St. John’s school has much to offer
I am writing as a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church. I also have two sons, who attend St. John the Evangelist School. My oldest son will be entering seventh grade in the new school year. My younger son will be entering fourth grade. My children have attended St. John the Evangelist School since preschool. While I can sympathize and also empathize with the families and parishioners of St. Mary (Nativity) Church, with the “sudden” notification of their school closing, I must express some opinions deep within my heart. I can honestly say, if the situation were reversed I would have the same feelings expressed by some of the previous editorials I have read. However, I don’t think it is prudent to attack St. John the Evangelist Parish, school, or parishioners for something that is beyond our control.
In a recent editorial, it was stated St. John the Evangelist has a “mandatory” $500 fund raising fee, thereby making the school tuition more expensive than St. Mary School had been. Please let me set the record straight. There is no such “mandatory” fee. If a family opts out of participating in the three school fund-raisers, they agree to pay a $500 additional fee. This is only if they choose not to participate in any of the fund raisers. If a family chooses to “participate” (not raise a set amount of money), they are not expected to pay the $500.
Our school has been referred to as an “auto garage.” I wonder if the person making this statement was ever inside of the school? I have yet to see vehicles, auto mechanics, or automotive equipment in the building.
For those of you with such harsh opinions of St. John the Evangelist School, I have a few questions for you to pon-der. Have you met our pastor, principal, faculty, and staff? These people go above and beyond their required “job descriptions” to take care of our children, and provide them with a Catholic education.
Perhaps you should stop in and meet the people, who work tirelessly to bring a service to our children and our famil-ies. Are you aware of the additional renovations/construction going on at the school to accommodate additional students? There are many who are “donating” their time and talent to make this possible.
Are you aware that our pastor, on the last day of school, made it very clear to our students that the closing of St. Mary (Nativity) School was a very difficult thing for the families and parishioners? Our pastor instructed and encouraged our students and our congregation to pray for the students/families of St. Mary School/Church, and to be sure to be very welcoming to any new students arriving at St. John the Evangelist School.
To those of you who have written with such contempt, please give St. John the Evangelist a fair chance. We are not your enemy.
Mary Ann Rider is a resident of Uniontown.