Very interesting. Hope that faculty member can dig deep enough to get to the dirt without getting sucked into the vortex. Not only are they dishonorable, they are clearly vindictive. The whole thing was nasty and truly, Mary Ellen deserves better and in some ways is far better off away from them!
They always say that things happen for a reason, time will tell what reason other than not being involved with people with little to no moral integrity, the great bonding experience that occurred as women stood up for a friend, and not the least the love and support from students and their families. I try to keep those things up front as I have a tendency to want to strike out at people who hurt someone I care about, speaking of vindictive ;>{.
But I still would like to hear what excuse they have for their behavior. There is no reason for it, merely excuses.
I wrote this to PL yesterday and she reminded me that there are still people at NDA who care & asked that I post it on the Blog. This is for those who do care, a reminder that Mary Ellen is a woman of integrity and that the powers that be used that against her. When she was required to sign a confidentiality agreement they knew her word was good and the agreement would keep her from sharing with others what was done to her. People who love her and know her worth and strength of character knew not to pressure her for the details as that would only cause more pain for her. As it was she was put through enough pain and we still have no idea the who, how and why of it.
As time goes by I have begun to wonder if there was a jealous component to this?? We all know how well respected Mary Ellen was, how many students (and their parents) feel the loss and resent both what was done and the manner it was done. Clearly, as time has shown, it is not only Mary Ellen's classmates and close friends who resent & distrust the NDA Admin, but also the students, their families, other alumna, & it appears the faculty also. None of those feelings came out of a vacuum! Was Mary Ellen too well loved for the comfort level of the Admin?
Whatever the case, Mary Ellen deserves better than they gave her and we are pleased to know that faculty members know this and are also beginning to question. There may be justice after all! !
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
NDA Faculty Member Speaks out
This comment, from a current member of NDA Hingham's faculty, appeared on our blog today. (So it appears that NDA has not exactly "moved on" after Mary Ellen' abrupt departure.)
Hello,
I just found this blog and I wish that I had known of it sooner.
I am an employee at NDA and I have, we all have, been very confused since Mrs. Cassani's departure. We were given a very vague letter and told not to say anything or we would be in violation of a confidentiality aggreement.
I have been troubled by this event and I have recently begun to formulate my own opinions and ideas about why Mrs. Cassani was dismissed.
I am considering writing a letter to the Administration and the board, but I'm wondering if there is any information available to explain why she was forced to leave.
I am left to assume that it was either a conflict between Mrs. Cassani and Mrs. Colin and or Sister Barbara, a difference in philosophy about how the school should be run, and or the difference between conservative Catholic ideals and principles (which this school was once built on) and some other progressive, liberal agenda.
I can't really say more at this time, but I can tell you that this school has suffered greatly from the loss of Mary Ellen. I think that in time, the truth will be revealed and I believe that it already has begun to.
Please don't take our (faculty) silence as not caring. We have been lied to and deceived. We have even been made to believe that Mrs. Cassani wants us to leave everything be.
- Mary Ellen Cassani had every intention to return to NDA after her Medical Leave AND she had been personally assured, just a few weeks prior to her termination, that NDA was expecting her back.
- Mary Ellen did NOT choose to resign but was blindsided by NDA's Administration. In her heartbroken state, she signed a Confidentiality Agreement in order to receive some sort of compensation and/or benefits (I think).
- Mary Ellen did NOT contact us about this situation, however one of our classmates noticed that Mary Ellen was no longer being referred to as NDA's Principal, so we contacted her. She never told us any details! (Mary Ellen is honorable & keeps her word.) All she said was that she did NOT understand what had happened or why.
- We, her former classmates, wrote to the Board of NDA Hingham & to an NDA nun on the Board who Mary Ellen had considered her friend. Mostly, we were ignored but we were told (by someone that we had all known years before who was still involved at NDA) that "confidentiality" issues prevented any reponse to our inquiries.
- The more vocal we became, the more pressure was put on Mary Ellen from the NDA Administration & her former "friends". Mary Ellen decided it was best for her personally & emotionally ( & for her other family members who still had connections to NDA) to "let go" & move on (so in a way that faculty letter was correct "that Mrs. Cassani wants us to leave everything be".)
- Mary Ellen herself may be able to practice forgiveness but most of the Notre Dame Academy Class of 1972 never will.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Employment Opportunities at NDA Hingham
This is a friendly warning to anyone considering applying for the job openings at Notre Dame Academy in Hingham. (They are presently looking for a new Director of Alumnae Relations & a new Director of Annual Giving.)
Read this blog & discover the way NDA treated a woman who had devoted herself to NDA Hingham. She gave them her all & yet when she went out on Medical Leave, they gave her the boot. Do you really want to work for a place that would do that to someone? A place that shows its employees so little respect & compassion? A place where the Alumnae are disheartened & disappointed? A place that ignores its Alumnae & their letters of concern (yet still will expect you to ask these Alumnae for monetary contributions)?
If you want to subject yourself to such a work environment, go to
http://www.ndahingham.com/page.cfm?p=20
for more information. But don't fool yourself into thinking that you will be joining a caring community! You will just be an employee, an expendable employee.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Ok, here's how it stands. The hit count is now over 500, and it was a late add to the page at that. That means over 500 times people have looked in to read what we have to say. Were any from the administration of NDA? If so, they have not taken the time to add their voices or opinions. Just more of the wall of silence. So much of the need for this blog would have been assuaged if the administration had just opened up and answered our letters at the outset. The mess up in getting copies of Vita out in a timely manner -- many more alumni have received it than this band exercising our First Amendment rights -- is pathetic if it was intentioned. I have not received my copy of the magazine yet, but I have heard the tribute to MaryEllen published there referred to as pretty lame. Here we had a person who devoted a great number of years to the education of young women, and when she leaves, it is okay, you've done your job, now move over for the next person, no fanfare of thanks for all that you have done, just go quietly and don't let the door hit you on the way out. Again the wall of silence.
My point is that when someone has spent that much time at a job, and has made that much of a difference in so many lives -- in the big ways as well as the small -- a celebration of that person is necessary. Not for her own self-aggrandizement, not by any means. But it is necessary for the rest of us, so that we have an occasion to say thank you, because we may not have remembered to say it at the time. For the adminstration to throw up the wall of silence over this transition is stupid. If they would deny this common curtesy to their students and alumni for fear that they might come under the microscope for their decisions, what other things that should rightly be explored, investigated, debated and celebrated are they denying us access? They proceed forward thinking that they can show the baby but deny the birth, and think that no one will question it. Well, people are looking at this school and are thinking twice. They are questioning how the school handled MaryEllen's departure. As I heard said recently, 'how you do one thing is how you do everything'.
My point is that when someone has spent that much time at a job, and has made that much of a difference in so many lives -- in the big ways as well as the small -- a celebration of that person is necessary. Not for her own self-aggrandizement, not by any means. But it is necessary for the rest of us, so that we have an occasion to say thank you, because we may not have remembered to say it at the time. For the adminstration to throw up the wall of silence over this transition is stupid. If they would deny this common curtesy to their students and alumni for fear that they might come under the microscope for their decisions, what other things that should rightly be explored, investigated, debated and celebrated are they denying us access? They proceed forward thinking that they can show the baby but deny the birth, and think that no one will question it. Well, people are looking at this school and are thinking twice. They are questioning how the school handled MaryEllen's departure. As I heard said recently, 'how you do one thing is how you do everything'.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
DISOWNED!
Remember all those letters we wrote to the Board of NDA Hingham, expressing our outrage at their treatment of Mary Ellen Cassani? Remember how we never received any reply to our inquiries? Remember how it seemed that their strategy was to ignore us & hope that we would go away?
Well, I now believe that we have also been disowned (removed from their Alumnae mailing lists). Of 8 members of the Class of 1972 that I contacted, only 2 have received the latest copy of the Alumnae magazine which contains a "tribute" to Mary Ellen that she asked them NOT to publish (as well as a picture of our February lunch which I sent in to the "Class Notes" section & which I'm told appears without the commentary I had written to accompany it). I just don't get it! What is the Board & Administration of NDA thinking?!?! Do they imagine that we will forget we ever attended the school?
Addendum: 10PM In all fairness, I must report that I contacted someone at Notre Dame who assures me that all our copies of "Vita!" were mailed out the 1st week of May! It has been suggested (by an un-named classmate) that I was just being paranoid, however, after how NDA treated Mary Ellen, I would not have put it past "them" to "blacklist" some of us.
Another Addendum: As of 5/15/08 I am STILL without a copy of the Alumnae magazine!
It finally arrive on 5/16, more than a week after I heard from others (NON troublemakers) that they had received their copies. My comment is pretty much as I submitted it .... guess the person that reported it to me couldn't believe that I would have written something so bland on a subject that I am usually very outspoken on. However, I did want them to publish it so I couldn't be too inflammatory!
Well, I now believe that we have also been disowned (removed from their Alumnae mailing lists). Of 8 members of the Class of 1972 that I contacted, only 2 have received the latest copy of the Alumnae magazine which contains a "tribute" to Mary Ellen that she asked them NOT to publish (as well as a picture of our February lunch which I sent in to the "Class Notes" section & which I'm told appears without the commentary I had written to accompany it). I just don't get it! What is the Board & Administration of NDA thinking?!?! Do they imagine that we will forget we ever attended the school?
Addendum: 10PM In all fairness, I must report that I contacted someone at Notre Dame who assures me that all our copies of "Vita!" were mailed out the 1st week of May! It has been suggested (by an un-named classmate) that I was just being paranoid, however, after how NDA treated Mary Ellen, I would not have put it past "them" to "blacklist" some of us.
Another Addendum: As of 5/15/08 I am STILL without a copy of the Alumnae magazine!
It finally arrive on 5/16, more than a week after I heard from others (NON troublemakers) that they had received their copies. My comment is pretty much as I submitted it .... guess the person that reported it to me couldn't believe that I would have written something so bland on a subject that I am usually very outspoken on. However, I did want them to publish it so I couldn't be too inflammatory!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Exercising Our Right to Free Speech
Here is a link with the directions to the Pembroke Golf Club, site of NDA's golf tournament fundraiser on Monday, June 2nd:
http://www.pembrokecc.com/directions.shtml
Sign in for the golfers begins at noon. The tournament itself starts at 1:30PM.
Anyone who'd like to join us & exercise their right to free speech (and then perhaps go out to lunch) should leave a comment or send me an email.
http://www.pembrokecc.com/directions.shtml
Sign in for the golfers begins at noon. The tournament itself starts at 1:30PM.
Anyone who'd like to join us & exercise their right to free speech (and then perhaps go out to lunch) should leave a comment or send me an email.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
An Alumnae speaks out
Dear Former Classmates at NDA,
It has been years since many of you even heard my name (Janet Marie Pumphrey), if at all, or remember what I look like. I was the quiet one that joined you in our last year as seniors at NDA. I often fondly recall how many of you were so kind to me during that short span of 9 months. Thank you!
For a brief history lesson, my sister Mary Ellen Pumphrey was a senior when you were freshmen and was a senior buddy to a few of you, I am sure. My sister Helen Pumphrey was a sophmore when we were seniors and she was followed in a few short years by another sister, Barbara Pumphrey. All in all, we sent 4 sisters and 2 nieces to NDA. We have 12 more nieces - but unfortunately, due to recent circumstances, they will never cross the threshold of NDA Hingham!
Recent changes at Notre Dame, that many believe are serious moves away from the true teachings and the true spirit of Sister Julie Billiart, NDA's founder, have created great doubt, frustration and serious questioning of the current leadership at Notre Dame. My sister, Mary Ellen Pumphrey Cassani ('72), spent almost all of her adult life (in between raising 3 wonderful sons) teaching, ministering and guiding the young women of Notre Dame Hingham. She was the driving force behind the development of the new science wing. I
n May 2007, she was recognized as the Outstanding Alumnae of the Year. Most recently, in the position as the first lay Principal of Notre Dame, Mary Ellen was hailed as a wonderful contributor to NDA. In the words of Sister Barbara Barry, the former Principal & current President of NDA: Mrs. Cassani’s contributions to her alma mater spanned many years and she served the school well in her many roles – teacher, campus minister, assistant principal and as principal last year. She made a difference in the lives of hundreds of students over the years, inspiring many to science-related careers. However, this past December, Sr. Barbara unceremoniously told Mary Ellen that she was no longer needed or wanted at NDA. Why? Even Mary Ellen herself was never told !
Mary Ellen, after suffering from some serious health issues took a Medical Leave of Absence from NDA for the Fall semester. Fully cured and with all the readiness to return, she was suddenly informed that her job no longer awaited her. Why? She was not told; her questions were met by silence. Mary Ellen was blindsided by this decision and heartbroken. She was asked to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect HER privacy and in order to settle the remainder of her contract. Therefore, she is not allowed to speak on her own behalf - and she hasn't.
Questions remain. In the corporate world of today, actions like these would land corporations in court. Why not here? How can a corporation, no a school, no a CATHOLIC school turn their back on one they have stated was such an inspiration to the school and its students? And, how can one day they hail her as wonderful and give her accolades and then within months invite her NOT to return? Many of Mary Ellen's former classmates have written to the Board of Directors at NDA protesting Sr. Barbara's decision & asking that, at the very least, Mary Ellen be given a full explanation of her termination. These letters have gone unacknowledged & unanswered.
The class of '72 is outraged, the students at NDA are outraged! More than 250 current NDA students signed a petition asking for explanations and expressing their desire to have Mary Ellen back. Several have already indicated they will be leaving at the end of the year and some are juniors leaving for their senior year - all because they are thoroughly confused by the lack of concern for their "favorite" teacher and principal, mothers of daughters currently at the school are outraged, Mary Ellen's family is outraged, and no one at NDA cares to respond to even try to explain the whole situation.
And so I write to you to ask you to visit a new and profound blog: http://wewillnot.blogspot.com/ set up to discuss the situation at Notre Dame. Read the blog and comment please. We need to not only be heard, but answered. Mary Ellen deserves better than this. She gave her life to a school because she believed raising intelligent, strong, faith guided young women would enable this world to move to new missions of hope, charity and love.
Someone (or ones) at NDA decided they would rather be led or lead elsewhere - where is the elsewhere - do they even know - do they have a plan - do they care about the young women at NDA? If this can happen at our beloved NDA, where are we to turn for some embodiment of truth in today's gotcha world of politics and boards and companies?
With great love and need for truth, I remain one of your classmates,
Janet Marie Pumphrey Pendexter
It has been years since many of you even heard my name (Janet Marie Pumphrey), if at all, or remember what I look like. I was the quiet one that joined you in our last year as seniors at NDA. I often fondly recall how many of you were so kind to me during that short span of 9 months. Thank you!
For a brief history lesson, my sister Mary Ellen Pumphrey was a senior when you were freshmen and was a senior buddy to a few of you, I am sure. My sister Helen Pumphrey was a sophmore when we were seniors and she was followed in a few short years by another sister, Barbara Pumphrey. All in all, we sent 4 sisters and 2 nieces to NDA. We have 12 more nieces - but unfortunately, due to recent circumstances, they will never cross the threshold of NDA Hingham!
Recent changes at Notre Dame, that many believe are serious moves away from the true teachings and the true spirit of Sister Julie Billiart, NDA's founder, have created great doubt, frustration and serious questioning of the current leadership at Notre Dame. My sister, Mary Ellen Pumphrey Cassani ('72), spent almost all of her adult life (in between raising 3 wonderful sons) teaching, ministering and guiding the young women of Notre Dame Hingham. She was the driving force behind the development of the new science wing. I
n May 2007, she was recognized as the Outstanding Alumnae of the Year. Most recently, in the position as the first lay Principal of Notre Dame, Mary Ellen was hailed as a wonderful contributor to NDA. In the words of Sister Barbara Barry, the former Principal & current President of NDA: Mrs. Cassani’s contributions to her alma mater spanned many years and she served the school well in her many roles – teacher, campus minister, assistant principal and as principal last year. She made a difference in the lives of hundreds of students over the years, inspiring many to science-related careers. However, this past December, Sr. Barbara unceremoniously told Mary Ellen that she was no longer needed or wanted at NDA. Why? Even Mary Ellen herself was never told !
Mary Ellen, after suffering from some serious health issues took a Medical Leave of Absence from NDA for the Fall semester. Fully cured and with all the readiness to return, she was suddenly informed that her job no longer awaited her. Why? She was not told; her questions were met by silence. Mary Ellen was blindsided by this decision and heartbroken. She was asked to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect HER privacy and in order to settle the remainder of her contract. Therefore, she is not allowed to speak on her own behalf - and she hasn't.
Questions remain. In the corporate world of today, actions like these would land corporations in court. Why not here? How can a corporation, no a school, no a CATHOLIC school turn their back on one they have stated was such an inspiration to the school and its students? And, how can one day they hail her as wonderful and give her accolades and then within months invite her NOT to return? Many of Mary Ellen's former classmates have written to the Board of Directors at NDA protesting Sr. Barbara's decision & asking that, at the very least, Mary Ellen be given a full explanation of her termination. These letters have gone unacknowledged & unanswered.
The class of '72 is outraged, the students at NDA are outraged! More than 250 current NDA students signed a petition asking for explanations and expressing their desire to have Mary Ellen back. Several have already indicated they will be leaving at the end of the year and some are juniors leaving for their senior year - all because they are thoroughly confused by the lack of concern for their "favorite" teacher and principal, mothers of daughters currently at the school are outraged, Mary Ellen's family is outraged, and no one at NDA cares to respond to even try to explain the whole situation.
And so I write to you to ask you to visit a new and profound blog: http://wewillnot.blogspot.com/ set up to discuss the situation at Notre Dame. Read the blog and comment please. We need to not only be heard, but answered. Mary Ellen deserves better than this. She gave her life to a school because she believed raising intelligent, strong, faith guided young women would enable this world to move to new missions of hope, charity and love.
Someone (or ones) at NDA decided they would rather be led or lead elsewhere - where is the elsewhere - do they even know - do they have a plan - do they care about the young women at NDA? If this can happen at our beloved NDA, where are we to turn for some embodiment of truth in today's gotcha world of politics and boards and companies?
With great love and need for truth, I remain one of your classmates,
Janet Marie Pumphrey Pendexter
Monday, March 31, 2008
How dumb!
This blog was started because our friend, Mary Ellen, was hurt by this situation and, because she is our friend and we love her, we felt hurt by this situation. It is a place that we can vent our anger at the perceived injustice done to her without bringing her into our 'beef'. As you should all know by now, not even the Spanish Inquisition could cause Mary Ellen to break a non-disclosure agreement. For officials at the school to imply otherwise is low and twisted. It shows how much they have taken for granted and have missed, that they could train up women to think for themselves, to be able to express themselves, and to understand the fine line between fighting another's fight vs. fighting our own fight on the basis of the injustice that the one event (Mary Ellen's departure) has caused an injustice to us as a group, to the whole of the school body, to women who are trying to achieve the independence of thought that we have achieved...that they could have trained us so, and yet get affronted when we use the tools they instilled in us. How dumb!
The informed treatment of Mary Ellen and the ignorant treatment of those of us who have asked for answers adds up to the administration's arrogance: a quality the church has expressed throughout the ages, and seems not yet to have learned differently. It is my great sadness that the administration has acted in this matter with all the apparent baseness, pettiness and venality of the worst of the corporate world.
I'm asking that the administration weigh in here. Explain your actions. Be open and transparent about your dealings in the school. If you cannot answer the alumni and you seek to quash the honest inquiries of the alumni and the students, then perhaps this is not the school we should be recommending to our daughters and nieces and friends. Perhaps it is time to expand our protest to a refusal to apply for admissions. Push back where the pushing will hurt: lack of new enrollments will affect the budget which in turn will get the notice of the next tier up of adminsitration: perhaps then we will get investigations and answers.
The informed treatment of Mary Ellen and the ignorant treatment of those of us who have asked for answers adds up to the administration's arrogance: a quality the church has expressed throughout the ages, and seems not yet to have learned differently. It is my great sadness that the administration has acted in this matter with all the apparent baseness, pettiness and venality of the worst of the corporate world.
I'm asking that the administration weigh in here. Explain your actions. Be open and transparent about your dealings in the school. If you cannot answer the alumni and you seek to quash the honest inquiries of the alumni and the students, then perhaps this is not the school we should be recommending to our daughters and nieces and friends. Perhaps it is time to expand our protest to a refusal to apply for admissions. Push back where the pushing will hurt: lack of new enrollments will affect the budget which in turn will get the notice of the next tier up of adminsitration: perhaps then we will get investigations and answers.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
WE HIT A NERVE!
Is it merely a coincidence that right after Mary Ellen's sister, Janet, sent out a letter to NDA Class of 1975 (which I copied & sent to NDA Class of 1972) in which she invited people to check out this blog, that Mary Ellen got a phone call from the Sisters of Notre Dame implying that she had broken her confidentiality agreement?
Personally, I think they are worried about their golf tournament!
http://www.ndahingham.com/page.cfm?p=477
How is it going to look to their biggest $$$$ contributers if a bunch of middle aged gray haired menopausal women are marching around carrying "inflammatory" signs & causing an uncomfortable ruckus?
They might actually have to offer some explanations!
They might actually have to face Mary Ellen & tell her the truth!
We hit a nerve ........ because WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Bringing our protest public
June 2nd at 1:00 pm at the Pembroke Country Club -- NDA's annual golf tournament. A suggestion has been made to picket the event in protest of the administration's treatment of Mary Ellen. It would be a great way of drawing public attention and press to this issue.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
A person in love with God does great things and becomes a powerful apostle.
I was poking around the Notre Dame Academy Hingham website today & came across the following letter that Mary Ellen had written to the parents of Seniors last Spring.
April 11, 2007
Dear Parent,
A person in love with God does great things and becomes a powerful apostle.
Julie, Themes
Your daughter's senior year is rapidly coming to a close! The days after April vacation will really fly by for her and for you! It is our firm hope that these four years have helped her to grow closer to her Savior and to use what she has learned to understand her world better so as to have the proper compassion for others. ....
...... This is such a happy, holy and wonderful time for you and your daughter. Indeed, we have so much faith and wisdom to celebrate!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Mary Ellen Cassani, ANDdeN
Principal
[Here's the link to the NDA page I took this from: http://www.ndahingham.com/page.cfm?calview=grid&month=2&p=337&period=day&year=2006 ]
I was immediately struck by the quote from Julie that she had used to head her letter because I thought that it describes Mary Ellen perfectly!
The second thing that that struck me was Mary Ellen's wish that the Seniors had learned proper compassion for others. Was Mary Ellen herself treated with "proper compassion"? What kind of example was set for the current students at NDA?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
It's a Start
Well, it's a start. But now I'm curious to know what reason was given for Mary Ellen's abrupt departure from NDA following her medical leave. Is there anyone who can actually answer that question? And then, could we believe any answer given at this point in time?
We may never know what really happened but it would be good to have someone who was willing to stand up to the plate and treat Mary Ellen with respect. According to the replies pl got Mary Ellen was well respected, contributed so much to the school, etc, etc. She was introduced as the new principal with much fanfare and not too many months later was nudged out the side door with not a word of appreciation, or anything else for that matter. That in itself is a disgrace equal to the termination and should be acknowledged as a grievous error in every manner.
Not to mention, Mary Ellen's accomplishments and contributions to NDA should be duly noted as well as the loss to the school at her departure. It's probably too much to expect an apology for the manner in which it happened!
We may never know what really happened but it would be good to have someone who was willing to stand up to the plate and treat Mary Ellen with respect. According to the replies pl got Mary Ellen was well respected, contributed so much to the school, etc, etc. She was introduced as the new principal with much fanfare and not too many months later was nudged out the side door with not a word of appreciation, or anything else for that matter. That in itself is a disgrace equal to the termination and should be acknowledged as a grievous error in every manner.
Not to mention, Mary Ellen's accomplishments and contributions to NDA should be duly noted as well as the loss to the school at her departure. It's probably too much to expect an apology for the manner in which it happened!
A Reply, Of Sorts
Yesterday, I received the following email about NDA's big fundraiser:
Subject: 16th Annual NDA Golf Tournament
Dear Alumna,
The Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 1:30 PM at Pembroke Country Club, a new location for NDA. Registration starts at noon. This is our biggest fundraiser for the NDA Annual Fund which supports the operating budget of the school. We're counting on our alumnae to help make this a record-breaking year! Are you a golfer? Do you know a golfer? No matter what your skill level, sign up and support NDA! We also need items for the raffle and auction, as well as sponsorships and general donations. Click here for more information and to register today.
Questions? E-mail advancement@ndahingham.com.
Well, I thought, I DO have a question. I want to know why they "terminated" Mary Ellen when she was ready to return from her Medical Leave of Absence. So, I clicked that link & posed my question! I never expected a reply. I just wanted to "vent" & let someone there know that there are people who are not happy about what happened & that WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!
Today, I received the following reply to my query:
While personnel matters are kept confidential at NDA, like many places, I can assure you that Mary Ellen Cassani was not fired. I can confirm that she did not return to NDA and a search has begun for a new principal for the 2008-2009 school year. Mrs. Katie Colin ’89 will continue as interim principal for the remainder of this year.
In a letter to our parents, NDA’s President, Sister Barbara Barry wrote, “Mrs. Cassasni’s contributions to her alma mater spanned many years and she served the school well in her many roles – teacher, campus minister, assistant principal and as principal last year. She made a difference in the lives of hundreds of students over the years, inspiring many to science-related careers. Her love of St. Julie Billiart is evident in all she does. I am grateful for the mark she has made on Notre Dame Academy and we all wish her well in the future.” Mrs. Cassani is a beloved member of our alumnae community and I thank you for your concern.
With best regards,
Lynn Page Flaherty
Director of Institutional Advancement
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
1073 Main Street
Hingham, MA 02043
781-749-5930, ext. 246
www.ndahingham.com
At least there is someone at Notre Dame who is polite enough to acknowledge my query (even if it is only with the "company line".) It is better than being completely ignored. However, I took exception to her comment that "I can assure you that Mary Ellen Cassani was not fired." So, I wrote her back:
"I can assure you that Mrs. Cassani did not leave by her own choice. AND she was given no plausible explanation for her termination. She is heartbroken by the treachery that befell her while she was on Medical Leave. Her hands (& mouth) were bound by a confidentiality agreement.
Letters written to the NDA Board have gone unanswered."
And to her credit, she replied again:
I wish I knew more I could share. I arrived here in August and haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Cassani in person, but I've heard such wonderful things about her. I'm happy to talk in person (my number is below), but I doubt there is anything I might say that can help at this point. I'm a firm believer in responding--especially to alumnae--even if I don't have the information you desire, but I know it's of little consolation.
Lynn
Monday, March 10, 2008
What is our mission as NDA Alumnae, students and leaders?
Maybe we have forgotten the true spirit of St. Julie Billiart. How often has our Mary Ellen embodied, embraced and graciously encouraged all to walk in the faith demonstrated by St. Julie.
"St. Julie's predominating trait in the spiritual order was her ardent charity, springing from a lively faith and manifesting itself in her thirst for suffering and her zeal for souls. Her whole soul was echoed in the simple and naove formula which was continually on her lips and pen: "Oh, qu'il est bon, le bon Dieu" (How good God is). She possessed all the qualities of a perfect superior, and inspired her subjects with filial confidence and tender affection.
The characteristic devotions of the Sisters of Notre Dame were established by the foundress, St. Julie Billiart, from the beginning. She was original in doing away with the time-honored distinction between choir sisters and lay sisters, but this perfect equality of rank did not in any way prevent her from putting each sister to the work for which her capacity and education fitted her."
Why was the spirit of Mary Ellen silenced within the walls of Notre Dame?
Quoted From the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia.
Written by Sister of Notre Dame. Transcribed by H. Jon Thomas.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VIII. Published 1910. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York
"St. Julie's predominating trait in the spiritual order was her ardent charity, springing from a lively faith and manifesting itself in her thirst for suffering and her zeal for souls. Her whole soul was echoed in the simple and naove formula which was continually on her lips and pen: "Oh, qu'il est bon, le bon Dieu" (How good God is). She possessed all the qualities of a perfect superior, and inspired her subjects with filial confidence and tender affection.
The characteristic devotions of the Sisters of Notre Dame were established by the foundress, St. Julie Billiart, from the beginning. She was original in doing away with the time-honored distinction between choir sisters and lay sisters, but this perfect equality of rank did not in any way prevent her from putting each sister to the work for which her capacity and education fitted her."
Why was the spirit of Mary Ellen silenced within the walls of Notre Dame?
Quoted From the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia.
Written by Sister of Notre Dame. Transcribed by H. Jon Thomas.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VIII. Published 1910. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York
Friday, March 7, 2008
School Pride - I think not
As I have watched this situation unfold I have repeatedly been puzzled at the secrecy enforced by NDA. As our Blogger mentioned society is expecting honest and open communication. A "gag-order" is associated with wrongdoing and cover-ups and rarely initiated to protect innocent parties, rather to protect those who would face ridicule and shame related to their actions. Mary Ellen was effectively gagged when she was forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement during a time of extreme stress and emotional pain. What is it that NDA wishes to hide?
We who know and love Mary Ellen also feel betrayed by NDA. She cannot speak for herself and our questions remain unanswered by those whose job is to teach women to be honest, to question, to live with integrity, and to demonstrate qualities that depict an education which far exceeds mere book learning. Where does this show integrity? Honesty?
I will not be silent, I will continue to question.
We who know and love Mary Ellen also feel betrayed by NDA. She cannot speak for herself and our questions remain unanswered by those whose job is to teach women to be honest, to question, to live with integrity, and to demonstrate qualities that depict an education which far exceeds mere book learning. Where does this show integrity? Honesty?
I will not be silent, I will continue to question.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
IGNORED
The fact that our letters have been met with silence by NDA officials and Board members just highlights the point that we are trying to make: someone decided that they wanted to be rid of Mary Ellen Pumphrey Cassani & no one is willing to explain this decision or even to acknowledge it!
Perhaps, they think that their silence will lead to our forgetfulness; that we will all get busy with our lives, time will pass & our outrage will lessen. The "situation" will blow over & they'll be off the hook. Well, they may have been able to silence Mary Ellen by having her sign that confidentiality agreement but they have NOT silenced us! Until she has a clear understanding of why her contract was terminated, we, Mary Ellen's "old" classmates should not let this matter be dropped.
Perhaps, they think that their silence will lead to our forgetfulness; that we will all get busy with our lives, time will pass & our outrage will lessen. The "situation" will blow over & they'll be off the hook. Well, they may have been able to silence Mary Ellen by having her sign that confidentiality agreement but they have NOT silenced us! Until she has a clear understanding of why her contract was terminated, we, Mary Ellen's "old" classmates should not let this matter be dropped.
We Will Not Be Silent
Why, you ask, has someone started yet one more blog? The name speaks for itself. Too many times we see an injustice to someone else, we feel powerless to get involved, to speak out, to make a change. But, in a blog, late at night when you can't sleep anyway, you can unload your thoughts and see if anyone else is feeling about something the same way you are. Voices can unite, information can be passed along, somewhere along the line changes can occur.
I read once that, in conflict, you may not be able to change your opponent, but you can change how you relate to your opponent, thereby causing the conflict to change.
My friend lost her job. My alma mater was her employer. I did not feel her departure was warranted, nor was the manner in which her departure was handled. I wrote to my alma mater for an explanation of the events and have had no response. My fellow classmates wrote similar letters with similar non-responses. At a time when openess and transparency are being demanded by more and more of the general public on a wide variety of things, my alma mater chooses to ignore the questions in the hope that, if they ignore us, we will go away. Sorry. My attempts at direct communication with my 'opponent' are not working, so I am changing how I relate to them. I am starting this blog. I welcome all my fellow classmates, alumni of other classes, students currently enrolled, board members, to join in this blog.
I read once that, in conflict, you may not be able to change your opponent, but you can change how you relate to your opponent, thereby causing the conflict to change.
My friend lost her job. My alma mater was her employer. I did not feel her departure was warranted, nor was the manner in which her departure was handled. I wrote to my alma mater for an explanation of the events and have had no response. My fellow classmates wrote similar letters with similar non-responses. At a time when openess and transparency are being demanded by more and more of the general public on a wide variety of things, my alma mater chooses to ignore the questions in the hope that, if they ignore us, we will go away. Sorry. My attempts at direct communication with my 'opponent' are not working, so I am changing how I relate to them. I am starting this blog. I welcome all my fellow classmates, alumni of other classes, students currently enrolled, board members, to join in this blog.
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