St.BenedictElementary School

Advisory Board Minutes

November 28, 2007

Elementary School Science Lab

Attendees: Rachel Gemo, Fr. Bob Beaven, Greg Furman, Bill Hayes, Mary Jo Hogan, Tammy Jeffery, Gregg Johnson, Rebekah Kohmescher, Kevin McJessy, Carrie Meskan, Greg Rief, Karen Sims, Sean Sullivan, Monica Warmus, Penny Warner, Michelle West

  1. Welcome and opening prayer by Carrie Meskan

A.Introduction of board member Penny Warner

  1. Approval of September Minutes
  1. Discussion Items by Rachel Gemo
  1. Change school year from quarters to trimesters
  2. Hold parent-teacher conferences before report cards are issued

1.Time to discuss concerns/problems before grades are final

2.Many board members liked the conferences earlier in year

3.Parents and teachers raised issues of length of conferences and ability to meet with all teachers, especially at upper grade levels

  1. Pastor’s Report by Fr. Bob Beaven

A.Capital Campaign

  1. As of November 27, about $600,000 in pledges (halfway to goal)
  2. Pledges from about 180 families out of 1,700 families in parish

B.Confession for elementary school students – Monday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 5

C.Feast of the Immaculate Conception (holy day of obligation) – Saturday, December 8 – Masses at 8:30 am and 10:00 am

D.Parish Reconciliation Service at 7:00 pm in the church – Wednesday, December 12

E.Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at 8:30 am for elementary school – Wednesday, December 12

F.Christmas Mass Schedule

  1. Christmas Eve – 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 12:00 midnight
  2. Christmas Day – 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 noon

G.New Year’s Mass Schedule

  1. New Year’s Eve – 5:00 pm
  2. New Year’s Day – 8:00 am, 10:00 am

H.Art Auction sponsored by high school board – Friday, February 8

I.Fundraiser to benefit gym – Saturday, January 26

  1. Principal’s Report by Rachel Gemo

A.Enrollment updates

B.HSA Wreath & Wrap Sale

  1. Pickup – Wednesday, November 28
  2. Earned over $23,000 to be used for electrical upgrades in elementary school and materials for preschool gross motor room

C.Preschool Open House – Wednesday, November 14

  1. Over 60 people attended
  2. Hosted in conjunction with HSA

D.Scholarship Sunday raised over $4,350 (an increase over last year)

E.Science Fair on Monday, November 12 well attended (location worked well)

F.First trimester report cards go home – Thursday, December 6

G.Barnes & Noble Book Fair – Friday, December 7

H.Laptops for 6th graders received

  1. Hope to deliver to 6th graders before Christmas break
  2. Mandatory parent orientation meeting tentatively scheduled

I.Student Council hosting annual Food & Coat Drive

J.Java with Gemo in school library from 7:40 – 8:30 – Friday, November 30

  1. Kindergarten open house following
  2. Ms. Gemo will give presentation

K.DePaul Partnership

  1. DePaul paid for preschool teachers to attend NAEYC Conference

a.Saved elementary school money (approximately $300/teacher)

b.Preschool teachers found it very helpful

  1. Dr. Tavano worked with grade 1 – 5 teachers on guided reading
  1. Preschool Report by Rachel Gemo

A.Preschool mural by artist Stephanie Clinton

  1. Dedication ceremony on Tuesday, November 13
  2. Cost to school limited to materials/HSA providing stipend for Ms. Clinton and buying supplies for mural in elementary school office

B.Christmas Play and prayer service in church – Thursday, December 20

  1. Finance Report by Monica Warmus

A.Reports will be adjusted due to budget

B.Will combine Books & Supplies (line 18) and Instructional Materials (line 19)

C.All fundraising has been combined (line 5)

D.Other and Miscellaneous have been broken out (lines 8 and 10)

E.Added Spanish Studios (line 29) – three payments of $6,125/year

  1. Development Report by Karen Sims

A.Fundraising year to date compared to last year

  1. Annual Fund - $5,000 ($2,545 last year)
  2. Scholarship Fund - $2,500 ($1,604 last year)
  3. Bingo - $1,845 ($13,000 last year)
  4. Market Day - $641 ($1,151 last year)

B.Athletic Fundraiser – Saturday, January 26

  1. 600 tickets in hands of ticket sellers
  2. Goal: 800 tickets

C.Zap the Gap Campaign to kick-off during Catholic Schools Week – January 27 through February 2

D.Parish & Schools Fundraising Coordination Committee

  1. Meeting in December
  2. Will review and approve applications for 2007 – 2008 from all parish and schools programs

E.Ball & Auction – a puppy will be raffled off

F.Grant Writing Committee waiting for response from foundations

  1. Home & School Association Report – No Report
  1. Athletic Report – No Report
  1. Parish Finance Committee Report by Fr. Bob Beaven

A.Focus on strategies for Capital Campaign and cocktail parties

  1. Parish Pastoral Council Report by Greg Furman

A.Discussed question from Cardinal George: “How do we proclaim the faith?”

B.Preparing for Leadership Day

  1. Committee Reports

A.Marketing Committee Report by Carrie Meskan

a.Develop and maintain dialogue between parish and schools

  1. Elementary school information included in parish welcome baskets for new parishioners (December will feature Christmas cards made by students)
  2. Student Council/New Parents Ministry Christmas Party for all children ages 0 – 5 in parish – Tuesday, December 4
  3. Drama Club performed at Lunch with Santa – marketing information distributed to attendees

b.Create and implement publicity programs that tell St. Ben’s story

  1. Press release sent to Archdiocese about Day of the Dead celebrations
  2. Ads in Chicago Parent and Going Places
  3. Photo shoots with parent/photographer for future ads
  4. Board minutes posted on website
  5. Admissions/information packets will be on-site for Barnes & Noble Literacy Fair

B.Strategic Plan Steering Committee Report by Kevin McJessy

a.Strategic Plan Scorecard

  1. Developed by Tammy Jeffery
  2. Used to track committee progess
  3. May add/remove/update objectives

b.Academic Committee report by Gregg Johnson

  1. Elementary school considering application for National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

i)Possible because of status as DePaulProfessionalDevelopmentSchool

ii)Standards and criteria fit with elementary school goals

iii)DePaul would support application

iv)Involves a self-study

v)Two-year process could begin in Fall 2008

vi)Created sub-committees: Self-study group and teacher retention

C.Development Committee Report by Michelle West

  1. Zap the Gap cocktail party date – Saturday, February 9
  2. Cocktail party hosts – Tim and Cheryl Mahon

D.Budget Committee Report by Sean Sullivan

  1. Budget to incorporate monthly projections to make problems/concerns apparent sooner
  2. Working on budget for 2008 – 2009 (due February 5)

E.Nominating/By-Laws Committee Report by Mary Jo Hogan

  1. One position left to be filled for 2007 – 2008 board
  2. Three positions to be filled for 2008 – 2009 board
  3. Will create a self-evaluation for board members
  1. Other/Visitor Comments – Christmas Party after next meeting at rectory

XV.Adjournment at 8:35 pm

Next meeting is Wednesday, December 19 at 7:00 pm.

Carrie Meskan

Secretary to the Board

St. Benedict Advisory Board Minutes

- 1 -November, 2007