Open letter - May 15, 2023

The Sainte-Marie Mère de Dieu School ("the School") would like to provide an update regarding the situation with Notre-Dame du Mont Carmel School ("NDMC") to clarify any potential confusion about the relationship between the two institutions.

The School was founded in 2022 by Mr. Ubertelli and a group of teachers, parents, and benefactors with the aim of advancing traditional Catholic education in a rigorous, welcoming, and respectful environment. These principles are codified in the school's internal regulations, which provide for a collegial governance structure with the participation of all stakeholders.

In February 2023, the School received a formal invitation from the Director of NDMC School to "explore ... paths of reconciliation and peace for the benefit of the children in our two institutions." Although the School has never seen itself in conflict or opposition with anyone, the School Board recognized the importance of exploring possibilities for closer collaboration between the two institutions and appointed a delegation for this purpose to meet with representatives from NDMC School.

A meeting took place last March where a list of six fundamental elements of an exemplary school was proposed for consideration by both institutions. The meeting focused solely on developing these six elements without any discussion on other themes or mechanisms for potential collaboration between the institutions.

In a follow-up email after the meeting, the management of NDMC School invited the School to review the previously developed six elements in preparation for a second meeting to continue the discussions. It was in this email that NDMC School, unexpectedly, for the first time, mentioned the possibility of a "common start in September 2023."

The idea of a common start was again presented by the management of NDMC School in a second email inviting the School to enter into discussions on the terms of a Charter that would be "the heart of what unites us when we are together on September 1st."

For the School, discussing the elements of a Charter as proposed by NDMC School implied not only collaboration but also a possible unification of the two institutions.

In response to the unilateral statements of a "common start" from NDMC School and their insistence on the terms of a Charter, the School confirmed that its Board considered the idea of a common start premature and sought to clarify the true intentions of NDMC School by inviting them to a second meeting to discuss the parameters of potential collaboration. This invitation has not been confirmed by NDMC School to date.

Given the silence on their part, the Board wishes to clarify that despite the fact that the School remains open to possible collaboration with NDMC School and its stakeholders, the cessation of its operations has never been considered, as it is unlikely for such an event to occur, considering that the School, among other factors, is not subject to economic compromises and has an organizational structure where mechanisms of collegial governance already provide a place for any family wishing to integrate and contribute to its growth.

In the meantime, we continue to work diligently towards the 2023/24 academic year in our new premises at Saint-François d'Assise Parish and are ready to welcome anyone or organization that shares our vision and the need for a strong and balanced Catholic education.

On behalf of the Board of the Sainte-Marie Mère de Dieu School,
With heartfelt sincerity,
For Heaven,

Francis P. Ubertelli, B.Ed., D.M.A.
Principal, Sainte-Marie Mère de Dieu School
1-163 Dalhousie, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7C3
https://smmd.ca
613-371-8497