ARTICLES

What Uni High Tells Parents

AND THE LETTER THEY DIDN'T CITE

We print here the letter from Bishop Brom (which preceded News Notes stories in November and December reporting University of San Diego High School's noncompliance with the Bishop's directive) and the Uni principal's explanation to parents in January.

September 1, 1995

Dear Dr. Kelly:

I am writing to inform you that from my review of "Reverence for Life" (110), as it is presently offered at University of San Diego High School, I have concluded that sex education is not just a single component of this course, but rather, whether directly or indirectly, a prevailing dimension without appropriate contextualization. Therefore, I am directing that "Reverence for Life", as it presently exists, cannot continue to be offered, that is to say, changes have to be made.

Furthermore, my review of the "Reverence for Life" course leads me to question whether the methodology used always expresses good pedagogy, and whether education in Catholic moral values and chaste living is being denied the students by an inappropriate use of materials and values clarification techniques, easily leading to exploring and even approving unacceptable choices, practices and life-styles. These same questions need to be considered as regards similar course offerings in our other Catholic high schools. Therefore, I am directing that a committee be developed by the diocesan Office for Schools to review such courses in order to make them as valuable as possible to children and their parents in behalf of human and spiritual growth and development.

I am grateful for your leadership at University of San Diego High School and for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely in our Lord,

Robert H. Brom
Bishop of San Diego

cc: Sr. Claire Patrice Fitzgerald, CSJ
Catholic High School Principals

* * *

January 12, 1996

Dear USDHS Parents/Guardians and Students,

This letter has been a long time coming. I apologize for the delay, but I wanted to make sure that all its contents would be appropriate for the situation and that it would not be just an emotional reply to what has concerned us here at the school and many of you in the community.

Many of you, if not all, received a copy of NEWS NOTES with derogatory remarks about the religion program and other programs here at USDHS, as well some teachers' remarks and comments by me. Line-for-line, we could refute these comments, but this is not our policy. (See Diocesan statement on reverse side.)

In December, I received a letter from Bishop Brom. In this letter, the Bishop stated, "I want to repeat how grateful I am to you and your collaborators for all that you are doing at University of San Diego High School to provide quality Catholic education for our young people." He also gave us the guidelines for all religion courses taught in Catholic high schools in the Diocese.

He is forming a Catholic High School Board for all the Diocesan high schools in the Diocese to give continuity for all the schools' programs and needs. Sister Claire Patrice, the Diocesan Director of Schools, will be the Diocesan Superintendent of High Schools. The Bishop is also putting together a committee entitled, The Committee for Education in the Faith, under Monsignor Richard Duncanson. This committee will assist the principals of all Five Catholic schools in our responsibility to provide and oversee religious and sex education instruction according to the teaching of the Church.

In reference to sex education courses or courses with specific sex education components, our Freshmen and Seniors will still be allowed to take Reverence for Life and Christian Life Choices, but on an elective basis. For the Reverence for Life course, the Bishop has asked that an approved textbook be used, rather than just handouts. Also, schools should continue to verify that the materials distributed are age-appropriate.

Those parents wishing that their sons/ daughters not take Reverence for life or Christian Life Choices during the second semester of this school year should contact the counselors by January 25. Due to this year's schedule being set last August for the full school year, we will have some difficulties fulfilling some students' requests, but we will do our best to accommodate. We continue to encourage all the students to take these courses because they are so worthwhile.

Below is a reprint of the Diocesan statement concerning NEWS NOTES. This appeared in the SOUTHERN CROSS, our official Diocesan newspaper.

I wish to underline the support we share for all our teachers, especially the ones mentioned in the article: Father Michael White, Mr. Keith Warrick, Mr. Robert Gorney, and Mrs. Leslie Howell, who are very fine educators. Your letters and telephone calls on behalf of these teachers and the school are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your patience during this time. The Catholic Faith is our mainstay here. In no way would we ever espouse anything but the official teachings of the Catholic Church at USDHS.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at school.

Sincerely,

Richard E. Kelly, Ph.D.
Principal
(Attached diocesan statement re News Notes, published in Southern Cross, December 8, 1995)