A former catholic grade school, closed by the Diocese of Buffalo, has re-opened as a pre-school. New students celebrated a ribbon cutting at St. Bernadette Early Childhood Academy on South Abbott Road in Orchard Park. In this Focus on Education report WBFO'S Eileen Buckley says the young students were excited, but some parents remain angry at the Diocese for closing the elementary school.
The Rev. Paul Seil is pastor of St. Bernadette's Parish. He presided over a blessing with a small group of pre-schoolers, some parents and teachers to open the new early childhood center. Children launched balloons into the air to mark the beginning of a new era in the school building. And just as the students let go of balloon strings, the nearby church bells rang out coordinating with their celebration.
"This week, when school opened, it was very difficult for many of us here -- the parents, the priests, all of us on staff," said Seil. "It was a difficult adjustment definitely."
But Father Seil admitted it was bittersweet.
Father Seil and others from St. Bernadette's worked quickly over the summer months, preparing the state license to set up the early childhood center. Seil was amazed at the regulations needed for the younger children.
"For example, we have a playground. I didn't realize the playground was certified for five years of age and older, so we had to get a new playground," said Seil.
Father Seil found himself the midst of an emotional battle earlier this year, as outraged parents fought back when the Diocese announced in January it would close 10-elementary schools, including St. Bernadette. But the pastor made a tough decision in March announcing the parish would not participate in lawsuit to keep the school open. Parents were seeking a stay from the state Supreme Court to reverse the closing until the Vatican could make a ruling. Father Seil has removed the full parish from the fight.
"Actually three of our parishioners have appealed to the Apostolic Signatura in Rome, which is like the high court of the Vatican, and we'll see what their decision is," said Seil. "They have the right to do that under church law."
An initial appeal by three parents was denied by the Congregation for Catholic Education. Parents who filed the appeal say that Bishop Richard Malone violated the church rules by not bringing together the school's trustees to discuss and consider the closing at the time.
"What has it been like? It's been gut-wrenching. I have probably cried about it almost everyday," said Eirene Choroser, parent and parishioner who is extremely upset with the closing and refuses to give up the fight.
"I think that the difficulty for me, primarily, is the seeming refusal of Bishop Malone to have any discussion with any of the parents who have requested meeting," said Choroser. "And requests, as recently as this last week, by phone, to the Chancery to have a personal meeting were responded to by his secretary as essentially not interested."
But the Diocesan spokesman Kevin Keenan tells WBFO News that the diocese did respond to her requests. Catholic Schools Superintendent Sister Carol Cimino met with Choroser. The Diocese has repeatedly spoken about the need to close to respond to drops in enrollments and demographic shifts. Keenan said the Diocese has remained "consistent in its response" to Choroser's requests, even offering various school data explaining why the school was closed. But Choroser doesn't believe the reasoning.
"The rosy picture that's painted in the most recent addition of the Western New York Catholic is not just not how the vast majority of us feel," said Choroser.
For now the sound of young children fills a small area of the school building -- the first to begin in this new early childhood program. Nina Gardner is a Lackawanna resident. She's sending her four year old daughter Gabriel. She first experienced St. Bernadette’s when her daughter was just two at a story time at the school. She's sadden that her daughter won't be able to attend elementary, but was very excited to for the pre-school program. "She is so excited to be here today," said Gardner. "But I hope that this does send a message that perhaps there is a way things can work out," said Gardner. "
Scheris Rydzewski is director of the Early Childhood Academy.
"It's an awesome day. With the closure of the school, there was a lot of saddens. But now we are so thankful that we can bring our St. Bernadette tradition to the youngest of learners," said Rydzewski.
The early childhood program will include religion and instruction in all subject areas.
"We have to get them prepared and ready so when they get to kindergarten there's no gaps," said Rydzewski.
While only 16-students are enrolled, program leaders are hopeful it will build and grow, filling a need for pre-school programs and making good use out of yet another vacant school building.
