Parents of idled Philadelphia Catholic school students plan protest

While talks continued Friday between the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its striking high school teachers' union, both sides reported no major developments.

Meanwhile, parents frustrated that students have missed three days of class said they would demonstrate next week. Catholic Parents Respond has scheduled a protest rally outside the archdiocese's headquarters on North 17th Street for 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Theresa Keel, who founded the ad hoc group, said the rally would show the archdiocese and the teachers' union "how upset we are and that parents are banding together."

Keel, whose two daughters are eager to return to class at Lansdale Catholic High School, said many parents posting comments on the group's Facebook page have pledged to follow its recommendation and withhold tuition payments until students return to school.

The 16,000 students enrolled at the 17 archdiocesan high schools in the five-county region have been out of school since Wednesday.

The 711 lay teachers have been on strike since Sept. 6.