Let's Reopen and Repurpose St. Michael's School

Here’s a way To Save St. Michael’s Church and Campus, To Help Ducktown, and To Give Back St. Michael’s School has 9 classrooms (K-8th Grade) and offices located above and around St. Michael’s Church. While the School has been closed since June 30, 1988 our pastor Fr. Jon Thomas and the SMCPS want to reopen the classrooms and offices for use by the Neighborhood, the Church, the Parish, and the City. As you see from the pictures much work is needed to get them ready. The space is ideal for adult education classes, talks, craft shows, community meetings, non-profit group offices, art exhibits. There is even a great idea to use a classroom for a Ducktown Museum for remembering the Culture, Value, Stories, Work and the People of the Neighborhood with pictures, mementos, stories, film, video. Franciscan Nuns will move into and convert St. Michael's Rectory into a Convent by mid-August. The MudGirls Studios, a nonprofit craft organization that designs and makes the annual Commemorative Wedding of the Sea Medallions, will locate in one of the second-floor classrooms. Another non-profit startup, Closet of Hope, has moved into the main office/principal's office. The SMCPS would also like to use some space for its offices. This is a community project worthy of your help with time, dollars, and/or contacts. Volunteers can clean rooms, paint, move desks, wash floors, etc. Help is needed with persons who know plumbing, heating, carpentry, and all the DIY trades. Send me your name address, phone, email contact and a general idea of how and what days you can help. As soon as we have specific times and tasks we will contact you. you can also reach me at 703.802.0150 To get this project underway we immediately need: * A dumpster for trashing junk stored in the classrooms * An organization that wants free retro student desks from the 1960's-70s...and will pick them up. * Names of Volunteers who want a "Habitat for Humanity" experience in Atlantic City....who have some trade experience with HVAC, plumbing, painting, etc. or who are willing to do general clean-up work in the classrooms. * A donation of ceiling tiles to replace missing/broken in the classrooms. As Fr. Jon said, “There are plenty of challenges.” The building is structurally sound and the electricity works, but there are still some leaks in the plumbing system. The elevator and stairs are in good shape. We will need to start up the old radiators and install new windows that can accommodate window AC units. This is a great project for a community group, scouts, alumni, a family or a person who just wants to give back a little. Bob