St Marys versus St Louis

[Anonymous]

I believe the principal at St. Louis is retiring as well. But the new principal is the current vice principal so there will be little disruption to the flow of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe the principal at St. Louis is retiring as well. But the new principal is the current vice principal so there will be little disruption to the flow of things.

She's moving to another school in the Diocese. VP is nice and doubt there will be much disruption.

[Anonymous]

It looks like an AP is leaving St. Mary's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The middle school at st Mary’s is a mess. Many are leaving unsure if St. Louis is better but some are leaving for other Catholic schools and some for public.

I would ask 9th grade parents if there kids were prepared for HS and how HS placement tests went when looking at deciding between the 2.

From what I heard not that many teachers are leaving from middle school this year so hopefully the next school year goes more smoothly.

[Anonymous]

The MS teachers weren’t very good at St Mary’s. 6th grade teachers were terrible except for 1. And I didn’t hear good things about 7/8th so if teachers stayed I would have low expectations that it’s good news they stayed. 2 years in a row or significant departures and some who are leaving are solid and leaving due to what someone else said which is tied to the principal.

Middle school director tries but some of the issues should have been dealt with. I believe it’s fully a leadership issue at the school and it starts at the top.

[Anonymous]

The school has gone downhill considerably since new principal came. Hardly a coincidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school has gone downhill considerably since new principal came. Hardly a coincidence.

Presented with out comment: https://ncronline.org/news/south-carolina-school-expels-two-students-involved-racist-videos

[Anonymous]

The current principal of St Mary’s lacks leadership, so I don’t blame teachers for leaving. The school needs to get the middle school under control ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The current principal of St Mary’s lacks leadership, so I don’t blame teachers for leaving. The school needs to get the middle school under control ASAP.

Ultimately, it’s the church’s Rector’s responsibility (and fault). He, not the principal, controls the school. Surprised that the Diocese hasn’t noticed the chaos and stepped in yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current principal of St Mary’s lacks leadership, so I don’t blame teachers for leaving. The school needs to get the middle school under control ASAP.

Ultimately, it’s the church’s Rector’s responsibility (and fault). He, not the principal, controls the school. Surprised that the Diocese hasn’t noticed the chaos and stepped in yet.

+1 Pastors control the parish and the school. If principals stand up to the pastors, they can be consequences which leads to weak leadership from principals. The priest at St. Mary's is very connected in the diocese and puts unreasonable expectations on the school.

[Anonymous]

^^what type of unreasonable expectations?

[Anonymous]

If he’s so “connected,” why doesn’t he FIX the middle school chaos?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current principal of St Mary’s lacks leadership, so I don’t blame teachers for leaving. The school needs to get the middle school under control ASAP.

Ultimately, it’s the church’s Rector’s responsibility (and fault). He, not the principal, controls the school. Surprised that the Diocese hasn’t noticed the chaos and stepped in yet.

+1 Pastors control the parish and the school. If principals stand up to the pastors, they can be consequences which leads to weak leadership from principals. The priest at St. Mary's is very connected in the diocese and puts unreasonable expectations on the school.

PP (or anyone else who knows the answer)— please explain. How is the Pastor so connected and if so why isn’t he fixing the school but letting it turn to ruins? It can’t be because there is a waitlist, as families are leaving. And what unreasonable expectations?

It sounds like the principal needs to grow a backbone and stick up for the students. As a school should always be focused on the students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current principal of St Mary’s lacks leadership, so I don’t blame teachers for leaving. The school needs to get the middle school under control ASAP.

Ultimately, it’s the church’s Rector’s responsibility (and fault). He, not the principal, controls the school. Surprised that the Diocese hasn’t noticed the chaos and stepped in yet.

+1 Pastors control the parish and the school. If principals stand up to the pastors, they can be consequences which leads to weak leadership from principals. The priest at St. Mary's is very connected in the diocese and puts unreasonable expectations on the school.

PP (or anyone else who knows the answer)— please explain. How is the Pastor so connected and if so why isn’t he fixing the school but letting it turn to ruins? It can’t be because there is a waitlist, as families are leaving. And what unreasonable expectations?

It sounds like the principal needs to grow a backbone and stick up for the students. As a school should always be focused on the students.

In the Diocese of Arlington, pastors sign the employment contracts. They have the ultimate say in many matters including student disciplinary matters. Administrators have to choose the battles they fight with the pastors. This particular pastor wants students to go to the Basilica for Mass especially during Lent as an example. Many have tried to find alternatives that were less disruptive to instruction, but he was insistent that he wanted students to walk to Mass.

There is a lot of discontent among parents. Ideally, the pastor and principal should be working together to retain qualified staff and attract good teachers. Their plans for improvement should be communicated to parents. The pastor may be thinking that the large number of applications for Kindergarten will make up for losses in middle school.

[Anonymous]

This thread is still very cryptic. What specifically is the problem? What specifically are parents discontented about? What specifically has caused teacher/staff turnover?