The Catholic School, St. Aloysius, will be one of five Catholic schools closing in Queens.
A few days ago, I was on my way to work, when I noticed, a small piece of paper taped to the front entrance of the Catholic school, St. Aloysius, saying, “We’re Still Here.” It wasn’t until this morning that I realized what that sign really meant.
As I took my normal route to work this morning, what is usually a crowded street filled with hundreds of children and parents dropping them off, was now a clear, quiet street. And when I glanced at the entrance of the school, the gates still closed, I realized, they had been shut down.
Because of the economic crisis, Ridgewood parents are forced to manage their money more carefully. And with rising tuition costs for Catholic schools, its no wonder why these schools are struggling to stay open. In an article posted in the Queens Chronicle, the writer notes that only two schools out of seven, are going to be saved, “‘Many Catholic schools are finding it hard to stay open because of tighter budgets and falling enrollment, even as they remain attractive to so many families because of their focus on high academic standards and high student achievement,’ Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a prepared statement.”
Last year, I recall there being a lot of construction on Seneca Ave and Stanhope. As of right now, the construction is finished, and they have turned what used to be factory into an elementary school, P.S. 305.
I assumed that when they built this school it was because of the major crowding of students in both P.S. 71Q and P.S. 88. However, since St. Aloysius is closed, the majority of the students that are in the elementary level, might be attending this new school. Luckily enough the new school was built right next to St. Aloysius, so this will be more convenient for parents who have children attending St. Aloysius.
For more information as to other Catholic School closings in Queens visit: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20261108&BRD=2731&PAG=461&dept_id=575596&rfi=6
This is a really rough economy for parochial schools. When I interviewed assemblyman Maisel he specifically said that is the aspect of education he was most worried about, since they were losing so many students due to paying tuition.
It’s a bit of a coincidence, I happened to pass by there about a week ago to take my sister up to Grover Clevend High School and happened to notice the new building. I also assumed they built the new school, P.S. 305, to reduce over crowding in other surrounding schools. It’s a bit hurtful when schools have to close down. I can only imagine how the students will feel when they have to change their learning atmosphere. Hopefully it doesn’t affect their education.
I BELIEVE I WAS THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS 1968 FROM THE NEW SCHOOL. I ADORED THE OLD SCHOOL WITH IT’S AWESOME STAIRCASE.GREAT SCHOOL AND WOULD LOVE ANY OLD PHOTO’S FROM THE SCHOOL PRIOR TOO 1960. THE DELI ACROSS FROM THE SCHOOL STATED I WOULD MAKE A GREAT NURSE. AND SO I AM. I TRAVEL&WORKED THRU OUT GREMANY AND MANY COUNTRIES AS A NURSE MIDWIFE AND MANY OTHER AREA’S IN NURSING.MY PARENT’S OWMED THE NEWSTAND ON DE KALD&KNICKERBOCKER.MEMORIES ARE SWEET.THANK GOD FOR ADULT’S THAT GRACE THERE IDEA’S ON CHIDREN….BLESSINGS HANLEY
I actually spent my whole life in St. Aloysius School. I graduated from there just recently in 2006, and even then there were warnings of the school closing. It is quite sad. I remember being in 6th or 7th grade making posters to help to spread the word that our school should stay open. Even though we all knew that the tuition was ridiculously high, we still had a fear that our school was going to be one of the Catholic schools that was going to be shut down. We then found out that our school wasn’t going to be shut down. Now that this school is truly closed it seems as if a piece a my childhood has been taken away. The only thing that I have are my yearbooks to remind me of my days in that once opened school.
i know how it feels..both my parents..myself..brother..sister..cousins..went to ST. ALOYSIUS (THE OLD SCHOOL) i felt so sick when they leveled it and opened a new school…never could even look at the new school…i went from 1st to 8th..graduated..was an altar.alter boy for 3 years..it was built before 1900…best memories..guess that’s why i couldn’t look at the new school..i feel for you and now i’m saddened that st.al’s is closing..i’m 56 now.. when will this stuff end
THAT WAS A WONDERFUL SCHOOL BYE!
I WAS AT THE SCHOOL ALL THE TIME I KNOW THAT THEY BUILD THAT SCHOOL I WAS AT SAINT ALOYSIUS THEN I MOVED TO PS.305 I MISSED SAINT ALOYSIUS BUT I LOVED 2 OF THEM BUT IN PS.305 THEY HAVE MORING FOOD AFTERNOON FOOD IN SAINT ALOYSIUS THEY HAVE LUNCH
i was at saint aloysius i went to pre k 1 but i was sad that they close i feel sad.
I loved St. Aloysius and the nuns that taught me. I graduated in 1966, and this is a damn shame.
I was in the 8th grade and was in the first class to graduate from the new school.we had to carry our own desk thru the streets to the new school.try doing that today.i still remember the smell of the new place.it was very plain,but nice.a huge difference from the old world style at the old site.
P.S. 305 was built to help reduce crowding at P.S. 81Q located on Cypress Avenue (the school’s annex is located onSeneca Avenue, about 5 blocks up from P.S. 305) – but it (P.S. 305) is set up as an Early Education Center – housing grades Pre K to 3rd grade. Currently the Principal, teachers and parents are trying to convince the heads of the Dept. Of Ed. to purchase or lease the St. Aloysius school property to extend P.S. 305 to the 5th grade so the children will not have to transfer to an already super crowded P.S. 81 after they complete the 3rd grade. If they succeed and can extend to the 5th grade with use of the property across the street, it would be wonderful for these children – Mrs. Lynn Bottfield, the Principal and all the teachers and staff members she hired are doing an exceptional job education these children and it would be an absolute shame for this to be destroyed by transferring them to P.S. 81 which has been described as a children’s prison by parents whom have older children attending it.
i was in the last 5th grade class in tht school… i really miss it… i have sooo much memories in tht school… from sadness to happiness… *sigh* i think im gunna cry…