Vincentian Academy: Difference between revisions
m Reverted edits by Jamespirit (talk) unexplained removal of content (HG) |
Macdiva001 (talk | contribs) Tag: section blanking |
||
| Line 139: | Line 139: | ||
Another former Vincentian Academy teacher was also accused of sexual abuse. George Scott Zimmerman was employed by the school from 1993 until he was forced to resign in 1998. Over the course of his time there as a basketball coach, he is believed to have had abused at least 13 boys. Initially, reports regarding his misconduct had been largely ignored, and even after the school forced his resignation Vincentian made a deal with Zimmerman to keep quiet about the reason behind his departure. He was allowed to keep his teaching license. In 1999, he was investigated by police and discovered to be in possession of child pornography. However, the case was dropped due to the lack of a proper search warrant. Zimmerman was not arrested until another case sexual assault in 2008.<ref name=timesZimmerman>{{cite news|last=Heltzel, Stockton|first=Bill, Halle|title=Child sex-abuse cases under-reported, often ignored|url=http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/as-sandusky-sex-abuse-trial-approaches-a-look-at-a/article_8cf83740-ac23-11e1-842e-001a4bcf6878.html|accessdate=26 June 2012|newspaper=timesonline|date=2 June 2012}}</ref> |
Another former Vincentian Academy teacher was also accused of sexual abuse. George Scott Zimmerman was employed by the school from 1993 until he was forced to resign in 1998. Over the course of his time there as a basketball coach, he is believed to have had abused at least 13 boys. Initially, reports regarding his misconduct had been largely ignored, and even after the school forced his resignation Vincentian made a deal with Zimmerman to keep quiet about the reason behind his departure. He was allowed to keep his teaching license. In 1999, he was investigated by police and discovered to be in possession of child pornography. However, the case was dropped due to the lack of a proper search warrant. Zimmerman was not arrested until another case sexual assault in 2008.<ref name=timesZimmerman>{{cite news|last=Heltzel, Stockton|first=Bill, Halle|title=Child sex-abuse cases under-reported, often ignored|url=http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/as-sandusky-sex-abuse-trial-approaches-a-look-at-a/article_8cf83740-ac23-11e1-842e-001a4bcf6878.html|accessdate=26 June 2012|newspaper=timesonline|date=2 June 2012}}</ref> |
||
==Teacher Layoff Controversy of 2012== |
|||
In summer of 2012, it was discovered that Vincentian Academy would not be renewing the contracts of three long-time teachers: Bill Stringert, Michael Goodin, and Jim Bockstoce.<ref name=SCNnewsletter>{{cite news|last=Grgurich|first=Michelle|title=Sisters of Charity of Nazereth Newsletter|accessdate=26 June 2012|date=11 June 2012}}</ref> Over their long careers, these teachers had become much beloved by current students and alumni alike. As such, their sudden layoffs produced much outrage, inciting student and alumni protests, petitions, letter writing campaigns, the formation and expansion of alumni associations, and calls for transparency in the school administration. One teacher even offered to take a pay freeze or cut to stay at the school. Thus far, the Academy has failed to give a reason for this change in staff to the students, parents, alumni, or even the teachers themselves. Outside speculation suggests that the layoffs may have something to do with the school's new plans for renovation and the creation of a new football team and field. In an attempt to compete with the new school to be opened by North Catholic, Vincentian may have spent more money on construction and new athletic endeavors than their budget could support, forcing them to take money from academics by laying off the teachers. Much blame has been placed on new school president, [[John Fedko]], due to his involvement in the school's new construction projects. Some are even doubting that the fundraising done by President Fedko was substantial enough to pay for the new projects. As no information has been released by Vincentian Academy on the funds or the reason for the layoffs, these suggestions remain speculation. Further outrage ensued when it was discovered that the teachers were denied unemployment when the |
|||
Vincentian Sisters claimed religious exemption. |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Revision as of 02:54, 13 September 2012
| Vincentian Academy | |
|---|---|
| File:Va logo.png | |
| Address | |
 | |
McKnight and Peebles Roads , | |
| Coordinates | 40°33′25″N 80°1′14″W / 40.55694°N 80.02056°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, coeducational |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic; Sisters of Charity of Nazareth |
| Established | 1932 |
| Closed | 2012 |
| CEEB code | 393940 |
| President | John Fedko |
| Principal | Richard Joseph Behun |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | ca. 227 (2011) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 11:1 |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Campus size | 67 acres (270,000 m2) |
| Color(s) | Royal Blue and Gold |
| Mascot | Lion |
| Team name | Royals |
| Accreditation | Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[1] |
| Website | impels.us/vincentianacademy |
Vincentian Academy is a Roman Catholic college preparatory school near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Campus
The Academy comprised three buildings housed on a 67-acre (270,000 m2) campus in McCandless Township, a north suburb of Pittsburgh. There is an approximate 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio,[2] and the enrollment as of the 2011-2012 school year consisted of 70 freshmen, 54 sophomores, 64 juniors, and 39 seniors, a total of 224 students.[3]
Academics
Vincentian Academy maintained 100 percent university placement.[3] Vincentian was one of twelve schools in Pennsylvania that offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.
The IB Program
At Vincentian Academy approximately 80 percent of all juniors and seniors took some IB courses. These courses included anything from IB Higher Level Biology to IB Standard Level Mathematics.[3] Overall, 84 percent of all those students taking IB exams pass.
History
The school was founded by the Vincentian Sisters in 1932 as Vincentian High School. It began an affiliation with Duquesne University in 1995, whereupon it adopted the International Baccalaureate curriculum; the affiliation, during which the school was known as Vincentian Academy–Duquesne University, ended in June 2010.[4]
Affiliation with Duquesne University
Early in the 1990s, Duquesne University president Dr. John E. Murray was investigating the possibility of a high school for Duquesne, disturbed by contemporary reports that American high schools were inferior to schools in Europe, Asia, and even third-world countries.[5] Reasoning that a university-affiliated school could be a model for the region and offer an advanced curriculum and integrate the resources of a major university into its operation, Murray explored the possibility as an extension of Duquesne's Spiritan tradition of often unconventional leadership.[5]
Dialogue with the Vincentian Sisters began in 1993; an agreement was finalized 1994, and the inaugurating class was set to enroll in 1995, with Dean Derek Whordley of the Duquesne University School of Education to be president of the new school. In September 1995, Vincentian Academy–Duquesne University became officially operational, and 31 new Academy students were assimilated into the high school classes.[5] A slow expansion was planned, with the new Academy gradually replacing the old Vincentian High School.
The International Baccalaureate program was selected as the new Academy's curriculum because of its international appeal and academic quality.[5] Moreover, it would be an attractive venue for university researchers and a unique experience for teachers. In adopting the IB, Vincentian Academy-Duquesne University became the only Catholic IB school in the world that was part of a major university.[5]
End of university affiliation
In late January 2010, Duquesne University announced that it would be ending its 15-year partnership with Vincentian Academy. As such, Duquesne no longer has a part in performing administrative duties, nor will it determine a president for the school. The split became effective on June 30, 2010.[4]
Duquesne University had begun to provide administrative support services for Vincentian in 1995 for a five-year period, whereafter the partnership agreement was renewed in 2001 for a 10-year period. Academy principal Sr. Camille Panich noted that the reasons for the partnership had been achieved: "Duquesne has helped strengthen the Academy and position it for long-term success".[6] Duquesne University president Charles J. Dougherty likewise noted that "our partnership agreement for administrative services is concluding with a stronger Vincentian Academy".[6]
Though the formal partnership has ended, some of the benefits that Duquesne University afforded to students, including use of the university's library and science facilities, will continue.[6]
Alma mater
The original school's alma mater dated from the founding of Vincentian High School, and so retains that wording.
- Hail! All hail, our dear Vincentian High School
- We greet thee, our Alma Mater dear
- Safe are we e're guided by thy rule
- Thy mandate we gratefully revere
- In thy realm protection can be found
- Virtue, science, learning prevail
- May thy praise throughout all days be found
- Noble Queen, thee we hail
- "Alma Mater, wise and glorious"
- "Child of Light and Bride of Truth"
- "Over fate and foe victorious"
- "Dowered with eternal youth"
- "Crowned with love of son and daughter"
- "Thou shalt conquer as of yore"
- "Dear old Pittsburgh, Alma Mater"
- "God preserve Thee evermore!
First beyond the mountains founded,
Where the West-road opens free,
When twin rivers forest bounded,
Merge and journey toward the sea,
In the dawning of the nation
Ere the clouds of strife had cleared,
'Rose Thy rough-hewn habitation,
By our prophet fathers reared.
Close Thy mother-love embraces
All who gather at Thy knee,
Castes and classes, creeds and races,
Mother, are as one to Thee;
Thou who unto knowledge bore us,
In the good old days long gone,
Raise Thy Gold and Blue high o'er us,
Land and we will follow on.
Alma Mater, wise and glorious,
Child of Light and Bride of Truth,
Over fate and foe victorious
Dowered with eternal youth,
Crowned with love of son and daughter,
Thou shalt conquer as of yore,
Dear Old Pittsburgh, Alma Mater,
God preserve Thee evermore.
The current alma mater, which was instituted in 2007, carries the same tune but to different words.
- Oh, Vincentian! We hail our alma mater
- Blue and gold, the colors we hold dear
- Mind, heart, spirit, guided by our Father
- Friendships formed will last throughout the years
- Honesty, respect, and human kindness
- Tempered with a pride in quality
- Integrity, and faith in God define us
- Oh, Vincentian! We hail thee
Sex Abuse Scandals
In December 2011, a former student of Vincentian Academy came forward claiming that, in 1994, she was molested frequently by a female teacher at Vincentian over the course of five months. The case was initially investigated in 1994, and McCandless police determined that the relationship was consensual, despite the alleged victim's claims to the contrary. As a result, no charges were pressed; however, the accused teacher no longer works at the Academy. After the details of this case were revealed in 2011, Sr. Camille Panich, who had been the principal during the period in which the molestation was alleged to have taken place, took a leave of absence.[7] She eventually stepped down as principal and has been replaced by Richard Joseph Behun, former school counselor.
Another former Vincentian Academy teacher was also accused of sexual abuse. George Scott Zimmerman was employed by the school from 1993 until he was forced to resign in 1998. Over the course of his time there as a basketball coach, he is believed to have had abused at least 13 boys. Initially, reports regarding his misconduct had been largely ignored, and even after the school forced his resignation Vincentian made a deal with Zimmerman to keep quiet about the reason behind his departure. He was allowed to keep his teaching license. In 1999, he was investigated by police and discovered to be in possession of child pornography. However, the case was dropped due to the lack of a proper search warrant. Zimmerman was not arrested until another case sexual assault in 2008.[8]
References
- ^ MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Retrieved 23 May 2009.
- ^ "Main page". Vincentian Academy website. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
- ^ a b c "About Vincentian". Vincentian Academy website. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Vincentian partnership ends". The Duquesne Duke. Pittsburgh: Duquesne University. 28 January 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "A brief history of Vincentian Academy". Vincentian Academy. Retrieved 29 January 2010. [dead link]
- ^ a b c "Vincentian Academy-Duquesne University Partnership Concludes with Success" (Press release). Duquesne University newsroom. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ "Ex-Vincentian Student Claims Former Teacher Molested Her". Cox Media Group. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ Heltzel, Stockton, Bill, Halle (2 June 2012). "Child sex-abuse cases under-reported, often ignored". timesonline. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
External links
- Official website
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article about the IB at Vincentian
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Home Page
