Sparked in part by last year’s closure of Stella Maris Regional School, a private Catholic elementary school in Sag Harbor, St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church is planning to open a full-day nursery school and prekindergarten.
The Division Street church has filed an application with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services with the goal of beginning classes in September on a schedule that would follow the public school calendar.
“Since the school building was closed at Stella Maris, they wanted to open something that would still bring in the young families from the parish and still give them something in terms of preschool,” said Toni Rozzi, a church parishioner who would serve as the preschool director. “We’re really just looking to fill a need in the community.”
Working parents, in particular, are looking for a full-day facility, Ms. Rozzi pointed out.
The program at St. Andrew would be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the option of choosing a morning, afternoon or full-day session. It would focus on faith, social growth and developmentally appropriate academics, Ms. Rozzi said.
Colleen Reynolds on Jul 17, 2012