St. Patrick’s School Turns To The Future

Education

When St. Patrick’s School begins classes Monday, Principal Joanne Duffy will have plenty to think about other than Donald Andrews.

Like 133 names.

To heal any lingering wounds caused by her successor, Duffy is trying learn the name of every one of the school’s 133 students.

“It is a lot (of names), but I was a teacher, so you learn little tricks,” said Duffy.

Andrews was fired last spring after a 13-year-old student accused the principal of fondling him. Another student told police that Andrews discussed masturbation with him.

Andrews is scheduled to stand trial on Oct. 28.

Duffy, a vice principal at Spokane’s St. Aloysius School for three years, plans to spend time in each classroom and eat with students every day.

She says regaining trust that may have been lost with Andrews’ dismissal is crucial to her success as a principal.

Duffy was hired in April and started full time at St. Patrick’s in June. She spent time in the school during summer, meeting with families and students. Duffy says she, the teachers and the students are trying to put the incident out of mind and focus on the new year.

“The community is really looking toward a new year, to a new beginning,” said Duffy.

The Rev. Joseph Weitensteiner, pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish, said counseling sessions held before school let out in June helped students.

“Kids are very resilient. If they get an opportunity to speak … how they honestly feel and think, there is healing in a hurry,” said Weitensteiner.

Andrews, who had been principal at St. Patrick’s for five years, pleaded innocent last spring to second-degree child molestation.

He is working in Spokane and preparing for the trial, said Mark Vovos, his lawyer.

, DataTimes MEMO: Open House St. Patrick’s School, 2706 E. Queen, will be holding an open house today from 6 to 7:30 p.m.