04-R 154

2004 -- H 8349

Enacted 03/25/04

 

H O U S E  R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 25, 2004 AS "APPRECIATION FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF RHODE ISLAND'S FIFTY-EIGHT CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY

SCHOOLS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Giannini, Lima, Cerra, Petrarca, and E Coderre

     Date Introduced: March 25, 2004

 

 

     WHEREAS, Catholic schools ensure a complete academic and values-based education

emphasizing the moral, intellectual, physical and social development of young people throughout

Rhode Island and the nation; and

     WHEREAS, Catholic schools 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, The total 2003-2004 academic year Catholic school enrollment for Pre-K

through 12th grade was 18,450 and accounts for 10% of all students in Rhode Island's schools.

The average elementary school size is 260; the average elementary class size is 20; and the

student-teacher ratio in secondary schools is 12-1; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students, over 17%

of their elementary students are minorities, 13% are non-Catholic, and ten of their forty-nine

elementary schools are located in inner-city areas; 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

socioeconomic groups; and

     WHEREAS, Catholics schools provide educational and construction savings of about

$400 million every year to the state and local communities in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Catholic school alumni, students and parents contribute to, are involved in,

and are dedicated to the life of their parishes and communities well beyond their 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." now, therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims March 25, 2004 to be "Appreciation for Catholic

Schools Day" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That we support the goals of "Rhode Island Catholic Schools Day," an

event sponsored by the Rhode Island Catholic School Parents Federation, representing some

35,000 Catholic school parents; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That we congratulate Rhode Island Catholic schools, students, parents,

teachers, and administrators for their ongoing contributions to the education of Rhode Island's

children, and for the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for

the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies 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.

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LC02985

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