Resolution 040572

..Title Honoring Saint Francis de Sales Elementary School in West Philadelphia for providing immigrant children with an education that not only prepares them for life, but also provides them with the keys to succeed in their new found home as citizens of the United States. ..Body WHEREAS, The Saint Francis de Sales Elementary School and Parish, which was founded in University City in 1890, has faithfully served its community of both Catholics and non-Catholics for well over a century; and WHEREAS, For more then twenty years Saint Francis de Sales has opened its doors to children from numerous countries including troubled Asian countries such as Vietnam, and more recently from the war torn African nations of Ethiopia and Liberia; and WHEREAS, Saint Francis de Sales Elementary School excels academically and is an award winning school which has won numerous prizes in local essay, art, speech, history and math contests, and also has a nationally recognized anti-violence program that educates children in conflict resolution; and WHEREAS, Sister Constance Marie Touey, principal of Saint Francis de Sales, and the six other nuns who also work and teach at the school, are members of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who have made it a part of their mission to helping immigrants both inside of and outside of the classroom; and WHEREAS, Saint Francis de Sales Elementary School is currently at its maximum enrollment of 528 students, who represent almost forty different countries and speak twenty different languages; and WHEREAS, At a time when school funding is at a premium throughout the City, the Saint Francis de Sales elementary school has managed to educate the less fortunate through relentless fund raising, and through the establishment of scholarships; and WHEREAS, Saint Francis de Sales has continued the American tradition of welcoming the less fortunate into this country, and providing them with a better life through education; now therefore RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we as a body honor the Saint Francis de Sales Elementary School for educating immigrant children without prejudice, and for making sure that they are ready to become contributing members of society. ..End