Important Message to Our St. Agnes Families: Safety, Respect, and Responsibility

Dear St. Agnes Families,

It saddens me to have to send a message like this.

This is not the kind of communication I want to be sending to our parents. I would much rather write about the many good things happening at St. Agnes, celebrate our students, and thank our families for the life they bring to our Academy. However, what happened during last Thursday’s rainy-day arrival deeply concerned me and ultimately prompted me to write this letter.

Some children were dropped off along Harbor Drive and within an active carline. Preschoolers and young elementary students were seen crossing and running in front of vehicles because established procedures were not followed. Meanwhile, our faculty and staff worked for nearly an hour in difficult weather conditions trying to keep everyone safe.

That situation was not simply inconvenient. It was dangerous.

We cannot wait until a child is injured before deciding that our safety procedures matter.

Protecting our children must always come before convenience.

Unfortunately, this incident comes after other situations in recent weeks in which established procedures have also been disregarded. These include disrespect toward those assisting at the church entrance, disregard for appropriate attire and reverence at Mass, repeated violations of Walkers Gate arrival and dismissal procedures, and parents attending field trips without authorization.

These requirements are not unnecessary obstacles. Background checks, chaperone policies, arrival procedures, dismissal rules, and expectations surrounding Mass exist for the safety, formation, and well-being of our students and for the orderly operation of the Academy.

It truly disappoints me that we must repeatedly remind adults of rules that have already been clearly communicated.

Our teachers and administrators came to St. Agnes to educate, guide, and care for children. They should not have to spend their time confronting avoidable situations created because adults choose not to follow established procedures.

Our teachers need to teach. Our administrators need to lead. Our staff deserve respect.

I am deeply grateful to the many families who consistently cooperate with us and support the Academy. Unfortunately, when some choose not to follow the rules, the entire community can eventually be affected, including opportunities we all value.

As parents and educators, we are also examples to our children. They see how we treat others, how we respond to authority, and whether we follow rules when they are inconvenient.

I ask every family to take this message seriously. Please read Academy communications, follow established procedures, and treat our faculty and staff with respect.

I sincerely hope I will not need to send messages of this kind again. I do so now because the safety of our students, the dignity of our personnel, and the discipline of our Academy require it.

With prayers for you and your children,

Fr. Juan Carlos Paguaga
Pastor