Ruth McGrath: 12-year-old girl recovering from cancer dismissed from school over poor attendance and grades
Her father said she was "woefully" let down by the school
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 12-year-old schoolgirl who is recovering from fighting off cancer has been dismissed from school, after the disease caused her to miss too many classes.
Rose McGrath, from Michigan, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the summer of 2012, and it became difficult for her to attend lessons before and after she was cured.
This type of cancer is particularly aggressive, spreads quickly and requires immediate medical treatment, according to the NHS.
Last week, her family were shocked to receive a letter from St Joseph Middle School which alerted them that Rose had been dismissed over concerns with her grades, and that she had attended school for only 32 full school days this year.
"I didn't do anything wrong, but they still got rid of me," Rose told the local broadcaster WWMT.
The McGrath’s also said that Rose was on course to pass her core modules.
Rose's father Tom McGrath told the news station: "The accommodations which were made were woefully inadequate for a child with such a serious diagnosis."
Father John Fleckenstein, of Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools which runs St Joseph Middle School, said: “These were extraordinary circumstances, but so many accommodations were made we felt eventually it became a point where we really had to help Rose, by being able to make sure that she was getting the assistance that she needed and to learn.”
According to the Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools website the four local Catholic schools it presides over aim to shape students “into disciples of Christ who will go forth into our community and world to accomplish great things".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments