Northern Chautauqua Catholic School Announce Puerto Rico Victims Free Tuition Program

DUNKIRK, N.Y.: ––While attending a presentation Friday with Edwin Ramos, Dunkirk City Clerk, celebrating National Hispanic Heritage month, Mrs. Jenny Tilaro of the Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (NCCS) announced a free tuition program for Hurricane Maria victims.

Tilaro was working with Mayor Rosas and his administration in recent weeks on outreach initiatives to the Hispanic community when the hurricane occurred. The idea for relief to hurricane victims was presented to Mrs. Tilaro by John Galley, NCCS Finance Manager. Galley envisioned the program providing a humanitarian effort, which coincides with the school’s belief of helping our fellow brothers and sisters.

“Free tuition is being offered for the 2017-2018 school year to children of Puerto Rico who have been displaced due to the devastation left behind from Hurricane Maria,” said Mrs. Tilaro, NCCS Principal. Puerto Rico closed 127 schools in May of this year, displacing approximately 10,000 students to other districts that were several more miles away from their former school districts. On top of that, they are being displaced by the hurricane. By opening doors to these children, NCCS hopes to alleviate some of the stress in transition by providing them a smaller school setting with more individualized attention.

When Tilaro approached Sister Carol Cimino, Superintendent of Catholic Schools Buffalo Diocese regarding the program she immediately agreed with effort and the plan for free tuition. Through the Diocese Tilaro has also connected with another Buffalo private school who said they would do their own fundraisers to get school supplies for the kids when they get here.

Edwin Rosas will also introduce Tilaro to families who may have children relocating to Dunkirk as victims of hurricane Maria.

Tilaro continued, “This teaches students that the values we are instilling in them through our Faith, extends beyond their school walls. “ NCCS has also launched “NCCS Cares for Puerto Rico,” where students and families are collecting supplies for victims in the impacted area. Each classroom is assigned certain supplies which include basic necessities such as baby wipes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, toiletries, can openers, toothbrushes, canned and boxed food items and water bottles. In keeping with the teachings and mission of the Catholic Faith and NCCS this effort illustrates compassion, love and support for others- especially those in need.

For more information about Northern Chautauqua Catholic school and the free tuition offer please contact Mrs. Jenny Tilaro at jtilaro@nccschool.us or 716-366-0630.

About Northern Chautauqua Catholic School- NCCS is a Middle States accredited school offering a Christ-centered community which promotes academic excellence emphasizing family values and respect for others in an atmosphere of kindness, love and understanding. The school serves students in grades Pre-K3 through 8th Grade. It is a Regional Catholic School serving the communities and churches of Chautauqua County, New York and is affiliated with the Diocese of Buffalo. NCCS offers a curriculum which focuses on the development of the “whole student” by providing excellent academic programming and “specials” such as Spanish, Art, Music, Physical Education/Health and Technology/Computer Education, providing students opportunities to explore and develop their interests in these areas.