BREWSTER

The Rev. Robert McKeon enjoys viewing several of the books that will be used at the new early childhood learning center with Donna Colello and Maureen Patterson (right). ERIC GROSS Eighty years of parochial school education came to a screeching halt two years ago when the New York Archdiocese decided to close St. Lawrence O’Toole School in Brewster.

Now, in conjunction with National Catholic School Week, the parish has announced the creation of the St. Lawrence O’Toole Early Childhood Learning Center, whose toddler program is being tabbed “Just the Two of Us!”

Last week the COURIeR sat down with the pastor of St. Lawrence, the Rev. Robert McKeon, as well as the organizers of the new program, former St. Lawrence kindergarten teacher Donna Colello, and her teaching assistant Maureen Patterson, to learn first hand about the exciting new program.

Father McKeon, who arrived in Brewster during the summer of 2008, weeks after the school closed, explained that the new learning center will provide “each child entrusted in our care with the opportunity to grow spiritually, educationally, emotionally, socially, and physically to become lifelong learners in a Catholic environment.”

Once the decision was made to create the child-centered, value-oriented, coeducational Catholic school serving children from age two through kindergarten, Father McKeon contacted Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who approved the request.

Current plans call for two-year-olds to attend the school on Tuesdays; three year olds on Wednesdays and four-year-olds on Thursdays from 9:30am to 11:30am each day.

Three sessions are planned for the current school year: February 23 through March 26, when learning will center on “Rhyme Time”; April 12 through May 14, “Fun with Food”; and May 17 through June 18, “Toddler Technology.”

Colello explained that emphasis will be placed on inter-personal relationships as a long-term goal: “In a world which today challenges the ability and opportunity for people to be compassionate, St. Lawrence will strive to teach its students to be of service in their own homes as well as their individual communities, and in distant lands. Through a variety of service experiences our children will learn to appreciate the role of one who has come to serve.”

Father McKeon admitted “loving Catholic education. I feel strongly about it and hope down the road that we will be able to resurrect our wonderful school.”

Christina Grant of Brewster is also praying for a miracle: “As an alumna of St. Lawrence whose daughter graduated from the school in 2005, the void created when the school was ordered closed remains deep to this day.” Grant added, “We all hope and pray that this is the beginning of something much bigger.”

Colello recalled that fateful June 2008: “All of us believed the school would remain for at least another year after the announcement was made by the Archdiocese. Fundraising activities were taking place to attract new families on a Tuesday, but by Friday the final word came— we were closed. To this day, families are struggling, asking themselves: ‘Where do I go? What do I do?’ People were angry. Our new childhood learning center will bring new life and will draw many families back to the parish.”

Patterson agreed that St. Lawrence O’Toole School was an “extended family for all of us by providing a certain comfort. Parents understood that their children were being educated yet cared for on a personal level. We loved the children like they were our own. My children are now all grown. I need the kids’ hugs as much as they need them!”

The center has scheduled an open house for Sunday from 8:30am to 1:30 pm. Father McKeon urged the community to “stop by our ‘pre-Super Bowl’ event.” Those desiring additional information can call the school at 279-5164.