Parents band together in effort to save 2 Catholic schools slated to close due to pandemic

Parents are vowing to fight for two Catholic school slated to close due to the effects of the pandemic.
The Diocese of Rockville Centre sent out a press release to parents Tuesday night saying St. Raymond in East Rockaway and St. Thomas Apostle in West Hempstead have experienced a sharp decline in enrollment over the past several years and say the impact of COVID-19 has placed schools under a significant burden.
Lori Lang, a parent of five, two of whom attend St. Thomas, thinks the schools didn't fight hard enough.
"I just feel as though this decision is a little bit short-sighted, especially for the future of Catholic education on Long Island," says Lang.
Lang and other parents are launching a petition drive, asking the diocese how much money would be needed to keep the school open.
"We would do anything to save our school, and for our children to be in their own community," says Anne Petraro.
Children from the schools will be welcomed into any Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder is also an alumni of St. Raymond's, and says he's glad to see parents fight for the schools.
"It's good that they battled to show that they want to keep the school open," says Ryder.