As the entire nation faces the dual challenges of a once-in-a-century health crisis and a nationwide economic shutdown, we have been working together to ensure that every member of our Partnership Schools community is fully supported. Like all Catholic schools, our seven schools are communities first and most importantly. We all work together, pray together, and take care of each other, especially in the face of crisis.

At the same time, we understand that the families we serve–who face challenges even in the best of times–will be among the hardest hit during the COVID-19 crisis. We must act now to ensure that they have what they need, both to minimize the impact of the crisis on our families and so that our communities emerge stronger than ever.

To that end, we have decided to take three immediate steps.

• First, starting today we will waive tuition and fees for all Partnership schools families for the duration of the school closure. Further, for those families who have already paid in full, we will be offering a pro-rated credit for each month of the shutdown. We know how many sacrifices our families make in the best of times to ensure their children have access to an academically rigorous, faith-filled learning environment, and we want to ensure they do not have to choose between making ends meet and their child’s Catholic education in this time of crisis.
• Second, we continue to provide a paycheck to all our staff for the full duration of the school closure. This includes not only salaried staff, like teachers and school leaders, but hourly staff including teaching assistants and cafeteria workers. Every member of our community has committed to working together to ensure that our students and families are loved and cared for, and now is the time that we do the same for everyone who has dedicated their lives to the Catholic schools we serve.
• Third, we have established a Partnership Schools COVID-19 Family Relief Fund for any Partnership family facing urgent financial need–because they lost a job or now face unexpected medical bills. Any member of our PNYC community will be able to apply for relief and the money will go directly to the family to help make ends meet in this time of crisis.

These efforts will not be financially easy for us, but we know it is the right thing to do.

If you have wondered what you can do in this time of crisis to help the neediest families of New York, we hope you will consider donating to our emergency relief efforts to help offset the immediate needs of our schools and families. Know that any gift will make a meaningful difference to the lives of the families we serve.

Support our families now!

Thank you for your love and support during this time.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Warmly,

Jill Kafka
Executive Director

Kathleen Porter-Magee
Superintendent