Q: What is the Morning Star Initiative?
A: The Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Morning Star Initiative is a bold plan for the revitalization of Catholic elementary education on Long Island. In partnership with the Marianists, the Morning Star Initiative aims to position Catholic education for a bright future, with a community of strong and sustainable schools across Long Island. The Morning Star Initiative builds on four pillars to renew and transform Catholic education on Long Island: a Robustly Catholic Culture, Safe and Supportive Communities, Academic Excellence, and Catholic Schools that are Here to Stay. 

Q: Why is DRVC undertaking the Morning Star Initiative now?
A: Catholic elementary education on Long Island faces key challenges as it moves into 2020. Enrollment in DRVC schools has declined by 36% in the last decade. During this period, expenditures and staffing have remained constant forcing schools to increase tuition, rely more heavily on subsidies and delay critical facilities repairs and technology updates. Additionally, schools have struggled to attract, retain, and develop teachers, due in part  to teacher salaries that are not competitive with the public schools. In these challenging times, instilling a strong Catholic identity has become increasingly important.

Q: How long will the Morning Star Initiative take to be completed?
A: We envision the Morning Star Initiative as a multi-year effort, which will be complete when our DRVC elementary schools are strong and sustainable with an improved and consistent focus on Catholic identity.

Q: What will the Morning Star Initiative’s comprehensive review include?
A: The Morning Star Initiative will assess each DRVC elementary school and focus specifically on each school’s ability to embody the four pillars of revitalization. This review will include interviews with leaders and staff of schools, site visits, and data analysis. We will also seek feedback and ideas from those in the community hoping to revitalize Catholic elementary education – parents, teachers, administrators, priests, parish leaders, and community supporters.

Q: How does the Morning Star Initiative address my concerns about Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, Safety, and Facility conditions?
A: Catholic Identity: We will seek to cultivate a robustly-Catholic Culture centered around the spiritual, intellectual, sacramental, and liturgical life of the church. We will develop best practices for integrating faith into curriculum and develop clear standards for our Catholic elementary schools to form students who live the word of God.

Academic Excellence: We will assess each school’s academic offerings, performance, and ability to foster individual growth and development according to time-tested, faith-based models of teaching and learning.

Safety: We will assess the ability of each school to provide a safe and supportive community that recognizes the dignity of every person and promotes human flourishing in a familial atmosphere. We will assess the policies, procedures, and physical infrastructure of our schools and their ability to support student safety, and recommend targeted improvements to strengthen student safety.

Facility Conditions: We will include on-site evaluations of each facility’s ability to support the school’s mission as well as the Parish community, and will identify and prioritize targeted improvements. The Morning Star Initiative places a high value on the sustainability of Catholic schools which are “here to stay” which means ensuring responsible maintenance of facilities.

Q: What is the role of the Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation in supporting MSI?
A:  The Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation and its leaders will look to strengthen its support of DRVC students throughout this effort. The Morning Star Team views key philanthropic partners as critical stakeholders in this process, and will continue to engage with Tomorrow’s Hope and others in our community for guidance and support.

Q: Is the Morning Star Initiative in any way related to the Child Victims Act?
A: No, the Morning Star Initiative does not have any connection to or affiliation with the recent news involving the Child Victims Act.

Q: Who are the Marianists, and why is the Diocese partnering with them?
A: The Brothers of the Province of Meribah bring two centuries of Marianist educational wisdom and experience under the banner of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Morning Star Initiative. For 90 years the Marianist schools on Long Island, which include Chaminade, Kellenberg Memorial, Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School, and St. Martin de Porres Marianist School, have educated and formed in the faith generations of young men and women who provide outstanding leadership in our church and communities.

Q: Are the Marianists taking over all DRVC Schools as they did with St. Martin De Porres?
A: No,The Diocese has asked Brother Thomas Cleary, S.M., President of Chaminade High School, to serve as the Chief Revitalization Officer with the support of his Marianist Brothers. The Department of Education staff will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the department and the schools.

Q: Which schools are included in the Morning Star Initiative?
A: All Diocesan Elementary Schools are included

Q: Will the Morning Star Initiative impact Diocesan High Schools? 
A: The Morning Star Initiative will focus on the Diocesan Elementary Schools on Long Island and not the high schools. However, we hope that improvement in Diocesan Elementary schools will serve to strengthen all Catholic education on Long Island.

Q: Does this initiative have an impact on the private Catholic Schools on Long Island?
A: The Morning Star Initiative does not directly impact the private Catholic Schools on Long Island. However, we hope that improvement in Diocesan elementary schools will serve to strengthen all Catholic education on Long Island.

Q: Are the Marianists being financially compensated for this Initiative?
A: No, the Marianists are not being financially compensated for their involvement in the Morning Star Initiative. The Marianist Brothers view the rivatlization of Catholic Elementary Schools on Long Island as a natural extension of their mission.  

Q: Does the Morning Star Initiative mean that Brother Thomas Cleary is leaving Chaminade High School?
A: No, while Brother Thomas Cleary is serving as Chief Revitalization Officer he will continue his current position as President of Chaminade High School.

Q: Will there be school closings as a result of the Morning Star Initiative?
A: Our primary objective is to strengthen our schools by focusing on the four pillars of revitalization. The Morning Star Initiative seeks to understand the challenges facing Catholic education on Long Island and implement strategies to reverse the enrollment and financial trends which have necessitated school closures. The Diocese does not intend to close any more schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

Q: Will my child’s tuition change as a result of the Morning Star Initiative?
A: For the 2020-2021 school year, decisions made regarding tuition will continue to be made at the parish/school level. Future tuition decisions will be based on the resource levels required to appropriately support students and schools.

Q: Will my child’s support from Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation change as a result of the Morning Star Initiative?
A: No, the Morning Star Initiative will not impact those who are currently receiving tuition assistance.

Q: My child’s school is strong. Does this impact them or just the struggling schools? 
A: The Morning Star Initiative is focused on improving and revitalizing Catholic education, including Catholic identity at all of the Diocesan elementary schools on Long Island.

Q: What is next for my child’s school following the Morning Star Initiative announcement?
A: During 2020, we will work quickly to identify ways to strengthen Catholic elementary schools for Fall 2020 and beyond. This initiative will commence immediately with community outreach and visits to all of the DRVC elementary schools.

Q: Is this related to the closure of Our Lady of Mercy in Hicksville?
A: The decision to close Our Lady of Mercy in Hicksville was independent of the Morning Star Initiative.

Q: Where can I find out more information about the Morning Star Initiative and receive updates?
A: The Diocese is in the process of developing a website for the Morning Star Initiative which will be available at the end of the month. Quarterly updates will also be available on this website.

Q: How can I get involved or help out with the Morning Star Initiative?
A: The MSI Team will be reaching out to stakeholder groups through a series of surveys which will be distributed in February and March to parents, school leadership, staff and community members. We value your participation inthese surveys.