St. Joseph School
School Advisory Committee (SAC)-meeting minutes
November 9th, 2005

www.sjspenfield.com

Committee Members
Sr. Christina Marie Luczynski, Principal

Attendees: Sr. Christina, P. Caines, M. Malone, D. Waidl, M. Atkinson, D.Salamone, C. Kurzweil, C. Mills, K. MacFarlane 

The meeting was called to order. Sr. Christina opened with a prayer.

SAC minutes

-September SAC minutes were unanimously approved.
-October SAC minutes were unanimously approved.

Financial Report

-There were no requests for SAC funds

Committee Reports

Principal’s report:

• Going along with our theme of the year Compassion, Character and Value, St. Joseph’s will recognize students who show compassion towards others thorough out their daily lives. Every child will be recognized by the end of the year. Awards will be displayed on the bulletin board in the main hallway. The students will be able to take their awards home the following month.

• The New York State ELA and Math scores for 2004-2005 were outstanding. 100% of St. Joseph’s students scored a 3 or a 4, on the tests. The goal is to have all students reach the 3 level or higher. St. Joseph’s students have scored higher than the New York State public schools as well as the Diocese of Rochester Schools for the last 6 years, 1999-2005.

• Grade 5 students will take the NYS Social Studies Test on November 16th and 17^th. These tests are program evaluations, not student evaluations.

• On Thursday November 10^th, a prayer service was held in honor of Veteran’s Day. Students who are scouts were allowed to dress in their scout uniform. St. Joseph students joined local veterans in the church for a prayer service and some students had a chance to speak with the Veterans after the service.

• We are still collecting non-perishable food items for Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelter until November 21^st.

• November 22^nd there will be a Thanksgiving prayer service in the church.

• December 8^th is the Kindergarten informational night. There will be an information session and tour of the Kindergarten classrooms. The Kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Buell, a SAC representative, and Sister Christina will be present to answer any questions parents may have about St. Joseph’s Kindergarten program. 

• December 15^th is our school musical, The First Leon. The play will be put on by the 6^th grade with the fifth grade singing the choir. The first grade, the school band, and the tone chime choir will also be a part of the program that night as well.

Development

• The 50^th Anniversary of St. Joseph’s school is this year. A committee began meeting last year to plan special events for this occasion. Anyone interested in helping contact Sr. Christina.

Enrichment

• All clubs are underway and going well. The booklet of clubs for the second half of the year is under construction and will be handed out before the winter recess. 

• The need for more sports oriented clubs was raised and suggestions are welcome. 

• Someone is needed to Chair this committee to oversee the Spring brochure and accept return forms. Mrs. Nuijens is coordinating Enrichment until that time.

Fundraising

• The wreath and Poinsettia sale is underway. Orders are due November 18^th. Pick up will be December 1^st.

• The “Dinner and Theater” coupon books are available until November 14^th. Books cost $14.00 and $7.00 profit goes directly to St. Joe’s school. Students may sell the books if they would like, but are under no obligation to do so. We have sold approximately 50 books so far. A listing of Merchants is available at the office. Coupons are good through December 2006.

• Mrs. Buholtz and Mrs. Vita have graciously volunteered to run the Hockey game/Silent Auction this year. Volunteers are needed to assist in all areas of the event. Please contact the school office if you are interested in helping with this great event. Last year the Hockey Game/Silent auction raised over $7500.00 for St. Joseph’s School.

• St. Joseph’s students will have the opportunity to sell Niagara Chocolate this year at Easter time. This is a voluntary fundraiser. All Chocolate ordered will be delivered in time for the Easter holiday. More information will be sent home to families at a later date.

• We are in need of someone to head the following event: Magazine Drive for the 2006-2007 school year. 

Public Relations

• Sister Christina is looking to borrow a few college sweatshirts. One week before the Kindergarten Informational meeting in December, St. Joseph’s school will run a picture ad in the Democrat and Chronicle and the Penfield Post. The ad will feature our Kindergarten students wearing the sweatshirts of their prospective future college, showing what a great education at St. Joseph School can do for their future. The ad will run before Catholic Schools week as well. All sweatshirts will be returned after the photo shoot. 

Special Events

• The Halloween Dance was a huge success. The total in attendance was 486 people. The dance raised $1505.43, over reaching our goal by $400.00. Thanks goes out to all the many parent volunteers who made this event the success that it was. A special thanks to Caroline Kurzweil, our Special Events Chair, for all of your hard work. 

• The next Special Event will be the Ice Cream Social. Lori Ioele has volunteered to coordinate the social. Volunteers for this event will be called in early January.

• The Spring Carnival date is March 24^th, 2006. More information to follow at a later date.

Technology

• Technology is looking for an Assistant Chair. If interested contact Marc Atkinson

• The school Web Site is up to date. 

Welcoming

• All new families are being teamed up with a host family. That family will keep in touch with the new family throughout the year to answer any questions and be supportive in any way they can.

SAC Openings for the year

• Certain positions are still open for the school year …Chair Enrichment, Asst. Chair Enrichment, Asst. Chair Technology, Magazine Drive coordinator, Development Chair, Public Relations Asst. Chair, Special Events Spring Carnival Coordinator. In order for SAC to do the best job it can, we need parent support. Contact the school office for more details.

2005-2006 SAC Meetings- SAC would like to emphasize that ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN to any parent or guardian who wishes to attend. Meetings are held in the school library on the second Wednesday of each month. Prior notification of attendance is not necessary, and participation in any discussion in encouraged. Minutes from the previous meetings will be included in the Wednesday folder for parents to read. The next meeting will be held in January 2006.