Dear Holy Rosary Parents,
CENTENNIAL—–My name is George Hofbauer, and as you hopefully know by now, I am the new Principal of Holy Rosary School. I consider it both an honor and a privilege to have been invited to serve in this role. This is especially exciting this year because the 2013-2014 academic year will mark the “Centennial” for our illustrious institution. This in and of itself is a major accomplishment for any Catholic School during an era that finds so many Catholic Schools across our great country closing. One of the many highlights of the year will be our Centennial Dinner which will be a celebration of who we are, where we have come from, and where we are going.
Tammy Savage will be chairing the event. It will take place on Saturday November 30, 2013. Mark it on your calendar now. It will be a night to remember. The dinner party will take place at Sodo Park, and it will begin at 5:00. Seating will be limited so make sure you get your tickets once they are available! It will be a night to remember!!!
We have also entered the “quiet phase” of a $2,000,000 Centennial Capital Campaign for Holy Rosary School. The donations, which will be collected over a three to five year period, will be for:
NEW PLAY STRUCTURE $100,000
SCHOOL ROOF REPAIR $300,000
SCHOOL WINDOW REPAIR $100,000
STAFF IN-SERVICE $200,000
ENDOWMENT FOR FINANCIAL AID $1,000,000
CAMPAIGN EXPENSES $100,000
Many of the School Commission members, who approved this undertaking, have already generously made their financial commitments. I look forward to meeting with the rest of you!!!
SUMMER WORK—–Every year a great amount of work takes place during the summer as an institution makes itself ready for the new year. All of our summer workers deserve our appreciation and applause for everything they have done. We have a new security system that allows the front doors to remain locked. Everyone will have to “buzz” in after the school day starts. A video camera will reveal who wants to get into the school and office staff will be able to remotely unlock the door after seeing and talking to those seeking entrance. This is a major step in enhancing our security.
Thanks to funds raised at the auction last Spring a new video and sound system has been installed in our social hall. The sound system will have a huge impact on our assemblies and productions. The auction also provided us with two new Smart boards which will undoubtedly enhance our teaching as it helps foster an even more dynamic learning environment.
TECHNOLOGY—–Six of the Holy Rosary teachers attended a three-day workshop in Chicago on the use of iPads in the classroom to enhance student learning. They were Christina Clarke (Kindergarten), Sharon Nark (First Grade), Erin Meland (Third Grade), Autumn Helling (Third Grade), Meghan Burke (Fourth Grade) and Jon Barker (Technology Specialist). They all thought the workshops provided effective ideas for deepening student understanding of specific content areas and allowing students ways to demonstrate their knowledge by using iPad apps and programs.. The use of iPads in the classroom is highly motivating for students while providing an excellent way for a teacher to differentiate student learning. When a teacher employs the use of an iPad with a class of students one group of students can be relearning a principle that has been taught while another group can be working independently at higher levels of application. Teachers can then assist students more individually. Various apps and programs that are in sync with a student’s level of understanding can be employed simultaneously. Many levels of learning can be employed at the same time within a classroom enabling the addressing of various learning needs and styles efficiently at the same time.
As Principal, I realize that it is important to employ the use of this training our teachers have received —–immediately —– otherwise it will be waste of time and money. I therefore hope to have an iPad for each of the third graders for the 2013-2014 academic year, and if possible for each of the fourth graders. I also intend to develop a Technology Plan for the school during this year. I see part of it being the introduction of iPads on a yearly basis to a class load of students. As always, money is an issue. All I can say is that I am working on it.
CURRICULUM —–I recognize that technology is a part of curriculum, but I have elected to separate that in the above article because of the coming changes in the area.
Math is another academic subject where a change is coming. All last year the staff studied its approach to math and “Best Practices” in the educational approach to this area of the curriculum. It has been a hot topic all across the state and the country. After a good deal of guided in-servicing, collaborative discussions, research, and instruction the staff selected a completely new MATH CURRICULUM. It is thru McGraw Hill, and it is called “MY MATH”. The program cost $23,721. “ MY MATH” has an emphasis on meeting the increased academic rigor of the Common Core standards, increases opportunities for differentiation of instruction, incorporates SmartBoard applications for every lesson, offers online student video instructional support and skills practice, and offers online parent resources. It also has a strong problem solving and literature connection. This, combined with ongoing professional support and K-8 consistency, made it an ideal choice for Holy Rosary.
WHITE PAPER—–During the summer I have been working on a “White Paper” for Holy Rosary School. It is the first step in a detailed strategic plan for the School. Every parent will be receiving a copy of it electronically on Friday September 6th. A “White Paper” is written by a chief administrator. It attempts to reflect upon where an institution has come from, changes that have taken place, and how they affect the future. It then proposes specific actions that should take place as a plan to achieve certain goals in the future while addressing present realities. A Centennial Year is really a very appropriate time to engage in this process.
The Parent Club officers will be the voice of the parents as they vote on the recommendations in the plan and/or develop specific recommendations of their own. The staff of the school will also be voting on the recommendations as will the newly developed School Finance Committee. I will be inviting the Parish Finance Committee, the Stewardship Committee, and the Ad Com Committee to also vote on the recommendations. All the votes and positions will be forwarded to the School Commission for their decision. The end result will then be delivered to the Pastor for final determination.
I look forward to a dynamic communal discussion.
The first meeting on the “White Paper” will take place on Tuesday September 10th at 7:00 in the School Hall. Those parents in attendance will be allowed to openly reflect on the paper and ask questions.
SCHOOL THEME —–This year the school will have a theme. It is “Beacons To Others”. We will concentrate on how we, as individuals, and the School, as an institution, are called upon to light the way for others. We are leaders in the darkness and confusion of individual lives and the turbulence of modern society. The steeple of the Church is like an ancient lighthouse sending bright beams of hope and comfort through the fog of the day and the dark of the night so that others, especially our children —- can challenge themselves to become all that God intended them to become. So join us as we light the way!
I am happy to say that the entire teaching and support staff will be returning this year. We look forward to some pregnancies and additional hiring has addressed that. Karen Baker has been hired as an aid for kindergarten, and Rufina Miller now handles tuitions.
Kamila Kennedy has been hired to oversee some of our fundraising events. The Auction and the Magazine Sale will be her main areas of concentration. Sara Weythman will be a sixth grade teacher.
CALENDAR
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL September 3
NOON DISMISSAL September 5
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT 7:00 IN GYM September 7
ENDOWMENT GOLF TOURNAMENT September 10
OPTIONAL WHITE PAPER MEETING 6:30 HALL
September 20/21 WESTFEST SCHOOL GROUNDS
September 28 ITALIAN DINNER
A FEW INTERESTING PIECES OF INFORMATION
Additional help had to be added on this summer as we had to make over 200 phone calls because people had not filled out their tuition payment plan on-line properly. Last Year’s Income to School from : (before books were closed) Auction: $200,030
Annual School Fund: $90,648
Magazine Sale: $68,847
Westfest : $14,843
Tree lot : $33,114
Well, I better bring this to an end. I hope I did not cover too much. I look forward to meeting you and enjoying our Centennial Year.
GEORGE HOFBAUER
PRINCIPAL OF HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL
REMEMBER: A CHILD ENROLLED IN HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL TODAY HAS A HEADSTART ON TOMORROW!