The following exchange of emails began the discussion between parents and alumni regarding the shocking news of Dr. Dale Jenkins ... and started the movement to search for the truth.

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Dear Dr. Shieh:

After reading your email and those of others concerned with this issue, I have several comments that need to be made.

1) As President of the SJS Alumni Association:
As an independent non-profit organization that has worked with the school each of the last four years to raise funds for financial aid through our very successful golf tournament program, I am INCREDIBLY disappointed and outraged with the manner in which the school and some of the BOT membership is treating Dr. Jenkins.

My main reason for involvement with the Alumni association is a direct result of Dr. Jenkins asking me for my leadership in this role several years ago. Since then, the organization has donated in excess of over $40,000.00. Now, this may not seem much to some, but let me make it clear — it has been enough to assist many students in need of financial assistance.

Further the untold dollars that need to be raised just to conduct a professional tournament so that monies can be donated takes, time, commitment and above all belief that the school is in good hands by its keepers. If any of you on this list are major donors to the school or spend a substantial amount of money through tuition or other means, I encourage all of you to get to the bottom of this as this issue goes beyond just a 'vacancy of position' but rather how the school and its BOT conducts itself as part of our close-knit community.

2) As a former student:
My fondest recollection of school are those years that I spent over at St. John's. Many of the students with whom I went to school with, are still very much my closest of friends. But what is unique and I feel, sometimes overlooked, is the fact that new friendships have evolved throughout the years. Former teachers are now my friends, and because of this, I TRUST them. I FEEL better knowing that when my child attends SJS, that they are being cared for by former teachers — and current friends. Whatever the school's financial dynamics look like, whatever 'master' plan the BOT is preparing — make one thing clear when you are making such decisions — TRUST is very hard to replace.

3) As a friend of Dale:
I have known Dale for many years. First as a teacher, then a coach and now as a friend. Because of my history with this man, I think it is fair to say that I know him. And if there is one thing that I am convinced of; it is his love for the school and the children that it raises and teaches.

26 years of service is plenty. But for someone still in his prime; it is a complete WASTE — for it to end. But the realities of life are this: Regardless of what or where or whom you work for — there will be politics involved. Maybe Dale rubbed someone the wrong way — maybe he didn't do his duties to the expectations of the BOT? But how in the world is he to know (or us his greatest admirers) — if no justifications are presented by the BOT or by the Headmaster?

I was told by someone that a teacher at SJS made a remark similar to this when she was asked about Dale’s situation, "This is the real world ... In Corporate America you get fired at 5PM, you're expected to leave by 8PM with your things..." But is it really this way? And if so, should it be this way? SJS, last I checked is not what I would describe as Corporate America. And if it has become so, then I am greatly disappointed. In a community so close-knit such as Guam ... And further a MICRO-COMMUNITY of an even smaller and closer-knit community such as the SJS family — I find it disturbing that we can treat one of our ‘own’ in this manner.

A school that was created on the foundations of Christianity should have higher level standards than what 'Corporate America' exercises. We've seen the ugliest side of Corporate America most of 2003. Let me tell you something ... If SJS can be referenced in the same breath as ENRON , MCI Worldcom or Martha Stewart — get your kids out now, and thank me later!

As for her reference to a 'real world' ... Let's take a look at some real world facts:

A. 26 straight committed years of service to not only SJS, but your kids and many other kids (too many to mention) before that.

B. A man who swallowed his pride when not chosen as Headmaster, and returned to his post to do what he does best — keep the standards of SJS at its peak.

C. A man who has helped to make SJS what it is today — from a small private school, to a multi-grade / multi-national (pre/elementary/high school) juggernaut known now for both its athletics as well as its academics. Don’t believe me? Pay a visit to the SJS GYM. Count how many championships are raised on that wall... And then compare that to how many students have graduated and gone on to college — 100%. That’s right. 100% of those who graduated from SJS, went on to attend college. SJS through its academic programs is in the top 10% of the all college preparatory schools in the nation. Certainly, not ONE person should get the credit for this astounding achievement — but certainly he should not be denied of it either.

D. Some parents are concerned that SJS produces great scholars but is lacking in areas in social behavior. Let me remind you folks that SJS is, at the end of the day — A SCHOOL! It is your job as a parent to develop your child’s social skills! If homework is tough — so be it. Tests make your kid nervous? — It made me nervous too! The bottom line is that SJS prepares your child for academic expectations. Being prepared to be a decent human requires a lifetime of lessons learned ...

In conclusion ... Let me bring out these interesting parallels.
SJS and Dale’s career are very much related.

Both came to the islands with the ideals of helping, SJS as religious organization, Dale under the Peace Corp.

Both had humble beginnings — SJS was small school, Dale taught P.E. And Coached sports.

Both progressed and became leading educators on the island — SJS became an elite private school, Dale received his doctors degree in Education.

Both slowly entered the world of providing the island with an High School education, SJS began offering High School courses, Dale was the in charge of High School.

The comparisons can go on and on ...

And now that Dale’s tenure has been abruptly ended by misguided individuals, so has an era of progression at SJS. Dale was not perfect, nor was he pleasant with everyone, but very rarely can you find someone as dedicated and in-touch with the needs of the school as Dale. Ladies and Gentlemen — history has taught the world many many things. What makes Dale unique and irreplaceable as an administrator for SJS is his history with it.

For the Bishop, BOT, headmaster and anyone affiliated with the school to deny this man who dedicated more than one-third of his life towards bettering it, with a proper and dignified means of exit, shame on you. Because whether or not you are a fan of Dale’s — the method in which this has been done is completely wrong and completely hypocritical to the virtues and values that the school preaches. If SJS is going to treat someone with 26 years involvement with such harshness and lack of respect — how will it treat you or me — our children when we fall out of grace with them?!

It’s been said that it takes years for someone to gain trust and respect and only a matter of seconds to lose it ...

Wake up SJS! You just lost me.

I have been invited by Dr.Shieh to attend your PTA meeting on Thursday. I intend on being there.

I have more to say on this matter and will do so then.

Sincerely,
Kaz Endo
President of the SJS Alumni Association

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On 1/12/04 8:58 AM, "Dr. Shieh" <shieh@ite.net> wrote:
> Hi Pat,
>
> I am sure the school has plans of how to handle its immediate affairs,
> but I read Dr. Jenkins letter just now and it raised my eye brows.
>
> When someone "retires", it is usually NOT a letter of this kind. There
> are "MANNERS." We teach our children manners in dealing with people,
> the day to day common courtesies. I remained puzzled. We need to treat
> people with dignity, especially with someone that has help build St.
> John's School to its current reputation over that last 26 yrs.
>
> I think it is important that Dr. Jenkins finish at least the current
> year, that would be the proper thing for St. John's school, and allow
> for a smoother transition. There is NO good reason, why that should not
> be the case. We are in the middle of the school year.
>
> WE the St. John's Community should have "OPEN" communication, where we
> should express our concerns and not be afraid of any open discussion.
> Dr. Nelson have expressed this to us many times, and this is one of
> those times. News of this caliber should NOT have come all of a sudden.
> We the parents, the teachers, the students, the administration should
> have nothing to hide, nothing that we cannot discuss for the best our
> children.
>
> God help us all,
>
> Dr. Shieh
>

---

> Pat Feore wrote:
>
>> Dr. Nelson,
>>
>> I hope to see, in very short order, a letter from you (or the Board of
>> Trustees) as to how the school will be handling its immediate affairs
>> in light of this vacancy.
>>
>> This sudden and most shocking event is very unsettling for the whole
>> school community - the students included, if not most.
>>
>> Pat Feore
>> (Parent, BayLee Feore)
>>
>>

---

>>> From: "Jorge" <JNelson@StJohns.EDU.GU>
>>> To: "'Pat Feore'" <patfeore@hotmail.com>,<shieh@ite.net>
>>> CC:
>>>
>>> Subject: RE: MEETING, and Questions
>>> Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 17:15:26 +1000
>>>
>>> Dear St. John's School Community Members,
>>>
>>> We regret to announce the retirement of Dr. and Mrs. Jenkins after a
>>> long history of contribution to St. John's School.
>>>
>>> Please see the enclosed heartfelt messages from the Jenkins.
>>>
>>> I am sure you will join us in wishing Dale and Kedel all the best in
>>> their new endeavors.
>>>
>>> Most sincerely,
>>>
>>>
>>> Dr. Jorge Nelson, Headmaster
>>>

---

>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Pat Feore [mailto:patfeore@hotmail.com]
>>> Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2004 8:15 AM
>>> To: shieh@ite.net
>>> Cc: dbacadiz@kuentos.guam.net; joeydl@kuentos.guam.net;
>>> jnelson@stjohns.edu.gu; isantos@stjohns.edu.gu; djenkins@stjohns.edu.gu;
>>> bhernandez@stjohns.edu.gu; ipavesic@stjohns.edu.gu; JENSHIMIZU@aol.com;
>>> hotmalassada@kuentos.guam.net; bigbully@eccomm.com;
>>> CShepherd@stjohns.edu.gu; junetodd@ite.net; rlinkenhelt@stjohns.edu.gu
>>> Subject: RE: MEETING, and Questions
>>>
>>>
>>> Dr. Shieh,
>>>
>>> Thanks for sharing the news - this is, indeed, news to me! I'd like to
>>> know
>>> why, how and when too.
>>>
>>> Pat Feore
>>>
>>>

---

>>>> From: Thomas Shieh MD <shieh@ite.net>
>>>> To: shieh@ite.net
>>>> CC: "Theresa B. Cadiz" <dbacadiz@kuentos.guam.net>, "Joseph D. Lopez
>>> Sr."
>>>> <joeydl@kuentos.guam.net>, Jorge Nelson <jnelson@stjohns.edu.gu>,
>>>> Imelda Santos <isantos@stjohns.edu.gu>, Dale Jenkins
>>>> <djenkins@stjohns.edu.gu>, Becky Hernandez
>>> <bhernandez@stjohns.edu.gu>,
>>>> Ila Pavesic <ipavesic@stjohns.edu.gu>, Jeni Shimizu
>>> <JENSHIMIZU@aol.com>,
>>>> Marie Lopez <hotmalassada@kuentos.guam.net>, Natalie Calvo
>>>> <bigbully@eccomm.com>, CShepherd@stjohns.edu.gu,
>>> patfeore@hotmail.com,
>>>> junetodd@ite.net, rlinkenhelt@stjohns.edu.gu
>>>> Subject: MEETING, and Questions
>>>> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 22:14:43 -0800
>>>>
>>>> To ALL:
>>>>
>>>> I have just heard of the sad news that Dr. Jenkins will NOT be at St.
>>>> John's School anymore?? With the sudden impact of this news to our
>>> entire
>>>> school community,especially the upper school, and the current seniors,
>>> I
>>>> think this issue is up for a BIG discussion. Lets put all
>>> personalities
>>>> aside....
>>>>
>>>> I just got off the phone with Joey, and we have called a general
>>>> membership
>>>> meeting for this coming Thursday night, I assume 6 pm in the library.
>>>>
>>>> In the middle of the school year, this will be extremely disruptive. I
>>>> have
>>>> concerns as a parent and as a Guam community member coming from a
>>> school
>>>> that cherishes and prides itself on the "Christian believes." How could
>>>
>>>> this happen? There are a lot of questions, why? Why were we (parents)
>>> NOT
>>>> informed of this or problems much earlier? I thought, WE the St.
>>> John's
>>>> community suppose to have an open and honest communication? What
>>> happened?
>>>> What are we teaching our children, our students? Who's next? Mrs.
>>> Santos,
>>>> our lower school principal? If there is or has been any problems at
>>> St.
>>>> John's School, we the PARENTS need to be involved....WE are a community
>>> of
>>>> ONE, not individuals?
>>>>
>>>> St. John's school cannot allow this to happen, this is not fair for the
>>>> parents, teachers, and students. This issue should be #1 on the
>>> agenda!
>>>> For goodness sake, WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR SCHOOL YEAR!
>>>>
>>>> I ask that our PTA secretary and the school secretary pass out this
>>>> notice
>>>> to all the parents immediately.
>>>>
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>
>>>> Dr. Shieh
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> PS: Jorge, I am assuming that you know what's going on and since you
>>> may
>>>> be representing the Board of Trustees, I tried to contact you via
>>>> phone,
>>>> but was unsuccessful, if you can call me ASAP my cell is 777-8360 or
>>>> 635-8360. Or home 646-8456. I am confused on what is going on, and
>>> other
>>>> parents as well.....AGAIN, we are right in the middle of the school
>>> year.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> _________________________________________________________________
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>>> << Dr._Mrs.JenkinsmessagetoSt.John_sSchoolCommunityMembers.pdf >>
>>
>>
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> ------ End of Forwarded Message