Education Commission Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2007
Members Present:
Jim Siegel, Tony Mastriani, Kim Neltner, Ken Belleman, and Joan Eckart
Pastor:
Father Paul Gebhardt
Ex Officio Members Present:
Jean Margello, Jeanne Schaefer, and Jodie Bender
Parish Pastoral Council Representative:
Mary Ellen Smith
Faculty Advisor:
Michele Heyob
Guests:
Mike Neltner, Josh Hafele
1. Opening
Father Paul said the opening prayer.
2. Introduction of Members
Everyone reintroduced and shared what their favorite vacation spot was.
3. Announcements
There will be a meeting on May 23rd and 24th at St. Vivian regarding the tuition for 07/08 school year. Jean would like all of the Education Commission Members to attend. Jean will ask for ideas of ways to defray costs.
4. Approval of Last Meeting's Minutes
We cannot vote until next meeting due to no quorum.
5. Communication from Parishioners
Mike Neltner and Josh Hafele made a presentation to the Education Commission regarding the dress code policy. They asked specifically about the dress code in regard to the gym clothes requirements. Mike asked the Commission why the dress code states that no logos are allowed on T-shirts and why there is a no zipper policy for shorts. Michele said that most schools that she knows of go by the policy of plain shirts and no zippers, and she believes that it is more comfortable. Joan stated that she is a gym teacher, and she thinks that zippers on one’s fly would scratch the gym mats. Joan declared that she grew up with a one-piece gym outfit and asked Mike if he and Josh would rather go to that as the school gym uniform. Kim said that she too, had a one-piece gym outfit, and it had a zipper, which was not considered to be a danger. Jean believes the rule was made because a zipper is like jewelry as far as safety is concerned. Michele questioned why the issue is now being brought up when there are only two weeks of school left. Mike stated that he had tried to ask the question when the policies were being strictly re-enforced back in March; Jean said to bring it up to the next Education Commission meeting (which is today). Jean also said that at the beginning of the year, the gym teacher (Mrs. Hern) told the children that she would follow the gym clothes policy very loosely. However, due to disciplinary problems in the school, in March, a letter was sent home to the parents telling them that all rules in the Student Handbook would be followed to the letter. Therefore, neither logos nor any zippers of any sort would be tolerated anymore. Mike and Josh said that many of the kids they know only have a few pairs of t-shirts and shorts, and following the rules precisely now (instead of from the beginning of the school year), means parents have to go out and spend money on new clothes with only a few more weeks of school left. Father Paul summed up the issue when he asked if it would be possible to contact Mrs. Hern and ask her why she believes it makes a difference if the children have a zippered fly on their shorts or not. Mike stated that the debate had gone further than he wanted it to and he was only asking that the Dress Code Committee consider his opinion at their next meeting and think about making a change. Joan asked the boys if they had read the Student Handbook and signed the paper stating that they would follow the rules within at the beginning of the year. Mike and Josh assured her that they had, since not following this rule would have resulted in receiving demerits.
Reports
6. School Futures
Father Paul reported that we are moving forward with plans for a constitution for unity that the St. Bart’s consolidation will morph into. We will have pastors at a local level govern the school.
7. Jodie Bender (DRE)
Jodie provided results from grades 5 and 8 on the ACRE testing. While in general our students did very well, the weak areas are "Life in Christ" and “The Meaning of Hope” for 5th graders. These areas will be targeted for improvement next year. On the 8th grade results, "Life in Christ" was higher. Switching textbook series helped results. "Church History" was low due to when it was taught during the school year. These tests help determine strong and weak areas (areas to work on). Jodie also passed out ACRE results representing our PSR students in 5th and 8th grades. The 8th graders did well in three main areas, due to Eric’s (the student teacher’s) hard work. The weakest area for the PSR children was in the memorization of prayers. This will be improved next year since kids in each grade will get prayer sheets.
Jodie reported that First Communion, 2nd Eucharist Picnic, and Confirmation are all now completed. Bishop Moedell was present for the Confirmation and the students were well behaved and respectful.
8. Jeanne Schaefer (Youth Minister)
Jeanne referred to the teaching program flyers from the Catholic Social Services that she passed out at the last meeting. "Birds, Bees, and Beyond" is a program that will be held in Usuline Hall. It will begin July 5th and go for 4 weeks.
Jeanne also said that there were three Youth Ministry scholarships that were applied for and granted. Two of those will be used to pay for the Youth Group’s summer trip, and one will be applied to the Teen Conference this summer.
Jeanne reported for Anita on the Adult Faith. She said that there will be announcements in the bulletin for upcoming events and there will be more Catholic Theology put into the Mass.
9. Jean Margello (Principal)
Jean said that 351 students are enrolled for 07/08. Today there are currently 371 students. We are only 20 students behind so far.
We are adopting a new McGraw/Hill reading program. This is so that books and tests match. This will be K-5th. We are spending auxiliary services money for that. The company will give us some free materials as well. We are now the same as St. Bart's. We are trying to line up our ciriculums to be the same.
There will be a pregnancy program change for the Junior High students. We previously had Pregnancy Center East doing the program, but are switching to Catholic Social Services, who are sending out a new program. The sixth grade would go from a three-day program to a five-day program. The Archdiocese charges $250.00 per school. We will try this new program for the next school year to see if we like it. Jean said that it is very important follow the Catholic Church’s teachings.
10. Temporal Affairs Report (Tony Mastriani)
Tony reiterated the importance of the May 23rd and 24th meeting.
11. Parish Pastoral Council Report (Mary Ellen Smith)
Mary Ellen said that the grant was approved to purchase defibrillators. The school is getting the grant. Mass times will remain the same for now. The 07/08 budget was approved. There was a Festival meeting with St. Barts. The PPC had a discussion about the Evening of Discernment. Changes were recommended to make it run more smoothly. There was a Leadership Day proposal by Greg Hogg. It will tie in with the Grateful Believers Stewardship Program. Mary Ellen said that there was a Twinning mission statement discussed. There will be no PPC meeting until the first Monday in June.
12. Adult Faith Formation Report (Anita Bidlemann)
Jeanne said that the Women of Grace program was held last night – 5/16/07.
13. Tuition Assistance Program Report (Kevin McCabe)
Kevin hasn’t heard of changes but may send out an email. People seem willing to donate for tuition assistance
14. Old Business
Elections will be held Sunday. Ballots will be counted on Sunday.
15. New Business
The new dress code was presented by the Dress Code Committee. Jim said that Kevin would like us to think about what offices we would like to hold for next year. In June, at the next meeting we can vote. Next meeting is June 21st and new members will attend.
5/18/07 - KN