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October 24, 2005

STATEMENT FROM REVEREND JOSEPH W. BONGARD
PRESIDENT, ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL IN POTTSTOWN, MONTGOMERY COUNTY
REGARDING STUDENT BITTEN BY SNAKE

We are very pleased to be able to report that the student was released from the hospital on Saturday. The school community is praying for her and we are grateful that she is back at home with her family so quickly.

The school administration is cooperating fully with the Lower Pottsgrove Police Department. We are conducting an internal investigation, along with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education, into exactly what happened on Friday, October 21, 2005, when the student was bitten by the snake. The school was closed on Friday for an in-service day. When the administration learned that the student had been bitten we contacted police and asked for assistance. After an initial examination of the school, police believed it was safe for St. Pius X to reopen. As an additional safety measure, the school administration brought an animal removal company into the school on Saturday to conduct a search. No snake was found on the premises. School resumed as scheduled today at St. Pius X High School.

We are speaking with students today about what occurred on Friday and wish to assure parents and the community that the safety and well-being of our students is our prime concern. We also continue to pray for the student who was affected by this frightening event.

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Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747