Press Release
March 5, 2012
Letter from Mayor Annise D. Parker to Beren Academy (attached below)
March 5, 2012
Letter from Mr. Robert M. Beren:
Student Body, Staff and Board of Directors of Robert M. Beren Academy,
When I was asked to become involved in the modern orthodox day school of Houston where three of my grandchildren were enrolled, I committed myself because I hoped that the outcome would be a true fulfillment of the mission of the school.
What has occurred in these recent days illustrates the values that permeate the institution. The way the team, and everybody associated with the Academy, have conducted themselves is not a surprise. I would have expected nothing less.
I join Houstonians and people of all religious persuasions everywhere who have taken pride in the Beren Stars. I thank all involved with the school for bringing honor to my name. The members of my family join with me in extending our congratulations and good wishes.
Robert M. Beren
March 4, 2012
Robert M. Beren Academy (RMBA) would like to congratulate the boys basketball team on an historic season. The team has shown tremendous poise, commitment and dedication throughout the playoff run. We would like to thank all of our fans for their support all season, and particularly during this past week. We congratulate Abilene Christian School on the win and thank TAPPS for the opportunity to play. We also thank the other schools in TAPPS for their understanding and cooperation, particularly Dallas Covenant. Our team rose to the occasion and not only are we proud of them, we are grateful for all of the support we received from around the country. This team, and their coaches, will always be our stars.
March 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Robert M. Beren Academy (RMBA) is pleased to announce that the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) has informed us that they will reschedule the Class 2A basketball schedule to permit the RMBA team to play this Friday without violating our Sabbath.
We are thankful to TAPPS for ultimately making the right decision. The school administration and board were not involved in any legal action, and we regret that it took a lawsuit filed by parents to bring about this decision.
We greatly appreciate the strong outpouring of support from so many. We thank Mayor Anise Parker, Senator John Cornyn and others from throughout the city of Houston, the great state of Texas, the United States, and around the world. We particularly want to acknowledge the many member schools in TAPPS who supported efforts to change the schedule to enable our boys to play. Special thanks to Our Lady of the Hills Catholic High School for allowing us to reschedule the start time of the regional finals game this past Friday, February 24th.
We are very proud of our basketball team, the Beren Stars. Not only have the boys demonstrated considerable skill on the court this season, but they have also handled the stress of the past week with extraordinary maturity and composure. We also thank Coach Cole, the RMBA Athletic Director, for his outstanding leadership.
The Beren Stars look forward to competing in the state semi-final round tomorrow afternoon.