Planned Parenthood Sticker A Problem At Greenwich School: Report

GREENWICH, CT — Kate Murray, a sophomore at Sacred Heart Greenwich, a private all-girls Catholic high school, is being threatened with expulsion if she keeps a "I Stand with Planned Parenthood" sticker on her laptop, reports the Greenwich Time.

For the time being, she has removed the sticker while her family talks with school officials, but her parents believe she is being treated unfairly. If she keeps the sticker she can leave the school immediately or at the end of the school year and not return next year; if the sticker stays off the laptop she can return to school next year.

Her parents, both attorneys, told the publication that Kate is an excellent student with no disciplinary problems, and her older sister, Alex, graduated from the school in 2012. The school has not commented on the situation because it says it does not publicly discuss individual student matters. Enrollment contracts have been sent out to all students "currently enrolled," of which Murray is one.

As of Feb. 9, Murray had not yet decided whether she will leave the school (now or at the end of the year) or return next year, according to her parents.

In the meantime, the school has received support for its decision from Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, who spoke with Head of School Pamela Hayes about the matter.

An online petition has been started on Murray's behalf for readmission, which has blown past its 1,000 signature goal, as of Feb. 9, garnering more than 2,200 names. Additionally, the school's Class of 2012 has sent a letter to the school in support of Murray.

Connecticut Gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont, a Greenwich resident who knows the Murrays, has also voiced his support for Kate.

Click here to read the full story on the Greenwich Time, and click here to view the online petition on iPetitions.

Photo: Sacred Heart Greenwich. Photo credit: Google Maps