graduate with a strong foundation that includes respect for others, and most important, self-esteem.

My son, now in the eighth grade, is the last of our four children to attend the school. I can tell you that students and parents are devastated by the announcement that St. Catherine's and five other schools in the diocese are closing in June.

Parents are appalled by the lack of information from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Those with younger students were told they need to find a new school but cannot register at other Catholic schools until late January. This is creating a feeling of helplessness. How do parents tell children they do not know where they'll go to school next fall? Several children came from other recently closed Catholic schools. How can families continue to have faith in Catholic education when they are repeatedly disappointed?

Students and parents at St. Catherine's deserve more details about this decision. We deserve to be able to find new schools for our children in a dignified manner, instead of being forced to wait and be told there are no guarantees.

Anne Marie Spensieri-Fidis, Hempstead