Members Absent: Tom Boychan, Theresa Cullen, Steve Ray

Staff Present: Elaine Connelly, Mary Hedger, Fr. Tom Kreidler, Fr. Rey Taylor

 

Guests Present: Fred Heyse-Parish Council Liaison

 

Opening Prayer: Krista Devine

 

Approval Of Minutes: Rick Stuart, 2^nd Krista Devine

 

Discussion Items: 1.) Policy Book-a policy book has been established by assembling the policies put forth in the Student Handbook. The amended tuition assistance policy is included in this book. The next policy that will need to be established, once we have Archdiocesan approval for the Kindergarten, is a first grade admission policy that will determine how we handle incoming first graders from our own kindergarten versus first graders from other kindergartens. Next year we will put Sr. Angela Shaughnessy (legal advisor to the NCEA) on retainer to review our policies and make recommendations about them. We will also be establishing a policy dealing with Electronic Harassment with her help. The Policy Book is attached to these minutes.

 

2.) Constitution Revision-with one minor correction, the Constitution revision was approved by Fr. Tom and ratified by unanimous consensus of the EAC. The Constitution is attached to these minutes.

 

3.) Kindergarten-the packet to the Archdiocese is ready except for the letter from the PPC. Once we have approval for the kindergarten, some of the logistical considerations can be examined (e.g. preparing the room, determining the number of rooms, deciding on half day vs. full day, etc.). The PPC has already determined that the costs of setting up a kindergarten as well as utilities will not need to be covered by kindergarten tuition.

Business Affairs- no report

 

            Academic Affairs-a problem was found in the planned High School survey. In past surveys, comments were allowed about personnel and these comments were not kept confidential. After discussion with Dave Reeker, assistant superintendant for the Archdiocese, it was confirmed that only school and parish administration should have access to personnel information. Any survey that the EAC does must be structured in such a way that personnel information does not come to this commission. One way to do this will be to structure the questions in a more general fashion (e.g. how prepared were you for high school math) and leave comments to the end of the survey with that information being reviewed and edited by the administration prior to sharing with the EAC. Bill Broderick will be meeting with Mary to discuss this format. The administration will also share with the EAC objective data from the accreditation surveys done by the Archdiocese.

 

            Community Affairs-no report other than the Constitution revision.

 

            Marketing and Development Committee-a new committee was established, chaired by Jeanne and including Del and Krista. Ideas were discussed on ways to improve marketing in the sort-term (i.e., enrollment for the first grade) as well as the establishment of a long-range marketing plan. Ad hoc members of the parish with marketing experience will be added to this committee and will meet in March.

 

Debbi Hill has received responses to the kindergarten survey which was given out at Open House, posted on the web, and linked on the weekly meditation. Twenty three parents with children eligible for kindergarten in 2010-2011 indicated that they would be extremely likely to attend IHM. Eleven indicated they might attend IHM. 

 

Michele Head, Elaine Connelly and I will attend the STEP (Student Enterprise Program) appreciation luncheon on March 19. Michele and Elaine are the teacher leaders for the Market Madness Program which is sponsored by the Economic Center at UC.

 

IHM Confidential will be broadcasting a monthly show on the local cable station. As soon as we are assigned times, the parents will be notified.

 

Numbers for siblings and current students who have registered for the 2009-10 year is 577. New students for Grade 1 = 21 (plus 34 siblings = 55). New students for grades 2-7 = 10. Total enrolled is 608 with 28 pending. Seven students are withdrawing—3 are moving, 2 are going to another grade school and 2 are going to Nagel.

 

The second trimester ends on March 4. Students in grades 4-8 will present projects completed during this grading period on March 18. In May, the school will hold its third annual Portfolio Palooza, and the related arts teachers will have an evening Prism Concert. All of these events are part of the implementation of the student goals for the current accreditation cycle.

 

The teachers and I have finished looking at the details of the Terra Nova results in order to evaluate curriculum connections. As a result of our analysis, it has been decided to hold the 2009/10 student/parent conferences in January after the tests have been distributed to the parents. This will enable teachers and parents to discuss data regarding each child’s ability in relation to his/her performance. 

 

Three teachers and I will be participating in the ICS for the 2009-10 school year with an emphasis on professional learning communities. The program has been completely re-designed as the result of principal input, and we are looking forward to having this additional resource available to our school. The new design will give us even more ways to quantify student achievement and increase formative assessments.

 

Nancy has coordinated a number of social events for the students/parents with the PTO -

The Amazing Race and a Mardi Gras dance were held in February. Both events helped raise items for outreach groups.

Discipline Summary was handed out. This lists all discipline violations by grade level through February. Children’s names are never listed.

 

                       

            Fr. Rey distributed a Fish Fry safety plan that will be utilized this year to ensure supervision of children during the Fish Fry. The Boosters will be implementing this plan.

 

            PPC-Two dates of importance are coming up. On April 20, at 7pm in Heritage, the EAC will present goals and accomplishments for the 2008-2009 school year to the PPC.

The parish-wide Discernment meeting is April 26 at 3pm. Representatives from the EAC will need to attend this meeting to discuss upcoming goals of the EAC as well as to recruit people to this commission. Four members’ terms are ending this year. Members of the EAC should invite people to attend this meeting to answer the call to serve.

 

 

Closing Prayer Kelley Kirwan

 

            Opening Prayer- Del Ehemann             

            Formation-

            Closing Prayer-

            Snacks- Theresa Cullen