Saint Theresa Parish Board of Education Minutes

Tuesday, November 21, 2006  – 6:30 pm - 8:15pm

Opening

q       Prayer-6: 32

q       Approval of October Minutes-Amendments: None. Geri McMahon moved approval of the October minutes, which was seconded by Barb Chicoine and approved by the Board.

A change to Agenda-STS Music Program was moved up to and replaced the Open Forum.

STS MUSIC PROGRAM

· Rebecca Beierschmitt  - 6:40 After introducing herself to the board Rebecca stated that this was not just a music class, but also a music department that needs more clarification and guidelines, which needs to be discussed at a future time. Rebecca shared with that the school added musical instruments to the classroom for use with the classes K-8. Music uses both sides of the brain at the same time, which is very unusual however, she has very successful students in her classes, very few problems, works with a different choir each week which makes for lots of interaction and the students are getting it!   Middle school will be hosting the Christmas Concert this year on December 14^th, at 7:30pm at DCHS along with the STS Band. The K-5 will have a Spring concert this year. There are two types of Middle School choir, General Music & Choir. The choir meets on four Fridays for about 40 minutes each time. Every student has a chance to succeed in her class. A lot of positive things happening.

ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS

q       Faith Formation – Kathy- 6:48pm- St. Theresa’s Faith Formation Council has met four times has been very successful. The first Generations of Faith Festival took place on Sunday, October 22 and Wed., October 25^th. Approximately 85 people on Sunday and 161 attended on Wed. Planned for 230 and welcome more than 245. Positive feedback, yet still need to express that GOF is for EVERYONE in the parish regardless of age or type of family. The December GOF is scheduled for Wed. Dec 6^th with Stations of the Nativity and Sunday, December 17^th with Festival of Song. Barb Woods and Kathy attended a daylong workshop in Council Bluffs on November 6^th. Ellen, Barb & Kathy hosted a faith formation appreciation supper for school staff, catechist and parish staff on October 15^th with about 18 people attending. Kathy provided a Faith Formation update to the parish council on November 7^th. STAMPEDE & Red Wheel Fundraisers totaled approximately $3400 for Faith Formation.  First Reconciliation will take place on Tuesday, November 28h and Thursday, November 30^th for 41-second graders and one-fourth grader. Forty-three 8^th graders are preparing for Confirmation (33 STS, 9WFF, 1 home school). Confirmation will be held on Monday, April 16, 2007. RCIC – has about 10 children who have been identified as “behind” in sacraments. Barb Woods & Kathy will provide a half-day retreat for these children after the first of the year.

o       Parish – Bob – 6:50 Bob mentioned that he was now a pumpkin bar specialist and that it suggested that in the future you start passing them out after you put on an apron – not before. Had a great time helping out in the kitchen and suggested others do the same at some point. Bob mentioned that he and Paul Galloway and his girls had meet for a great breakfast in the cafeteria and it was wonderful! Building & Grounds – heating and cooling issues – because of the great weather we are having – the boiler should be turned on this up coming weekend. Jerry Gumpert and Bob tested playground equipment by swinging on the monkey bars. The really did hold up! Pads for the six vertical beams were installed for $1400 the same company and same color were used. Susan Downey asked Bob about school buses needing the higher backs and or seat belts and if this would be an immediate mandatory thing to have done due recent bus accidents in other states. Bob stated that if it did become mandatory, they would have to grandfather it in most likely.

o       Financial – Paul – 7:00. Jumping right in, Paul stated that the Child Care salaries are way over budget! Not sure if this is because of adding the 3-year old program and having co-directors for the Child Care. However, everything is performing well and just off budget, work at budgeting better next year for this area. Hot Lunch provides 40- to 45 children breakfast each day with a variety of great food and is breaking even. Bus is behind on fees. Budget indicates that there should be about $6600 in and there is only about $3800 in. The bus is down only 6 riders from last year. Tuition company – CTO what are we planning to due with funds we receive in the area of $35,000? Discussion on who and how the money is distributed needs to be discussed. Will we only work with current families that are being helped out by the Tuition Angle Program, what will the qualifications need to be? Fr. Hoffmann suggested that we to find 15 students who are not here but could be here because if money was available. Fr. Hoffmann also in getting 15 more students not currently here that would benefit everyone. Two-administration meeting for the CTO program have been held. Steve talked about the level of income someone would have to have to even qualify to receive this and that many things are still in the unknown at this point. Wanting to get more information about donations being made because the end of the year is approaching and tax time is ending for those who might want to donate. Suggestions were made in how to get more families to request the funds and Beth Scheetz suggested that we just need to make sure to continue talking the CTO program up. Keep people updated and informed in simple terms! Special letters of invitation will be sent to people who made like to request funds.  The Financial and Parish councils have had workshops and we need to keep having good corporate standings, there are only a few things we need to work on and there are many things we are doing right. One thing we need to look at is both the school and parish offices are handling. 

o       School – Ellen – 7:26.Ellen stated that we many wonderful students here at St. Theresa. Mock Trial received several trophies for their hard and excellent work. Katie Kelly and Alex Parrott were named all state attorneys and Haley Toresdahl was named an all-state witness. Out of 210 teams from all over Iowa had one team place 8^th in the state!  Iowa has more Mock Trial teams that all other states in the USA put together. Sixth grade class hosted our annual Charity Tournament and about $6,500 was made for Operation Smile. We hosted an emotional Welcome Back Assembly in the church on Monday, November 13^th honoring returning service members from the St. Theresa family. Students had written letters and shipped items to Tony Chicoine while he was stationed in Iraq. Tony presented a new flag to the school. Other’s honored were, Mike McMillin, Drew DeHaes, Chris Murphy, and Mike Friend.

o       First Reconciliation will be held next week for the second graders, continue your prayers for them and their families. Middle School will have small groups going down to Café’ Connections each month to help Mr. Gaffney serve lunch; he will be organizing this program. Professional Development date, November 22, teachers will be reading articles by Rick Stiggins and formative and summative assessments. Rick will be speaking in May of 2008 – we hope. Nutrition Department Ronda McCarthy attended a workshop for Nutrikids. After much data entry, this program will allow her to print out nutrients for all meals. Optimists Club Winners Congratulations to Grace Moore and Theresa Macdonald, Middle School teachers nominated these students as outstanding your people. They were honored at a luncheon on November 9^th.  Middle School Play is made of 25 cast members and 15 crew members. The Play will be in Feb at DCHS and is called “The Beatles Slept Here.”

o        Open House will be held on Sunday, January 28^th from 9am – 1pm to kick off Catholic Schools Week, please come in and visit classrooms. Marketing Committee needs new members. They are working on promotion and event planning. Lindsey Amadeo is looking at exit surveys. Others wonder if there is not information out there (Parish Soft, surveys) not being used fully. Looking for members who have something to offer in the area of marketing skills. Ellen stated that the Diocesan Marketing Plan is to get enrollment up the goal of that committee is to put more students in the school. Families Moved we had three wonderful families move out of state this year.

Dowling Catholic Information

7:40. Susan meet with Jerry Deegan – meeting went very well and Susan felt very positive about the communication. A far out idea/plan is a central Jr. High for the metro area. Looking at advanced classes like Math for Jr. High students that are ready they could be 6^th –8^th graders. Would be interesting to see how students in the AP/Advance Classes perform in the admin test, to see how who STS is doing preparing their students for DCHS. Susan asked about behavior problems from STS students and if there was a way to see how many STS students gets JUG’s, (Justice Under God) otherwise known as detention, the counseling office was not sure at this time. Mr. Malloy would be the contact for that information. Our school needs a mission, which works and helps the process of the mission statement of the parish, but is for St. Theresa School. We need to get input on this. Dr. Dowdle sat in on meeting and their board meets the third Thursday of each month. Their marketing and communication is great and their biggest thing is their exit survey to see how students are when leaving happy or sad. Neutral party sometimes tapes these interviews for further review. DCHS provides LOTS of communications, via four color newsletter to emails and updated website. Susan will get more information on this in her next meeting. Fr. Larry flags students by parish for parish affiliation and there is a process for this.

REPORT TO COMMUNITY

7:50. Barb Chicoine asked about website updates and if the Board minutes could be emailed to website administers once they are approved so that parents could be updated regularly – faster posting of minutes and other items. Web Site is a great communication and could there be someone on staff who has access to the web site so that someone in the building has access and the training to update things if needed. Try to get a training day. Teacher’s Needs do teachers have what they need or a way to have a personal day without having to explain why it is needed. Many staff members are working on scheduling and with a 4-day PE and limited gym time, lots of things hard to work around.

Board members keep in touch with the following groups and report on in future meetings:

Paul – Finance; Susan – Marketing; Molly – Child Care; Jean – Wellness; Geri – Policy; Barb – Staff Needs; Susan – Mr. Deegan at DCHS; James – Parish Council; Kathy – F.F.; PTC – Rotating – none in December; Budget Sub-Committee: Paul, Jean, Ellen, Beth, Steve. This Budget Sub-Committee will meet in December. No full meeting until January 2007.  Geri McMahon on for Prayer in January.

Budget Beginnings

8:05. Paul Galloway stated that he would be spending a four-day weekend getting the financial items ready for the new budget. He will reformat the model. A little heavy lifting at first but worth it in the end. Needs to get input from areas of bus, hot lunch, and childcare. They will need to included assumptions and process. Beth asked if we could input everything that every department would want from office help to child care, see where that puts us and then start the elimination process from there. Wish list of things we would love to see and things that are not working and then modify. Paul to get hot lunch from Ronda, Child Care Co-Directors and Ellen will get the bus information. Paul asked who would like to start shadowing him in this process. Jean and James will start shadowing Paul.

Report on Action Items from October meeting: None

Executive Session

8:17. Paul moved to adjourn and Barb seconded the motion. The board carried motion. The Board adjourned to Executive Session.

                   Next Meeting- January 16^th, 2007 with NO EXTRA SPEAKERS