As the principals of the Catholic high schools of Brooklyn and Queens, we have kept the administration, faculty, staff, students and parents from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in our prayers since the thoughtless tragedy on Feb.14.
We stand in support of the Parkland, Fla., survivors as they draw strength in knowing that their efforts to effect necessary change are heard. We call on our elected leaders to do everything necessary to help us protect students against senseless acts such as the one in Florida and too many others across our country.
The mission of Catholic education within the Diocese of Brooklyn is to form children in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ as celebrated in the Catholic Church, while providing a comprehensive, academic education that will help them reach their full human potential and contribute to the common good of our nation and the world.
The alumni of our schools are leaders in every stratum of society, and our current students are the leaders and policy makers of tomorrow. We must stand as examples to them of the morality, justice and peace which we expect them to go forth and spread in the world.
As principals, we are responsible for carrying out the mission of our schools, the education of our students and the safety and security of the adolescents in our care. As educators we are facing a world where we are increasingly called upon to become the last line of defense against unspeakable horrors.
Collectively, we as Catholic educators and as Americans know that these attacks must stop and the time for action on all levels is long overdue. We unite in one voice to call upon our elected officials to effect nothing less than meaningful, proactive change. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi, we must “be the change we wish to see in the world.” That change starts today.
Mr. Darius Penikas, Archbishop Molloy High School
Dr. Margaret Lacey-Berman, Bishop Kearney High School
Mr. Edward A. Bolan, Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
Mr. Richie Diaz, Cathedral Preparatory School & Seminary
Ms. Geri Martinez, Christ the King High School
Ms. Mary Ann Spicijaric, Fontbonne Hall Academy
Mr. Edward Burns, Holy Cross High School
Mr. Joseph Dugan, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School
Mr. James V. Castrataro, Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School
Mrs. Providencia Quiles, Nazareth Regional High School
Mrs. Susan Nicoletti, Saint Agnes Academic High School
Mrs. Allison McGinnis, St. Edmund Preparatory High School
Mr. Patrick McLaughlin, St. Francis Preparatory School
Mr. William A. Higgins, St. John’s Preparatory School
Mrs. Caroline Latham, St. Joseph High School
Dr. Paula T McKeown, St. Saviour High School
Sr. Kathleen McKinney C.S.J, Ed.D., The Mary Louis Academy
Dcn. Kevin McCormack, Xaverian High School
