St. Benedict Elementary School Advisory Board Minutes

January 18, Elementary School Library

Attendees:Michelle West, Mary Jo Hayes, Tim Mahon, Jim Reilly, Rachel Gemo, Rev. Robert Beaven, Martha Pagliari, Jeanne Hair, Mary Jo Hogan, Carol Lydon, Ron Austin, Erin Barrett, Linda Lunkes, Mary Markarian, Randy Bridgeman, Holly O’Connell, Christian Fabian, Karen Sims

  1. Welcome by Martha Pagliari, opening prayer by Tim Mahon.
  1. December minutes approved.
  1. Discussion Items
  1. Strategic Plan Retreat
  2. Retreat January 21st from 9 to 3 in Heidenreich Hall.
  3. Lead by Bill Whitney and Executive Service Corp.
  4. Bring all ideas.
  5. Synopsis of surveys and interviews
  6. Team leader training on January 19 at 6:30 in Elementary School Library
  7. Annual Fund
  8. Advisory Board to jump start fund with goal of 100% board participation
  9. Randy Bridgeman will chair Annual Fund subcommittee
  10. Only fundraiser that goes directly to Elementary School
  1. Principal’s Report by Rachel Gemo
  2. Current enrollment has been the same since November
  3. DePaul Partnership
  4. Summary of cost of activities since June (especially time in hours)

a)Principal’s time, 120 hours

b)Dr. Tavano’s time, 82.5 hours.

c)Teacher’s time, 935 hours.

  1. Parent workshops will begin soon.
  2. Free and open to all Title ONE parents.
  3. Testing Success, Thursday, February 23rd
  4. Studying Survival Tips to Do at Home, March 16th
  5. Reading with Your Child, March 30th
  6. Catholic Schools Week starts Sunday, January 29, 2006, with 10:00 a.m., mass in the Church and Open House following immediately in the School
  7. Advisory Board members will be tour guides and welcomers.
  8. Open House during school hours on Thursday, February 2, 2006
  9. Summer Camp schedules should be released soon.
  1. Pre-School Report by Erin Barrett
  2. Catholic Schools Week starts Sunday, January 29, 2006, with 10:00 a.m., mass in the Church and Open House following immediately in the Pre-school
  3. Preschool Open House during school hours on February 3rd from 9 to 10:30.
  4. Enrollment for 5 half-day program has increased
  1. Pastor’s Report by Father Beaven
  2. Archdiocese is conducting an audit of the Parish
  3. Archdiocese is making recommendations
  4. Confirmation interviews are ongoing
  5. Parish Leadership Day is June 17, 2006
  6. Students taking the High School entrance exam increased to approximately 70
  1. Finance Report
  2. Ms. Gemo distributed written finance report
  1. Home and School Report by Martha Pagliari.
  2. Wreath and Wrap Sale netted $24,953.53. Internet sales were significant portion of profit.
  3. H & S will provide refreshments at Open House on January 29th.
  4. Original Works fundraiser began and orders are do on January 31st.
  1. Development Report by Karen Sims.
  2. Annual Fund has raised $13,173 to date
  3. BOSS revenue increased slightly
  4. American English bleacher party scheduled for January 21st is sold out
  1. Committee Reports
  2. Marketing Committee Report by Mary Markarian
  3. Thursday, February 2nd will be Wine & Cheese Mentoring Night for prospective Kindergarden parents
  4. Committee working with Liza Martin in Rectory to market the schools to parents of baptized children.
  5. Committee members will welcome and give school tours at the Open House
  1. Education and School Improvement Committee by Michelle West.
  2. Cameras were given to teachers to take photos of Human Concerns’ projects. Photos will be displayed on a bulletin board
  1. Advancement Committee.
  2. No report
  1. Nominating and By-laws Committee.
  2. No report.
  1. Legislative Tracking Committee by Rachel Gemo
  2. Postcards were sent home for parents to contact state representatives to urge support for a voucher tax break bill
  3. Rally in Springfield in February
  1. New Business
  2. None.

School Board meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Carol M. Lydon

Secretary to the Board

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