Sacred Heart School May Close
Following an unexpected email from Sacred Heart School administration last month announcing the potential closure of the small Catholic school on Purchase Street at the end of this academic year, parents and parishioners are actively working to keep the school operational. Established in 1917, Sacred Heart School, like many other Catholic schools in Rhode Island, is facing financial difficulties. The school offers education from kindergarten through Grade 8.
School officials and members of the Providence Catholic Diocese have been reviewing Sacred Heart's finances since late September and early October. Their analysis determined that tuition income alone is insufficient to cover the school's expenses. Consequently, the Sacred Heart Church has had to use church funds to support the school financially. The Diocese of Providence estimates that Sacred Heart School is looking at a deficit of nearly $500,000 for the remainder of this school year and into the next.
In late February, an informational meeting was held for parents, which included participation from students, school administrative personnel, and diocese leaders. During this session, parents expressed their concerns and disappointment regarding the short notice given about the potential closure. A review of the diocesan audit by church and school members confirmed the severe financial challenges and offered a few recommendations. It was revealed that the church has been providing financial assistance to help keep the school open. After thoroughly examining the school’s finances, Sacred Heart Pastor Fr. Silvio De Nard concurred that the school must close. Both Pastor De Nard and the Providence Diocese agreed that the primary focus must be on preserving the church rather than the school.
Sacred Heart School currently enrolls 122 students, including those in its daycare program. The annual tuition fee of $5,200 is inadequate to sustain the school. One suggestion at the meeting was to implement an immediate supplemental fee of $2,000 per student and to increase the tuition to $7,900 for the following year. While some believed this could extend the school’s operation, the meeting concluded with cautious hope but limited optimism.
The remaining small Catholic schools also compete with programs at East Providence non-Catholic but private schools such as the Gordon School, Providence Country Day which has absorbed the Henry Barnard school from RI College and St. Mary Bay View’s elementary school (which is Catholic).
Diocesan representatives noted that Catholic small school enrollment has declined statewide, leading to closures and consolidations. East Providence once had five Catholic schools, but now only two diocesan schools remain: Saint Margaret and Sacred Heart, both experiencing financial difficulties, with Sacred Heart in a more precarious position. Previously closed church-run schools in East Providence include Saint Brendan, Saint Francis, Our Lady of Loreto, and potentially now, Sacred Heart School. Parishioners and parents were informed that if the current financial trends continue, both the school and the church face the risk of closure. A final decision has not yet been made.
The City of East Providence is doubling down on its commitment to supporting new and innovative businesses throughout our community while also saving taxpayers money through the recent purchase of a new utility body from a local manufacturing startup for the Department of Public Works.
City Supports Innovative Auto Body Technology
The City issued a February 19, 2025 Press Release which stated, “The City of East Providence is doubling down on its commitment to supporting new and innovative businesses throughout the community while also saving taxpayers money through the recent purchase of a new utility body from a local manufacturing startup for the Department of Public Works. The City of East Providence has sent a 2011 Ford F-250 with more than 124,000 miles to receive the new utility body which will help give the vehicle an additional 10 to 15 years of longevity.
“East Providence is happy to support a local small business that is innovating the utility truck body industry to create more durable and lighter equipment that will prolong the life of our vehicles and trucks while also being energy efficient,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “When we heard about this opportunity, we wanted to partner with PolyCraft to turn an aging 2011 Ford F250, where the utility body was rusting and falling apart, and give the vehicle renewed life while also having the versatility to transfer the utility bed to another vehicle if needed.”
PolyCraft USA, based in Riverside, is bringing to the market its revolutionary utility body, “The Patriot.” The Patriot is a cutting-edge polypropylene truck body designed to set a new standard in the industry. It is constructed from robust 1/2” and 3/4” copolymer sheets that are UV-Stabilized. “Starting PolyCraft in East Providence has been a journey of dedication and innovation, driven by a vision to create groundbreaking, sustainable products that keep our hardworking community safe,” Marc Testa, owner of PolyCraft USA said.
“Collaborating with the City of East Providence to introduce the Patriot truck body to the market exemplifies our commitment to local growth, environmental responsibility, and the safety of those who rely on our products daily.” “This partnership not only supports our mission but also sets a strong foundation for future business development and community engagement,” Testa added.
East Providence Schools Draft Policy on Artificial Intelligence
At its February 11, 2025 meeting, the School Committee received a draft policy on managing proper use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). “We want to get out ahead of this and prepare our schools for the emergence of AI which is here to stay,” School Committee Chairman David Luiz told the Reporter in an interview after the meeting. Superintendent of Schools Sandra Forand told the committee that it is important now to guard against plagiarism or similar actions and there is a need to guide students and staff regarding the appropriate methods for homework, assignments, etc. The draft policy would only allow students 13 or older to use appropriate AI tools with teachers having the final say if AI tools can be used. School officials are quick to point out the newness of the technology and need to constantly review any policy.
Part of the policy reads as follows:
Student Use of AI
Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to this policy, as well as the district’s Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy. Questions about the use of generative AI systems should be directed to the Director of IT. Questions about attribution and transparency in student use of AI should be directed to the course teacher.
Students are required to use AI in an ethical manner and subject to the following limitations and rules:
The District is committed to promoting digital literacy, including the understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations. The use of AI should:
Definitions:
Discipline
Copying language, structure, art, or ideas using generative AI or other emerging technologies to develop work products that does not reflect the student’s own independent thoughts, ideas, or abilities is prohibited and subject to appropriate discipline.
Falsification of work product with the use of generative AI will be treated as plagiarism and subject to discipline under the District’s plagiarism, academic dishonesty and disciplinary policies and protocols and the student handbook. Students must disclose AI use in their work, citing the specific tool used. Direct AI-generated content should be treated like any other quoted source. Text copied from AI sites must be treated as any other direct quote.
The entire proposed policy can be received from the school administration.
Area Mayors and Police Chiefs Discuss Public Safety
Mayor DaSilva and Police Chief Christopher Francesconi participated last month in a New England meeting of mayors and city police chiefs on best practices in city-level public safety and effective policing. Forty mayors and police chiefs attended the meeting hosted by Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), including East Providence Police Chief Christopher Francesconi. “Our Administration is committed to ensuring we provide the best public safety services available to the residents of East Providence and being able to collaborate alongside forty other municipalities from across New England will only help us continue our mission of making East Providence the best place to live, work, play and learn," Mayor Bob DaSilva said. During the meeting, New England mayors and police chiefs discussed ways to collaborate on best practices for addressing a variety of issues related to public safety and effective policing, as well as building relationships between local government and law enforcement. Key issues included reducing gun violence, addressing recruitment and retention challenges, policing in the new federal environment, responding to increasing incidents of hate and violent extremism across the nation, and effective overdose prevention strategies. The meeting comes as cities continue to make important progress on safety, with many seeing declines in homicides, other violent crime and property crimes over the last few years. “Strengthening public safety has always been a top priority for mayors, and recent progress on reducing crime illustrates that the work being done at the local level to make cities safer is paying off,” said organizers.
City Cleaning up Boat Ramp Park
The East Providence Harbor Master and DPW were busy late in February finishing up the removal of a sunken boat from the boat ramp at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Haines Park boat ramp. This is a state boat ramp, in a state park that straddles two communities, Barrington and East Providence. The boat ramp is located in East Providence. Residents who frequent the park and boat ramp have complained of a sunken boat and other debris. “The city is removing the debris and sunken boat to ensure a safe experience for our residents and visitors who use this state boat ramp,” said Mayor Bob DaSilva. The city will be applying to DEM for funding to pay for the cost of this debris clean up. “We have heard from many boaters, fishermen and park goers about the hazards in the water and ramp area,” said City Council President Bob Rodericks. “I appreciate the Mayor, Harbor Master Bruce Dufresne and our DPWfor paying attention to this eyesore and problem.”
East Providence Hiring
The City of East Providence is currently accepting applications for various job vacancies. Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/4m46eshh
Laborer, Parks - $44,612.88
Community Development Coordinator - $67,050.68 To $79,752.86
Assistant Superintendent of Highway - $67,050.68 To $79,752.86
Traffic Control - $30.00 To $30.00 Hourly
Auto Mechanic I - $55,165.00 To $55,165.00
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