Saint Juliana School Board
Meeting Minutes
November 8, 2011
In attendance: Kathleen Barton, Fr. Steve Kanonik, Christopher Bielfeldt, Una Durkan, John Gallagher, Denise Javers, Jamie Kumiega, Sue McInerney, Tim Neenan, Ken Platz, Jeffrey Rogers, John Ryder, Don Sondermann, Todd Steffen, and Mary Sugrue.
Guests: Laura Gustaitis, Marco Simonetti
Meeting called to order at 7:10
1. Greetings and Introductions
2. Opening Prayer
3. October Meeting Minutes Approved
4. Principal’s Report
Academics:
• SuperKids Reading: A second meeting will take place next week with a company representative, with a third meeting planned for the spring. Unit tests have been administered, and the teachers were pleased with the results. This program also has a great website for parents and teachers.
• SMART boards: The teachers have already had two training sessions presented by United Visual.
• Writing Prompts: 6+1 Writing Traits program has been adopted and currently, all grade levels are working together on having two people score each final written piece. The written pieces are being placed in portfolios; each student having his/her own portfolio, which will be given to the next year teacher.
• Preschool Fire Safety: All three preschools had a visit with the firefighters, who came to the school grounds with their hook and ladder truck.
• Math Fact Drills: Mrs. Denver started math fact drills with grades 3, 4, and 5. The goal is to be more proficient with math facts, specifically: 24/30 correct in one minute.
Catholic Identity:
• Sacrament Preparation—initial meetings with grade 2 for Holy First Communion and Reconciliation have occurred. The 7th graders will have their Confirmation Acceptance mass on Sunday, November 13th at the 10:30.
Parents/Communication:
• Teacher Survey/Black Top Ball: Mrs. Barton gave the teachers two surveys and shared the results with the board. The first survey was a Fund-A-Cause Wish List, and the second survey covered Classroom Use of Fund-a-Cause Purchases, namely classroom computers, computer lab, white boards, and SMART boards. On the Wish List survey, the top technology contenders were SMART boards and new laptops, while the top facility contenders were new student desks and painting classrooms and hallways.
• Golf-Mill Christmas Tree: St. Juliana’s will participate again this year. Mrs. Jimenez will spearhead the decorating. The tree will benefit the Maine Township Food Pantry. Mrs. Jimenez will be taking the food donations during advent.
• Students: Mary Seat of Wisdom invited five of the neighboring schools to send student volunteers to build a robot. Two eighth graders from St. Juliana’s volunteered for the project.
• Student Council, Academic Team, Volunteers: On Sunday the student council will volunteer for the Edison Park Turkey Trot by stuffing goody bags. This Sunday the students will also volunteer outside of church to collect for the St. Vincent DePaul food drive. Next week they will begin to collect money for the Christmas Sharing Project.
• The Academic Team, made up of three eighth grade girls and four eighth grade boys competed at Notre Dame High School against eighteen teams and came in second place. A second team made up of seven girls competed at Trinity High School against sixteen teams, and they took second place.
• Maintaining a Safe Environment: Mrs. Barton reviewed some of the ongoing practices in the year-long effort with teachers, administrators, parents, and priests.
• In first grade the students attended Safety Town at the Harlem Irving Plaza. In second grade the students attended a Mayor’s Office sponsored program regarding Safe Routes for Bikes, including safety in going back and forth to school. In the fourth and fifth grades, the students are reading 100 Dresses, which addresses bullying and taunting behaviors. Dr. LaCivita, the school psychologist, will also meet with the fifth grade. She also meets with the faculty and the students, primarily in small groups. Seventh and eighth grades read Crash, another book addressing bullying behavior.
• Additionally, there are weekly/monthly discussions at faculty meetings concerning what is and conversely, what is not working.
• The weekly school mass often through the homily, and the religion classes promote civil behaviors as well.
• Current consideration is being given to the program and speaker for Catholic-Schools week. The preferred topic being about getting along with others.
• Mrs. Granata covers internet safety and the internet rules; for example, children must be 14 to have a Face book account.
7. Fr. Steve’s Report
• A new TRIP system is being implemented. Parishioners will be able to pay online for TRIP certificates and then print them. Special deals will be offered as well. It was suggested that a demonstration of new online features be given at the next Coffee, Tea, and Thee. It was also suggested that the blog bulletin contain TRIP benefit testimonials. In an ongoing awareness campaign, it was also suggested that weekly reminders be send through the school blog, as well as reminders that TRIP applies to high school and college tuition as well.
• The Financial Report for September 2011 was distributed.
• Fr. Steve met with a consulting firm member who had been involved with the Millennium Campaign. Currently the consulting firm is studying the feasibility of a Catholic Campaign focusing on Catholic education for the whole Archdioceses, including schools, CCD, faith formation groups, and seminaries. They are currently conducting focus groups. There is a feasibility study meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at Queen of All Saints.
8. Committee Reports
a. Finance
• No report
b. Fundraising
• The Teachers’ Wish List was discussed as well as forwarding the 21st century classroom. The technology committee will be meeting to review previous technology goals and to determine the fund-a-cause products coinciding with current technology goals.
• The Steffens have offered to host the BTB pre-party.
• Armand’s Pizzeria in Edison Park has offered to run a weeklong Shop-n-Share. We will be researching possible dates and logistics.
c. Technology
• See fundraising
d. Marketing
• Open house on 1/29/11. Panel discussion suggested for prospective parents. Committee to meet before Jan. meeting.
e. Operations
• So far 9 people have signed up in the Professional Trade Registry. A reminder about this option will be forwarded.
f. Bylaws/Legislative
• See below for legislative updates from guest speaker: Laura Gustaitis
9. Coffee, Tea, and Thee
• Schedule circulated for December 4, 2011 slots. Date for January to be researched and scheduled.
10. New Items/Miscellaneous
• Sr. Remy Nomination form will be placed in the bulletin; it will be due in December.
Guest Speaker: Laura Gustaitis, former board member, current legislative liaison:
• Action Alert from the CCI (Catholic Conference of Illinois): Hoping to have the Illinois State Board of Education textbook block grant program approved. Public testimony is being accepted and encouraged via email. Mrs. Barton will send a blast to all parents. Response is requested before Thanksgiving.
• Current changes regarding Special Education Services: In the past the Chicago Public Schools identified children with disabilities through a screening process known as Child Find. This practice will continue. Parents may continue to register their children for screenings. Additionally, teachers can make recommendations for screenings.
• In the past, CPS provided screenings and services; however, they will no longer be providing services/service plans, only evaluations. The Chicago Public Schools has given the Archdiocese Schools a proportionate share of the funding to service their students.
• Implementation of service plans will now be in coordination with Leah Duszynski, Archdiocese Director for Inclusive Education. Ms. Duszynski will work directly with the teams in each Catholic school to write the student service plans.
• As a former board member and in her current role as Chicago Public School liaison, Laura expressed her willingness to work with the St. Juliana School Board on various issues, including the ones mentioned above.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30.
Next Meeting Tuesday December 6, 2011. 7PM
Meeting Minutes
November 8, 2011
In attendance: Kathleen Barton, Fr. Steve Kanonik, Christopher Bielfeldt, Una Durkan, John Gallagher, Denise Javers, Jamie Kumiega, Sue McInerney, Tim Neenan, Ken Platz, Jeffrey Rogers, John Ryder, Don Sondermann, Todd Steffen, and Mary Sugrue.
Guests: Laura Gustaitis, Marco Simonetti
Meeting called to order at 7:10
1. Greetings and Introductions
2. Opening Prayer
3. October Meeting Minutes Approved
4. Principal’s Report
Academics:
• SuperKids Reading: A second meeting will take place next week with a company representative, with a third meeting planned for the spring. Unit tests have been administered, and the teachers were pleased with the results. This program also has a great website for parents and teachers.
• SMART boards: The teachers have already had two training sessions presented by United Visual.
• Writing Prompts: 6+1 Writing Traits program has been adopted and currently, all grade levels are working together on having two people score each final written piece. The written pieces are being placed in portfolios; each student having his/her own portfolio, which will be given to the next year teacher.
• Preschool Fire Safety: All three preschools had a visit with the firefighters, who came to the school grounds with their hook and ladder truck.
• Math Fact Drills: Mrs. Denver started math fact drills with grades 3, 4, and 5. The goal is to be more proficient with math facts, specifically: 24/30 correct in one minute.
Catholic Identity:
• Sacrament Preparation—initial meetings with grade 2 for Holy First Communion and Reconciliation have occurred. The 7th graders will have their Confirmation Acceptance mass on Sunday, November 13th at the 10:30.
Parents/Communication:
• Teacher Survey/Black Top Ball: Mrs. Barton gave the teachers two surveys and shared the results with the board. The first survey was a Fund-A-Cause Wish List, and the second survey covered Classroom Use of Fund-a-Cause Purchases, namely classroom computers, computer lab, white boards, and SMART boards. On the Wish List survey, the top technology contenders were SMART boards and new laptops, while the top facility contenders were new student desks and painting classrooms and hallways.
• Golf-Mill Christmas Tree: St. Juliana’s will participate again this year. Mrs. Jimenez will spearhead the decorating. The tree will benefit the Maine Township Food Pantry. Mrs. Jimenez will be taking the food donations during advent.
• Students: Mary Seat of Wisdom invited five of the neighboring schools to send student volunteers to build a robot. Two eighth graders from St. Juliana’s volunteered for the project.
• Student Council, Academic Team, Volunteers: On Sunday the student council will volunteer for the Edison Park Turkey Trot by stuffing goody bags. This Sunday the students will also volunteer outside of church to collect for the St. Vincent DePaul food drive. Next week they will begin to collect money for the Christmas Sharing Project.
• The Academic Team, made up of three eighth grade girls and four eighth grade boys competed at Notre Dame High School against eighteen teams and came in second place. A second team made up of seven girls competed at Trinity High School against sixteen teams, and they took second place.
• Maintaining a Safe Environment: Mrs. Barton reviewed some of the ongoing practices in the year-long effort with teachers, administrators, parents, and priests.
• In first grade the students attended Safety Town at the Harlem Irving Plaza. In second grade the students attended a Mayor’s Office sponsored program regarding Safe Routes for Bikes, including safety in going back and forth to school. In the fourth and fifth grades, the students are reading 100 Dresses, which addresses bullying and taunting behaviors. Dr. LaCivita, the school psychologist, will also meet with the fifth grade. She also meets with the faculty and the students, primarily in small groups. Seventh and eighth grades read Crash, another book addressing bullying behavior.
• Additionally, there are weekly/monthly discussions at faculty meetings concerning what is and conversely, what is not working.
• The weekly school mass often through the homily, and the religion classes promote civil behaviors as well.
• Current consideration is being given to the program and speaker for Catholic-Schools week. The preferred topic being about getting along with others.
• Mrs. Granata covers internet safety and the internet rules; for example, children must be 14 to have a Face book account.
7. Fr. Steve’s Report
• A new TRIP system is being implemented. Parishioners will be able to pay online for TRIP certificates and then print them. Special deals will be offered as well. It was suggested that a demonstration of new online features be given at the next Coffee, Tea, and Thee. It was also suggested that the blog bulletin contain TRIP benefit testimonials. In an ongoing awareness campaign, it was also suggested that weekly reminders be send through the school blog, as well as reminders that TRIP applies to high school and college tuition as well.
• The Financial Report for September 2011 was distributed.
• Fr. Steve met with a consulting firm member who had been involved with the Millennium Campaign. Currently the consulting firm is studying the feasibility of a Catholic Campaign focusing on Catholic education for the whole Archdioceses, including schools, CCD, faith formation groups, and seminaries. They are currently conducting focus groups. There is a feasibility study meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at Queen of All Saints.
8. Committee Reports
a. Finance
• No report
b. Fundraising
• The Teachers’ Wish List was discussed as well as forwarding the 21st century classroom. The technology committee will be meeting to review previous technology goals and to determine the fund-a-cause products coinciding with current technology goals.
• The Steffens have offered to host the BTB pre-party.
• Armand’s Pizzeria in Edison Park has offered to run a weeklong Shop-n-Share. We will be researching possible dates and logistics.
c. Technology
• See fundraising
d. Marketing
• Open house on 1/29/11. Panel discussion suggested for prospective parents. Committee to meet before Jan. meeting.
e. Operations
• So far 9 people have signed up in the Professional Trade Registry. A reminder about this option will be forwarded.
f. Bylaws/Legislative
• See below for legislative updates from guest speaker: Laura Gustaitis
9. Coffee, Tea, and Thee
• Schedule circulated for December 4, 2011 slots. Date for January to be researched and scheduled.
10. New Items/Miscellaneous
• Sr. Remy Nomination form will be placed in the bulletin; it will be due in December.
Guest Speaker: Laura Gustaitis, former board member, current legislative liaison:
• Action Alert from the CCI (Catholic Conference of Illinois): Hoping to have the Illinois State Board of Education textbook block grant program approved. Public testimony is being accepted and encouraged via email. Mrs. Barton will send a blast to all parents. Response is requested before Thanksgiving.
• Current changes regarding Special Education Services: In the past the Chicago Public Schools identified children with disabilities through a screening process known as Child Find. This practice will continue. Parents may continue to register their children for screenings. Additionally, teachers can make recommendations for screenings.
• In the past, CPS provided screenings and services; however, they will no longer be providing services/service plans, only evaluations. The Chicago Public Schools has given the Archdiocese Schools a proportionate share of the funding to service their students.
• Implementation of service plans will now be in coordination with Leah Duszynski, Archdiocese Director for Inclusive Education. Ms. Duszynski will work directly with the teams in each Catholic school to write the student service plans.
• As a former board member and in her current role as Chicago Public School liaison, Laura expressed her willingness to work with the St. Juliana School Board on various issues, including the ones mentioned above.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30.
Next Meeting Tuesday December 6, 2011. 7PM