March 2011 Volume Twenty Number 7
Dear Parents and Guardians, With the snowy month of February behind us, it is pleasant to know that the warm months of spring are just around the corner. La Salle will soon thaw out of its outer shell, and spring athletes will be back on our fields. La Salle will host several events in the warm weather, and before we know it, our seniors will trade in hats and gloves for caps and gowns, as they leave for college ambitions. In preparation for the upcoming academic year, I am pleased to announce that over 270 boys have registered for next year’s freshman class – Class of 2015. th In addition, we have begun recruiting for the Class of 2016, and our 7 Grade Practice Test will be administered on Saturday, March 5, 2011. If you know of any worthy candidates, please encourage them to consider La Salle. I urge you assist with an issue which is of vital importance not only to La Salle College High School, but also to Catholic Education and time is of the essence. I need your help in petitioning State Government on an important funding issue for our schools which is being proposed in Pennsylvania House Bill No. 1. House Bill No.1will increase the funding of the EITC (Educational Investment Tax Credit) from the current $50 million, to $100 million. For those of you not aware what the EITC is, it is basically a way for Pennsylvania Corporations and taxpayers to appropriate their tax payments to La Salle College High School in support of Financial Aid. Last year, La Salle was able to raise $235,000 from these credits. The other part of House Bill No. 1is the establishment of School Vouchers for students and parents below the poverty level to receive vouchers to attend the school of their choice. Although this does not apply to our LaSalle family, it is of great importance that we support the right to a quality education to all families and their children. Visit the following website, www.lschs.org/EITC, which will allow you, if you don’t already know, to find the names and e-mails of your State legislators. I know this will take a little effort, but the net good it will do for the system will allow our network of non-public schools to flourish. There is also a link is to a draft letter that you may use to write to your representative. Please feel free to forward this request to any like-minded private school supporters, but please do so as soon as you can. As we anticipate the Risen Lord during this season of Lent, I encourage every La Salle family to think about a way to reach out and serve others. Always know that we here at La Salle College High School pray for you daily and thank you for entrusting your sons to our care. We are extremely appreciative of all that you do for La Salle. I wish you and your family a prayerful Lenten season. Think Spring!
Brother Richard Kestler, FSC ‘60 President