Holy Child Merger Still Set; New School Named St. Blaise

Though appeals from other schools were granted, plans to merge the Manayunk and East Falls Catholic schools with a regional location on Hermitage Street remain, according to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Holy Child Regional Catholic School will host a new school at its current location with St. Bridget's of East Falls. The school will be called St. Blaise Regional School. Members of the latter parish hoped the merger could take place in East Falls, but the original plan will stick.

Members from both schools will work on a consolidated plan to merge the facilities, staff and supplies for the 2012-13 school year.

In January, a blue ribbon commission announced the closings or mergers of four high schools and 44 elementary schools. The archdiocese established an appeals process and Friday made public the elementary school results.

For the high schools, Archbishop Charles Chaput delayed the decision until Feb. 24.

According to the archdiocese, the review committee altered 18 of the original plans for elementary schools. In addition, 14 mission schools were formed.

“The Review Committee listened with open minds and hearts, but knew it would take hard facts to change the recommendations made by the Blue Ribbon Commission,” Chaput said in a statement. “After all, the intent of the Blue Ribbon Commission was to create a strategic plan for stabilizing and reinvigorating Catholic education in our diocese, so any decision to alter the Commission’s recommendations was given a great deal of consideration as to its short- and long-term impact.”

The review meetings included pastors, principals, business managers from both partnering or all regionalizing schools in addition to the members of the Elementary School Review Committee.

Members of the newly formed St. Blaise Regional School will meet throughout February and March to sure up consolidation plans on Catholic identity, uniforms, equipment, a new website, and other areas. On Feb. 21, parents will receive intention letters to commit to the new school. An open house will be held at the new school March 25.

For more information on the appeals, visit faithinourfuture.com.

For more information on St. Blaise Regional School, visit here.