Thoughts about St. Mark School and the Media
As I was reading Terry Bibo-Baker’s Sunday column, I thought how nice it was to compliment the children of St. Marks, even though she used it as a tie-in to a typical PJStar plug for a Lakeview museum, but that’s another subject altogether…
It got me to start thinking about St. Marks, Renaissance Park, and the Media and I just don’t think St. Mark’s is recognized for the important role it plays. It’s is way under-funded as compared to a Dist 150 school, and the teachers are underpaid by current standards, but yet the students excel.
I have a neighbor who is not catholic and is moving out to Dunlap schools when their children become school aged. Can’t blame them. I’d do the same thing. I’ve always said, if you live in the west bluff, you’re either Catholic or don’t have any kids. That’s a broad generalization, but I think it’s more accurate than not.
Renaissance Park officials should be working with the school and heavily promoting it. It’s the glue that holds the west bluff together and is helping to slow the flight out of Peoria while enabling this older neighborhood to flourish.
This school is a big reason that many people, who could move out north, choose to live in the west bluff, and it should be reported.
February 20th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
You do not have to be Catholic to attend St.Marks, and yes it is a great school.
February 21st, 2006 at 12:01 am
We are indeed very fortunate to have both St. Mark’s and Whittier in the West Bluff. I believe these schools show what parental involvement and strong neighborhood support can do for for schools and our children. They are models for the rest of the city.
February 21st, 2006 at 8:55 pm
good post. very true. the west bluff is full of families with kids under 5. Between 5 and 18, there are a LOT fewer. Central and Manual are not the options that proactive parents at St Marks and Whittier want to have as long term options…