What Would it Take?

I heard a report on WBUR in Boston this morning about a Catholic elementary school that is likely to be closed by the archdiocese as part of a consolidation plan. It serves a largely immigrant population, runs a successful after school teen drop in center that is one of the few neighborhood alternatives for kids who don't want to be on the street, and is a real oasis in an area heavy with violent crime. Parents claim that the education outpaces that available in the public schools although the school has a tough time attracting more students because of the rough area in which it sits.

This came amid the endless reports on the mainstream media about Black Friday and Cyber-Monday shopping -- including the craziness of 4 a.m. store openings and people waiting all night for bargains.

It got me thinking: what would it take to get people to come out at 4 a.m. to save a neighborhood school? What would it take to get everyone who stood in line to get into a store to give just $10 or $20 to make the world a little bit better? What a difference it would make if we could each forego another sweater or belt in order to help a kid get a better education.

If the Archdiocese acts to close the school the principal has said that she'll try to keep it open as an independent school. I'm going to try to organize a group to help. Want to join?