SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 4, 2008

Opening Prayer: Carole Harrison. May Meeting Minutes unavailable. Approval continued to October meeting.

Pastor's Report: There are not enough children attending mass. It is partly the board members' responsibility to question parishioners as to why the children are not attending.

September 6, 2008 will be the pastoral visit with the Bishop. There will be a dinner held at Krieger's Sports Grill on that date.

Principal's Report: There are 114 students this year, which is up 10 from last year. Preschool enrollment is low, which is probably due to recruitment practices by the Prep program. All preschools throughout the city are also down in number.

Saxson Math is being implemented. A few more items were recently ordered to complete the program materials.

The 6 th graders were commissioned at mass on September 4, 2008.

Parent orientation and booster club meeting on September 8, 2008. There will be 3 opportunities for parents to hear teachers speak beginning at 6:00 p.m.

A Cabie (women's clothing) party will be held on September 7, 2008. A portion of the proceeds will go to St. Mary's school.

We are looking into implementing a Kroger shopping card fundraiser. Gift cards are sold for any denomination and used as a debit card. All sales go into personal accounts, and the cards can be reloaded as necessary. When $5,000.00 in sales is reached, St. Mary will receive $250.00.

11:45 dismissal day on September 11, 2008. Teachers will be going to a Catholic School Marketing program that day. Parents are invited.

Terra Nova testing begins on September 15, 2008. Practice tests will begin the week prior.

11:45 dismissal day on September 19, 2008. The teachers will be going to a faculty retreat that day.

No school on September 22, 2008 due to Fiesta cleanup.

The summary calendar will be posted on the St. Mary website on Monday, September 8, 2008.

The Solid Waste grant is due on September 19, 2008. We're hoping to be able to purchase software so the school can go paperless in various areas. We may also restock the kitchen with bowls and spoons and would like to buy the United Streaming subscription which would provide movies and materials online, thereby eliminating the need to purchase and store the materials. We will hear on final approval in November.

There was an issue with head lice. It was found and treated early. All children were checked. One additional case was found and treated.

Religious Education Report: Leadership Mass and Commissioning for 6 th graders was held on September 4, 2008. The 6 th graders will be researching and decorating sweatshirts for their chosen saints, which will become part of their 6 th grade uniform. The sweatshirts should be completed before All Saints Day.

Mary's birthday will be celebrated September 8, 2008. The children are being asked to bring flowers for that day.

All catechists are being commissioned September 13 and 14.

PSR begins September 14, 2008.

A confirmation meeting will be held September 7, 2008. The kids will be looking for volunteer hour opportunities.

Father Dan is requesting servers for the Spanish masses. We will also need servers for the Benediction Mass. Parent letters will go home regarding both masses.

We're preparing for the Why Catholic groups which will be an opportunity for all parishioners to learn more about the faith.

Booster Club Update: Preliminary meeting held in preparing for the first booster club meeting. We'll hopefully have the totals for the fall fundraiser before the first meeting.

Discussing adding wreaths to the poinsettia sale. The Pepsi fundraiser will hopefully be earlier in the year so as to increase sales and the prizes will be changed to promote interest. Spring Fling is April 25, 2008 at the Kincaid Legion. Discussing Kathryn Bach candy bar sale. Book fair is November 6 – November 10. Family Fun Night will be in November 10, 2008. All fundraising will hopefully be computerized for easier access.

Athletic Report: None

Development Update: None

Teacher's Report: Dana Murray – The 3 rd grade class is bigger this year. We're working on plants in science, celebrating Mary's birthday, reading a version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Saxson Math is very time consuming but rewarding, and covers numerous math concepts which repeats throughout the year for review.

New Business: School Board needs 4 new voting members. Announcement to be circulated in school and church bulletin. Applications to be accepted on or before September 18, 2008 and to be considered at next school board meeting October 2, 2008.

Board asking Father Alan to implement policy on removal of volunteers when family pulls child from 6 th grade.

Election of new officers:

Chairman – Doug Brown

Vice Chairman – Joe Curvey

Secretary – Beth Brotherton

Uniform Policy: No show socks are acceptable. Old plaid jumper/skirt is not being phased out, but may be worn as long as the item lasts. Wearing shorts/skorts lengthened and may be worn until November 1 and after April 1 of each year. Cathy Robertson will be organizing a T-Shirt sale so that students can purchase St. Mary School T-shirts to be worn on non-uniform days and at St. Mary functions. Beth Brotherton will bring navy cardigans from Luers to next school board meeting for approval, due to request to let children wear cardigans in place of school sweatshirt.

Staff Emails: Cathy Robertson to look into educating teachers on email addresses and linking email addresses to current website.

No preparation needed for dinner with the Bishop. Dinner only.

Field trips: parents wondering why more field trips are not organized. Ms. Murray expressed her approval of field trips if they coincide with classroom work. Parents should talk to teachers regarding ideas and organization.

Post school board minutes on school website after approval. The agenda is to be posted prior to meetings. Secretary will email minutes to Chris Yucaneer for posting, following approval.

Parish Center is in need of cleaning. Suggested that we hire someone to clean on a weekly basis. Grounds committee and finance committee to discuss at next meeting.

Old Business: Exit surveys need to be sent to anyone not re-registering for 08/09 school year.

Playground equipment installed timely. Warranty information probably on file in principal's office.

Computers/laptops: Chris Yucaneer working on getting everyone on network. Not sure if all are up and running.

Next meeting October 2, 2008 at 6:00 pm.

Motion to adjourn – 1 st – Joe Zueck, 2 nd – Joe Curvey.