Education Commission Meeting Minutes - May 18, 2006
Members Present:
Martha Siegel, Lisa Renken, Kim Neltner, Tony Mastriani, Anita Bidleman, Dick Klus and Kevin McCabe.
Visitor:
Mary Ellen Smith (Liaison to/from PPC).
Ex Officio Members present:
Jean Margello, Father Paul Gebhardt, Jodie Bender, Michele Heyob
Prayer - Meeting was opened with a prayer for vocations.
2. Announcements
Martha announced that this week there are elections for Education Commission and PPC. The three people elected to the Education Commission will be at the June meeting.
3. Approval of minutes from Last Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes. Kevin motioned to approve, seconded by Tony.
4. Communication from parish members
None at this time.
5. Reports
A) Jodie Bender
Jodie handed out three pages showing the NCEA (National Catholic Educator’s Association) ACRE testing scores. Our PSR averages are below the national averages of other PSR’s in general, but above average in prayer and religious practices. Also, in 5th grade, we are above average in the “God, Father, Son and Spirit” area. We are starting a new PSR textbook for next year and the terminology will be the same as the terminology on the test, thus, helping our test scores to rise. Jean Margello added that some kids are going to public schools because of having special needs, and therefore, that would effect the test scores, making them lower. Also, she brought up the problem of continuous education for PSR students can be fleeting since children may move, drop out, etc… It is a choice to go every Sunday. We have low numbers for attendance; they should at least be double what they currently are now.
B) Father Paul
Father Paul reported that he attended a Finneytown Coalition Group meeting. This group was started because of the concern over Finneytown’s safety after the shooting at Galbraith Pointe this spring. It was noted that crime in Finneytown is not as bad as the surrounding areas. However, media attention as a lot to do with people’s perception, and a lot of negative attention is started through the media. The question the group is trying to find an answer for is: how to get the word out that Finneytown is a good area to live. North College Hill and Mt. Healthy have coalition groups, but we don’t want to duplicate efforts. Then Father Paul made the announcement that Jodie resigned her position as Youth Minister, while still staying on as Director of PSR. Father asked for suggestions of possible candidates to take the Youth Minister position. Father Paul said he also would not be teaching at LaSalle next year, so he can get more done at St. Vivian. Father also wanted to thank Jodie for her hard work in making Confirmation so special this year. It went smoothly, there were excellent musicians, and lots of people there. Bishop Moedell did a terrific job, everyone noted how personable he was, and he even stayed afterward for pictures with the Confirmandi.
C) Jean Margello
Jean let everyone know that the faculty will have a few changes for next school year. Kim Bradley (6th grade) will be leaving and moving to Louisville. Mr. Hoffbauer (Music) will be pursuing other career aspects, and Lindsey Zeroff (formerly the Music teacher for OLR) will be taking his place. Kathy Raffenberg (Strings, Secretary) will also be leaving to work full-time at St. Xavier High School. Mary Ann Johnson (Secretary) will be working Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the school office, and the school nurse will come in on Tuesday and Thursday. Jean stated that several very good things happened recently for St. Vivian’s. First, the 4th and 5th grade boys baseball teams made a commercial that airs on ESPN. The commercial is for Kentucky Fried Chicken and promotes Little League Baseball. Second, Julia Glassmeyer, was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” by Panera Bread and won $500, in addition to having a special lunch provided by Panera for her class. Julia was selected after a student from her class wrote a letter and nominated her. Another teacher, Jan McManus, worked very diligently, and got an author to come in next year and do a presentation for the school. Also, Walk-A-Thon for this year grossed $13,000 for St. Vivians!
Registration for ‘06-‘07:
Jean passed out a paper showing next school year’s registration. We are up by ten students. There are people coming in daily for information. We still need more students in 1st grade; there are only 28 registered so far, and we need at least three more. Cincinnati Public Schools which qualify for the vouchers (Mt. Airy Schools, Clifton Schools, and Pleasant Hill Schools) can use them at St. Vivian’s. Pre-School will have two classes next year and there are still openings.
D) Temporal Affairs
Martha reported that the Temporal Affairs worked on the budget. St. Vivian’s got 8 or 9 students from St. Claire’s, therefore, the budget is doing better now.
E) Parish Pastoral Council
Mary Ellen Smith said that there were 998 Parish Surveys prepared and 516 picked up. 189 were school family, 79 were sent through school, and 40 of those were returned. The surveys were not sent out to existing 8th graders. It is not known when the Parish Survey report will be completed. Hurricane Katrina Relief Services are still in discussion. Last but not least, several pine trees out front of the rectory were taken down. We are losing them due to insects.
New Business
School Children’s Survey - The results of last year’s survey, given in May 2006 to 6th through 8th graders, was handed out and reviewed. Lisa volunteered as a person to compile this information and figure out the percentages on questions asked, so that Education Commission can see the results clearer and use it to better set goals for next year.
Constitiution - Copies of the Ed. Com. Constitution were passed out for review. Martha requested suggestions via e-mail for changes to discuss at the next meeting. One item to be discussed will be wether or not the Pastor needs to appoint a member of the Commission.
Old Business
A packet was passed out detailing ideas on Adult Education at St. Vivian:
October 4th will be the start of “Soup and Soul” at St. Claire on Wednesdays. Barb Meyer is our parish contact. It could also be at St. Vivian next fall.
R.C.I.A. is Sundays from 10:00-11:30 (starting with Mass) and is open to all parishioners. Sponsors often remark about how much they learn.
Dr. D. Pepin may be asked to come and speak on medical issues such as stem cells. Other speakers may be available locally to talk on bioethical issues.
A local Catholic organization will talk to Catholics about pre-planning funerals.
“Disciples in Mission” would be a major 3 year program for us to consider, much like “Renew”.
Some of these suggestions could be taught by parish members. This includes Father Paul teaching on the Sacraments. Thursdays in the fall, or November 12th -16th could be set aside for this. Possibly the Sacrament class could also be part of getting a teacher’s certification. Father Paul would need to submit the lesson plans and make sure the timing of the class matches their program. He could at least get the Principal’s approval for C.E.U.’s. Some other classes would be available to the Parish, such as Hebrew and Christian Scriptures (to be held in October).
8) Adjournment
Kevin motioned to adjourn; Tony seconded. Next meeting: June 15th, 2006.