Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Anonymous
While many of us have "emotional" ties to the O'shields, we must bear in mind we're not privy as to why they're being let go. Those of you with business acumen understand it's illegal for administration to disclose these reasons to outside parties. Instead of passing judgment on administration in a situation where we don't know all the details, we need to have faith they are making the right decision. If we can't have faith in the administration then we probably shouldn't be at this school. Enacting a "witch hunt" and passing judgment isn't the answer for the supposed "Christian way."
Monday, February 15, 2010
Letter for letter writing Campaign
Dear _____________________,
I am writing to you as a concerned family from Espiritu Santo Catholic School. I have recently been informed that the employment contracts for both Sandy and Marshel O’Shields have not been renewed for the 2010-2011 school year.
I am deeply disappointed by this information, and to date have not seen a valid reason why these two wonderful teachers are not being asked to return. They are both valuable assets to our school, and an important part of our school family. They have both dedicated countless hours to our school and our students.
I feel strongly that Marshel and Sandra O’Shields contract should be renewed. Please help us to restore these two teachers back to their positions.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
I am writing to you as a concerned family from Espiritu Santo Catholic School. I have recently been informed that the employment contracts for both Sandy and Marshel O’Shields have not been renewed for the 2010-2011 school year.
I am deeply disappointed by this information, and to date have not seen a valid reason why these two wonderful teachers are not being asked to return. They are both valuable assets to our school, and an important part of our school family. They have both dedicated countless hours to our school and our students.
I feel strongly that Marshel and Sandra O’Shields contract should be renewed. Please help us to restore these two teachers back to their positions.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Email 2
Some of you may have received an email from me or from others this week. Some of you have signed the petition, while others may just be getting this email for the first time. If this is the first email you have received, please see the blog area where you can read about our concerns. The blog details our desire to have the O’Shields’contract renewed: http://fixescs.blogspot.com/
For all of you who have signed the petition: Thank you for all your support in the campaign to keep the O’Shields at our School!
Your support on the petition (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/oshields/signatures) has been wonderful and we know that this list will only grow!!! Please sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/oshields/signatures
For those of you who have contacted us and who were afraid to sign the petition because you were intimidated, well you can rest assured at this point that the movement has strong support and you will not be alone. We understand your concerns about your actions possibly affecting your children. This concern/fear has us saddened and has made us even more determined to help the O’Shields and to protect future families who try to voice their opinions.
We also have heard from many that bullying is a real problem at our school and that many of you have encountered the problem and were not satisfied with the resolution. I think this is an important issue, but let’s get the O’Shields’ lives back in order first.
A suggestion of a letter writing campaign has been introduced and we think that this could be another way to affect change. We have included a template letter (of course you can use your own, but we thought we would provide a starting point).
Here are the key contacts:
Office of Espiritu Santo School
Margaret Penn, Principal
2405 Philippe Parkway
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Phone: 727-726-8477
Fax: 727-799-2062
Email: office@escschool.org
Office of Espiritu Santo Church and School
Rev. Robert Schneider
2405 Philippe Parkway
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Phone: 727-726-8477
Fax: 727-799-2062
Email: millie@espiritusanto.cc
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch
6363 Ninth Avenue N.
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710
Mail: Post Office Box 40200
St. Petersburg, Florida 33743-0200
Phone: 727-341-6830
Fax: 727-345-3086
Email: communicate@dosp.org
Office of Catholic Schools and Centers
John L. Cummings, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Centers PO Box 40200St Petersburg, FL 33743-0200Phone: 727-347-5539Fax: 727-341-6848Email: ocsc@dosp.org
Thanks, and our wish is to improve this school and continue to maintain a wonderful community.
John Shine
For all of you who have signed the petition: Thank you for all your support in the campaign to keep the O’Shields at our School!
Your support on the petition (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/oshields/signatures) has been wonderful and we know that this list will only grow!!! Please sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/oshields/signatures
For those of you who have contacted us and who were afraid to sign the petition because you were intimidated, well you can rest assured at this point that the movement has strong support and you will not be alone. We understand your concerns about your actions possibly affecting your children. This concern/fear has us saddened and has made us even more determined to help the O’Shields and to protect future families who try to voice their opinions.
We also have heard from many that bullying is a real problem at our school and that many of you have encountered the problem and were not satisfied with the resolution. I think this is an important issue, but let’s get the O’Shields’ lives back in order first.
A suggestion of a letter writing campaign has been introduced and we think that this could be another way to affect change. We have included a template letter (of course you can use your own, but we thought we would provide a starting point).
Here are the key contacts:
Office of Espiritu Santo School
Margaret Penn, Principal
2405 Philippe Parkway
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Phone: 727-726-8477
Fax: 727-799-2062
Email: office@escschool.org
Office of Espiritu Santo Church and School
Rev. Robert Schneider
2405 Philippe Parkway
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Phone: 727-726-8477
Fax: 727-799-2062
Email: millie@espiritusanto.cc
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch
6363 Ninth Avenue N.
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710
Mail: Post Office Box 40200
St. Petersburg, Florida 33743-0200
Phone: 727-341-6830
Fax: 727-345-3086
Email: communicate@dosp.org
Office of Catholic Schools and Centers
John L. Cummings, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Centers PO Box 40200St Petersburg, FL 33743-0200Phone: 727-347-5539Fax: 727-341-6848Email: ocsc@dosp.org
Thanks, and our wish is to improve this school and continue to maintain a wonderful community.
John Shine
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Fix ESCS
By now, you’ve all seen the email or heard the news that the O’Shields’ contracts are not being renewed. I must admit that I have been one of the unhappy parents who has watched as other parents have stated their unhappiness with the way the school has been run since Principal Penn was hired, yet I have stayed silent. I have watched as good families, good teachers and good administrators have been asked/forced to leave.
I have seen Mrs. Penn intimidate parents and teachers, and brush off claims of bullying. I have seen the erosion of our school, our parish and our community, and I haven’t done anything. For that, I am truly sorry. I was afraid that my actions would somehow affect my children’s life and education so I stayed silent. Somehow I thought that there was justification somewhere and that the people who I trusted to guide my children’s education and their moral and ethical direction were well intentioned.
We’ve all had moments when we’ve been annoyed by Mrs. Penn. Sometimes we’ve been dumbfounded or irritated by her. Sometimes I understand that she has to make difficult decisions and other times I am not certain about the agenda behind those decisions. But I’ve kept my mouth shut as I watched her get rid of people who have challenged her: Mr. Pendleton, the Troncoso family, the Sosa family, and probably many others. And now she wants to get rid of the O’Shields. Who will be next? Think of your favorite teacher at the school. Do you want to wait until they are told to leave too or you?
I’m no longer willing to watch as friends and teachers are forced out of the school because they don’t agree with Mrs. Penn. I don’t think I can sit by as laws are broken, just because I’m afraid to speak up. I have trusted our school board, I have trusted our pastor to do the right thing; and time and time again I have been disappointed.
This is the last straw.
Here is what I know of the situation.
1. From what I understand, a child in the seventh grade has been caught bullying others, and behaving inappropriately. He is just a 7th grader and not completely at fault here. I understand that he has not just bullied one child, but I have been told that many children, girls and boys have been bullied, both through direct contact and through the internet. This email does not involve the bully, but nonetheless I am not going to accept this behavior. Normally I would trust our school to handle the matter.
2. However, when the issue was not properly addressed by both Principal Penn and Father Bob, the parents had no other choice but to bring the issue to the attention of the Superintendant and the Bishop of the Archdiocese. This is not rumor or gossip. This is documented in a letter sent from Principal Penn to the parents of the seventh grade. While it was poorly written and extremely general with “the intention to protect the children” it was obviously a veiled threat to other parents not to bring any matters above the authority of the pastor and principal.
3. The amazing thing is that if our school was a public school, these actions and steps by Mrs. Penn would be found to be entirely illegal. The fact that we are in a Catholic school, and there is still bullying occurring is unbelievable. One would think that a Catholic school would be held to a higher standard, and expect that such actions would never occur; unfortunately I have been disappointed. In a public school, this would be a violation of Florida Statute 1006.147, better known as Jeffery’s law. A copy of this law is located at: http://faptflorida.org/MidYearHandouts09/Safe%20Schools%2020090302%20Law%20Against%20Bullying_Rumenik.pdf. The law was named after Jeffery Johnston, a bright energetic boy who took his own life based upon the actions of a bully and the inactions of the school. Here are some excerpts:
· “Bullying or harassment of any student or employee of a public K-12educational institution is prohibited”
· “Retaliation against a student or school employee by another student or school employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying or harassment. Reporting an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith is considered retaliation”
4. The O’Shields--both Coach O’Shields and Mrs. O’Shields--were told that their employment contracts would not be renewed. I do not want to get into other people’s business but -- I feel as though these people who have committed their lives to our school and our community deserve defending. I know their child was not bullying people. Doesn’t it seem odd that after almost 10 years of serving our school that both of their contracts were not renewed at the same time? Why would parents of a seventh grader find that they were being asked to leave the school? Please refer to bullet 2 paragraph 3.
5. Unfortunately, as many of us in the loop have found out, if you cross the wrong people by speaking up, you will simply be asked/forced to leave the school! Why can’t we have a board of education, a pastor, and a principal who are focused on the rights of parents, teachers and children? Why can’t we work to make a better school together? How and when did we get to the point that we as parents are dictated to, in a manner of “it is my way or the highway”, when it comes to the welfare of our children, our community our parish and our school?
6. As for the O’Shield’s, I can imagine that their only crimes are: 1) Trying to improve the school they love, and 2) defending a child’s welfare. Should they lose their jobs? Should their family be driven into financial turmoil? Should their children lose their school and their friends? What Catholic lesson does this teach??? Who made this decision, and what example are they trying to demonstrate?
7. I know that most of you don’t need a history lesson in all the issues that have occurred in the school. I know that most of you want change and are finally willing to say: “Enough is enough!”
8. I am ready to fight, but I am not going to tell you what should be done. I am not going to create more issues, because I love this school, and my children love this school. Since my children are so important to me, I only hope that this does not affect them.
9. We cannot sit back as good Catholics and allow this to happen any longer; I feel that our faith requires our action.
10. Please keep in mind: “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict...” -- Friedrich Nietzsche
11. I have set-up a BLOG so that all of you can come up with solutions. I think that WE need to resolve this issue together. I know that the current situation and the current environment are unacceptable. I know that this will affect enrollment and cost each of you more in tuition. (I say this because if I am not able to appeal to your moral compass, perhaps I can appeal to your wallets.)
12. Perhaps we can find a solution that will help to save our school, our parish, our community and our collective conscience. Please log on to the blog at: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=326507699095459358 and post your opinions.
13. Some have called for Principal Penn’s resignation. I am not certain whether this is heated comment or many are serious action. I consider the termination of any person a serious matter. For this reason I have also setup a petition that solicits your opinion bon the O’Shields. I know that this decision is going to be justified based upon budget cuts, and those issues need to be addressed but this is not the issue for the O’Shields.
14. I know that many have fought the good fight and fought it alone, and lost. I hope that if we move for improvements in our school that I and everyone who wants change supports the other.
15. The address for the petition is at this address: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/oshields
Thanks for your attention to this and yes I too agree I wish this wasn’t necessary.
John Shine
I have seen Mrs. Penn intimidate parents and teachers, and brush off claims of bullying. I have seen the erosion of our school, our parish and our community, and I haven’t done anything. For that, I am truly sorry. I was afraid that my actions would somehow affect my children’s life and education so I stayed silent. Somehow I thought that there was justification somewhere and that the people who I trusted to guide my children’s education and their moral and ethical direction were well intentioned.
We’ve all had moments when we’ve been annoyed by Mrs. Penn. Sometimes we’ve been dumbfounded or irritated by her. Sometimes I understand that she has to make difficult decisions and other times I am not certain about the agenda behind those decisions. But I’ve kept my mouth shut as I watched her get rid of people who have challenged her: Mr. Pendleton, the Troncoso family, the Sosa family, and probably many others. And now she wants to get rid of the O’Shields. Who will be next? Think of your favorite teacher at the school. Do you want to wait until they are told to leave too or you?
I’m no longer willing to watch as friends and teachers are forced out of the school because they don’t agree with Mrs. Penn. I don’t think I can sit by as laws are broken, just because I’m afraid to speak up. I have trusted our school board, I have trusted our pastor to do the right thing; and time and time again I have been disappointed.
This is the last straw.
Here is what I know of the situation.
1. From what I understand, a child in the seventh grade has been caught bullying others, and behaving inappropriately. He is just a 7th grader and not completely at fault here. I understand that he has not just bullied one child, but I have been told that many children, girls and boys have been bullied, both through direct contact and through the internet. This email does not involve the bully, but nonetheless I am not going to accept this behavior. Normally I would trust our school to handle the matter.
2. However, when the issue was not properly addressed by both Principal Penn and Father Bob, the parents had no other choice but to bring the issue to the attention of the Superintendant and the Bishop of the Archdiocese. This is not rumor or gossip. This is documented in a letter sent from Principal Penn to the parents of the seventh grade. While it was poorly written and extremely general with “the intention to protect the children” it was obviously a veiled threat to other parents not to bring any matters above the authority of the pastor and principal.
3. The amazing thing is that if our school was a public school, these actions and steps by Mrs. Penn would be found to be entirely illegal. The fact that we are in a Catholic school, and there is still bullying occurring is unbelievable. One would think that a Catholic school would be held to a higher standard, and expect that such actions would never occur; unfortunately I have been disappointed. In a public school, this would be a violation of Florida Statute 1006.147, better known as Jeffery’s law. A copy of this law is located at: http://faptflorida.org/MidYearHandouts09/Safe%20Schools%2020090302%20Law%20Against%20Bullying_Rumenik.pdf. The law was named after Jeffery Johnston, a bright energetic boy who took his own life based upon the actions of a bully and the inactions of the school. Here are some excerpts:
· “Bullying or harassment of any student or employee of a public K-12educational institution is prohibited”
· “Retaliation against a student or school employee by another student or school employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying or harassment. Reporting an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith is considered retaliation”
4. The O’Shields--both Coach O’Shields and Mrs. O’Shields--were told that their employment contracts would not be renewed. I do not want to get into other people’s business but -- I feel as though these people who have committed their lives to our school and our community deserve defending. I know their child was not bullying people. Doesn’t it seem odd that after almost 10 years of serving our school that both of their contracts were not renewed at the same time? Why would parents of a seventh grader find that they were being asked to leave the school? Please refer to bullet 2 paragraph 3.
5. Unfortunately, as many of us in the loop have found out, if you cross the wrong people by speaking up, you will simply be asked/forced to leave the school! Why can’t we have a board of education, a pastor, and a principal who are focused on the rights of parents, teachers and children? Why can’t we work to make a better school together? How and when did we get to the point that we as parents are dictated to, in a manner of “it is my way or the highway”, when it comes to the welfare of our children, our community our parish and our school?
6. As for the O’Shield’s, I can imagine that their only crimes are: 1) Trying to improve the school they love, and 2) defending a child’s welfare. Should they lose their jobs? Should their family be driven into financial turmoil? Should their children lose their school and their friends? What Catholic lesson does this teach??? Who made this decision, and what example are they trying to demonstrate?
7. I know that most of you don’t need a history lesson in all the issues that have occurred in the school. I know that most of you want change and are finally willing to say: “Enough is enough!”
8. I am ready to fight, but I am not going to tell you what should be done. I am not going to create more issues, because I love this school, and my children love this school. Since my children are so important to me, I only hope that this does not affect them.
9. We cannot sit back as good Catholics and allow this to happen any longer; I feel that our faith requires our action.
10. Please keep in mind: “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict...” -- Friedrich Nietzsche
11. I have set-up a BLOG so that all of you can come up with solutions. I think that WE need to resolve this issue together. I know that the current situation and the current environment are unacceptable. I know that this will affect enrollment and cost each of you more in tuition. (I say this because if I am not able to appeal to your moral compass, perhaps I can appeal to your wallets.)
12. Perhaps we can find a solution that will help to save our school, our parish, our community and our collective conscience. Please log on to the blog at: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=326507699095459358 and post your opinions.
13. Some have called for Principal Penn’s resignation. I am not certain whether this is heated comment or many are serious action. I consider the termination of any person a serious matter. For this reason I have also setup a petition that solicits your opinion bon the O’Shields. I know that this decision is going to be justified based upon budget cuts, and those issues need to be addressed but this is not the issue for the O’Shields.
14. I know that many have fought the good fight and fought it alone, and lost. I hope that if we move for improvements in our school that I and everyone who wants change supports the other.
15. The address for the petition is at this address: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/oshields
Thanks for your attention to this and yes I too agree I wish this wasn’t necessary.
John Shine
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