Safe Environment
September, 2010
Dear Member of the St. Raymond Community:
Our Catholic tradition has always affirmed the dignity of the human person as created in the image and likeness of God. Every person with whom we come in contact deserves to be seen by us with the eyes of God. We know that ministry with children and youth, in particular, is a sacred trust. We, at St. Raymond High School for Boys, are committed to preserve, at all times and places, this sacred trust which is rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ.
In 2002, the United States Bishops approved The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in an effort to protect children and youth from sexual abuse at all levels of church life and to restore trust in a Church scarred by the scandal of clergy sexual abuse. Article 12 of that charter directs all dioceses to create programs and processes to teach children and youth about the prevention of sexual abuse. In the Archdiocese of New York, this training is called the Safe Environment Program. Every member of our faculty, staff and administration has been in-serviced in this program. Additionally, background checks have been completed on every member of our faculty and staff to ensure a safe learning environment for your child. Sexual abuse awareness training also continues to be integrated into our school curriculum. Besides the regular curriculum emphasis on the dignity of the human person, a more concentrated presentation will occur in Religion classes.
We thank you for your support and interest as we partner to give the children of St. Raymond High School for Boys the safest possible environment to grow in faith, in our parish, school and in our homes. Please contact either myself or the Safe Environment Office at the Archdiocese of New York with any concerns that you may have.
Sincerely,
Br. Daniel Gardner, F.S.C.
Principal