Thursday, August 28, 2008

Interesting...

http://www.cdow.org/dialog.html

After years of falling enrollment, the new school composed of the old Holy Rosary and St. Helena GAINED 45 students this year. Obviously the economy has gotten worse, and the demographics haven't changed all that much in the past year. I wonder what changes one could attribute this remarkable improvement?

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you suggesting that the enrollment is growing because Mrs. J is no longer there?

Leaps in logic that lead to fallacious argument; making promises to provide information that go unfulfilled; Disparaging the Holy Cross Principal with personal attacks...Where is your accountability Quiz? When do we hear about your life so that perhaps we can scrutinize, dissect and put on a show accross the world wide web?

This is a woman who had strikes against her before she walked through our doors...

I support her and the changes she is trying to make..."What changes?" one may ask.

She seems to want to make it a school not a gathering place for opinionated spoiled parents..I support that. She wants teachers to teach unencumbered by the political and social pressures this community offers... I support that! She wants teachers who conform to her vision of a Catholic school that serves all our students' needs. I support that!

Quiz, we welcome all. But this attempt to orchestrate chaos and overthrow via the internet will be met with support by the overwhelming majority!

Good luck Mrs. J! Have a great year!

-JTK

Anonymous said...

"This is a woman who had strikes against her before she walked through our doors..."
I heard no oppinion at all about Mrs. J. prior to the release of her parking plan. In fact, I would say that your quote is exactly backwards as she seemed to arrive with preconceived notions about the students, the school and the parents.

Anonymous said...

I hate to see our school's good name dragged through the mud like this. Our family is relatively new and we are very pleased with Holy Cross. We enrolled our children so that they would grow and learn in a Christian environment. We have done so at great expense and sacrifice hoping that they would be in a caring and moral environment. I am embarassed by what I've read online from other parents. I understand that people have some grievances but is this forum really a solution? How does this help anyone other than the few who are "venting"? I fully support our right to free speech, but shouldn't we parents be responsible in our speech? Shouldn't we Christians behave in a way that reflects grace, forgiveness and kindness? Perhaps if you were to approach Mrs. Jacono with some degree of respect and kidness you would get some in return. I hope and pray for a successful school year for our school.

Anonymous said...

"I heard no oppinion at all about Mrs. J. prior to the release of her parking plan"

Some suggested in a public sort of way that she received a political appointment rather than competed for the job. That went around before she arrived!!

The Quizzinator said...

Since Denise used those same reasons why the enrollment dropped during her tenure, I think it is more than fair to call her out on it. The parents had a frickin' party when she left (or rather AFTER she left), for Pete's sake they disliked her actions so much.

Assuming all other things are equal (economy the same or worse, demographics the same or more diverse), AND the school had to go through a very trying merger do you really think it is the name of the school or the new unifoms that increased enrollment?

HC's enrollment for the year probably will be unchanged for the coming year, but the figure you probably want to look at is turnover. It won't be as drastic as the teachers, but we've lost an awful lot of families over the past year-certainly more than in past years.

Based on talks with parents from her old school,parents who have left our school and those who will gut it out another year, I do think she has a part in the fall off in enrollment. She is not the only factor, as once people start leaving a drowning ship, it is tough to stop, but unless you can come up with a more convincing theory that could produce such a quick turnaround, it is the most logical one on the board.

And as for dragging the name through the mud...you obviously haven't heard some of the things she has said about the school, such as being an embarassment to the diocese, or describing the school as a "pedophile paradise". Her treatment of teachers is making the rounds, and parents are spreading the word as they are transfering their kids. This little ol' blog is the smallest of the effects on the school's reputation.

Poltergeist said...

I second this post. Have a fantastic year Mrs. J

Are you suggesting that the enrollment is growing because Mrs. J is no longer there?

Leaps in logic that lead to fallacious argument; making promises to provide information that go unfulfilled; Disparaging the Holy Cross Principal with personal attacks...Where is your accountability Quiz? When do we hear about your life so that perhaps we can scrutinize, dissect and put on a show accross the world wide web?

This is a woman who had strikes against her before she walked through our doors...

I support her and the changes she is trying to make..."What changes?" one may ask.

She seems to want to make it a school not a gathering place for opinionated spoiled parents..I support that. She wants teachers to teach unencumbered by the political and social pressures this community offers... I support that! She wants teachers who conform to her vision of a Catholic school that serves all our students' needs. I support that!

Quiz, we welcome all. But this attempt to orchestrate chaos and overthrow via the internet will be met with support by the overwhelming majority!

Good luck Mrs. J! Have a great year!

-JTK

The Quizzinator said...

Poltie...you say nothing about what she is trying to accomplish, and you ignore the very real failures that she had demonstrated.

What she wants is to NOT make the school a gathering place for spoiled parents? That is the BEST you could come up with? I guess the "wants control" line fell apart because you couldn't come up with anything that these "spoiled parents' actually did have control over before she got here, so you are trying a more nebulous adjective?

Try again..if that is your best defense of her, she is in worse shape than I thought.

Anonymous said...

"She wants teachers to teach unencumbered by the political and social pressures this community offers"

Don't kid yourself. When a group of teachers went to her in the beginning of last year with this concern (when there were still HIGH hopes for a good leader) she did not even listen but twisted it around to a story from her old school She did not even get the point.

Most people I know did not have any preconceived notions or strikes against her but were excited for new "leadership"

Anonymous said...

Quiz,

Take the high road when it comes to name calling. Why is a defense necessary? She has a plan. I know what it is, I asked. You blog. So get informed and then maybe we can talk.

The Quizzinator said...

No name calling here. I am actually very pleased that the comments have NOT been personal, but have pretty much stuck to professional topics.


We've asked for the plan, and there is nothing that any serious person could consider a strategic plan, other than the one she inherited.

I tell you what...YOU find out, and YOU prove me wrong. Show me an a newsletter where she gave her strategic plan. Show me on the HC website where she has articulated her vision. Better, tell me how involved in the community she is. Tell me how she is interacting with those who have funds who could help the school grow, but she pissed off. Tell me what the city of Dover thinks of her.

Anonymous said...

Well said, Quiz. J. spouts that she has a plan. I'd love to know all about it. When opportunity to discuss a strategic plan arises, she stutters her way around the questions. Just saying there is a plan and actually being able to share a plan...2 different things.

Her plan this year seemed to be to clean house - get rid of as many long-timers as possible and bring in more "trainable" personnel.

Anonymous said...

You hit it right on the money!!!

Anonymous said...

You guys just need to chill! The critics and supporters alike need to step away and let her either dig a grave or pull herself up by the bootstraps! The diocese is giving her another year. Something is gonna give! Both camps are looking foolish right now!!

Anonymous said...

"Camps"? What the bleep are you talking about? I am trying to mend fences and give this Principal the fair shake she deserves.

Anonymous said...

I believe this principal began with a "fair shake." She built the walls of unhappiness one brick at a time.

Personally, I am having a hard time giving her any more benefit of doubt. She created this camp of dissatisfaction with her abrasive attitude and now she'll have to work very hard to get back trust and willingness to work with her.

Anonymous said...

"I'll post the full list of those who have left sometime over the weekend....it will be interesting to see the reasons that Jacono gives. One "reason" is "left for public school system"....no, that is where they went, not WHY they left."
-Quiz

Okay Quiz, you can "slip out of work" for meet the teachers day; and at the same time write misleading statements and make unkept promises...so you are special eh? Don't have to follow the same rules as everyone else?

Where's the beef sweetheart?

The Quizzinator said...

You seem very focused on my schedule and writing for some reason. The weekend has been busier than I expected, as I had to go in to work for a while, if you must know.

And, since my job entails doing this kind of work, they DON'T track my time as one would a McDonald's worker. In this case, it is called taking a late lunch, friend, and combining it with a client visit. As for the teachers who have left...I forgot. Sorry, but if you really care (and I think it still the weekend...)

Mr. Delgado
Mrs. DeLong
Mrs. Kirby
Mrs. Parks
Mrs. Trombello
Mrs. Sewell
Mrs. Gleason
Mrs. S.

Now, I can post the "official" reasons for them leaving, but in almost all the cases, there is much to the story than what is given.

I have no clue what you mean about the beef. I provided much more beef on my position, and there has YET to be one person who has posted any logical or viable argument about what she has accomplished.

As I've said, give me THREE things that she has accomplished this past year, and we'll make it a post.

The Quizzinator said...

And while we are at it, answer the basic question of this topic...I contend that enrollment dropped when she was there, and it increased a year after she left. I think there is a connection, but if you can come up with better reasons, let's hear them.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Delgado - Left in the middle of last year.
Mrs. DeLong - retired
Mrs. Kirby - retired
Mrs. Parks
Mrs. Trombello
Mrs. Sewell
Mrs. Gleason
Mrs. S.

Nothing like inflating your "statistics" to make a point eh Quiz?

Anonymous said...

Wait let me guess..."That's not the point!"

The Quizzinator said...

I have no clue what your are talking about.

I've given the numbers as to the numbers who have left, and there are a few more who still may leave. Some considered leaving, but decided to give the school one more year.

However, why don't YOU pony up with some answers? We've posted lots of questions that haven't been answered, so rather than go down rat hills as to whether or not my boss knows I am in the office or not, tell me why parents were lied to about the Internet being fixed and it was unfiltered for the entire year.

Anonymous said...

btw...Ms. DeLong did NOT retire. She is currently unemployed and looking for a job with some respect.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Delgado left early in the year due to "illness". This illness was caused from stress dealing with her. Whether you liked the job he did or not, it's no excuse to treat someone badly like she did. Just ask him.

Anonymous said...

As I have probably said somewhere before - Some people who post on here are absolutely CLUELESS!!!!! DeLong-retiring Now where has your brain been? Probably the same place your volunteerism has been at Holy Cross - nonexistent!!!! Quiz is right on the money so to speak! And yes, it is true that several more teachers thought of leaving HC- I spoke with them personally. They are willing to give it one more year, but if treated like this year they're OUT!!!!!!!
So, you can pretend that nothing has changed at good ole HC, but then set your alarm and get a wake up call - either you are really so far removed from the school to KNOW what is going on or you are content with your children going there because you yourself are TOO BUSY with your own life to care what is going on.

Anonymous said...

A little touchy eh?

Anonymous said...

Emotions run high when one sees an institution one loves and cares for being ruined by a principal who cannot lead and will not admit it.

Grumpy said...

Why blog? Because so many have voiced concerned and been told "you're the only I've heard that from". A basic untruth. There is strength in numbers and raising basic awareness is a shared responsibility. I knew nothing of this supposed "selection process"; I believed that the diocese knew what they were doing when they hired the new principal. I, too, was hopeful at the first meeting but that quickly changed when the attitude that HC was broken and needed to be fixed became a standard refrain. There may have been some problems, but they certainly pale in comparison to what transpired over the past school year.

Anonymous said...

Funny, Quiz, how some of us have actually spoken to people from MRS. JACONO's old school and they loved her! BTW, the all caps above is a hint that we should address her respectfully. Calling her by her first name when you weren't invited to is just showing more of your disrespect and hatred toward her.

Anonymous said...

If I remember correctly there were MANY families leaving HCS before Mrs. Jacono even arrived. I can count more that left under Mr. Farley's administration than have left since her arrival. Perhaps that is something you should consider doing since you are so miserably unhappy.

Anonymous said...

"And as for dragging the name through the mud...you obviously haven't heard some of the things she has said about the school, such as being an embarassment to the diocese, or describing the school as a "pedophile paradise".

I've never heard anyone at HCS refer to the school as a pedophile paradise. If she did indeed say that she must have had good reason.

The Quizzinator said...

Two things...

1. The whole thing about whether or not one should call someone Mr. or Mrs. to me is archaic. There is a time and a place for it, but I am sorry that I do not think two equal adults need to do that. In front of kids...sure. I can't think of a single instance of someone I have met more then two times who uses the honorific.

2. Yes, there are those who love her there, and here. No doubt about that, and no one has ever denied that. Let's here YOU say, however, that there is a certain number of people at this and her old school who did not like the way she treated people. There will always be a certain number of people that one won't like, but when you are in a public role, your job is to minimize it. Now...if the number is above a certain number is when you start having problems. It may diminish as people have left, and the changes she has made (under pressure, no doubt) may minimize this. However, when you have the large number of teachers turning over (and "retirement" isn't why they left), it certainly means something.

The Quizzinator said...

Interesting defense...she didn't say it, but if she did, it was justified.

Sorry, I disagree on both counts. I get it that was for shock value, but comments like that drive people away. It is like saying that the school is the shame of the diocese, but refusing to say why this is so.

Anonymous said...

"Funny, Quiz, how some of us have actually spoken to people from MRS. JACONO's old school and they loved her!"

You're kidding..right? Three teachers (including one who used to teach at HC) were relieved she moved on, though all were too kind to be overtly critical.

Anonymous said...

I have only spoken to one person from J's last school (a teacher). She was SOOO happy to say good-bye.

Anonymous said...

"I have only spoken to one person from J's last school (a teacher). She was SOOO happy to say good-bye."

..So you felt compelled to add to the negativity of this blog because you spoke to one teacher who didn't like Mrs. Jacono??

The Quizzinator said...

It adds to the picture, sweetheart.

One thing that you have to do is look at the whole picture. It is easy to pull apart and come up with a defense or an explanation for almost any fact we bring up, and some of them may even make sense. However, when you hear that...

1. Her enrollment in her school declined to the point they had to merge with another school;

2. Parents had a party AFTER she left;

3. The school rescinded many of her programs after she left;

4. You get multiple reports of teachers who didn't like her

5. Enrollment increased a year after she left, wiht a declining economy

AND many of the same issues followed her down here...you have to at least say that it is a rather peculiar coincidence.

Anonymous said...

And yes, I did feel the need to add my comment after speaking to one teacher, however, that one teacher was very open in remarking that the majority of the teachers did not get along well with her and were more thrilled to pass her along.

I was taking the high road and only commenting on the actual person I spoke to and not reporting on hearsay.

I admit that I am very hurt and bitter over the treatment I received at J's hands last year. I am trying to get past all of that and look for the positive but I am apparently not in the same happy place that you are.

It is difficult to get over the hurt at the hands of a "Christian" leader.

Anonymous said...

It is hard to get past it, especially when you have been the receipient of her bad treatment. Some here don't get it because she puts on her "good side" for them.

If you only see that part of her, of course she doesn't look that bad, but if you've been one of those who has received her wrath, sarcasm, or dismissal, it's difficult to get past it.

Anonymous said...

There genuinely is fellowship for the miserable. It is the human condition to make alliances and trump up nastiness in the name of advancing one's displeasure in another. We have to be very careful when we site information that is second and third hand. I do believe that from time to time Mrs. Jacono has give some parents a difficult time. But when you pull in others that you haven't even spoken to, well that's just he said she said stuff.

I think that if we report on current happenings in the school we'll be more productive here..The past is gone..obviously not forgiven..but nevertheless gone.

Anonymous said...

I am talking about first hand experiences. It's been just easier to avoid her totally for many because there had been no change.

Anonymous said...

...The school year is just 4 and one half days old...obviously a grudge...hope you can see your way clear to be a little more forgiving.

Anonymous said...

I meant last year (avoiding her). There's no reason to really talk to her this year though either. She's not exactly warm and fuzzy. BTW, what do you recommend about the issues that she said she fixed last year, but didn't? Ignore them?

Anonymous said...

I recommend dialog here. Let's talk about it. What are you referring to?

Anonymous said...

Not sure what the other poster meant, but the internet filter is one thing that wasn't and still isn't resolved.

Anonymous said...

We need to get this content filter thing straight! I think we need to get all parents involved and demand a fix. If money is the issue then we'll raise it...but it needs to get fixed now!!

Anonymous said...

From what I've heard from other parents, the filter doesn't cost much and a couple of parents who work on computers offered to install it. She never took them up on it.

Anonymous said...

What's happening with this problem? Has it been resolved?