St. Catherine of Siena Elementary School

dismal, low morale, several middle school teachers who have said things that should never be said in a classroom in front of students, just have held my nose all year
—Submitted by a parent

In regard to the comment that the same children are rewarded again and again, I cannot disagree more. The students who stand out, receive academic achievement recognition, represent the school at open house and other events are high achievers. They consistently make the honor roll, volunteer during their own free time to give school tours, etc. These students are 'go getters'. If you speak with these students you will also find out that they are high achievers outside of the school and excel at sports, the arts, community service and other extracurricular activities. One 12 year old student, in addition to consistently achieving high honors on the honor roll, is also a member of a team that competed at the world competition, volunteers during the summer teaching blind children horseback riding, has performed in a professional theater productions for the past 5 years, has also performed at an annual cancer fundraiser for the past 3 years and more. No one is playing 'favorites' with this student. Another student writes a column for a local paper, achieves high honors and is actively involved in extracurricular activities at school. No favoritism here, just well deserved recognition.
—Submitted by a parent

Middle school Review: The same kids are rewarded over and over while many other kids are basically ignored. Unless you are one of the select few don't plan on enjoying this school or seeing your child grow.
—Submitted by a parent

Why did 2 PreK Aides leave suddenly in December? One left before the end of the school year last year. This is troubling as a parent who has a child at the school and another who will be of PreK age in September. I am concerned.
—Submitted by a parent

Catholic school yes....seminary no. Interesting that you lump slow dancing with inappropriate behavior. We want our children to have strong moral character and to know right from wrong. We don't want them to be told that completely innocent things and the normal steps in life are wrong. There has been no inappropriate behavior at the dances and if you have ever been a witness to the slow dancing you would see that they barely stand near each other. It's nothing but innocent and I'm not really sure how anyone can view it as inappropriate.
—Submitted by a parent

Catholic School, Catholic School, Catholic School...Go public if you want all the extra stuff like slow dancing and in appropriate behavior! Saint Catherine of Siena is a great school and always will be!!! Very happy with the leadership and it's without a doubt the best by far!
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school! All teachers great! Students get out of any school what they put in! Following rules is part of everyday life!
—Submitted by a parent

The middle school has gone downhill fast. The new VP does nothing but scream at the kids. The teachers that are left make fun of students, bully those they don't like and the other kids follow suit. It is like Lord of the Flies. Lunch consists of students pushing each other to get to a seat (because there aren't enough for everyone) and then being lectured at full volume (more like a scream) while they are eating. The kids are being disrespected and attempts by parents to speak with the administration are being ignored. I don't know a single student who wasn't much happier two years ago. Some changes aren't for the better.
—Submitted by a parent

A middle school teacher told my student's class that "there is nothing I can teach you that you can't learn yourself on the iPad". Unfortunately, if that's his attitude, he's right.
—Submitted by a parent

My family was a bit skeptical after a summer of non-renewal of contracts for several teachers, which resulted in some increased class sizes throughout the school. But after six weeks of school we feel the teachers and administration haven't missed a beat and we're happy with the way things are going. Several families removed their children not because of the quality of the school or teachers, but because they are upset that the Monsignor is not ultra conservative, old school Catholic - he actually has an open mind on many topics. But these families are against anything other than 1950s Catholicism. Also, many of these families were outraged when Msgr said something in a homily that painted Pres. Obama in a positive light - oh no! St. Catherine of Siena is the best school for our family in the area, bar none. But I will say the obsession with the ipads is a bit much....
—Submitted by a parent

I can only speak for my family's experience, and we are very pleased with SCS. My son's first grade teacher went above and beyond the call of duty when he was struggling with certain academics. We have nothing but compliments for his kindergarten and first grade teachers, the principal, and any of the other school staff with whom we've dealt.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school, but not a great start to the year in the Junior High. Lots of new staff and new rules...the kids came home very unhappy. Faculty is telling parents that these students are mature enough to handle the responsibilities that come with iPad management and appropriate use, but now they are being made to walk out of the building in a single file line, need to raise their hand before they can get up in the cafeteria and are being whistled at at recess? Where's this trust and responsibility we've heard so much about for the last six months? You can't have it both ways. Nothing but good experiences in the lower school, but the middle school is a different story. They don't seem to be on the same page with the lower school or with each other...we'll give it one more year.
—Submitted by a parent

Thank you, I needed to hear your statement. This will be my daughters first year at St. Catherines & I believe we made the right decision sending her. We do not live in Norwood, however I do not believe it makes a difference where you live. To be involved in my daughters education & studies are of most importance to me. I have seen alot of negativity on the posts , but I trust my intuition and believe it is the right enviornment for my child.. I also want her to understand respect for other people and grow in in her faith.
—Submitted by a parent

As a teacher at the school,I am sad to say that the morale is low, and many good teachers lost contracts without protocol evaluations, and sadly, some of my colleagues are not serving kids in the manner consistent with Catholic values. There is no mentoring or support for newer teachers, and the change in the religious leadership is superficial and cold, at best. This is a school where priorities are not where they should be.
—Submitted by a teacher

Turnover can also signal a change for the better. This school has been managed in the most unprofessional manner imaginable until the arrival of the new pastor. I think within a year you will see a clear change for the better.

I am also a bit concerned about the atmosphere and turnover at St. Catherine's. In addition to losing teachers, I recently learned that 2 long time staff members from the admissions and tuition office have left their positions . I don't know either of them well but I have learned from other parents that they are huge loss to the St. Catherine's community. Years of business experience tell me that employee departure as well as unhappy atmosphere is a huge red flag to a serious problem. We will give this school, and the unsettled feeling it presents, 1 year to pull itself together.
—Submitted by a parent

I just read the comments regarding the students selected to represent the school. I have attended many events at the school and have been extremely impressed with the students selected. I am not sure I would label them "elite" but rather hard working students that exel in academics, classroom behavior and standout as the leaders of their peers. I applaud St. Catherines for selecting the best to represent the school. The school has very high standards and I have always been impressed at each event I attend. I can also comment that when I look at the students selected they often are the children of the parents that give so much of their time and energy to the school to make it the best school in the area. I guess you could say the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree, hard working dedicated parents foster children that also want to go above and beyond the classroom to ensure the successs of St. Catherines. Hats off to the school for selecting such mature, outstanding students to represent them. I know that colleges and universities will also select the students that stand out for their high standards. May these children be a role model for the students in lower grades
—Submitted by a parent

Maybe SCS chooses the students with neat hair, pressed uniforms and a good attitude. My children have been chosen at SCS. They have also been chosen for Open Houses at their high schools, I guess I must have an "in" there too?!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been chosen and I can tell you I have never worked a day at SCS. Do you know who has worked there? My children have worked there... worked at getting good grades, being kind to fellow students and respectful to the administration. You can call it playing favorites or elitism, but I choose to call it CHARACTER!
—Submitted by a parent

In regards to the post about the "elite" students being chosen to represent the school at different events. I am the Director of Advancement at SCS and would be more than happy to have a discussion about the criteria the administration uses to chose the student volunteers for key fundraising events. Feel free to call or email me. I am also a parent of two students at the school and view that as a positive I feel that only encourages me to work harder for the benefit of SCS and my children. Paula
—Submitted by a teacher