Date: Fri 12-Apr-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

schools-St-Rose-addition

Full Text:

with cut: St Rose Begins Work On New Addition

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

St Rose School opened a new chapter in its history with the official

groundbreaking ceremony for its 2,600-square-foot addition Monday morning.

Excavation at the Church Hill Road school began this week; the entire project

is expected to be completed by next September.

The $350,000 addition, to be built onto the east side of the school, will

include a new classroom and a multi-purpose room, which will seat up to 80

students.

Father George Birge, St Rose Principal Donna DeLuca, architect John Madzula,

Harold Brennan of Matson Construction, Kurt Kraushaar, president of the Home

and School Association, Sylvia Launder, parish administrator and the St Rose

kindergarten class were all on hand for the initial shoveling of the dirt.

The extra space, according to Father Birge, is needed in the school to address

a modest enrollment increase, as well as for religious education and other

parish uses.

"We're very happy that we're underway," explained Father Birge. "The addition

is going to add immensely to the school life."

Matson Construction is in charge of the excavation work.

St Rose Church of Lima has a major ongoing campaign called "Faith in the

Future - St Rose" to raise money for both the Diocese of Bridgeport and the

local parish and school. So far, $707,000 has been pledged with 40 percent of

it to stay in Newtown. The church has set a goal to raise $850,000.

While the adults have pledged to help cover the cost of the construction, St

Rose students are doing their part as well. The school's "Pennies from Heaven"

campaign continues with students having now collected more than 200,000

pennies.

Last week's visit by 99.9 WEZN also helped with the fundraising cause as

listeners have since called in with penny computer donations.