Mount Saint Charles Academy

March 9, 2016March 9, 2016

Mount Saint Charles Academy working with alumni on trans student admissions

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

The Concerned Alumni of Mount Saint Charles Academy have been invited by school’s president, Herve Richer, to discuss possible solutions to the problem of accommodating tans students. They also report that the language regarding the non-admission of trans students has been omitted from the school’s website. Here’s the full release:

“We, the alum who have expressed concerned about the policy regarding transgender students at Mount Saint Charles, have received word from the President, Herve Richer. He has been apologetic about the impact of the policy and appreciative of our efforts as alum to find a positive solution to the accommodation problem. He has invited us to a meeting to discuss possibilities of how to do this, and we are grateful that Mount is moving forward in this direction.

“Mount has always been a home to us, and we are happy to see that they understand our concern and agree the language in the policy needs to be changed and a solution for accommodation implemented. We will be accepting an offer to go to a meeting with the administration to add our help and talent to finding a solution for all parties.

“On Mount’s website, they have posted a new handbook for 2016-17 that omits the policy regarding transgender students. While we do not know if this is the final copy, we are glad to be part of the process of moving in the correct direction on this issue.”

March 6, 2016March 6, 2016

YouthPride offers Mount Saint Charles help including transgender students

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

YouthPride, a gay rights advocacy group for young Rhode Islanders, “strongly opposes Mount Saint Charles Academy’s policy banning transgender students from the school,” according to a statement sent Saturday night.

YouthPride reached out to the exclusive Catholic school in Woonoskcet “to offer information and professional development on best practices for supporting transgender students,” according to the release sent by Executive Director Kerri Kanelos, after GoLocalProv reported on Friday the school has a policy against accepting transgender students.

The news enraged former students and gay rights advocates all over Rhode Island.

The private school, which receives some public funding, responded to the criticism with a statement that said, in part: “Mount Saint Charles Academy deeply regrets the unintended hurt feelings at and seeming insensitivity of our policy regarding the acceptance of transgendered young people. The policy that currently appears in the Mount Saint Charles Student Handbook is not intended to be discriminatory toward transgendered students nor is Mount Saint Charles Academy’s intent or desire to exclude transgender students. The policy was put in place for the simple reason that Mount Saint Charles feels that its facilities do not presently provide the school with the ability to accommodate transgender students.”

YouthPride, in its statement, said this “is not an acceptable solution to being unprepared to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.”

Said Kanelos, ““I am encouraged by the passionate allies, including hundreds of MSC alumni, who are asking the school to reconsider the policy and work together towards a solution that supports students while respecting the school’s mission. “It is clear that people care deeply about the Mount Saint Charles community and want to ensure that their school is inclusive and supportive.”

Mount Saint Charles said no transgender students have been denied admission to the school based on gender identity.

March 5, 2016March 5, 2016

Early morning protest against Mount Saint Charles trans-exclusion policy

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Perhaps the most poignant sign at the protest outside Mount Saint Charles Academy (MSCA) early Saturday morning read, “41 percent of trans individuals attempt suicide in their lifetimes. Accommodation cannot wait.”

The response from former Academy students and LGBTQ activists to MSCA’s policy of excluding transgender students, because the school does not have the facilities to accommodate them, has been swift and extremely negative. Two former students at the protest told me that when they attended MSCA they always found the staff and management to be open, accepting and willing to dialogue on difficult subjects. The sudden addition of a policy that excludes trans students blindsided them.

No one at the protest felt that the statement MSCA issued yesterday in response to the outcry over the policy was adequate. Trans students don’t need special toilets or facilities said one protester, they need the same facilities as everyone else.

The timing of the protest, on a cold and windy Saturday morning at 7:30am likely kept many interested in attending the protest away, but organizers AJ Metthe and Anthony Maselli scheduled the event to coincide with MSCA’s entrance exam for prospective students. Parents and children considering the school would be made very aware of the exclusionary policy.

Those driving past the protesters mostly kept their thoughts to themselves, but many were positive, with horn honks or thumbs up. One man felt the need to stop his car in the middle of the road and incoherently yell at the protesters about how trans people don’t exist, the ultimate refutation of their humanity, but he was a one off.

Protesters were polite and peaceful throughout the event, and more protests are being considered for the future.

March 4, 2016March 4, 2016

Mount Saint Charles Academy responds

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Mount Saint Charles Academy released the following statement in regards to its decision to not accommodate transgender students:

“Mount Saint Charles Academy deeply regrets the unintended hurt feelings at and seeming insensitivity of our policy regarding the acceptance of transgendered young people. The policy that currently appears in the Mount Saint Charles Student Handbook is not intended to be discriminatory toward transgendered students nor is Mount Saint Charles Academy’s intent or desire to exclude transgender students. The policy was put in place for the simple reason that Mount Saint Charles feels that its facilities do not presently provide the school with the ability to accommodate transgender students.

“As a Catholic school, Mount Saint Charles recognizes its call to serve all children who desire a Catholic education, but it also recognizes that it is not a comprehensive high school with the ability to serve all students. Some students may not be academically qualified. Others may have learning plans which the school cannot accommodate. And in some cases, our facilities may not be adequate to service some students.

“Although the school has not been approached with any requests to admit transgender students, Mount Saint Charles Academy’s administration has been exploring ways in which it might provide reasonable accommodations for transgender students and fulfill its mission.

“While Mount Saint Charles can respect that some may find our current policy somewhat inconsistent and intolerant, please try to understand the reason for its existence. This is certainly not our intent. Please know that we would very much like to address the issue, and your prayers and kind assistance would go a long way in allowing us achieve that goal.”

March 4, 2016March 4, 2016

Let Mt St Charles know how you feel about their trans exclusion policy

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /hermes/bosnacweb08/bosnacweb08bf/b1577/ipg.rifuturecom/RIFutureNew/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

If you’re reading about the policy at Mount Saint Charles Academy that’s banning trans students from attending their school and feeling angry or sad because there’s nothing you can do to combat this bigotry, well, feel better, because I’ve got some ideas.

First, plan to get up real early tomorrow morning and head out to Mount Saint Charles Academy, 800 Logee St, Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895 by 7:30am for a peaceful protest of the school’s policy. Mount Saint Charles Academy is holding their entrance exam for incoming students at 8:15am, so parents will be dropping off their students for the exam.

Organizers AJ Metthe and Anthony Maselli ask that people bring, “peaceful & positive signs and messaging only… Let’s show them this new policy is one that goes against their own values statement that ‘every student is known, valued, treasured.’ Let’s show them that the Gospel preaches love for ALL, not hate and exclusion.”

The event is expected to run from 7:30 – 8:30am.

The other thing you can do is sign the petition.

David Coletta has started a petition on Change.org asking Mount Saint Charles Academy President Herve Richer to, “leave the hateful rhetoric in the past” and accept Trans students. “Sign this petition to let [Mount Saint Charles Academy] know that all students with a desire to learn and excel should be allowed that opportunity, gender aside.”

As of this writing the petition has nearly 600 signatures, and this story hasn’t gone national yet. It’s poised to.

“As a transgender graduate I am both shocked and deeply disappointed,” said one signer. “I am signing this because as of today, I am ashamed to be a Mount Saint Charles Graduate,” said another.

Finally, you might consider reaching out directly to those who run the school. Here’s a link to their contact page.

RI Future will continue to cover this important story. Meanwhile: