Review: Cathedral Of St Raymond's

Mom in the school wrote:

Then explain the threats that are made, brought to Groves attention and not addressed. The bullying that goes on, and us brought to Brad's attention and nothing is done. The Junior High is a mess and without change it won't be fixed.

Let's see, when we were in grade school, there were bullies. I kicked the crap out of one of them one time, got hauled down to the office, and suspended for the day.

Guess what? No one ever picked on me again.

It's called growning up, and kids have to learn those lessons. It's unfortunate, but it is a fact of life.

I am here, involved, and I refuse to quit when I know we have had better. Groves hides behind her closed door. She refuses to deal with anything. Until a change happens things will not get better.

If it is such a bit concern and no one is listening to you, then why haven't you taken your kid out of St. Rays? There are other Catholic and non-Catholic alternatives in this area.

If you are so unhappy, why do you continue to pay for it?

Mom in the school wrote:

I am here, involved, and I refuse to quit when I know we have had better. Groves hides behind her closed door. She refuses to deal with anything. Until a change happens things will not get better.

One more question...

Was St. Rays everything you ever hoped it would be before Dr. Groves and Fr. Brad were responsible?

Well Earl , I guess expect more from the school then you do. Like the Faith Families program. Yes it might be something good, but I will with hold my opinion on it success until we have more then ONE meeting. September's was cancelled, October was held and November's has not been planned yet. Let's see if they follow through on this one.

Hey Parents,

Have you noticed your children getting out later then the schedule? Well it is true, as Dr. Groves has choosen to extend the school day without notification. And she plans on doing it again.

So what does that mean for you? Well that means the Parking Lot Mafia will have more time to sit around and gossip. Why you ask? Because good old Groves does not plan to tell you she is changing your children's schedule.

I'd like to know why orthodox Catholic insists that their name is Earl Manchester. I did a check and the only person in Illinois with that name lives in Pana, which is nowhere near St.Ray's.

Mom in the school wrote:

Well Earl , I guess expect more from the school then you do. Like the Faith Families program. Yes it might be something good, but I will with hold my opinion on it success until we have more then ONE meeting. September's was cancelled, October was held and November's has not been planned yet. Let's see if they follow through on this one.

But you didn't answer my questions. I expecet a lot from my kid's school. But I also expect a lot from parents too.

We're you happy with St. Ray's before Groves arrived?

Oldtimer wrote:

I'd like to know why orthodox Catholic insists that their name is Earl Manchester. I did a check and the only person in Illinois with that name lives in Pana, which is nowhere near St.Ray's.

Never insisted, just gave you a name. Never claimed it was accurate either.

Orthodox Catholic wrote:

<quoted text>
Never insisted, just gave you a name. Never claimed it was accurate either.

Wow. Get thee to confession! With a name like orthodox catholic, one would think you would value God's teachings, especially the ten commandents, thou shall not lie! You've been on this board a long time preaching and judging others yet you do not seem to have a problem with lying. Did you learn about lying at St.Ray's?

You see Old Timer, "Earl" is just like one of Groves snitches. A complete phoney who tries to be rightous and all good while they speak nothing but lies.

Just speak the truth and all will be good. Those who lies get caught in the end. So Orthro you should call your girl friend Groves and let her know we plan on speaking the truth, exposing the wrong she does, and point out those that would undermine the good of the school.

Known Source wrote:

You see Old Timer, "Earl" is just like one of Groves snitches. A complete phoney who tries to be rightous and all good while they speak nothing but lies.
Just speak the truth and all will be good. Those who lies get caught in the end. So Orthro you should call your girl friend Groves and let her know we plan on speaking the truth, exposing the wrong she does, and point out those that would undermine the good of the school.

Did that make you feel better?

Orthodox Catholic wrote:

<quoted text>
Did that make you feel better?

I know what would make YOU feel better...an act of contrition supervised by a padre!

Oldtimer wrote:

<quoted text>
I know what would make YOU feel better...an act of contrition supervised by a padre!

I repent. Next...

Another family has pulled their child because they don't feel safe. Another loss for St. Ray's and another gain for St. Paul's.

First Groves sent out 'the memo' about parents (like me) in the school and how all the teachers should be tight lipped when speaking about students, families, and school business. Then less a week later, she breaks her own rule by talking about a family in the teaches lounge. When the teachers question her on it she attacks back.

Then we get the 'Groves Update'(which talks more about her family then what is going on in school) which remains the teachers to answer all e-mails by the next school day. Great directive, but once again Groves fails to follow her own rules. A parent who is concerned about her child's safety sends Groves 5+ e-mails and none get responded. Thus the upset patent goes to Father Brad, who has done nothing.

I am so gald she follows all her own rules.

What's the point of the continued venting? The reality is that St Ray's, like 95% of all Catholic grade and high schools today, is a lousy school due to its lack of econonomic resources and the resultant inability to secure the most talented teachers and administrators. Does anyone believe that Groves wouldnt choose to be at a public school making way better money with better benefits if she was able to? The fact is that the talent that the Catholic schools are able to attract is substandard and Groves , and several members of the faculty, are shining examples of that reality. At least she's better than Condon was and is young and has room to improve.
This is the reality of Catholic education today, like it or not.

Hey Dad, some of what you have said is correct but most is mininformed. Groves came from a public school. She has admitted that St. Rays was not her first choice. Brad choose her over another highly qualified candidate. One who took another position at another catholic school in the area. Brad choose her because he could mold her, mentor her, and guide her. Well after 2 years, 3 firerings, and 5 more ready to leave both have failed. To grow in to a job, there has to be a desire to do so. She does not want to period. All she does is threathen to fire good teachers.

Next, most of us choose to be here at St. Rays. Money is not why we came here nor why we stay.

And lastly you are 100% correct - Groves is substandard.

http://momentintime2heartsangel.spaces.live.c...

To enact change we take a stand together. I am suggesting that all parents turn in empty holiday envelopes this year. If anything the church understands the true meaning of a dollar or lack of one.

Mom in the school wrote:

To enact change we take a stand together. I am suggesting that all parents turn in empty holiday envelopes this year. If anything the church understands the true meaning of a dollar or lack of one.

Since the school is subsidized by the parish, turning in "empty holiday (you mean, Christmas?) envelopes" won't help the school budget and our children. Aren't there other means of "taking a stand", such as, getting a large, and I mean large, number of parents to show up at a school board meeting, or a large number of parents wanting a meeting with Fr. Brad.

We have tried those suggestions. Their were promises and changes made that have gone unkept. During a meeting with 30 parents we were told statements only to find out later that they were not true. In our meeting with the Bishop he admitted that Brad was appointed as pastor because he was to new the area and did not know what was really going on.

If you have another suggestion please feel free to make. We want our school and parish moving forward. Now it is not moving. Morale is low because no one adresses the issues. Our Junior High lacks all directions and it's Teachers are tired of the lack of support.

Money always seems to be the one thing the Church will listen to. So I suggest turning in your envelopes empty - just the promises and words they seem to speak.