Reason for Blog

New feelings on the situation.

So it has been four weeks since we have heard the news about Miss Armbrust.  There has been no communication from the pastor with the parents about the direction of the school as of today.  We did receive our tuition bill.  So, I sit here and ponder the issues at hand.

There have been daily posts to express gratitude and thanks to Miss Armbrust.  The posts, thoughts and prayers are still coming. But, I still can’t help but wonder why this matter has not been addressed.  A dedicated woman who has given her life to creating an amazing school did not get her contract renewed.  Protocol was not followed.  There was no discussion about a new direction with the parents, teachers, the community, school board, parish council or other parents/school group about a change. The consistency of Miss Armbrust’s record and dedication she has had to the school has ended abruptly with no explanation, no opportunity to say goodbye and no opportunity to thank her.

I created this blog simply for those who wanted to thank Miss Armbrust.  I specifically stated it was not for political discussion and I was adamant I wanted to keep it that way.  It is clear; I feel a huge injustice has occurred.  Obviously, I am in support of Miss Armbrust.  At the very least, I want to stand and thank her for all her years of hard work and I wanted to find a way to give others the opportunity to do so also.  However, I feel at this point I need to communicate more about my feelings on the issue at hand for some perspective from a parent.

I stated before we all have our different reasons why we have sent our children to St. Michael School.  However, one thing stands in unison for most, to be a part of St. Michael School is wonderful.  Please don’t get me wrong.  I don’t agree with everything. There are things I may not like, I may not agree with, but I do understand that this is the way of the world.  I also believe that some of the things I don’t like others may, and the things that I like others may not.  Thank goodness we live in a country where we have the freedom to think, believe and say what we feel.

Now, I have received some emails from supporters of Miss Armbrust’s “firing”.  I have received two ugly posts that clearly were not appropriate on any terms.  I also received a reply that I did not post, but made me laugh out loud….in a good way.  However, amidst all the comments one thing remains clear.  Miss Armbrust did a solid outstanding job.

One may not have liked all Miss Armbrust’s methods, but no one can deny what she created at St. Michael School.  It is not in question that she had her own way of doing things.  She has her own style. But we all choose to be a part of St. Michael and have her as our principal.

Yet, so many of us are confused and disillusioned about what actually happens now?  Rumors, heated discussions among strangers, friends debating the situation, confusion, questions…ugh where are we as a community?  A hot mess!

St. Michael is going into its 65^th year.  The people involved in the St. Michael School are a family.  I made the decision about where my children attend school based on where I believe the best opportunities are for them.  Is that going to change at St. Michael this year?  No, I imagine the Diocese will make sure we have a fair and decent interim principal.  The teachers will maintain their academic standards, their integrity and continue to do what they do best. The problem I have is that no matter how you slice it open at this point, this situation was not handled with respect, uprightness, kindness, love, caring, understanding….I most certainly could go on here.  There are defenders of Father Pendolphi around.  It is funny though; those defenders have spoken and written some of the most unchristian comments I have heard on this matter thus far.  I don’t understand at all why everything has gone down this way.

It is true that Father Pendolphi has for some time now wanted to take the school in a new direction.  It is also true that Father Daily is in agreement with that direction.  My issue as a parent is not that there may be new directions on the horizon; it is that my choice to decide about my children’s education has been taken from me.  Father Pendolphi is not a parent, obviously, and neither is Father Daily.  So it is evident that they cannot understand what we as parents are going through.  We made choices based on what we know about St. Michael School in relation to other educational opportunities.  Now, those choices are gone.  We are left to accept what Father Pendolphi is going to do or not.

Here are the choices I have now.

I accept the decision that Father Pendolphi and Father Daily have made for my family or move my children to another school.

If I move my children to another school, I disrupt their life.  They have been part of the St. Michael community for some years now.  They have a comfort level at St. Michael.  Academically, I believe St. Michael School is very strong and will prepare my children to move ahead in life. It is their school.  We are all here to create and contribute for them. I have huge faith in the teachers.  I know the routine of St. Michael School.  I could continue on all the positive things I believe are apparent at St. Michael School, but we all are quite familiar with the positive aspects or we would not be there in the first place. It will hurt my children to move them.  They would survive, but it would be a difficult move.

The problem I have with leaving them at St. Michael is, I have little if any faith in the leadership. When the leadership chose to not renew Miss Armbrust’s contract, they did it with no integrity, no communication, and no caring for the community involved.  It doesn’t matter whose side you may be on at this point.  And, it is not a case of hindsight is 20/20.  It was planned and the way this decision was carried out was far from honorable.  To oust a principal that has produced a phenomenal school and has headed the family that is St. Michael School in this manner is deplorable. Miss Armbrust has been part of the family of St. Michael School for half the school’s existence, thirty-three years.  There has been a huge injustice to the children, the families and the community of St. Michael School that this decision was carried out this way.   It was just not a Christian way to work through this decision or the change that apparently is forthcoming.  Yet, we are a Catholic community.  So, now I have to explain all this to my children.  How do I explain all of this to my children and send them to a place to learn about the right way to do things in eyes of God?   I just feel like I have to agree to accept things I feel were based on characteristics that are far from honorable or virtuous.

It really is not a matter of which side you are on anymore?  It is not even political now.  It is how do I stand up for this injustice and yet continue to send my children to their second home/school honorably?  I am just very frustrated.  I have to make a decision to either send my children to St. Michael School or to pull them and send them somewhere else.  Just weeks before school with very little information on the new direction or the school.  Do I send them to St. Michael School and trust in the faculty? Sure, but I am so angry how the leadership handled themselves, and continue to handle themselves in this situation.  I am so terribly frustrated.  How do we as parents stand up for what we believe in, send our children to St. Michael School, maintain faith and values within our family unit, yet allow leadership to preach what they themselves don’t practice?   How can I follow Father Pendolphi when he treats faithful members of the community this way?

I realize many people feel the way I do.  I also realize many people do not feel the way I do, but new direction or not, this situation was not handled fairly on any level and proceeds to create a larger split with our community.  I do believe Father Pendolphi is incorrect when he states we are a minority.  We being the parents of the children that attend St. Michael School that don’t agree with how the decision was made or carried out. It is not the decision that is most debated here.  It is most certainly the way it was carried out.  It continues because we are being reprimanded for asking questions like; What is your new direction? Why did you leave on vacation without helping your community through this?  Where do we go from here?  Why won’t you come and address school board?  Why is there simply not communication?  Of course,  there are business aspects to the Church community, no one will deny that, but it is not meant to feel like a business.  We are a community, a family, and the people involved in the Church are not employees.  We are all part of this community.  I just don’t understand how a church can treat its members so poorly for what they believe to be factual and true.

Keep Reading for the Original Post on this page.

My name is Megan Howard.  I am a parent of three children enrolled at St. Michael School for the 2010-2011 school year.  I have taught in the Diocese off and on for seven years.  I have taught at St. Agatha School, St. Catharine School, Immaculate Conception School and Our Lady of Peace School.  In other words, I am familiar with many schools within the Diocese and their administration, faculty and staff.

I made the decision to send my children to St. Michael School before my children were of school age.  My husband and I moved specifically to the Worthington area because I knew St. Michael would offer my children what I was looking for in regard to their education.  The academic numbers and test scores are consistently some of the highest in the Diocese.  Clearly, as an educator in and out of the Diocese I was familiar with the personalities of the schools and the communities.  I had many options, but all things considered I chose for my children to attend St. Michael because of its reputation.  Miss Armbrust was the principal I wanted for my children.

I feel very confident in stating that my children’s education has been positively steered by Miss Armbrust.  During the “Parish Council Parking Lot Meeting” someone commented that Miss Armbrust was not the reason for our children’s successes at St. Michael.  Being in education, I can confidently say the principal of a school is unequivocally responsible for the educational outcome of the school’s students.  It is very easy for all of us to judge another’s performance.  There will always be opinions of strengths and weaknesses. What may be strengths to one may be a weakness to another.  However, Miss Armbrust has consistently proven her dedication and commitment to the students at St. Michael School. Without a strong leader like Miss Armbrust, St. Michael School would not be what it is today.  There is no debate about this.  Yes, you can try to argue a student creates his or her own successes.  Then, put your student in an inner city school and say you gave your student the same opportunity they would have had at St. Michael School.  In other words, as parents we try to do our best for our children and for their education.  We all chose St. Michael for different reasons, but in agreement or not, Miss Armbrust is responsible for creating the current “successful” environment where we chose to send our children. I digress.

Many of us have a similar story as to why our children attend St. Michael School. I have been extremely pleased with the education my children have received thus far.  This is not to say there has not been an issue or two that have concerned me.  I did address these issues immediately with Miss Armbrust.  Miss Armbrust has always treated me respectfully.  Even when she did not agree with me, I felt she understood where I was coming from and kindly disagreed.  I feel she was considerate of my feelings and we managed to find solutions that made me feel comfortable and that the issues were resolved.  I greatly respect Miss Armbrust and what she created for my children in St. Michael School.  I am very happy thus far with my children’s education.

Obviously, the current turn of events at St. Michael School is of great concern to me. I do not like the current state of affairs at all.  I have experienced quite a few emotions about the current situation: anger, disappointment, frustration, confusion, fear, dissatisfaction, disenchantment, disillusionment, aggravation, sadness…. to point out a few.  Although I am feeling all these negative emotions, I have turned once again to my faith and God to get me through this trying time.

All this being said, my heart aches for Miss Armbrust.  I want to speak to her.  I want to thank her.  I want her to know how much I feel she did for my children.  As an educator, I know Miss Armbrust loves what she does.  Educators don’t do what they do to be thanked.  We have a calling.  Most of us teach because it is what we were meant to do.  We teach because we find joy and energy in watching your children learn and grow.  There is no question Miss Armbrust found happiness in directing the growth and learning at St. Micheal. She was proud of the foundation she created for our children.  So, why am I writing all this?  Well, I can’t seem to overcome my sadness in not being able to express my gratitude to Miss Armbrust.  I am assuming in the midst of this situation, I am not the only one who feels this way.

I decided to create an outlet for all of us to express our appreciation for all that Miss Armbrust has done over the last 30+ years.  She has dedicated her adult life to St. Michael and I wanted to thank her for that.  This blog is not meant to be political.  It is not meant to be negative.  It is specifically for those of us who want to thank Miss Armbrust.

We do not know what is going to happen, but I want Miss Armbrust to know I am saddened by the turn of events and I want her to know I think she is a great administrator.

Please be respectful and use this blog as an outlet for your gratitude only.  If you do not agree with me about the positive impact Miss Armbrust has had as our principal, this blog is not for you.  It is not a place to debate the current issues at hand.  Although some circulating emails that contain pertinent information will be posted.  It is meant solely for a community trying to express their gratitude and appreciation.  Please be respectful of this.