What's happening with St Mad's Principal?

Comment

Comment by Jim McGowan on December 14, 2011 at 5:28pm

From what little I have heard it sounds like kids rule and woe to teachers and administrators. Fallout from past sins of the church? Jerry Sanduskey? I am trying to remember all the teachers and other staff at schools I attended who made me feel "uncomfortable"! Since when are the kids supposed to be comfortable at school? Either the world has gone crazy and I am still sane... or maybe vice versa.

Jim

Comment by RidleyParkOnline on December 9, 2011 at 1:36pm

Parents of students at St. Madeline-St. Rose School packed a meeting at the school Thursday night to get details behind why the school's principal was placed on administrative leave. Many parents spoke in support of Principal Dennis Reitano says the DelCoTimes. Reitano was placed on leave after several students notified staff that they were "uncomfortable" with Reitano's actions during a special Safe Environment lesson.

However, a subsequent investigation led to no charges being filed in the case. “After conducting several interviews (Tuesday and Wednesday) with witnesses including adults and students, there will be no charges filed against Mr. Reitano," said Ridley Park Police Chief Thomas Byrne announced late Wednesday. There were no allegations by the witnesses of illegal behavior or conduct. While some of his behavior may have been unprofessional, it was not illegal,” Byrne wrote in an email.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia issued a press release Tuesday saying Reitano was placed on administrative leave Monday “after concerns were raised during a Safe Environment lesson.”

Archdiocese spokeswoman Donna Farrell was not immediately available for comment late Wednesday. Archdiocese officials would not disclose the nature of the allegations.

Chief Byrne confirmed police were not investigating Reitano for sexual abuse. According to Byrne, two Ridley Park investigators and a county detective conducted the investigation. Reitano has served as the principal at St. Madeline-St. Rose since 2009 and previously worked at several Philadelphia schools within the archdiocese. He holds a clear criminal record in Pennsylvania, according to online court records. He has retained attorney Josh Scarpello of Philadelphia. An attempt to reach Scarpello at his law office late Wednesday was unsuccessful.

Full article by the DelCoTimes

Comment by RidleyParkOnline on December 8, 2011 at 9:17pm

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia said Dennis Reitano was "placed on administrative leave effective Monday, December 5, 2011, after concerns were raised during a Safe Environment lesson." and they said "A report was made to law enforcement and authorities are investigating."

Safe Environment is a comprehensive program which provides an age-appropriate curriculum regarding healthy relationships between young people and adults. The Archdiocese provides this education to almost 120,000 young people every year in our schools and parish religious education programs. For more information about resources available to parents please visit Creating a Network of Prevention and Protection at http://bit.ly/OCEPreventionandProtection (a pdf download).

A letter sent by the Archdiocese also encourages parents to contact authorities with any additional information or concerns. Counselors from the Delaware County Intermediate Unit were made available today for anyone who wanted to speak with them about the situation. Parents needing guidance on how to talk to their children about this can contact the Office for Child and Youth Protection directly at 1-888-800-8780 or e-mail philavac@adphila.org.