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(05-13-04) Sorry folks, as always, I count on the general viewing public to provide corrections to anything posted on this website. My apologies to Ms. Clement (spelled without an 's'). It has been pointed out that it was Laura Glismann, and not Ms. Clement who called a student a 'mutt'. I confused that incident with this more abrasive statement she (Clement) was heard making last year during a class meeting, "You look like a bunch of Koreans around a dead dog." She was referring to a bunch of students surrounding a computer ... Commentary: Teacher's PENSION changed without any notice. (05-12-04) 'New Posting!' What in the world would I do if my employer suddenly changed my retirement program without first asking me? I dunno ... possibly sue? Maybe. Would I be upset? Most definitely. Well, that's exactly what happened to the teachers and staff of SJS. According to what I've been told, the administration (in this case we mean Jorge), sent a one-liner memo informing them of the change. One-liner? Come 'on, what the heck was he thinking? Many with whom I've spoken to regarding this, feel that Jorge is afraid of this website. Afraid that somehow the information would be posted and criticized. What a joke. If indeed that is the real reason for his lack of communication regarding this serious issue, let me just say one thing — whatever. Look, I hear things all the time. It doesn't mean I'll post it up! I mean, really, why would I do such a thing, unless I really felt it was necessary? Did I post up that some of the seniors were caught messing around a local PORNO shop? Nah. When I heard about it, I was definitely shocked that it happened. But then again, I wasn't, given the current leadership in place over at the school. Did I post up that 27 eighth graders were caught cheating? That's right TWENTY-SEVEN ... that's not cumulative, year-to-date stuff ... nope. That's 27 students in a single day's transaction! Wow! I believe that's a school record! I mean, when I was student at St. John's, I must have been one of the few bad apples that attempted to cheat (I always got caught!) — now I'm the standard! Weird. Did I post up that SJS development committee took the $10,000.00 donated by the Alumni Association and claimed it as part of their 'accomplishments in raising funds for Financial Aid?' Nope. Didn't make a big-deal of it. But boy, how soon they forget that it was the ALUMNI Association that worked to raise that amount ... not the development committee — I've been told that altogether it was reported that the development committee raised a total of $12,000.00 for the year of 2003 — if this is true, then it would mean that they really only raised $2,000.00 on their own ... in a span of 1 year! And now, since I criticize the school on it's bad behavior, suddenly the Alumni Association is a bad influence? Please. Give me a break. If you're not going to take some of the criticisms, then certainly don't take the money. Did I post up that the BOT goes around saying 'We're taking the Golf Tournament Back!' as if any of them really had anything to do with it over the past several years ... as if it was some form of punishment to me and the ALUMNI for speaking out against the ill decisions of the current BOT ... please... spare me the drama. If anything the golf tournament was almost considered an annual pleasant burden. It's hard work and takes a lot of effort to get it done RIGHT. For the record, I did not feel it was appropriate for the ALUMNI to go out and solicit companies to donate money to a school in which we were at odds with ... frankly it would have been hypocritical of me and the organization. If the BOT wants it — it can have it. I feel sorry for Monte Mesa though ... since he was delegated the job to run the tournament ... I mean really, Monte isn't even on the board ... I would have at least felt a bit of respect for the BOT had one of its own members taken the lead role to run the thing, but instead it does what it always does ... delegates and later claims the glory for itself. I like Monte ... he's a good man — good luck ! Did I post up that it's just a damn shame that teachers who have worked at SJS for over 20 years are being replaced by WANT ADS requiring only a minimum of 2 years of experience? Nah ... I was so disgusted I didn't bother. Say, didn't Jorge go to N.Y. to recruit new teachers? Where are they? VISA problems? Never mind. Did I post up that I found it very curious that the school would print on documents handed to parents that CONSTRUCTION is underway for the boarding room/dormitory ... when it isn't? From what I know, the BOT doesn't even know quite where to put the new so-called palace ... one thing is for sure, they barely have any room on the current campus! Did I post up that it was Ms. Clement that said the infamous words "In corporate America you get fired ..." well, you know the phrase ... nah, thought I'd spare her the drama of evil looks at hallways on campus ... In fact, I didn't bother posting other comments given to me by some individuals that she once referred to a student as a 'mutt' because the student was a multinational (parents were of different ethnic race, for those of you who didn't get that one). But what probably is more entertaining than that comment is the one where she is heard saying that SJS is an international school because "We have KOREAN students here" ... I mean really, should this woman be allowed to open her mouth in public? Probably ... as long as no one has to be required to listen to her speak. Did I post up that Jorge's alter ego 'BUBBA' is viewed by many as not only degrading, embarrassing and outright insulting to those from the South? Nope. Did I post up asking why Jake Woo's (a BOT member) company gets a contract with SJS as its sole 'wireless' communication service provider? Or why can Fran Bauman (a BOT member) use her company and her associates as the official Advertising Agency for SJS? ... hmmm as I recall, teachers aren't allowed by policy to give SJS-related business to people they personally KNOW ... it was deemed a conflict of interest ... meanwhile, the BOT itself can give its own board members nice contracts ... AHHHHH I get it, the difference is that the BOT members OWN their respective companies, therefore it isn't a big deal. So by that logic ... Attention teachers!! It should be okay for you to give business to yourself! It would be considered less of a conflict of interest that way, and more of a Contract of Interest if you will ... but I digress. Finally, did I post up that Dr. Shieh is considering to take back the fitness center that he so graciously donated in December of 2003 — not because of Dr.Jenkins' sudden removal ... but because of something far more simple. They didn't thank him! In fact, it took them until MARCH of this year, after many emails from the donor (Dr. Shieh), and actually one from me advising them it was probably an easy thing to do. Unbelievable you say? No it's true. You see, the story goes like this ... Dr. Shieh donated the gym equipment and asked for three simple things: (1) That the fitness center be named after his grandmother (this type of recognition is actually standard practice for SJS so it shouldn't have been such a problem), (2) That a maintenance schedule be provided to him so that he can rest assured that the gym equipment would last a long-long-long time for many children to enjoy... and finally (3) That the Corporate sole of SJS (which in this case would be the BISHOP) promise in writing that the name of the fitness center would not be removed or changed in the future (this resulted from concerns over the talk that Dr. Jenkins' name was going to be removed from the GYM') ... and that's really about it. But you know, somehow this was really hard for the BOT to do! They farted around for over three months without a word on the progress of the three wishes above. But what makes this story so unbelievable, is that NO ONE thanked the good doctor in writing for his $50,000.00 worth of donation. But then again, what did he expect? After all, over 26 years of service got Dr. Jenkins nothing either ... oh wait, it did get him something ... removal from Guam and relocating to Saipan ... which results in his wife having to quit and relocate too ... and oh, by the way, they will probably sell the house they called HOME for many years ... but you know what? You heard this story already, so I'll stop here, because this one I did post! Contract of Interest. (04-05-04) Several emails have been forwarded to me concerning the ever growing disapproval of BOT members who have been provided 'service contracts' with their respective businesses. At the heart of the problem with critics is the fact that the very same BOT created 'No conflict of interest' policy that does not allow any teacher or staff from providing or encouraging any 'business opportunities worth any financial value' to parties they know on a personal or professional level. "Hypocrisy", as one email put it best. "Why can the BOT hire people they personal know, and in some cases they have contracts with their own company, and they have the nerve to tell others they can't do the very same? What, they don't trust that we can make an impartial decision? That somehow we are beneath them when it comes to making a moral or ethical decision concerning the school?!" If any of you out there knows more, please send me your thoughts and I will post it up for review and debate. If you'd rather be kept anonymous, (you know the drill), I'll respect that, but you must IDENTIFY yourself to me, so that I know you are not a prankster! ;-) 
Angry words warn of "Karmic Justice". 03-17-04 Dear Kaz Thanks for the website and all your hard work. Please post the following. It was a shock to hear the news of Dr. Jenkins's firing. Irrespective of motive, I have a fundamental problem with a first-year administrator in Dr Jorge Nelson firing a 26 year veteran administrator in such an abrupt, undignified manner. More specifically, Dr Nelson exhibits a sickening arrogance by assuming he can fire Dr Jenkins yet not be accountable in any measure to the students, faculty and alumni of St John's School, instead cowering underneath the secrecy of a Non-Disclosure Clause. I am outraged that because of the lack of information on the firing, Dr Jenkins was placed in a quandary where he was compelled to say "that he did not leave because he did anything criminal or inappropriate to the children, and that he did not steal, lie or cheat." Dr Jenkins deserves better. Dr Nelson: the truth always comes out; you have set into motion a series of actions that will continually reverberate with equal reactions; the shock waves you have initiated will come back to topple you. Please do not lie to yourself by thinking this will blow over. It will not. You have attacked a person about whom many care; okay, I'll say it, I love Dr Jenkins. He is a St John's icon. He's also a Guamanian institution. He's pugua, finadene and Bob Dylan rolled into one exceptional man who has positively impacted the lives of countless students. He loves, and is richly loved. Dr Nelson: you don't ride into town, spit on a Guamanian institution, and get away with it. You will be brought to karmic justice. This is truth. My sister Susan, brother Young and I have had the privilege of knowing Dr Jenkins from our years as students at St John's. I first knew of him when he taught my older siblings, but benefited most not by having him as an instructor but as a mentor. He was the person I went to with my ideas, dreams, and conflicts. I fondly remember sitting in his office, talking about life, about the possibilities that awaited beyond the comfortable shores of Guam. Although he thought it better that I stay at St John's, he encouraged me to follow my heart. I'm following my heart fifteen years later, pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles, making my dream happen. Because of Dr Jenkins, and the other St John's old schoolers like Mrs Duckrow, Mrs Hull, Ms Deagle, Mrs Wible and Father Skanse, I left Guam with a strong foundation upon which I've been building my life, doing the best I can, even when life's gotten the better of me. The lessons I've learned at St John's have been with me since: life is worth the struggle; don't ever give up on yourself; fighting the good fight leads to strength of character, courage and wisdom. As I reflect on what St John's and Dr Jenkins have meant to my life, I am resolute in working toward his reinstatement. His firing was a mistake that must be rectified. We must all work toward his return. As Dr Nelson has sown the seeds of negative karma, Dr Jenkins will harvest the positive karma he has sown as a giving member of St John's School, and as a person who has personally affected many lives for the better. It's on us, the current and former students of St John's, to have Dr Jenkins reinstated. He will remain fired only if we allow it to happen -- we have the power to bring him back. This is our responsibility, this is our fight. Do we have his back? We can help by doing whatever we can, every little bit helps, and this website is a wonderful way to stay connected, coordinated and informed on the latest developments. I'm in LA, I will write to the Guam media to generate attention. Let's work together toward the goal of having Dr Jenkins return to his St John's office, the same office that I and many others have visited as students and returned as alumni. Raymond Han Los Angeles CA |
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for May 14, 2004
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