PROCLAIMING APRIL 10, 2002 AS "APPRECIATION FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
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Introduced
By: Senators Cote, Irons, F Caprio, Walaska, and Goodwin |
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Date
Introduced: February 27, 2002 |
WHEREAS,
Catholic schools ensure a broad, values-added education emphasizing the
life-long development of moral, intellectual, physical and social values in
America's young people. They produce
students who are strongly dedicated to their faith, values, families and
communities by providing a safe, disciplined, intellectually stimulating
environment rich in spiritual character and moral development; and
WHEREAS,
Rhode Island's Catholic schools are acclaimed for their academic
excellence. Their elementary school
students consistently score above the norm in the national standardized tests
in all subject areas; the high school graduation rate is 98%; and 95% of their
high school graduates go on to college; and
WHEREAS,
Total Catholic school enrollment for 2001-2002, pre-K through 12th
grade, was 18,921. This accounts for
10% of all students in Rhode Island's schools.
The schools consist of a diverse group of students, with over 16% of
their elementary students minorities and 12% are non-Catholic. Seven out of the 49 elementary schools are
located in inner-city areas. The average
elementary school size is 274 and the average elementary class size is 22. The student to teacher ratio in secondary
schools is 10-1; and
WHEREAS, Educational research demonstrates that
Catholic schools, better than any other type of school, successfully close the
learning achievement gap between high and low socio-economic groups; and
WHEREAS,
Catholic schools provide almost $600 million in educational and construction
savings every year to the state and local communities of Rhode Island, but
receive less than $6 million in transportation, health and textbook support
services; and
WHEREAS,
Catholic school alumni, students and parents contribute to, are involved in,
and are dedicated to the life of their parish communities well beyond their
proportion in numbers; and
WHEREAS, In
the 1972 pastoral message concerning Catholic education, the National
Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, "Education is one of the most
important ways by which the Church fulfills its commitment to the dignity of
the person and building of community.
Community is central to education ministry, both as a necessary
condition and an ardently desired goal.
The educational efforts of the Church, therefore, must be directed to
forming persons in community; for the education of the individual Christian is
important not only to his solitary destiny, but also the destinies of the many
communities in which he lives"; and
WHEREAS, We
honor, congratulate and support the goals of Rhode Island's 58 Catholic
elementary and secondary schools, as well as the parents, teachers, and
administrators for their ongoing dedication to the education of Rhode Island's
children and the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter,
stronger future for the state of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations hereby proclaims April 10, 2002 as "Appreciation for Catholic
Schools Day"; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Most Reverend Robert
E. Mulvee, Bishop of Providence, the Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Auxiliary
Bishop of Providence, Vicar for Education, and Brother William Dygert, C.S.C.,
Superintendent of Schools.