Senate Resolution No. 1138

BY: Senator ADDABBO

HONORING Saint Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic
Academy upon the creation of its First Student Bill
of Rights

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
celebrate those institutions of learning that attempt to instill
admirable human values in their students while simultaneously providing
excellent academic services that enable young people to succeed; and

WHEREAS, The Saint Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Academy in Ozone
Park, Queens, recently undertook an extraordinary project in concert
with the young men and women enrolled in the school and encouraged the
pupils to create a unique and admirable Student Bill of Rights; and

WHEREAS, The Student Bill of Rights consists of an introduction and
three distinct Articles delineating Respect for Others, Respect for Our
School, and Respect for Myself; and

WHEREAS, In a March, 2017 ceremony, the students at Saint Mary Gate
of Heaven Catholic Academy signed the Student Bill of Rights they had
created and pledged to adhere to its highly commendable principles of
behavior; and

WHEREAS, While seeking to advance and celebrate the growth of
student respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the school
they attend, the creation of the Student Bill of Rights also provided an
opportunity for these pupils to learn first-hand about civics and the
work that goes into creating guidelines for the operation of a civil
society; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of the Bill of Rights of the United
States of America also required that a group of dedicated parties come
together to debate, negotiate and ultimately agree upon a code of
conduct and guiding principles to uphold the best interests and freedoms
of all people in the nation; and

WHEREAS, The Saint Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Academy Student Bill
of Rights addresses such issues as: the importance of listening and
being aware of the feelings and thoughts of others; understanding that
all students have a right to be respected, acknowledged, and treated
fairly; ensuring that recess time at the school provides a safe
environment for students in both a physical and spiritual sense; and
preserving the integrity of school equipment, classrooms, and the school
building itself; and

WHEREAS, The students, faculty, administrators and other members of
the Saint Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Academy community are to be
commended for their support and involvement in the development of the
school's first Student Bill of Rights; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize and honor the authors and creators of the Saint Mary Gate of
Heaven Catholic Academy Student Bill of Rights; and be it further


RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Principal Philip Heide, and the student body of Saint
Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Academy.