“Give Back the Gift” A Catholic Education Fund for Nativity School “We can continue to lament that the rising cost of a Catholic grade school education is making it unavailable to many Catholic families… or we can do something about it.” Thank you for being here and taking the first step to help us do something about it What a meaningful way to recognize the Sisters of Mercy and to continue their legacy.

~Your History ~

Beginning in 1921 with the Ursuline Sisters, and in 1926 with the Sisters of Mercy, religious sisters provided academic and spiritual instruction to thousands of students who attended Nativity School. For more than 50 years, students received this invaluable gift of a Catholic education at absolutely no cost thanks to the sacrifices and dedication of these sisters.

In the ‘70s, however, with the declining number of sisters available to instruct, lay teachers needed to be compensated. What began as a minimal “book fee” to help defray this new expense has escalated into present day in-parish, per student tuition of$2,465.00.    

~ Today’s Situation ~

Despite high tuition fees, schools which depend solely on tuition and parish subsidy from church collections will face increased challenges to meet operating expenses, resulting in either:

• Continued increases in tuition: (making Catholic education unaffordable/ unattainable for many parish families)
  or
  
• A reduction in the quality of educators and in the quality of education: (affecting the Foreign Language, Arts, Technology, as well as Advanced Math and Science curriculum, etc…)

~ Our Plan ~

“Give Back the Gift… a Catholic Education Fund” will be established for Nativity School as a source of additional funds to ensure the parish ministry’s long-term sustainability… and quality of its offerings.
 

~ “Give Back the Gift… a Catholic Education Fund” ~

Q:  Who will support “Give Back the Gift… a Catholic Education Fund”?
A:   Our goal is to initially seek the support of non-parishioner alumni from the 1930s – 1960s and parents of alumni from 1970s – 1980s.

We will also seek support from charitable foundations. In addition, we will attempt to “sell’ the appeal of a proven-successful parochial school in a diverse urban neighborhood to individuals/groups working to slow the exodus of Hamilton county residents to the suburbs.

Q:  Why should You support “Give Back the Gift”?
A:   Chances are you have already experienced the benefits of the Catholic education you received at Nativity School. Today, the school provides an exemplary solid academic education with a global perspective - - enhanced by the arts and technology - - all rooted in the gospels of Jesus Christ. Nine years of  Nativity education, which you received at very little or no cost, now totals $18,270.

It’s a gift worth giving back!

Do you remember our School Song and the Suscipe? Take a look at this video to hear those songs and learn more.

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Together, we can help “Give Back the Gift” of a quality, faith-based Catholic education
which Nativity School has provided its parish children for more than 85 years!
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Q: How will the Fund be used?
A:  Monies from the “Give Back the Gift… a Catholic Education Fund” will be used to help offset annual variances in revenues or expenses. The supplementary funds will allow Nativity administrators to
address unexpected expenses – and opportunities – without having to automatically resort to tuition increases or adjustments in
academic offerings.

Q:  When and how can You support the Fund?
A:  Keep reading for a variety of  specific ways to help establish and grow the Fund… starting today!

Take your next step to help “Give Back the Gift.”

Join our efforts to establish the “Give Back the Gift… a Catholic Education Fund” for Nativity Grade School, by actively taking part in one or more of the following:

• Attend the “Give Back the Gift… a Catholic Education Fund” Kickoff Event, Thurs., Sept. 21.
• Invite at least one fellow alum or friend of Nativity to the Fund Kickoff Event.
• Make a “Double My Donation” start-up contribution to challenge fellow alumni.
• Lend your name to a letter announcing the Fund to alumni.
• Host an upcoming “Mercy Tea” or casual alumni gathering.
• Plan a fundraising event (i.e golf outing, dinner, etc…)
• Help us connect with contacts you may know on charitable Foundation Boards.
• Pray for the success of the Fund.
• Support our yearly September appeal beginning this year! (to commemorate the Sept. 24  feast of Our Lady of Mercy)