Our Lady Star of the Sea School

Minutes from

General PTA Meeting

March 14, 2007

 

The meeting was opened by Ms. Dollinger with a prayer.

 

Secretary’s Report – The report was posted on the school’s web-site. No changes were noted.  Motion for approval by Gail Stevenson and Marianne Linnington and the report was approved

 

Treasurer’s Report – Gail Stevenson re-capped the entire year to date.

·        Carnival - $5,231.26

·        Sock Hop - $1,138.00

·        Mum Sale - $583.25

·        Hoagie sale - $2,108.45

·        Halloween Party - $2,516.00

·        Christmas Gift Cards - $661.60

·        Secret Santa - $1,733.70

·        All For the Girls - $3,453.00

 

Joan Dollinger (Principal)

    The Catholic School’s Week celebration was wonderful. The children loved it. The performance by the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at the Family Appreciation Night Dinner was great.

 

     This year’s Father/Daughter Dance was the best yet!  Mr. Callahan and his daughter, Katie won the twist contest.  The purpose of this event is for Dad’s to teach their daughters what it is like to be treated like a lady. There were some St. Raymond’s fathers and their daughters present.  It was great to see all the Dad’s bonding with each other as well.  Thank you went out to Valarie Sorensen, Rita McGlade, and Miss B. for all their help, V. Adams for baking, and Bill Bader and Maria Mulville for taking pictures.

 

    The basketball season is winding down.  Thank you to all the players, coaches, and kitchen helpers for a great season.

 

    The All for the Girls Night was the best yet!  We had about 200 ladies come out, and all had a great time.  Thanks went out to Donna Burkhardt for chairing this event.

 

The Nun Plunge is scheduled for March 24.  Valarie Sorensen is the chairperson.

 

The Star 2 program is growing.  Thank you to all the parent volunteers.

 

Our VOWAC and Singapore Math programs are going well.

 

St. Raymond’s/OLSOS Merger

     Ms. Dollinger thanked all the teachers for their hard work and dedication.  She thanked Msgr. McIntyre as well.

      She then began to speak about the merger.  It is going to take a lot of work.  There are still many unanswered questions. Prayers are needed.  Tonight she and Monsignor are going to St. Raymond’s to speak at their PTA meeting.  In her talk there, she plans to use the cross as a metaphor for what we are going through.  There will be a change in staff, and a change in how we do things.  She referred to how Jesus was in the Garden and he asked God not to do this, but at the same time, he said to “let your will be done.”  This doesn’t make it any easier, but we need to remember that the story doesn’t end with the cross– it ends with the Resurrection. She reminded us to keep our eye on the Resurrection.  God will bless us as we go along.  We must be a welcoming community, and remember that it will be harder for the families from St. Raymond’s. It is not “them” and “us”, but “we.”

       Parishes are also going through the same process because we have to plan for that fact that there will be fewer priests around in the future.  The rest of the school’s in the diocese are also going through this process.

       A DVD was put together for Ms. Dollinger to take over to St. Raymond’s.  It reflects what has happened in our school this year. It will have different faces and traditions in it next year.

      Msgr., as a former superintendent, has been through this.

      It was then opened to questions………………

·        Sr. Linda informed us that she has spoken to parents from St. Raymond’s and they are interested in volunteering next year.

·        Who will be principal?  Sr. Kathleen’s (the principal from St. Raymond’s) order has asked her not to apply for the job. Ms. Dollinger had to re-apply.

·        What happens with the teachers?  Teachers will have to re-apply for their jobs.  Teachers from the merged schools can apply, but not the teachers from any of the closed schools.  There is a freeze on hiring in the Archdiocese.  By April 30, all the teacher’s jobs should be in place.

·        When is registration?  Registration materials will go out tomorrow.  Tuition information is not yet available because of the merger. 

·        What about the PTA?  The PTA’s from both schools will be merged.  It is something that still needs to be worked out.

·        Uniforms?  The uniforms at St. Raymond’s are green and yellow.  Ours are navy with a green and yellow plaid so the colors are similar.  Ms. Dollinger has checked with other schools that have merged and it is almost unanimous that the uniform stays that of the school that stays open.

·        Class Sizes?  There is a class size limit.  It is 25.  However, that is 10 less than the manual which is 35.  We will have 2 classes if necessary because of the “top heavy” upper grades.

 

 

 

 

 

Christ Society

      Phyllis from the Christ Society gave us a brief discussion on what they do.

      They were founded in 1982 by Mary Virginia Merrick, and are a small group of women who knit and crochet hats, booties, blankets, layettes, etc. for children in need. They interface through other charities, and also provide coats and shoe vouchers to schools for any child who needs them.  Every October they hold an annual baby shower for expectant mothers. A bereavement outfit was passed around.  These are given to mothers whose babies have died so they have something in which to bury their child.  In 2003, Pope John Paul II declared that Mary Virginia was a servant of God.   If you know of a child, expectant mother, or family in need, please let them know.

 

GradeQuick Web

      Miss B. provided us with a lively, spirited, and entertaining talk on what this system is all about!

      Basically this is computerized student information/grading system in which parents can look up their children’s grades on a web site at any time during the school year.  Some of you may be familiar with some of the other popular systems that are available right now, but in the beginning of the school year, Ms Dollinger asked Miss B. if she could “spend thousands of hours researching different grading systems” to find out which one would be the best for our school at the most affordable price. After all this work Miss B. stated that next year ALL of the teachers would have to use it, because – if she is not going to be back here next year - she is still going to come in and check to make sure that they are using it!! (Currently, some teachers are already using something similar to stay on top of their students’ grades.)  

      This system should be fully integrated in September 2007.  Every student would have an ID number which would provide parents with secured access to all your children’s grades, incident reports, etc.  It should provide greater communication between the teachers and parents. Miss B. cited an example; Suzie calls you from school to ask if she can go over her friend’s house instead of coming right home. You say, “Hold on a minute Suzie,” and quickly go on the internet to look up Suzie’s grades.  You find out that Suzie is still getting a C in Science class so when you get back on the phone you tell Suzie…… “I’m sorry Suzie, but you still need to work on that Science grade and I think it would be better if you came home and studied instead.”

      An information pamphlet was given out and if anyone has any questions please feel free to contact Miss B.

 

Miss B. concluded her talk by thanking everyone for all their well wishes while she was sick.

 

Nurse Julie was not available to give her talk as planned.

 

More PTA News………..

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT!!!!!!  Car Raffle

     100% of these proceeds will still go to our school!  A form will be sent out for volunteers.  Volunteers are in need because many of the volunteers from Victorian Towers are either unable to help any more or have died.  Each parent will be REQUIRED to sign up for a 2 hour shift.  Anyone who does not voluntarily sign up will be assigned a date and time.

     

Lunch volunteers are needed.

 

CYO Pasta Dinner – Marianne is chairing and help is needed. (March 22)

 

Nun Plunge – March 24

     Anyone interested in helping please meet briefly with Valarie after the General Meeting.

 

Family Movie Night – Grades K, 1 and 2 will be singing.

 

Spring Flower Sale – Gail Stevenson is chairing this.  Delivery date set for May 11.

 

Drama Club – Spring show is set for May 11 and 12.

 

Spring Concert – May 16

     This is a CHANGE from the school calendar.

 

A flyer went out with info about altar servers.  Anyone interested please speak to V. Adams.

 

1 in 40 Club – Our “NEW” major fundraiser!  Bridget Inderweis is chairing this.

     There will not be a Casino Night this year.  Instead, we will be selling 400 tickets at $100.00 each for a drawing to win 10 prizes.  First prize is $10,000., and the smallest prize is $200.  You can purchase tickets individually or in groups, but only 400 will be sold so get them before they sell out. There will be a big party on June 15 to announce the winners.  You do not need to be present to win.  Bridget is NOT hosting the party end of this fundraiser so we are in need of someone to organize the party.  This doesn’t have to be one person, but could be done by several people working together.  Look for the flyer in your Thursday envelope!

 

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:40pm.

Minutes submitted by Donna Kanya