Education Commission Meeting Minutes - March 16, 2006
Members Present:
Martha Siegel, Lisa Renken, Kim Neltner, Tony Mastriani, Jim Siegel, and Kevin McCabe.
Visitor:
Mary Ellen Smith (Liaison to/from PPC).
Ex Officio Members present:
Jean Margello, Father Paul Gebhardt, Jodie Bender, Michele Heyob
1. Prayer
Father Paul opened the meeting with a prayer.
2. Announcements
Martha announced that Doughnut Sunday sponsored by the Ed. Com. and the PPC, was well attended. People are interested in the groups. There were 30-40 nominations for new Ed. Com. Board Members. Martha said to encourage people to run.
3. Approval of minutes from January
Motion to approve the January minutes with one change: Kevin is the liaison to the Tuition Assistance Review Board; Martha is the Temporal Affairs liaison. Jim motioned to approve with the change, seconded by Lisa.
4. Communication from parish members
None at this time.
5. Reports
A) Father Paul
The Adult Faith Representative did not come.
B) Jodie Bender
Jodie gave handouts showing the NCEA (National Catholic Educator’s Association) test scores of St. Vivian students in the 5th grade, as well as the 8th grade. Sometime between Dec. and Feb. this test is given to the students. The 5th grade did very well and Jodie is pleased with the results. This test provides a way for us to track areas that need improvement, as well as areas where we are doing well. In 8th grade, St. Vivian students are close to the national averages. The weakest area is Prayer/Religious Practices, in both the 5th and the 8th grades. There is a new version of our religion book that we will be getting. The terminology in the book is closer to the terminology on the test, and therefore may make the test scores higher. The PSR scores were below average, but this is mainly due to the student’s random attendance. A lot of times PSR kids will miss more than 50% of the classes.
C) Jean Margello
Jean passed a paper around showing the enrollment figure projections for 2006-’07. It shows that St. Vivian is doing well and will need to attract just a few more. People still need to return the enrollment packets. There are only two students not returning next year.
In Control Program - Jean reported that the program has proved beneficial. She handed out paperwork showing that it is having a positive impact on the students. The kids are also enjoying the program. In April, the In Control Program will be presented to the 6th grade.
D) Temporal Affairs
Martha, as our liaison, reported that the Temporal Affairs group is trying to set a tolerable tuition rate. Right now there isn’t an established budget. Since we need the commitment of parents sending their children to St. Vivian for the ‘06-’07 school year, this makes it difficult. Father Paul stated that the goal is to economize so to keep tuition at a lower rate. Martha said the Temporal Affairs group also discussed getting new songbooks for the church with Tim McManus and the Worship Commission. Everything would be all in one book, thus eliminating the need for several books in the pew. These new books could possibly last up to ten years, and there would not be a need for the Heritage Missle since the books would be all-inclusive. The plan is to fund the new books by donations. In addition, the book holders currently in the pews would have to be reinforced to hold the heavier books.
E) Parish Pastoral Council
Mary Ellen reported that the new songbooks for the church will only cost between $10.00 - $14.00. This money will be raised by donations. Some of the donations will be made “in memory” of a loved one. The old songbooks will be donated to a parish in need in the areas that were hit by hurricane Katrina. PPC would also like St. Vivian to get involved in a Parish Partnership Program. We would partner with a parish in the Katrina area. We would like a parish that has a school, so that our school children could get involved. Mary Ellen said that the Candidates for the PPC and Ed. Com. Meeting was disappointing in that no one from the Education Commission was there to represent our group. In the future, communication will need to be improved.
6) New Business
Approval of the ‘06-“07 School Calendar - Jean handed out copies of the school calendar for next year. We have the OCSAA days back again for the teachers to take as a professional day. Motion to approve the ‘06-’07 school calendar by Kevin, and seconded by Jim.
7) Old Business
Martha appointed Anita to come up with guidelines for the Adult Faith Formation group. Martha suggested that Joe Meyer and John Hadden also join this sub-group with Anita. Six people would be the ideal number for this group. Family Catechesis information was given to Anita and Martha wants a report by the next meeting. Lisa added that she is involved in the Alpha Program at St. Margaret Mary. There are six others from St. Vivian doing it. It is a “Soup and Souls” program where they eat together and then have religious discussions.
Education Commission Appointed Member - Martha commented that there is no appointed parish member to this commission. She pointed out that there should be two people elected and Father Paul should appoint the other person. Father Paul resolved to change this for next year.
8) Adjournment
Kevin motioned to adjourn; Jim seconded. May 18th is the next meeting.