PHILADELPHIA - Just days before the new academic year, parents of students who attend Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools were enraged to learn that school bus services were cut for 7th and 8th grade students.Instead, students will get a transportation pass from the City of Philadelphia to access public buses to get to and from school.
This alternative has raised obvious safety concerns among parents. "The crime in the city is so insane right now, and they’re asking me to put my 12-year-old on public transportation because they can’t provide a bus for her?" Linda Berry told FOX 29.
Principal Ryan Merrick, who heads St. Jerome Catholic School in Northeast Philadelphia, said he understands the parent's frustration, but there's little he can do."We’re very blessed to have a very supportive and growing community here at Saint Jerome and we’re doing everything we can, as well as the office of Catholic education, to resolve this matter and support our parents," Merrick told FOX 29. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESIn a statement, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia called the safety of its students its "top priority" and said it is working with the local government to "rectify the situation as soon as possible." The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) was recently made aware that two elementary schools in the City of Philadelphia are currently ineligible to receive bus transportation for their 7th and 8th grade students as they are located in areas no longer considered hazardous for foot traffic by state officials.Administrators in OCE are working with PSD to ensure transportation for our students.