Education Commission Meeting Minutes - January 18, 2007
Members Present:
Kevin McCabe, Jim Siegel, Tony Mastriani, Lisa Renken, Anita Bidleman, Ken Belleman, Joan Eckart
Pastor:
Father Paul Gebhardt
Ex Officio Members Present:
Jean Margello, Jodie Bender, Jeanne Schaefer
Faculty Advisor:
1. Opening
Kevin opened the meeting with thanks for the expressions of sympathy. Father Paul said the opening prayer.
2. Introduction of Members
Everyone reintroduced themselves to each other and shared who their favorite teacher was.
3. Announcements - None.
4. Approval of Last Meeting's Minutes
Motion to approve without amendments.
5. Communication from Parishioners - None.
Reports
6. Father Paul (Pastor)
Father Paul Gebhardt gave a presentation to the Commission on the School Futures Meeting and presented a report on Twinning.
7. Jodie Bender (DRE)
a) Jodie said that PSR has 23 students currently.
b) The Crafts Day had 42 children and 36 teenage helpers.
c) Jodie held the "The Savior is Coming" event in November. Four families (eleven people) participated. The intergenerational part really worked. There were questions about the choice of the Sunday after Thanksgiving for being the date.
d) The Kid's Cafe program is going well and has good participation.
e) The 6th grade went to Twin Towers on January 17th. The 6th graders made crafts with the residents and that was a big hit. Some children commented on how fascinating it was to interact with the residents. It is a very good experience.
f) The Confirmation Journey begins the weekend of January 20th. "Journey" is the theme. There are 29 Confirmation Candidates, and 25 high school and college age helpers. Jodie would like everyone to stop in and see Dora’s Backpack.
8. Jeanne Schaefer (Youth Minister)
a) Jeanne said she is working on activities to get to know the kids. She is still getting familiar with everyone.
b) Jeanne has been having movie nights for the youth that are open to the Junior and Senior High Students.
c) Jeanne is planning monthly activities that will continue. The Youth Group went tubing in December and they are going skiing in January.
d) There will be a "Youth 2000" retreat at Moeller High School. Jeanne wants to get the students and parish involved. This retreat is focused on Eucharistic Adoration.
e) Jeanne said that our parish’s lack of understanding would lead us toward a Lenten series on Catholic Social Teaching. This will help us to understand the need for parish outreach and make us aware of Twinning opportunities.
9. Jean Margello (Principal)
a) Jean presented new Mission and Belief Statements for the OCSAA. The Commission approved both statements.
b) Catholic Schools Week calendars of events were distributed. There was a discussion about the Education Commission bringing in breakfast for the teachers on Monday morning.
c) We are doing an excellent job of challenging our students to achieve beyond expectations on the Terra Nova Tests no matter their innate abilities. (There are some notable exceptions that are already being corrected.) Improvements are being attributed to the new textbooks and good choices.
10. Temporal Affairs Report
Tony Mastriani reported the need for help in promoting the use of Kroger cards among school families and parishioners. There needs to be more fliers and publicity especially at holidays. Other suggestions were discussed. Could these be available at the parish offices? Tony stated that any cashier could put money on a Kroger card now; there is no need to go to Customer Service.
11. Parish Pastoral Council Report
a) Mike Gable gave a presentation and will again on January 23rd. We are hoping to do "twinning" with St. Maria G. in Louisiana.
b) The Parish Survey is still in the process. There are five areas of concern: Comm., roles of Commissions, young adults, liturgy and music, and First Communion.
c) There will be a meeting of the joint PPC's of St. Bart's and St. Vivian. The plan is to, "maintain two vibrant parishes for as long as possible." We have a commitment to work together for mutual benefit.
d) The Parish Mission will be held in March.
12. Old Business
a) Kevin let everyone know that Discernment Sunday is the second Sunday of March and also Doughnut Sunday. The Ed. Comm. is in charge of Doughnut Sunday. A sign up sheet was sent around.
b) There were some Constitution Issues to discuss. Kevin raised a question about when we should review education policy documents. There was some discussion of possible new admission policies as well. There may be a new policy on what documentation will be asked for when applying for financial aide.
13. Motion to adjourn was made, seconded and passed at 9:30 p.m.
3/14/07 - KN