Bishop McVinney School Launches The Archangel Fund

By Robin M. Tagliaferri, Bishop McVinney School Advancement Office

Smart. Joyful. Tenacious. Grateful. Determined. Bishop McVinney School students in preschool through grade eight exemplify these qualities. In the heart of South Providence, they are persevering and achieving.

Administrators, faculty and staff are also persevering. In December, they launched a new annual appeal campaign, The Archangel Fund for Bishop McVinney School, to support new and existing programs.

The fund, the first of its kind in the 92-year history of the school, offers donors the flexibility of designating their gift to one or more of five different initiatives. A donation can be earmarked to fortify the school’s tuition assistance program, the Sponsor a Student Fund, or to purchase a number of Chromebook laptop computers in support of the Technology Fund.

There’s also a Principal’s General Fund to support the most critical day-to-day needs of the school.

The 246 Bishop McVinney School students and their families reside in Lower and Upper South Providence and in the Elmwood and South Elmwood neighborhoods. Over 70% of students receive tuition assistance through the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Providence. Additionally, tuition for daycare and preschool students is largely supported by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. Most students participate in the free and reduced-priced breakfast and lunch program from the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Life in an urban neighborhood poses formidable social and economic challenges. Bishop McVinney School strives to level the playing field. The faculty and administration work to implement the best educational practices and provide cutting-edge instructional materials and classroom equipment.

“The Archangel Fund will assist Bishop McVinney School in diversifying its revenue streams, as tuition alone does not cover the cost of educating each student,” says Principal, Louis Hebert. “It’s a significant challenge to keep the annual operating budget in the black, and the effort to bridge the tuition gap is almost insurmountable. We are grateful for every contribution to the new fund.”

The Archangel Fund is designed to furnish the donor with a framework for giving. As the organization works to update its strategic plan, the Archangel Fund will showcase additional initiatives. In December, the Bishop McVinney School administration drafted the following five programs:

Sponsor a Student Fund

Donors can help to build the fund to cover the cost of educating each student. Full tuition for one year is $4,100; A half Scholarship is $2,050.

Playground Renovation Fund

Donor support is needed to beautify and upgrade the outdoor playground for the youngest of our students, ages 3-5 years. The cost estimate to resurface the early childhood playground is $3,500.

Technology Fund

Putting a Chromebook laptop computer in the hands of a student is gratifying for the donor, and it gives students a competitive edge in computer proficiency. Chromebooks are $200 each.

Principal’s General Fund

Principal Louis Hebert has been working at Bishop McVinney School since 1990. He knows the needs of the school like the back of his hand. Donors can contribute discretionary funds to be used for the greatest needs of the school. Give a gift of $50 to $1,000.

Adopt a Classroom Program

Donors can contribute to the purchase of art and classroom supplies, as faculty are typically supplementing what’s needed in the classroom with their own materials. Students can express themselves with exuberance with more plentiful supplies. Give a gift of $10- $250.

For decades, Bishop McVinney School has benefitted from an outpouring of generosity from the residents of South Providence and the community at large. Individuals, human services organizations, educational foundations and civic groups have taken up the cause to support the urban school and its students and faculty. The Bishop McVinney School administration is quick to acknowledge these charitable efforts; the generosity of others is always remembered in the collective memory of the school community. The launch of the Archangel Fund marks a new chapter in the philanthropic history of McVinney School. The initial response to the fund has been positive and highly supportive.

Originally established as a parish school in 1925, St. Michael the Archangel School was renamed Bishop McVinney Regional School in 1973 in honor of the Most Reverend Russell J. McVinney, D.D., LL.D. (1898-1971), the fifth Bishop of Providence. The new name reflected the consolidation of four area Catholic elementary schools, Tyler School, St. Charles Borromeo School, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School and St. Michael the Archangel School.

The school building, located at 155 Gordon Avenue is listed in the National Register of Historic Places along with the adjacent St. Michael the Archangel church, rectory and convent.

In 1990, Principal, Louis Hebert began his 27-year career at Bishop McVinney School as a sixth grade teacher. In 2001, he became principal, succeeding Sr. Theresina Scully, C.P., who held the position for 14 years. Hebert has been a strong advocate for providing a solid Catholic education to inner city students in preschool through grade eight.

“We are an urban success story rooted in the Catholic tradition of achievement, fellowship and service to others. Our students are learning in a safe and caring environment filled with positive energy and joy. You can tell we are a family here,” say Principal, Louis Hebert.

Over the course of the next several months, the school administration will work to increase participation in the Archangel Fund. They hope to encourage alumni to reconnect with their Catholic elementary school. Back in the day, St. Michael the Archangel School served students from immigrant families from Ireland. Today, the cultures of twenty countries are represented in the student body. Changes may have occurred on the surface, but the Catholic mission and identity of those who occupy the school today remain as vibrant as ever.

The public is welcome to contribute to Bishop McVinney School, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Donors can feel content that a gift of any size will directly benefit Bishop McVinney School students and support a meaningful initiative.

For more information on the Archangel Fund for Bishop McVinney School, contact Robin Tagliaferri, in the Advancement Office at (401) 781-2370 or (401) 323-4090 or email rtagliaferri@bmv-school.org.

For more information on the Archangel Fund for Bishop McVinney School contact:

Robin M. Tagliaferri

Director of Advancement

Bishop McVinney School

155 Gordon Avenue

Providence, Rhode Island 02905

(401) 278- 4554 (CSO Office)

(401) 781- 2370 (BMV Office)

(401) 323- 4090 (cell)

(401) 785- 2618 (fax)

rtagliaferri@bmv-school.org

https://bmv-school.org

Bishop McVinney School is an urban Catholic elementary school serving students in preschool through grade eight. We promote spiritual, academic, and physical development in a nurturing environment. We encourage students to reach their full potential, and to live the Gospel message of promoting peace and building community through service to others.

For more information on admissions and tuition assistance call Louis Hebert, Principal at (401) 781– 2370 or visit our website https://bmv-school.org/admissions.

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