Students Band Together to Save Fatima High School

Students at Our Lady of Fatima High School are banding together this week in attempts to prevent their beloved school from shutting down for good.

After students found out that the Sisters of Saint Dorothy intend to close the school at the end of this academic year, many gathered for a rally on the school property on Friday holding up signs requesting the help to save their school.

Over the weekend, students flocked to Facebook to join a group called "Save Our Lady of Fatima High School" where they could share information and voice their opposition to the decision to close the school. In just a few days, the group attracted more than 200 current and former students, friends, family and supporters.

Students are also utilizing an online blog called "Save the Blue Tigers" to keep supporters informed on meetings and efforts being made to save the school. One student in particular went as far as creating a petition to present to the Sisters of Saint Dorothy. Though the students had an initial goal of just 100 signatures, as of Sunday the petition had more than 350 signatures from supporters throughout the country.

Former student Diana Peixoto Hudon of Bristol signed the petition with the following note.

This school saved me!...I was a bad student grades wise and the teachers councelors took immense amount of time to help me organzie my life!...I still have awesome relationships with the teachers and friends I made there from 89 to 93...I have amazing memories!!...This school is a necessity!!...Save it!!!

According to a release from Fatima High School, there will be a meeting at the school on Monday, Feb. 20 for parents, alumni, faculty and stakeholders at 6:30 pm. The release says the meeting "will be an opportunity to discuss all possible ideas" to save the school and to "share this time of crisis with each other."