December, 2002

St. Joseph School
School Advisory Committee (SAC)
Meeting Agenda
December 5, 2002

Committee Members

Sr. Christina Marie Luczynski, Principal

Attendees:                Sr. Christina Marie, G. Hebert, L. King, P. Knauf, M. Caito, K. Keenahan, M. Malone, H. Wager, D. Overfield, L. Torrell

The meeting was called to order.

November SAC Minutes – No changes.  L. King moved to approve; seconded by K. Keenahan; unanimous approval.

Budget Review – L. King briefly reviewed the YTD actual vs. planned budget.  Certain line items have been added to reflect additional expenses expected to be incurred.  Entertainment books are still available for sale in the office.

 Committee Reports

Principal’s Report – The school has purchased four Palm Pilots for use by the 5^th and 6^th grade teachers.  These remain the property of the school and will be used to train the teachers as a precursor to potentially introducing this technology into the classroom at some future date.  Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Neu-Collins will be attending a workshop focusing on beginning reading, beginning math and learning disabilities.

CPR Training for faculty, staff and certain volunteers will be scheduled for a day in January.  The minimal cost associated with this training will be funded by SAC, although the majority of the training instruction and equipment has been donated.

Sr. Elizabeth Meegan, Superintendent of Schools, will be visiting St. Joseph’s on Monday, December 9.  It will be her first visit to St. Joseph’s.  A prayer service will be held Monday morning.  Sr. Elizabeth will spend the remainder of the morning visiting the different classrooms.  The Christmas Concert will be held Thursday, December 12.  A Christmas prayer service will be held Thursday, December 19 prior to Christmas vacation.  The service will include a blessing of crèche pieces brought by the children.  Teachers will attend a faculty retreat on Friday, January 3 at the Mercy Center.

Catholic Schools Week (CSW) will be held the week beginning January 26, 2003.  The theme within the school will center around a Hollywood motif.  Open House/Ice Cream Social is scheduled for Thursday, January 30 during CSW.  The book fair will again coincide with CSW. 

Development – M. Malone stated that he has received approximately 40 additional names of alumni. 

Enrichment – Creative Themes survey was distributed to parents via the Wednesday envelope.  The results of this survey will help to determine what classes are offered during the next session of activities.

Fundraising – The wreath and poinsettia sale raised $823.40.  SAC would like to recognize Patty Horton and Laurie Donofrio for doing an outstanding job.

The Hockey Game/Silent Auction fundraiser is February 8.  Donations for the Silent Auction are currently being gathered.  Donation forms are available in the office.

Public Relations – No report.

Special Events – Ice Cream Social is scheduled for Thursday, January 30.  The Winter Carnival is scheduled for Friday, March 7.

Technology – Technology Night will be held on Thursday, January 30 to coincide with CSW Open House.  The 5^th and 6^th graders will demonstrate computer class curriculum and projects.  Newly donated laser jet printers will be installed in the Computer Lab and the Library.  The laser jet printer currently in the Computer Lab will be moved downstairs for 4^th and 6^th grade use.  Classroom and office computers will be updated for network access during the month of December.  Teacher specific wish lists for their classrooms will be added to the school website.  St. Joseph’s will continue to maintain the inactive sjspenfield.com site name as the cost to do so is minimal.  The school maintains its website at sjspenfield.com.

Welcoming – No activity.

 Other Topics/Discussion

Filling Open SAC positions – The Vice Chairman, Enrichment Assistant Chair, Development Assistant Chair and the PreK-3 Member-at-Large position are still open.  Names of interested candidates should be forwarded to Sr. Christina Marie or G. Hebert.

Security Update – Fr. Kevin has requested a meeting with a representative group of parents to discuss security issues.  M. Antetomaso will facilitate this group which will be drafting a list of items for the agenda.  The meeting will be scheduled for sometime after the holiday season.

The rectory will not be rented to Heritage Christian Home at this time.

Proposed Tuition/Financial Aid Model – The initial pastors meeting was held on Monday, December 2.  A meeting with Sr. Elizabeth Meegan has been set up to coincide with her visit to St. Joseph’s School on December 9.  Meeting participants will be Sr. Christina, G. Hebert, D. Overfield, D. Dedee Doyle and P. Knauf.  Discussion about a response to the Catholic Courier article and the potential use of a parent survey will be tabled pending the meeting with Sr. Elizabeth.

Adjournment – M. Caito moved for adjournment; M. Malone seconded.  All approved.