Reinstate Dr. Jerzy Cichocki as Principal Conductor of St. Michael's Choir School

Catholics really know better than this.

...or ask Our Gentle Moderator to do so...

Thanks MJ. Simply DELETE your own post in which you pasted my diatribe. *poof*

Doc was one of the most inspirational, thoughtful, and respected instructors at SMCS; a combined feat difficult to achieve among a gaggle of know-it-all pubescent choir boys. During my time as a student at SMCS it was Jerzy that taught me to sing with thoughtfulness and musicality, rather than simply to sing the right notes. Jerzy was able to connect with us in a way that made the art of making music fun yet reverent, challenging yet rewarding. My class held great respect for the Doc and I was thrilled to hear that he had been chosen to be the music director of the school several years ago. And then shocked and dismayed to learn he had been dismissed with such flippant disregard for his commitment and dedication. I strongly voice my opinion to reinstate Dr. Cichocki.

Dr. Jerzy Cichocki has been a big part of St. Michael's Choir School. Bring him back!

Ok, I think it might be time for a different forum for the Adults. Please consider joining this Facebook Group. Remember, you will not longer be able to post anonymously, but it will not be public. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1878826789071241/

Again actions taken by admin show lack of true devotion of the character of those who serve the choir school.

@Mike J, My son does not delete any comments, except where we know someone is impersonating another person. The OP must have deleted the message, and all other replies to that original post get deleted in the process.

Handrigan reports to no one but himself. He is left unwatched and unquestioned. Nice job eh.

As an alumni, former student and member of the Victoria Scholars, I would 100% would like to see some accountability on the dismissal. On top of being a great musician and teacher, accountability is needed especially considering this man has made it his life's work to strive to make everyone he has taught accountable and responsible for their own actions.

...and, once you yank your post with my embedded rant - thanks again - all this will disappear like tears in the rain. Or will it? Not sure, but let's give it a try.

I was venting. Went a touch pyscho. I pulled the remarks after being reminded by a poster that this should be focused, impersonal, all the things my rant was not. So I yanked it. Only I can do that. Or the Moderator I suppose. Better that I do it. Now I'm asking you to. Cheers. Too bad about Doc. Too bad.

Agree. Some comments disappeared. This one actually was written lightheartedly but very insightful at the same time. What will happen to SMCS? Time to look for another school? How can our sons go back to school next week? Very distasteful.

May I just remind the parents and adults on this site that this petition was started by a student and originally meant to reinstate Dr. Cichoski. It has become an adult forum, on subject areas which student may or may not be interested in at this point. It is also quite demoralizing for the students who have to return back to SMCS and work with the named staff, who work with pretty large institutions with its Code of Conduct, HR practices, Public Relations and Communications Policies, and Compensation and Benefits. Although it is admirable, it is important to see what is at stake here and what is most important. Please try and be respectful to the students. Personalizing matters of staff that these students have to continue to work with, will complicate things for these young and impressionable minds. Take the more commplex and inappropriate discussions off line.

The Choir School administration needs an organizational chart badly. Who reports to whom, etc. This sounds like a mega power struggle.

Upvote!

@Chee-Kong Leong, how do we know for certain he's not the highest paid employee? Perhaps he's not paid entirely by TCDSB, but also from the music side. I doubt he makes less than $100k, the minimum threshold for the sunshine list.

I have seen the Ontario sunshine list which disclose the names of civil servants or "public employees who were paid more than $100,000. The principal and the senior admin officer of SMCS (when he was employed by the TCDSB) is on the sunshine list. The point I wish to make is that the Archdiocese may get off lightly re severance package for Doc, because Doc is not their highest paid employee at SMCS.

Handrigan is just a big bully. The real fight is to get this guy out of SMCS before he destroys it. Pontifical School of Sacred Music? What a load of s---! Don't sugarcoat incompetence. Aren't we under the "real" Pontifical School of Sacred Music? Someone said we are licensed under them to serve the Catholic community. Shouldn't they be notified of this personnel change? To the Cardinal, as a leader of the Catholic community, how can you be so cold and cruel to a man who dedicated his life in serving the church? This is bureaucratic! The Cardinal and the Archdiocese should be ashamed of themselves!

Google "-name- sunshine list". You should be able to find the employee name, who is none other than the principal.