Dear Editor:

June 29, 2007 brought to a close a century-old institute of learning in Jersey City, St. John's Catholic Elementary School (most recently known as Visitation School.) Its place in the heart of the city is indicated by the number of graduates who came back for a last visit.

The detritus of one hundred years of education is not swept away by angels. Hard work and preparation were necessary to ring that dismissal bell one last time. A plan was created and it was implemented with the help of several Jersey City agencies. This letter serves as a huge "thank you" to those that assisted in making a sad day pass smoothly. The efforts of the Jersey City Incinerator Authority, the Hudson County Incinerator Authority, the Jersey City Fire Department and the loyal Jersey City School District Laborers, Division of Programs and Services and Educational Technology Department made my task of clearing out all the classrooms a whole lot easier.

You have my gratitude for making the recent weeks a true community effort. May God richly reward all who helped.

Margaret Mary McDermott
Former Principal