I was told, as were many, that Nativity didn't want outsiders interceding in the appeal but I still felt the community needed to take a stand and by that I mean Brough Council too. If it had to be done independently of the appeal on the basis of the community, than that was the right thing to do. Someone should have spoken up.
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| Nativity's Candle Light Vigil |
Last night's event was exactly the right thing to do, but fearfully done too late. The vigil was covered by local news outlets and even a ABC film crew. Borough Council President, Brain Hall, which despite my frustration from my earlier post, was also there. I debated on the fact that nothing was heard from Borough Council on this. He told me he reached out to Nativty but was told not to discuss it. I asked him then why wasn't that announced at any of the two public meetings leading up to yesterday's decision? He was rather terse and went on to say it was not to be discussed. He also wouldn't tell me who he talked to at Nativity about this, which seemed odd. From what I understand the borough was asked not to intercede, as the rest of us were, but I'm not sure why that couldn't be publicly shared, mentioned or stated by Borough Council. Again, Nativity BVM departing Media after 100 years is a very big issues and any statement or assurance from Borough Coucnil would have been appreciated by all.
There's nothing worse than feeling a sense of helplessness and that was the vibe I got last night from those who thought they could have done more. Even the folks who were wishful of a different outcome seemed to know that this would be a long shot to appeal-the-appeal. It's unclear what the next steps are, but I do know the community rallyed to support a great school last night. I by no means have any animosity towards St John's winning their appeal and I hope others don't either, but I will say again that any entitiy challenging Media whether it be a hotel, school, church or bridge; should be confronted with a stong position of our community working together actively.
There are two great articles done by the local news outlets that covered last night's vigil. One by Media Patch w/video, and another by Susan Serbin at the delcotimes.com
Tedman
Sorry to the folks who go there, but BVM is a private, religious institution which means the public can't help, (Borough Council). I would be pissed if Borough Council was wasting it's time, and our tax dollars, fighting/commenting on a religious institution.
ReplyDeleteBVM is basically a privately funded church, so good riddance.
So having our Borough Council donate our tax dollars to the Media Theatre is ok just because it's not a religious institution? It's ok for the Borough Council to have lost several thousand dollars on 1 W. State Street because their buddy didn't pay his taxes? Our Borough wastes our tax dollars all the time...why not use that money to save a school?
DeleteWell said anon 2/27
DeleteIts a shame that people can make stupid comments like above, when people are hurting, and a community is trying to help.
ReplyDeleteKeeping church and state separate is not stupid... it's the law. Our local lawmakers are not allowed to help religious institutions.
ReplyDeleteWhat people are hurting? Not me, you must be referring to the 100 or so kids that go there... what a waste of space, and resources. There are thousands of other kids in Media that need our time, attention, and resources, (Not BVM... a private institution).
The people that are hurting are the MORE THAN 100 kids that go to Nativity as well as their parents. When your children go to a school that they love, and are in tears because it is closing, how can you say that they don't deserve "our" resources!! The parents of Nativity students happen to live in Media,and pay taxes (just like you!!) so Im not sure how you see fit to claim the resources of an entire community to be yours and have the authority to determine who/what is not a WASTE!! SHAME ON YOU!
DeleteMedia elementary class sizes are growing, maybe RTMSD can buy the building and use it...
ReplyDeleteI am hurting, and my kids do not go there. It is a sad day whenever anything in Media closes. Council did not need to use any tax dollars, but they could have stepped up and done something.
ReplyDeleteNo they couldn't, they would be in more trouble if they did anything with a religious institution.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as the Knights of Columbus from Nativity come to council meetings and present awards etc, I am pretty sure council could have done something
ReplyDeleteIf planned parenthood were to close, would any folks from BVM be opposed to government intervening?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely... Just look at the national birth control debate going on right now. PP is an independent non profit institution, also out of Council's hands. If PP can't afford the location... That's that.
ReplyDeleteThere are not enough kids at BVM to support the school via tuition, etc. There's nothing anyone can do, unless you are donating the money.
Separation of church and state means Council cannot be involved in a private, religious institution, (in any matter).
Council can absolutely say something publicly in lieu of acting like ignorant schmucks! Nice try!
ReplyDeletePeople would complain if they did say something about a religious institution, (I would be one of them).
ReplyDeleteSaying private organizations that help children are a waste of money is ignorant. Private schools, Catholic or non-Catholic, and other private organizations like the YMCA, Easter Seals, Elwyn are a vital part of the support network for children in our area...and Catholic social services supports thousands of children in the Philadelphia area. children are diverse and the whole community benefits when diverse resources exist to support them.
ReplyDeleteHow does BVM help children? There's a perfectly good school two blocks away. No one mentioned any of those groups, and if it's religious Council can't say or do anything about it. We're talking about BVM, not anyone else here.
ReplyDeleteNow we can replace BVM with an entity that pays taxes.
ReplyDeleteTwo-fold problem here:
ReplyDelete1) Quoted from out blogger " was told, as were many, that Nativity didn't want outsiders interceding in the appeal but I still felt the community needed to take a stand and by that I mean Brough Council too." - so no means yes? Our blogger wants the Media Council to act towards BVM like Ftat boys act towards their dates. NO means NO, Teddy.
2) This was a straight up fundraising ploy by Chaput. If they were serious about closing these schools, they wouldn't have allowed so many to $tay open on appeal. I'm sure if BVM's community hands over the cash, they'll be allowed to stay open as well.
It's a shame how nasty some of these posters are about nativity school...even if you are not catholic and don't agree with that religion, it still is a school that many kids go to and love. There is a reason parents send their kids there, and not elsewhere. Yes, media el is a wonderful school, but so is nativity (and I do not have kids there) my guess is nativity did not ask for help before because they were not appealing the original ruling, where st. Johns was coming t nativity. I am pretty sure at least be current council member belongs to nativity, so maybe he will step up and d something.
ReplyDeleteI ATTTENDED NATIVITY B.V.M. WHEN IT STOOD WHERE THE WAWA IS NOW--THEN WE MOVED TO THE NEW SCHOOL (NEXT TO THE CONVENT). IT WAS STAFFED BY THE NUNS. NEVER SAW A LAY TEACHER. THE NUNS ARE GONE, SORRY TO SAY. NOTHING AGAINST THE LAY TEACHERSs, BUT IT IS NOT THE SAME.
ReplyDeleteMUST COMMEND TEDMAN FOR BRING UP THE ISSUE AND TRYING TO DISCOVER THE REAL FACTS, WHICH IS NOT EASY.
The real facts are that BVM is a religious institution, and paid officials of the Borough may not intervene by law. It doesn't matter how anyone feels personally about the Catholic school, the topic of the blog post is about how Council should say/do something about them closing.
ReplyDeleteThey can't by law.
I believe in the separation of church and state but everyone has a voice and freedom of speech. If your concerned about money, there is a certain amount of cash flow into the Borough of Media by the Nativity BVM parishioners.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point...if the town of Media wants to sneer at the Catholic faith I am happy to spend my money elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteToday, 2/19, the pastor gave a brief explaination for St. John's winning the appeal, more parking and "recent" renovations of over 2 million dollars. He also stated that there is no way to appeal the appeal and that this decision in final. In my opinion, he is overwhelmed and has very little interest, support, or energy to continue managing BVM school and church. It's very sad and I have great empathy for him, but I wish he would have reached out more to the parishioners and asked for help.
ReplyDeletePeople can spend their money at BVM if they are so upset about this, (to save it). Not spending money in the Borough hurts the borough not government officials, (who actually while on the job do not have freedom of speech).
ReplyDeleteThere is no sneering at any faith, just at some run sown school building that nobody can save.
But we love Media ;) it's truly everyone's hometown!
ReplyDeleteIf it was your child's school you would be working hard to keep it open. The school and the students offer a diversity needed in any culture.
ReplyDeleteAnd unfortunately our local school taxes will increase due to Catholic school closings. The public schools absorbing students from these closures will only increase the amount the state has to fork over to compensate their increase. Catholic schools actually give a tax relief to the local community because of the subsidized funds coming from the Parish.
ReplyDeleteI really cannot believe the insensitivity of some of these posts actually having the school demolished in favor of a tax-producing entity. Has anyone given thought that Nativity as a parish has a very vibrant child population (CYO, Prep, etc) that can utilize the school building for activities, and can perhaps rent the space as needed to other organizations to help subsidize the parish?
ReplyDeleteOf course Media Boro is going to be snippy about it - all the liberals who care nothing about the community faithful. I for one, will NOT be patronizing any boro businesses that are in support of the council's 'do nothing' attitude - and I KNOW who you are!
I don't want to patronize these places either...I just could not bring myself to eat in Media this weekend. Sorry, but there are other places I can spend my money. I seriously doubt the same nasty things would be said if Media Friends were to close. Unfortunately I don't know Media well enough to know which businesses to not patronize so this weekend I just avoided all of them.
ReplyDeleteThis is as bad as turning a two lane bridge into a "greenway"
ReplyDeleteHas anyone given thought at all to the SJC families. I do not recall their need to express outrage and negitive comments to the media and elsewhere when they were facing to move schools in the merger. It seems to me that they used much more discrestion in thinking of the feelings of Nativity families then is being show now. There was much talk of a new school family and unity. There is no evidence of that now. If this is Catholicisim
ReplyDeleteI'll take my chances elsewhere. This is a disgrace.
This isn't Catholicism; you can't write off a whole religion because of the reactions of a small group of people. But we should stick with the facts nobody threw anybody under the bus; the folks at SJ were very open about the fact that they were appealing the location, all they did was present factual information at the appeal about the facilities. The priest and principal of Nativity were both present and also had the opportunity to speak. The folks at SJ didn't cry foul when the initial decision was for Nativity; they just put together a fact-based presentation-that's it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the last two posts. I have a child at SJC currently and have had another child within the WSSD so I have experience with both. I myself am a product of a Delaware County Catholic School. I was sad for St. John's but excited for the possiblies. I was excited for the kids to come together through school and faith. After seeing what has transpired since the appeal results I am saddened, shocked and confused by certain behavoirs. So much so that I fear I can not let my child return to the new combined school. I am in disbelief that adults acting as the face of the school showed so much disregard for other familes who are looking to acheive the same common goals to benefit their children. Really hurtful things have been said. Someone on the financial committee at BVM is even quoted as saying "we smoke them in every category". There was also a comment from a parent about the princpal needing that building to continue to do such a great job. All of this in front of their children who will soon be attending school with children from the very such school they are bashing. These kids are seeing thier parents upset, emotional and suprisingly really angry and focusing that anger at the other parish at times. When they do come together as one merged school they are going to remember that. Wow. What an example to set for these kids. What a sense of community from a faith based school. I have seen SO MUCH more than this in that regard from the public school system. This is not the example I want set for my children so that is the difficult decison I have decided to make. I will teach my child faith at home and through the PREP program. Because after what I have seen since Friday I don't understand how this school can ever move forward and feel united. I am hopeful it does. It's really sad. Just so sad for all of these kids.....
ReplyDeleteI share many of your concerns but realistically if you move your child to public school you are still going to experiencing parental infighting and nastiness b/c wssd parents are very competitive and unfortunately many of them compete thru their kids. But I share your concerns. I don't want a classroom environment where kids and possibly even teachers are still angry and hostile...but maybe some nativity folks just need more time and I would assume those who are the most upset are not going to come. Whose in charge here? It's not us or them. It's the holy spirit so I am not worried.
ReplyDeleteAnybody boycotting borough establishments because a private school is closing is really immature. If the businesses go down, all of our house property values also plummet. I am sorry the school is closing, but retaliating against people who probably don't even read this blog is a real shame.
ReplyDeleteThe real shame is that the borough's "leaders" clearly speak up for certain portions of our community but ignore others. What's equally a shame is that those who try to use "church & state separation" for their failed silence would be the same to jump all over the parish if the school were to ever have expanded, AND would demand council's voice if the Friends School were to ever go down.
DeleteI don't know anything about Friends school, or what wssd is... (Wallingford-Swarthmore?) -previous comments.
DeleteI wouldn't demand 'council's voice' if any of those things went down. ??? Just saying, don't punish State Street because a catholic school is closing. I was shocked to see horrible comments like that, (boycotting Media). ???
So because Council cannot comment on religious matters, people are going to stop shopping in Media? That's all I was commenting on. This is a private matter for BVM folk... has nothing to do with State Street. Does a councilperson own a shop in town or something? I didn't know that.
I'm worried as a homeowner that punishing the business district will hurt others, (not council people).
look at that, elected officials came to bat for the archdiocesian high schools slated for closure - I guess the people do have a voice - outside of Media...
ReplyDeleteWhere's our church & state people now?
Are you talking about the State of Pennsylvania officials? What does that have to do with BVM, or this blog post?
DeleteThat does suck though... I mean we do live in Pennsyltucky, so I guess that's why so many want the gov't to do something about a tiny little private, religious school.
WSSD = Wallingford Swarthmore School District
ReplyDelete