At Waldron Mercy, back-to-school anxiety

With the heated controversy stirred by the firing of a popular teacher over her same-sex marriage still simmering, officials at Waldron Mercy Academy say they are taking extraordinary steps to protect returning students.

Administrators at the private Catholic elementary school on the Main Line say a psychologist has been invited to work with faculty and staff on how to handle questions that might arise about the June dismissal of Margie Winters, fired after a parent complained to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office of Catholic Education about Winters' marriage.

Principal Nell Stetsor also said in an email to parents, obtained by The Inquirer, that the Merion school is bringing in security guards from Main Line Protection Services for the first few days of school "to avoid disruptions" from the news media. School opens Sept. 8.

The dismissal of Winters, the director of religious education and outreach, has become a national story, fueled by protests from Waldron Mercy parents and others.

The former Waldron Mercy parent whose complaints triggered the controversy could not be reached by The Inquirer.

However, the woman, identified as Megan Schrieber, mother of several Waldron graduates, did grant an interview to the National Catholic Register, offering the first public account of her role in the controversy.

"We don't judge Margie Winters for her life choices; that is, indeed, up to God," Schrieber told the newspaper. "We believe we can make decisions about who can form our children in the faith."

Schrieber, a volunteer who heads development for a Catholic-oriented music festival called Abbey Fest, said the episode started when her fifth-grade son was exposed to what she described as pornography by another student at the school. She said she was rebuffed when she then asked school officials to teach the "Theology of the Body" as promulgated by Pope John Paul II.

A short time later, Schrieber said in the interview, she learned that the religious education director was in a same-sex marriage. She confronted Stetsor as well as a member of the board of trustees to complain about what she saw as a conflict with Catholic doctrine.

"I said, 'I believe I am buying a Catholic education, and I am not getting it. That is equivalent to fraud,' " she said she told the publication. "The trustee said, 'I get it.' "

Schrieber withdrew her son in favor of homeschooling and had no more contact with Waldron Mercy - learning only later that her complaint had sparked Winters' dismissal. She said she had been attacked in online forums, although a handful of people have reached out in support.

The school referred questions to Trish Lockett, director of marketing and communications, who said, "We're not really sure" what to expect on the first day. "But we want to be prepared, to keep all of our students safe."

Stetsor said that the psychologist, Patricia Kelly, who works with Catholic organizations, already has "been a help" to staff members. He said that faculty, staff, and administrators need to prepare to answer students' questions about Winters "in a sensitive, respectful, and age-appropriate manner."

The school's email said security guards would allow for normal drop-off and afternoon pickup. Some parents have expressed concerns that reporters will try to question them and their children.

Earlier this month, Winters; her spouse, Andrea Vettori; and about 100 supporters dropped off a petition with 20,000 signatures at the archdiocesan offices asking Archbishop Charles J. Chaput to tell the school he would not interfere with its staffing decisions.

Chaput maintains that the archdiocese was not involved in the firing and does not have oversight of the private school, which is run by the Sisters of Mercy. However, he said he supported Winters' removal.

610-313-8232@kathyboccella