New St. Blaise School Chooses St. Bridget's Leader as New Principal

Though parents of St. Bridget's Catholic School in East Falls continue their fight to preserve their school, decisions are being made for a new regional Manayunk school.

Officials for St. Blaise Catholic School, which is on the site of the current , announced on their website that current St. Bridget's principal, Susan Canio, will hold that role in the new school.

"We are so very happy to welcome Ms. Canio to this new, important position and we have great confidence in her leadership ability," the announcement said. "She is a woman of faith dedicated to the mission of Catholic education."

Canio previously worked in Manayunk Catholic schools, according to the website. The announcement did not mention plans for current Holy Child Principal Mike Patterson.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's  that St. Bridget's would close and merge with Holy Child Catholic School in Manayunk. East Falls parishoners , arguing to set the new school at St. Bridget's. The archdiocese upheld the initial decision in February.

Parents made their case to Philadelphia Daily News columnist Ronnie Polaneczky, who questioned the archdiocese's logic.

In her column, Polaneczky pointed to school enrollment and baptism statistics that favor St. Bridget and questioned the archdiocese's decision based on fact. 

Merger meetings continue, with an eye on the 2012-13 school year. At its recent implementation meeting, St. Blaise officials said 277 existing students were committed to the new school, with the anticipated final enrollment set at 325 students. Only 12 flat-out declined, and 27 respondents said maybe.

Registration for the new school opens March 18, for current students, at an open house.

Next up for the schools is an archdiocese meeting March 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Archbishop Carroll High School in Radnor. The St. Blaise Implementation Committee next meets April 3 at Holy Family Rectory.