They actually reversed the decision and Marsha is staying so I am just sitting here crying in my kitchen because I honestly did not think they would listen to us. I am so incredibly relieved that our letters finally hit home and I hope the administration remembers this feeling of …
June 6, 2016
Final supporters
Dear Meg Steele:
I am an alumna of Woodlands Academy (class of ’98), and I am writing to express our concern on behalf of my fellow alumnae about a recent decision to eliminate several positions, specifically that of Marsha Marko.
I am sure you have read the emails from past students expressing their frustration over the future elimination of their beloved advisor, nurse, mother-figure, counselor, confidant, and friend. Every story different, yet the same, Marsha Marko was a beacon of light for the students at Woodlands Academy. Over the past week, I have read countless accounts from past students on what Mrs. Marko meant to them, and how she was such an integral part of their experience at Woodlands. I can look back now and appreciate what a uniquely special high school experience Woodlands was able to provide. It was not just a school it was a home and a family.
The goals and criteria of Sacred Heart help define why Woodlands is special to so many of us. The first goal states “The entire school program affirms that there is meaning and value in life and fosters a sense of hope in the individual and in the school community.” Marsha Marko made us feel special, unique, and most importantly, heard. She helped us all see the value in all of our lives during those critical formative years. I am in constant awe of my fellow students and the women they have become. They have gone on to be courageous, loving, strong, empathetic, and confident women doing good in the world and supporting others. These are women who had strong role models, support, and a sense of community where they learned the Sacred Heart values and continued to live them the rest of their lives. Marsha Marko was that role model, that model of hope for many of us and the embodiment of the Sacred Heart values. She is why Woodlands is special to us.
I ask you to think about why Woodlands alumnae support Woodlands either financially, volunteering, or simply speaking highly of the school by word of mouth. Is it because of Science Centers, Global Certificates, Student Centers, Athletic Fields, or Walking Paths? Although all these things enhance Woodlands and improve the experience it can give its’ students, this is only the effect and the purpose on the surface. The answer to why I would support Woodlands Academy is simple. I cherish my Woodlands experience and all that went into it; academics, athletics, school government, life-long friends, all girls education, and an encouraging staff that embraced the Christian values which shaped my future outlook on life. That is why we support Woodlands.
The decision to eliminate Marsha Marko’s position, after 27 years of service, causes much of the alumnae distress. You are eliminating a component of our positive experience at Woodlands, and a reason why we speak so highly of Woodlands today. And for what reason? Your letter said “we must appropriately align resources, both human and material, to reflect Woodlands’ current needs, to prepare for growth, and to enhance our student-centered focus”...”the overall growth plan includes some restructuring of faculty and staff positions.” This answer is not satisfactory to us.
We want to trust that the people charged with teaching the Sacred Heart values are protecting and demonstrating them in the administration of the school. There are many questions that have been raised and are important given the impact Mrs. Marko had on all of us. There are an increasing number of administrative positions versus teacher or student service positions. We are seeing a lot of physical improvements to the property, especially the newly donated Barat premises. The elimination of a school nurse raises questions on the safety and wellness of students, especially boarders. The average emergency response time is 10-13 minutes. With the rise in drug and alcohol use in teens, eating disorders, teen suicide rates, rises in chronic illnesses that require medication, who will be performing the duties of the school nurse in the future? It’s important to point out that many of our connections with Mrs. Marko began because of her position as the school nurse. You are also eliminating a sophomore advisor. These students have grown to trust Mrs. Marko and have only two years left until graduation.
It appears that the financial situation is somewhat dire to abruptly push out a woman who has been a pillar in the Woodlands community for 27 years. Is it so bad that you couldn’t allow her to see her advisory through until graduation and then she could retire with notice? The perceived lack of respect is what concerns everyone. And again, we encourage and implore you to provide a more detailed explanation for why this upheaval of the Woodlands staff is necessary and why so quickly.
Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, the founder of Sacred Heart said it best, “your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.”
Sincerely,
Alison Oliver (Class of 1998) and Woodlands Academy Alumnae
Updates
April 9, 2016
I keep refreshing the page because the sheer volume of stories pouring in about Marsha is overwhelming in the best way possible. It was just an idea I had while sitting at my desk but seeing this kind of energy makes me realize how many of us truly felt that same sense of home at Woodlands.
Reached 100 supporters
April 9, 2016
39 Comments
I need to know why her job is being eliminated. She is an integral part of Woodlands, and I would have been lost without her. I never would have made it through the rigors of high school and my terrible home life without her. She cared when no one else did. She is an integral part of the Woodlands team and you have made a grave error that will negatively impact your students. I would not be the person I am today if it had not been for Mrs. Marko. Please make the right choice and keep her. You are dishonoring a woman who has spent nearly her entire career in the service of this school.
Ms. Marko has dedicated her life to Woodlands and helping girls no matter what their issue, year in and out. She was an instrumental part of my life and growth. I am saddened and deeply disappointed in the actions I am hearing of her removal and think it is not true to the spirit of Woodlands and how I was raised. I write in the hopes you change your position regarding her employment or how you think she can be most useful to students. 27 years of service should and must count for something.
Please think of the boarding girls when you make this decision. I really needed Mrs. Marko when I lived in the boarding school. That means no medical care for the girls that live at Woodlands.
Marsha Marko is a true embodiment of Sacred Heart values that Woodlands seeks to instill in every girl who walks through those doors. To eliminate a position and thereby terminate a woman whose life has been dedicated to helping foster independent confident young women goes against the very goals and values that the Sacred Heart was founded upon. I would much rather future students of Woodlands benefit from the wisdom of Marsha Marko than enjoy a new "walking path"
Proving a school nurse and advocate for the health of the students is vital to any educational community. Mrs. Marko has dedicated years of service to the Woodlands Academy community and should remain in her position as a nurse, counselor and advisor. Please reconsider her termination as her position serves the needs of the community and has a longer term positive impact where as irrational budget cuts do not.
I agree with Alison wholeheartedly. I am absolutely crushed to hear about the dismissal of Mrs. Marko. If it weren't for her and many other staff members, I honestly don't think I would have made it through life, let alone graduate high school. Alison is absolutely correct and her points are spot on. While the property is improving aesthetic appearance, the core of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is its staff. This woman improved my life in so many ways and truly still is one of the best teachers I had and I never took a class from her. She was not my advisor and yet the lessons she taught me are lessons I still carry with me today. She became a second mother to me. To this day, I still call her "Mom." To eliminate her from the staff entirely is just ridiculous to me. You would be eliminating an important foundation block of the school. I hope you can reconsider your decision.
Please reconsider for the sake of the future students and families that want to know sacred heart is about the students and not only profit. Surely you can afford her and help get more students.
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They actually reversed the decision and Marsha is staying so I am just sitting here crying in my kitchen because I honestly did not think they would listen to us. I am so incredibly relieved that our letters finally hit home and I hope the administration remembers this feeling of …
June 6, 2016
Final supporters
Dear Meg Steele:
I am an alumna of Woodlands Academy (class of ’98), and I am writing to express our concern on behalf of my fellow alumnae about a recent decision to eliminate several positions, specifically that of Marsha Marko.
I am sure you have read the emails from past students expressing their frustration over the future elimination of their beloved advisor, nurse, mother-figure, counselor, confidant, and friend. Every story different, yet the same, Marsha Marko was a beacon of light for the students at Woodlands Academy. Over the past week, I have read countless accounts from past students on what Mrs. Marko meant to them, and how she was such an integral part of their experience at Woodlands. I can look back now and appreciate what a uniquely special high school experience Woodlands was able to provide. It was not just a school it was a home and a family.
The goals and criteria of Sacred Heart help define why Woodlands is special to so many of us. The first goal states “The entire school program affirms that there is meaning and value in life and fosters a sense of hope in the individual and in the school community.” Marsha Marko made us feel special, unique, and most importantly, heard. She helped us all see the value in all of our lives during those critical formative years. I am in constant awe of my fellow students and the women they have become. They have gone on to be courageous, loving, strong, empathetic, and confident women doing good in the world and supporting others. These are women who had strong role models, support, and a sense of community where they learned the Sacred Heart values and continued to live them the rest of their lives. Marsha Marko was that role model, that model of hope for many of us and the embodiment of the Sacred Heart values. She is why Woodlands is special to us.
I ask you to think about why Woodlands alumnae support Woodlands either financially, volunteering, or simply speaking highly of the school by word of mouth. Is it because of Science Centers, Global Certificates, Student Centers, Athletic Fields, or Walking Paths? Although all these things enhance Woodlands and improve the experience it can give its’ students, this is only the effect and the purpose on the surface. The answer to why I would support Woodlands Academy is simple. I cherish my Woodlands experience and all that went into it; academics, athletics, school government, life-long friends, all girls education, and an encouraging staff that embraced the Christian values which shaped my future outlook on life. That is why we support Woodlands.
The decision to eliminate Marsha Marko’s position, after 27 years of service, causes much of the alumnae distress. You are eliminating a component of our positive experience at Woodlands, and a reason why we speak so highly of Woodlands today. And for what reason? Your letter said “we must appropriately align resources, both human and material, to reflect Woodlands’ current needs, to prepare for growth, and to enhance our student-centered focus”...”the overall growth plan includes some restructuring of faculty and staff positions.” This answer is not satisfactory to us.
We want to trust that the people charged with teaching the Sacred Heart values are protecting and demonstrating them in the administration of the school. There are many questions that have been raised and are important given the impact Mrs. Marko had on all of us. There are an increasing number of administrative positions versus teacher or student service positions. We are seeing a lot of physical improvements to the property, especially the newly donated Barat premises. The elimination of a school nurse raises questions on the safety and wellness of students, especially boarders. The average emergency response time is 10-13 minutes. With the rise in drug and alcohol use in teens, eating disorders, teen suicide rates, rises in chronic illnesses that require medication, who will be performing the duties of the school nurse in the future? It’s important to point out that many of our connections with Mrs. Marko began because of her position as the school nurse. You are also eliminating a sophomore advisor. These students have grown to trust Mrs. Marko and have only two years left until graduation.
It appears that the financial situation is somewhat dire to abruptly push out a woman who has been a pillar in the Woodlands community for 27 years. Is it so bad that you couldn’t allow her to see her advisory through until graduation and then she could retire with notice? The perceived lack of respect is what concerns everyone. And again, we encourage and implore you to provide a more detailed explanation for why this upheaval of the Woodlands staff is necessary and why so quickly.
Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, the founder of Sacred Heart said it best, “your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.”
Sincerely,
Alison Oliver (Class of 1998) and Woodlands Academy Alumnae
Updates
April 9, 2016
I keep refreshing the page because the sheer volume of stories pouring in about Marsha is overwhelming in the best way possible. It was just an idea I had while sitting at my desk but seeing this kind of energy makes me realize how many of us truly felt that same sense of home at Woodlands.
Reached 100 supporters
April 9, 2016
39 Comments
I could not agree more with the letter Allison wrote. I transferred into Woodlands the middle of my sophomore year, coming from a large highschool. It was the human connection that brought me back to my best self and helped me to excel (and care to excel). Mrs. Marko is one of those connections that nurtured me to empower myself.
I need to know why her job is being eliminated. She is an integral part of Woodlands, and I would have been lost without her. I never would have made it through the rigors of high school and my terrible home life without her. She cared when no one else did. She is an integral part of the Woodlands team and you have made a grave error that will negatively impact your students. I would not be the person I am today if it had not been for Mrs. Marko. Please make the right choice and keep her. You are dishonoring a woman who has spent nearly her entire career in the service of this school.
Ms. Marko has dedicated her life to Woodlands and helping girls no matter what their issue, year in and out. She was an instrumental part of my life and growth. I am saddened and deeply disappointed in the actions I am hearing of her removal and think it is not true to the spirit of Woodlands and how I was raised. I write in the hopes you change your position regarding her employment or how you think she can be most useful to students. 27 years of service should and must count for something.
Please think of the boarding girls when you make this decision. I really needed Mrs. Marko when I lived in the boarding school. That means no medical care for the girls that live at Woodlands.
Marsha Marko is a true embodiment of Sacred Heart values that Woodlands seeks to instill in every girl who walks through those doors. To eliminate a position and thereby terminate a woman whose life has been dedicated to helping foster independent confident young women goes against the very goals and values that the Sacred Heart was founded upon. I would much rather future students of Woodlands benefit from the wisdom of Marsha Marko than enjoy a new "walking path"
Proving a school nurse and advocate for the health of the students is vital to any educational community. Mrs. Marko has dedicated years of service to the Woodlands Academy community and should remain in her position as a nurse, counselor and advisor. Please reconsider her termination as her position serves the needs of the community and has a longer term positive impact where as irrational budget cuts do not.
I agree with Alison wholeheartedly. I am absolutely crushed to hear about the dismissal of Mrs. Marko. If it weren't for her and many other staff members, I honestly don't think I would have made it through life, let alone graduate high school. Alison is absolutely correct and her points are spot on. While the property is improving aesthetic appearance, the core of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is its staff. This woman improved my life in so many ways and truly still is one of the best teachers I had and I never took a class from her. She was not my advisor and yet the lessons she taught me are lessons I still carry with me today. She became a second mother to me. To this day, I still call her "Mom." To eliminate her from the staff entirely is just ridiculous to me. You would be eliminating an important foundation block of the school. I hope you can reconsider your decision.
Please reconsider for the sake of the future students and families that want to know sacred heart is about the students and not only profit. Surely you can afford her and help get more students.
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I could not agree more with the letter Allison wrote. I transferred into Woodlands the middle of my sophomore year, coming from a large highschool. It was the human connection that brought me back to my best self and helped me to excel (and care to excel). Mrs. Marko is one of those connections that nurtured me to empower myself.