Catholic Middle School Student Rose McGrath Who Battled Cancer Has Been Dismissed From St. Joseph Middle School Over Attendance & Academic Performance

SHAMEFUL, HOW CAN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY BE SO FRIGGING IGNORANT … MIDDLE SCHOOL DISMISSES CANCER SURVIVOR.

In 2012 Rose McGrath was diagnoses with with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. For 2 1/2 years she has battled the dreaded disease and survived only to have to battle the ignorance of the educational school system in America.  Rose McGrath was dismissed from St. Joseph Middle School, part of the Battle Creek Area Catholic School system, because of attendance and academic performance. UNREAL. How the hell do you dismiss a student when the reason why they have missed school is because of battling cancer, not just skipping school for the sake of doing it? Has the educational system lost its mind in this country? And this isn’t not even public school, it is a Catholic school. Have you no shame. no common sense, no compassion?

12 year old Rose McGrath said, “I didn’t do anything wrong, but they still got rid of me.”

Father John Fleckenstein, with Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools said the following, “These were extraordinary circumstances, but so many accommodations were made we felt eventually it became a point where we really had to help Rose, by being able to make sure that she was getting the assistance that she needed and to learn.” The parents disagree and stated that the school failed their child saying, “The accommodations  which were made were woefully inadequate for a child with such a serious diagnosis.”

VIDEO – CBS News

A young girl who has just finished fighting the biggest fight of her life has been dealt another blow.

In August 2012, Rose McGrath, of Battle Creek, was diagnosed with leukemia.

But last week, her family received a letter in the mail that would turn her world upside down.

The letter addressed concerns regarding Rose’s attendance and academic performance, and stated that Rose had been dismissed from St. Joseph Middle School.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, but they still got rid of me,” Rose said.

Rose McGrath is beside herself.

She’s been with the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools all her life, but attending school got difficult when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2012.

“Even though she’s now done with her treatment you still have a very long recovery process because you’ve basically just put two and a half years of poison into your body. you’re not recovering overnight,” said Rose’s mother Barbara McGrath.

The McGraths say despite all of the obstacles, Rose was on track to pass her core classes.

Father John Fleckenstein and the St. Joseph Middle School should be ashamed of themselves. You call yourselves Christians? How in the hell do you let one of God’s children fall through the cracks after she had battled something as vile as acute lymphoblastic leukemia. How can the answer be to dismiss a child from school whose only crime was battling cancer. What kind of low life people are you?

The McGrath parents said they have filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of their daughter. Personally, I hope they sue this school and Father John Fleckenstein personally.

Let’s take a look at the St Josephs Middle School website and their mission statement.

Let me just say one thing to Father Fleckenstein, the school board and the Battle Creek area Catholic School system … JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE A HUGE ISSUE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND I HARDLY BELIEVE THAT DISMISSING A CANCER PATIENT IS IN LINE WITH CHRIST’S VALUES.

High expectations, Christ-centered values and morality are three of many of the characteristics that make the St. Joseph educational experience both unique and rewarding. There are special opportunities for middle-school-aged learners to best prepare them for high school and beyond.

We provide a safe and nurturing environment for your student which fosters life-long learning and faith development. Staff is especially mindful and prepared to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of adolescents. They are committed to cultivating a strong sense of belonging by focusing on academics interwoven with self-respect and acceptance for others. Students experience teachers who truly care for them and their peers.

Beyond academics, emphasis is placed upon technology integration—as technology is no longer an add-on in education; it is now an essential tool in the learning process. A wide variety of extracurricular offerings are offered; allowing each student to discover and develop their talents. Service is paramount at St. Joseph Middle School; with Jesus as our ultimate model of service. Students strive to follow in His footsteps by participation in thoughtful service projects that witness our Christian beliefs.

St. Joseph Middle School provides three years of opportunities to discover your unique academic strengths, explore your spirituality, deepen your commitment to social responsibility and prepare for high school and beyond.