Frustration expressed at closing of St. Mary School
I’m writing to express my frustration to the sudden and shocking closing of the St. Mary Nativity School in Uniontown. I, as a grandparent who enrolled a grandchild in St. Mary School for the past two years, feel nothing but frustration for the underhanded way this closing transpired. It was not a decision that was made in a few days before the announcement. It was a work in progress for at least several months.
Where was the respect for the principal Mr. Sepic and the staff and faculty along with the parents and students?
If a major problem was in existence over such a lengthy period of time, why weren’t the staff and parents made aware long before, and given the opportunity to try and rectify the problem before such a horrific announcement?
Stop insulting the intelligence of the staff and families of St. Mary School and to say the least, breaking one of The Ten Commandments. Our children are taught in a faith-based school and in their home. What wonderful mentors you are for our children!
There has been so much negativity about the Catholic faith, which reverts back over many years, and this present action only exacerbates the negativity in many minds.
The diocese and advisory board should be only concerned with promoting faith-based education and bringing more children into Catholic schools, instead of driving people away.
How was the decision made to keep St. John open as a regional school? When making a decision on which school to send my grandchild I visited St. Mary School and was very impressed by the atmosphere, cleanliness, friendly staff and down-to-earth teachers who encouraged children to want to attend school.
I can’t say enough wonderful things regarding our experience with Mr. Sepic, staff and faculty. They truly put their heart and soul into the education of our children. I had a peace of mind knowing that when my grandchild arrived at school he was in a safe and well protected environment, that being of utmost importance to Mr. Sepic. What do they get in return – stabbed in the back!
Where’s the integrity of all involved in this closing? Each week at Mass they preach faith, then pass the offering basket, then soon as we turn our back … they deceive all of us!
Why was St. John chosen over St. Mary School? You tried to soften the blow and call it a regional school. St. Mary has much more room for expansion and honestly, St. John’s building looks like an auto repair garage. Furthermore, St. Mary School is in a safer part of Uniontown.
Our building is very marketable and personally, if I were a betting lady – I’d bet it’s already leased out.
It saddens me to know that promoting faith-based education is not a top priority on the agenda. I frequently hear recruitment for our young men to join the seminary – then you turn around and break our children’s hearts and have them question their faith because of how you abruptly abandoned them, as if they meant nothing!
I want to say thank you to Mr. Sepic, Carol, Cathy and the teaching staff for the love, nurturing and commitment you gave our children each year. We will sadly miss all of you!
Deborah Matlick is a resident of Fairchance.