BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- The majority of students previously enrolled at Trinity Catholic School will be transferring to Massena Central elementary schools for the fall.

When news broke that Trinity Catholic School would be closing, Massena Central School officials offered support to students and families affected.

Massena Central School Superintendent Ron Burke previously said the closing of Trinity represents the loss of "an integral part of Massena's greater educational community for forty years and has been a valued partner in educating our children."

"The faculty, staff, and benefactors of Trinity Catholic should be proud of the work that they have done in educating generations of young people," he previously said.

Now Massena Central school officials say they are preparing to help students transition to the district, while a handful are expected to be homeschooled.

When the topic was broached in June, Burke addressed the matter during his superintendent's update.

“Most of the children attending Trinity Catholic are also children of the Massena Central School District. I want to assure these families that the Massena Central School District stands ready to help support you and your children through this difficult time. I have been in contact with Mrs. Jadlos to offer all possible support to her school during this transition,” he said.

The news of Trinity closing was first announced on June 5 when the Diocese of Ogdensburg announced the school would be closing its doors.

According to a June 5 press release, confirmed enrollment at Trinity for grades kindergarten through six for the 2024-25 academic year was 45 students, while enrollment last year in those grades stood at 78.

In 2022-23, enrollment stood at 106 students.

"Painful and disappointing though it may be, we must acknowledge that the loss of over half the student population has made operating the school as it currently exists unsustainable. Therefore, Trinity Catholic School will not open for the 2024-25 school year as it currently operates," the statement read.

School officials say they are exploring options and hope to have resources to open in September, "but online in a limited capacity."

"If enrollment is sufficient, we hope to accommodate Trinity’s rising fifth- and sixth-grade classes for one more year to allow those students to finish their early education at the school. We continue to communicate directly with the parents of those students to assess their intent and level of commitment, and to determine if continued, limited operation is academically and financially feasible," the statement read.

Marianne Jadlos, principal of Trinity Catholic School, also touched on the closure.

“Trinity Catholic School (TCS) has been a home away from home for some of our families for generations. However, even those who have walked through the school doors only once were instantly made to feel like part of the TCS family. Although today is a sad day, we will continue to enjoy each of the remaining days we have together. After the doors close, a new mission begins, which is to take the years we've spent at Trinity Catholic growing both academically and spiritually and boldly bring it out into the world," she said.