Education Minutes 10/13/2015

Education Commission Members:

M. Moran (chair)
J. Bennett / S. Hogan / S. Bresler
A. Jost / A. Fisher / D. Staigers
J. Cheek / S. Farmer / G. Rosengarten

Not in attendance: S. Hogan

Guest: Theresa

The Gospel According to Mark 10:35-45

Approval of September minutes:

All approve; Amy Jost seconded

Principal Report

·  6 teachers attended a Talents Unlimited training – deals with creative and critical thinking skills that can be incorporated into the existing curriculum

·  Starting at this month’s faculty meeting, the teachers will have writing in-services to help them with teaching writing to their students

·  Informational meeting provided on 10/26 for Student Progress Updates

·  8th grade students will volunteer to help tutor younger students in math

·  5th, 6th, and 8th grades visited Camp Kern

·  Celebrated the Living Rosary on 10/6 with the school

·  3rd and 4th grades celebrated Pet Blessing on 10/2

·  October Pilgrimage activity was a World Rosary 10/11 - ~30 people attended

·  Teacher Spiritual Day is 10/16

·  We are Called to a Pilgrimage of Mercy (October) is focused on refugees

o  Collections to work with Matthew 25 Ministries to make refugee bags

o  Next month’s theme is “Serve one another” – will focus on food collections for SVDP and the Bishop Leibold House

·  Playground fence

·  H.O.P.E Initiative

o  Experience was very good

o  Teachers hosted a potluck dinner; they were introduced at mass where the women sang a song on Arabic; had dinner with the Elfars

o  They visited the school on Thursday and today to see the classrooms, speak with the teachers and gather ideas to take back with them

Children’s Faith Formation Report

·  Currently have 149 children registered for REP for Preschool through 8th grade (compared to 136 last year)

·  A few new teachers

·  New drop off/pick up procedure

·  Family prayers, instead of REP prayers

·  Following the same theme – We are called to a Pilgrimage of Mercy

·  Last week had Confirmation Retreat using a new format, making it more convenient for families

Old Business:

1. Parish Open House and Booth Workshop

·  Will build the display during the workshop on 10/15

2. Staying in touch with groups under EC, Liaisons, letter

·  Present at PTO meeting

·  Will send out communications to the other commissions/boosters to stay connected

3. Common Core buzz

·  Waiting to hear back from the publisher of the math text – requesting they partner to provide parents with instructions on ‘how to’

New business:

1. What have you heard?

2. Alumni association

Contacted Melissa Keane-Schaeper to offer help

3. Next group to invite to board meeting

PTO is coming in November to provide a status

Will place a reminder in the upcoming bulletins regarding next month’s open meeting

4. New projects/initiatives…

Adjournment

J. Bennett adjourned; Amy Fisher seconded