CNBNews

Since Jan. 6, the students and staff at St. Gabriel School, 2917 Dickinson St., have needed as much might as their savior can grant, as the Archdiocese of Philadelphia-appointed Blue Ribbon Commission announced plans to merge the facility with St. Thomas Aquinas, 1719 Morris St., to form a regional school. The devoted advocates of their 104-year-old educational home are hoping today’s appeal before a review committee will help to prolong its Grays Ferry existence.

“Someone could have knocked us over with a feather,” nine-year Principal Sister Noreen Friel said Friday of the commission’s conclusions.

Kindergarten teacher Michelle Sumner has spent her entire 34-year professional career as a member of the St. Gabriel clan. The graduate of Epiphany of Our Lord, 1248 Jackson St. — a spot scheduled to merge with Holy Spirit, 1845 Hartranft St.; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 2329 S. Third St.; Sacred Heart of Jesus, 1329 E. Moyamensing Ave.; and St. Richard, 1826 Pollock St., at the former Stella Maris site, 814 Bigler St. — hopes implementation plans end up being for naught.

read via www.southphillyreview.com

by Joseph Myers