Welcome back! It is going to be another great year. Last year was our Centennial. This year, we are launching ourselves into a new Century — a “Century of Excellence”, a “Century of Renewal”, a “Century of Promise”. (I am looking for the right term and I have not quite found it. Any ideas?)
Those of us who are now here are laying the foundation for this great new period in our history — our next phase. It truly is a Renaissance for Holy Rosary School.
Last year as part of the “White Paper (PDF)” which is rapidly becoming our strategic plan——-AKA “Project 2020” we brought in a new Math Program and introduced iPads to the third grade. This year, as we continue that curriculum development plan we will be expanding our ipad program into grades two and four. This will allow for both curriculum enrichment and engagement while providing greater opportunities for diversification. We will also be adding in our new school-wide Language Arts adoption and our new battery of National Tests. And this year we are studying our Science Program within the intent to purchase a new one for next year that is more STEM oriented . I mean ——-what other school has done all that in such a short period of time. All of these actions are directed at bringing our educational activities more in line with the “Common Core” so our students can become even more academically competitive.
Last year was the first phase of our Capital Campaign and the success thus far allowed us to pay for the window replacement at the front of the building. It cost approximately $60,000 and we were able to pay for all if it because of donations to the Capital Campaign. And that was on top of an Annual Appeal that yielded $200,000 which is twice the amount from the previous year! Besides all that, we ended the year in the black.
This year we are also in the process of actually designing and purchasing a new website site that the staff will eventually be able to manage. Many Catholic Schools will be using this provider which is being recommended by the “Office of Catholic Schools” for the Archdiocese. I do not see it ready until January. Thankfully, Mike Go will continue to provide the services we have until them. He continues to give above and beyond in more ways and with more professionalism than the community will every really understand or know.
During the summer the summer work crew continued it’s wonderful job of cleaning and preparing the school for this “New Century” under the direction of Scott Stoffen. We even ended up purchasing a new refrigerator for the gym kitchen. The other one just died on us.
It is going to be a wonderful year. Our theme is “Come To The Water and Quench The Thirst”. I truly believe many thirst for what we have to offer. We just have to help them realize we really are an oasis in life’s dessert. I realize you can not make anybody drink but you can inspire them to do it. Often we do not realize we are dehydrated until it is too late. Our water is much more than simple H2O. It is one part expert education, one part dedicated staff, one part fantastic students and three parts the spirit of our loving and inspiring God. We simply can not go wrong.
So get ready!
Annual Fund
Fun
Centennial Campaign
Fun
Magazine Sale
Fun
Parent Club Meetings
Fun
Auction
Fun
And soooo much more!!!!
See you soon!
– George