12-R077
2012 -- S 2305
Enacted 02/02/12
S E N A T E R E
S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING
JANUARY 29 THROUGH FEBRUARY 4, 2012, AS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
WEEK IN THE
STATE OF
Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Ruggerio, Tassoni, Paiva Weed, and Goodwin
Date Introduced: February 02, 2012
WHEREAS, Catholic
Schools are centers of education where students witness, share, and
grow in the Catholic faith community; and
WHEREAS, Within a framework of Catholic Christian values, Catholic
Schools strive to
provide academic excellence, to nurture spiritual, physical,
and emotional growth, and to assist
students to become lifelong promoters of the Gospel message;
and
WHEREAS, Catholic
schools enjoy a level of involvement, commitment, and
expectations on the part of Catholic school parents and teachers
that is very high; and
WHEREAS, Catholic
schools offer a higher level of discipline and order; and
WHEREAS, Catholic school
policies regarding course work, homework, and ability level
grouping are extremely effective; and
WHEREAS,
excellence. Their elementary school students consistently score
above average in national
standardized tests in all subject areas, and their high school graduation
rate is nearly 100 percent;
and
WHEREAS, Nearly 98
percent of those graduates pursue higher education; and
WHEREAS, There are
currently 44 Catholic elementary schools with an enrollment of an
estimated 14,000 students in the Diocese of Providence; and
WHEREAS, Rhode Island
Catholic Schools provide parents with a choice in their child’s
educational journey; and
WHEREAS, Rhode Island
Catholic Schools have provided more than $1.4 million in
tuition assistance to 1,800 low-income students this academic
year; and
WHEREAS, For every child that attends a
made available for public school teachers and students;
and
WHEREAS, Catholic
Schools Week, observed January 29 to February 4 nationwide,
provides a special opportunity to celebrate the achievements
of
to thank those who are involved in this ministry, and to
affirm a commitment to education; and
WHEREAS, The theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic
Schools:
Faith, Academics, Service,” words that define the very
purpose of such schools; and
WHEREAS, As Bishop Tobin
recently stated, Catholic schools are also well known for
their academic achievements, offering a comprehensive and demanding
program of classroom
learning and extracurricular activities, and also motivate
students to generosity and service,
helping others in the name of Christ and sharing the gifts
and blessings they themselves have
received; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of
hereby proclaims January 29 through February 4, 2012, to be
Catholic Schools Week in the State
of
RESOLVED,
That we applaud the efforts and support the goals of
Rhode Island Catholic
Schools Week, an annual
celebration sponsored by the Rhode Island Catholic Schools Parent
Federation. We furthermore congratulate the students, parents,
teachers, and administrators for
their dedicated commitment to the education of
play in promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future
for the State of
further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is
authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Most
Reverend Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of
Parents
Federation.
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LC00983
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