January 2010

Dear Parents and Friends

First, let me extend our best wishes for every blessing to you in the new year!

We are in the midst of our Annual Fund Campaign.  Customarily, these letters are written by a volunteer who takes on the responsibility to make the case for a gift to our school.  I have asked to write to you personally because I believe our school is at a critical junction in its history.  We are now in our fourteenth year as an academic institution.   When the year concludes, we will be as old as our eighth grade graduates.  The vision and guidance of our founding pastor Rev. Edward J. Byington, has been the inspiration for our school since its founding.  That vision and foresight to create a school that was “preparatory” in nature, dedicated to early adolescents, and rooted in the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church and the Gospel message of Christ has inspired all the good which has followed.

When I came her ten years ago, our school was in great debt.  Within two years, the debt was gone.  During the next several years,  our building underwent significant physical plant improvements, literally from inside out.  They are too numerous to list here, but palpable every time our students, staff, parents, and friends walk into our building.  Two years ago, we sought to add staff to better serve our students.  Last year, with a decline in the economy, rising costs, increased health and insurance mandates, our budget was stretched to the limit.  We had to eliminate two support staff positions.

So, my dear members of the SFXP family, I write to you now to help us continue to grow.  We have kept our tuition reasonable and, as promised in last year’s tuition letter, eliminated labor intensive fund-raising.  But the fact is our school needs additional financial support.  As we have stated on so many occasions, our tuition does not cover the actual cost of educating a child.  Indeed, virtually no private school tuition–from elementary through high education–does. 

Therefore, I ask your help for this school that I love and the children I serve. 

Where does the money go?  The answer is simple: it already is budgeted.  It goes into the salaries of teachers who sacrifice personally and whose dedication to early adolescents is daily.  It goes into the wonderful technology available to every student enrolled here.  It goes into myriad co-curricular and athletic programs designed for middle school-aged students and which advance mind, body, and spirit.  It also goes into the lights, the heat, the maintenance of the physical plant.  In short, every cent goes back to the school which serves our students.

All of our evidence proves that we are achieving our mission and the vision of our founding pastor.  Our students are prepared for success in competitive secondary school environments.  That success is the mirror of the skills acquired here.  I ask you to support us with a financial contribution in this Annual Fund Appeal.  We know the economy has challenged us all–at home and school.  All gifts, large and small, are needed for success.  We are asking for 100% participation from our parent community, with the amount of your contribution being tax-deductible as a charitable gift. 

Each and every day, our students and staff make a commitment to excellence.  I ask you to make a financial commitment to support that work. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Robert H. Deburro

Headmaster