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'.
2 comments:
Wow, you make so many valid points!
If I had a daughter that I had been looking forward to sending to my Alma Mater, NDA Hingham, I would be seriously reconsidering at this point, as disappointing as that decision would be. Would I want my daughter looking up to these people as role models? What message would I be sending her: that it's fine to mistreat someone as long as you act as if nothing happened?
You are so right about a celebration for Mary Ellen, although I am positive that she would NEVER accept something organized by NDA Hingham after the way they treated her (& continue to treat her). We managed to get 25% of our class to show up at a lunch in her honor on very short notice. Do you suppose we could organize something bigger to include all in the Notre Dame community who's lives Mary Ellen touched???
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.
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