st. thomas more catholic school moved to new...
TRANSCRIPT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE FALL 2018PAGE 2 | Student Safety • PAGES 4-6 | Strategic Plan • PAGE 7 | Development Updates
GRACE is excited to announce the formation of the GRACE St. Cecilia Liturgical Choir which will offer its talented voices to music worship at weekend Masses for our parishes. This choir will complement the music and choral programs already in place at GRACE schools.
The choir will be comprised of fifth through eighth grade students from all nine GRACE schools who wish to share their gifts through the beauty of song in praise and worship.
The initial audience for our choir will be our GRACE parishes as we work to promote the relationships of our schools and parishes within our community. We anticipate six to eight performances will be scheduled throughout the academic year.
Sincere appreciation to GRACE music teacher, Mrs. Monica Lewis, who will be leading the choir and is already working diligently on details of the choir’s formation, organization and promotion.
GRACE would also like to gratefully acknowledge the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Green Bay as the funding obtained through the Foundation’s Evangelization Grant is enabling fruition of this idea which was a passion of Father Don Everts, former pastor of Quad Parishes. We are pleased to have Fr. Don’s vision realized!
We look forward to contributing GRACE-filled harmony throughout our community! Watch for the choir’s performance schedule which will be posted on our GRACE website as details become available.
GRACE St. Thomas More Catholic School has successfully moved to a new school location on Harvey Street adjacent to Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
The school site move was planned by a study team over the past 18 months. The purpose of the move was to position St. Thomas More for the future and relocate the school to a more central, urban location in Green Bay. Bishop Ricken approved the school move in January after a planning team presented the detailed report to request permission. The planning team was chaired by Gerry Faller, GRACE Director of Strategic Operations and Finance.
The move this fall has resulted in the following:
• Increased enrollment – 14% increase from 2017-18
• Updated school desks and furnishings
• Program enhancements such as curriculum and student schedule
• Plans for stronger ties to parishes with Hispanic ministries
• Capacity to continue to grow enrollment into the future
• Support from donors financed the school move
A Blessing Mass and Open House occurred on September 11 with Bishop David Ricken presiding at this very special dedication event. Check out both the GRACE and school websites and Facebook pages for highlights from this event.
Sincere appreciation to so many from the community who contributed in a myriad of ways to make this move a tremendous and blessed success!| Link to St. Thomas More Catholic School
St. Thomas More Catholic School Moved to New Location
Missionary Discipleship through Music Ministry
Bishop David L. Ricken and Father Anthony Cirignani celebrate the Mass and School
Blessing on September 11, 2018.
2 | GRACE Newsletter FALL 2018
Student Safety
Teachers and Staff Participate in the Fall GRACE-Wide In-Service
SAFETY UPGRADES
The Wisconsin Department of Justice School Safety grant has
positively impacted GRACE among many Wisconsin schools. Work has been completed and continues as a result of these funds.
“We are grateful to the Department of Justice and our state for providing support for our schools and systems to continue to enhance and improve safety. This grant provides us the opportunity to unify the safety efforts within our system, strengthen our relationship with our community leaders and ensure we are vigilant in using the latest and most effective security measures.” ~ Kimberly Desotell, GRACE President
ONLINE SAFETY
As we continue to maintain a focus on safety, it is important to remain diligent about online safety related to smartphones,
tablets and laptops. Although these devices can help students with schoolwork and communications, they are also associated with risks when not monitored and used properly. Below are some links and resources from the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) for parents that will help to keep students safe while online:
• https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST05-002
• https://stopthinkconnect.org/resources/preview/rethink-cyber-safety-rules-and-the-tech-talk-with-your-teens
• http://backgroundchecks.org/the-concerned-parents-toolbox-120-tools-and-tricks-to-protect-your-kids.html
FATHER ALLOUEZ » Shatter resistant
safety film » Lock replacements » Training
HOLY CROSS » Communication
system » Training
HOLY FAMILY & ST. JOHN PAUL II » Shatter resistant
safety film » Lock replacements » Security cameras » Intra-facility
communication system » Training
NOTRE DAME OF DE PERE » Shatter resistant
safety film » Fence, gate and
security access (elementary)
» Training
OUR LADY OF LOURDES » Shatter resistant
safety film » Intra-facility
communication system » Training
ST. BERNARD » Shatter resistant
safety film » Training
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST » Shatter resistant
safety film » Communication
system » Training
ST. THOMAS MORE » Shatter resistant
safety film » Security cameras and
secured access » Training
Safety Upgrades WI DOJ $154,000
The theme of this year’s retreat was “Team GRACE is Team Family”. Thank you to Father Joseph Dorner in addition to
the staff and volunteers of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Diocesan Museum and Cathedral Book and Gift for a day filled with spiritual and professional development.
Explore the Mother Church of the Diocese and its rich array of resources and historical artifacts!
• St. Francis Xavier Cathedral https://sfxcathedralgb.com/
• Green Bay Diocesan Museum https://sfxcathedralgb.com/90 • Cathedral Book and Gift http://www.cathedralbookandgift.com/gift-gallery.html
Father Joseph Dorner leads the retreat’s closing reflection and prayer service.
FALL 2018 | 3
FATHER ALLOUEZ CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Principal | Kay Franz432-5223, Elementary School
- St. Matthew Campus336-3230, Middle School - Resurrection Campus
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Principal | Sharon Gast468-0625
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOLPrincipal | Steve Gromala
494-1931
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL OF DE PERE
Principal | Molly Mares337-1103, Elementary School
337-1115, Middle School
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Principal | Jeff Young336-3091
ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Principal | Crystal Blahnik468-5026
ST. JOHN PAUL II CLASSICAL SCHOOL
Headmaster | Frank Nicely494-1931, ext. 9
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL
Principal | Andrew Mulloy434-3822
ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Principal | Olgamar Amor432-8242
Kimberly A. DesotellPresident, GRACE
President Welcome
Dear GRACE Community:
It is with excitement that we opened a new school year for GRACE this fall! There was very good momentum to the first few weeks, and we are very proud of so many facets of work throughout each GRACE school. A few highlights for this fall:
• Enrollment for GRACE overall has increased for the third straight year.
• Our GRACE budget is strong providing financial stability to our system and each school.
• We continue to make substantial upgrades to our facilities as a result of the partnerships with parishes, Site Advisory Councils and donor support. (Review the specific facility upgrades on page 7 highlighting the attention at each building.)
• We have successfully relocated GRACE St. Thomas More Catholic School to a new campus positioning the school more centrally in the city on University Avenue.
All of this excitement and energy is positive for our schools and for our faith. In light of this, we are also very proud to share with you the newly unveiled GRACE Strategic Plan 2018-2021. This issue of the GRACE newsletter highlights many aspects of the Plan and helps you to better understand how the GRACE Board of Trustees has prepared the Plan to help set overall goals, analyze change and evaluate the day-to-day operations of our GRACE schools.
I hope you find this newsletter issue enlightening and informative. Also, I invite you to join in support of our Strategic Plan as we, together, build hope and faith for our future.
I look forward to a strong and faith-filled year ahead!
In His service,
4 | GRACE Newsletter FALL 2018
DEAR GRACE COMMUNITY:With a deep sense of pride, we are pleased to present the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) Strategic Plan 2018-2021. This three-year Plan demonstrates the dedicated commitment, collective wisdom and compelling vision that drives our institution to continually strive for increased levels of academics and faith—a mission in which we are fully invested. The Plan will set our course as we enter the 10th year of our existence as a system.
The comprehensive Plan is a culmination of an intensive planning process that included the ‘Voice of the Customers’ including an online survey to gather feedback from parents and members of our leadership Boards, a ‘Pulse’ survey of faculty and staff and alignment with the Diocese of Green Bay’s Strategic and Mission Plan for Catholic Schools.
On behalf of GRACE, we wish to thank all the members of our community for the time and talent devoted to produce this high-quality Strategic Plan that will serve as a broad roadmap for our efforts. The development of this Plan has reinforced our belief in both the strength of our system as well as each individual stakeholder and what they bring in terms of partnership and collaboration.
We invite you, and urge others, to continue to engage and contribute to the exciting and rewarding work in our GRACE schools. Together, we are certain that through our united efforts and combined expertise, we will realize the ambitious goals and priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan 2018-2021 to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future as we build academic excellence and life skills while growing in our Catholic faith.
Respectfully,
Kimberly A. DesotellPresident, GRACE
William R. Micksch Chair, GRACE Board of Trustees
LOGOThis logo of the GRACE Strategic Plan
illustrates the four Key Focus Areas including:
FAITH: a focus on keeping our Catholic faith at the core of our mission and incorporating it into all that we do.
ACADEMICS: a focus on developing and maintaining academic excellence
throughout our programming as evidenced by our outcomes.
VITALITY: a focus on strengthening and sustaining our system for the future by focusing on enhancing our financial
model, updating our facilities, developing our people and growing enrollment.
EXPERIENCE: a focus on creating the optimal experience for our students and
their families.
MISSIONBuilding academic excellence and life
skills while growing in our Catholic faith.
PLANNING TEAMSue Amtmann • Board of TrusteesTodd Blahnik • Superintendent of
Catholic Schools - Diocese of Green BayMary Burich • Board of Trustees
Kim Desotell • President - GRACEGerard Faller • Director of Strategic Operations and Finance - GRACE
Sharon Gast • Principal - Holy Cross Catholic School
Bill Micksch • Board of TrusteesJohn Peterson • Board of Trustees
Marv Wall • Board of TrusteesFather Andrew Cribben, O.Praem •
Consultant, Pastor - St. Willebrord Parish Dean Stewart, Ed.D. • Facilitator,
Executive Director of the Center for Exceptional Leadership - St. Norbert
College and Corporate Trainer - Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
“VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER”
Stakeholder surveys included:• Parents
• Board of Directors (pastors/priests)
• Board of Trustees (parish representatives)
• Teachers and Staff (Pulse employee survey data)
FALL 2018 | 5
STRENGTHS• Sense of community – great families and students• Emphasis on Catholic faith• 9 schools but 1 unified system• Academic excellence built around strong teachers, staff
and leaders• CatholicLink
WEAKNESSES • The perceived value of GRACE by all stakeholders• Dated facilities• Status of system-wide extra-curricular activities and athletics• Overall teacher compensation• Consistent shared curriculum
OPPORTUNITIES• Need for Catholic child care• Accessing our deep and growing alumni network• Use data more effectively in decision making• Reaching out to Catholic families in our public schools• Developing untapped opportunities in CatholicLink
THREATS• Demographic changes – less practicing Catholics• Financial model – how do we keep high quality education
affordable?• Strong public schools in our suburban communities• Brand value of GRACE is misunderstood• Reliant on the health of our parishes – shared ownership
of system
KEY FOCUS AREA: FAITHBuild schools of discipleship:1. Create and execute a program for family faith formation and
evangelization in collaboration with the parishes.2. Develop a plan to understand how to use Assessment
of Catechesis Religious Education (ACRE) scores more effectively and execute that plan.
3. Create and execute a strategy to help students and staff grow in their Catholic faith and develop life-long commitment.
4. Create a strategy to develop more consistent religious instruction at all campuses.
5. Develop a strategy for GRACE schools to collaborate with partner parishes for regular community service and social awareness endeavors.
6. Build on CatholicLink initiatives to create a Catholic youth movement to support evangelization.
KEY FOCUS AREA: ACADEMICSUtilize the Diocesan standards and benchmarks to:1. Develop a consistent curriculum model across the system in
math, language arts and science.2. Strengthen and further develop programs for students with a
range of learning abilities.3. Create and implement a strategy for academic best practice
sharing and collaboration among teachers and staff across the system.
4. Explore opportunities for school specialization, i.e. language, STREAM Project (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art and Math).
5. Create a system-wide strategy on how to better utilize technology in the classroom.
6. Infuse faith into other subject areas throughout the day.7. Explore how to better use academic assessment to improve
instruction.
KEY FOCUS AREA: VITALITY1. Create and expand endowment for facilities, teacher
compensation, and tuition assistance.2. Create a facilities task force to develop a strategy to update
facilities to support 21st century learning.3. Create a system-wide marketing strategy to support
enrollment growth.4. Define the brand value of GRACE – who are we? Create
a unified message incorporating the uniqueness of our individual schools.
5. Review and focus on the diversification and expansion of our revenue sources to guarantee operational sustainability.
6. Develop and execute a strategy to recruit and retain top level teachers.
7. Develop and execute a strategy to recruit and retain families and students.
8. Evaluate tuition and funding framework for enhancements and modifications.
9. Explore ways to tap into our growing alumni network.10. Review and redefine Board of Trustees’ structure.11. Establish dashboard including Key Performance Indicators
(KPI’s) and three-year goals.12. Explore ways to create greater connectivity with non-school
parishes.
ACTION PLANS
KEY FOCUS AREA: EXPERIENCE1. Explore and develop ways to enhance the sense of
community at the individual sites.2. Research the need for Catholic-based child care.3. Develop a continual “voice of the customer” process
for feedback on critical issues including the community, neighborhood and mission field.
4. Understand the social support needs of our families especially related to issues of diversity of our stakeholders – how can we respond?
5. Explore the opportunity to create a system-wide athletics network/conference.
6. Explore the opportunity to establish system-wide music, theatre, robotics and other types of clubs and activities.
STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS
6 | GRACE Newsletter FALL 2018
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSQ: Why is the GRACE Strategic Plan designated for 3 years?
A: A three-year timeline keeps the Plan fresh, active and ensures momentum and accountability for the action steps. Anything more than three years can become outdated.
Q: The survey asked the reasons why parents send their children to GRACE Schools. What are those reasons?
A: Parents responded in this order: #1 Catholic faith#2 Strong academics#3 Class sizes and school sizes#4 Sense of community#5 Safe and structured environment
Q: How can I find out more information on the GRACE Strategic Plan?A: Please visit the GRACE website and follow the link to the Strategic Plan webpage. You will find the full Plan, progress updated regularly and also additional information to assist in our efforts to keep the Strategic Plan at the forefront of our work.
Q: How is the Plan being used?A: The input provided by the survey provided key data as to how we are currently meeting the needs for our students and families; and how we can become even better. GRACE leadership is incorporating the components of the Plan into all facets of our strategy and programing. Our schools and teachers are helping to implement key aspects of the Plan into their daily and long term planning.
| Link to www.gracesystem.org | About GRACE | Strategic Plan 2018-2021
GRACE-Filled Advice for New Families
Principal Leadership Team Announcements
Family to Family
“Be involved! Your children aren’t just students at your GRACE school. Your entire family are
members. My wife and I have made friends with many parents from our children’s classes. Join
committees you believe you can make a difference in. Attend all of the school events and get to know the different families in your class. The school is a better place when everyone gets involved.” ~
Chris Sack, GRACE Holy Cross Catholic School
“Try to get involved with volunteer opportunities…
and get to know other parents and their child/ren’s peers. The more
you put in, the more you will get out of the strong school community.” ~
Katie Ver Boort, GRACE Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic School
“Get involved! It’s the best way to invest in your school and parish community.” ~
Sarah Johanski, GRACE St. Bernard Catholic School
“My advice to new GRACE families would be to make the time to get involved because it’s an incredible
community to be a part of!” ~ Katie Gelb, GRACE Father Allouez
Catholic School
Welcome Steve Gromala and Molly Mares to our dynamic Principal
Leadership Team. GRACE is excited to have these leaders join the team and embracing its commitment to excellence in education in a faith-filled, vibrant Catholic school community.
STEVE GROMALA, PrincipalHoly Family School
MOLLY MARES, PrincipalNotre Dame School of De Pere
Molly Mares Announcement
Steve Gromala Announcement
FALL 2018 | 7
The 2018-19 GRACE Annual Appeal commenced with GRACE
representatives speaking at our affiliated parishes the weekends of September 15th/16th and 22nd/23rd as well with a direct mailing to all parishioners.
The GRACE Annual Appeal raises financial support for a wide range of programs and initiatives that continue to provide GRACE students with an excellent foundation of Catholic education to succeed in high school and beyond as life-long learners and Disciples of Christ.
Please share in our mission for Catholic education and make a gift to the GRACE Annual Appeal by completing the donation card or by giving online at www.gracesystem.org/donate. Annual Appeal donations can be mailed to: GRACE Development Office, 1087 Kellogg Street, Green Bay, WI 54303.
Thank you to all that support GRACE with gifts and prayers throughout the Annual Appeal.| Link to www.gracesystem.org | Donate
Development UpdatesBy Lisa Niemuth, Director of Development
Many non-profits focus on grants as a valuable funding mechanism. More
so, the grant award is significant to the outcome or impact rather than the dollar amount itself as it provides the necessary resources for the non-profit to fulfill its purpose or mission. The grant process often leads to changes, new or improved programs, and organizational growth.
As a system, GRACE has benefitted in exploring new grants this year that address our needs and serve all of our school communities, such as:
• Wisconsin Department of Justice School Safety Grant – GRACE was awarded $154,000 to improve or upgrade safety and security measures in all of our GRACE schools.
• Isadore Mednikow Educational Trust Grant – GRACE has received $175,000 for the 2018-19 school year. The funds this year support GRACE technology as well as provide need-based scholarships for students.
• Catholic Foundation Evangelization Grant – GRACE was awarded $2,500 to form a GRACE Liturgical Choir to promote Catholic education and engage in meaningful and spiritual performances within our GRACE parishes.
GRACE is grateful for the partnerships developed with grant representatives and pray for the success of additional grants that are pending.
GRANT AWARDS IMPACT GRACE DEVELOPMENT
2018-19 GRACE ANNUAL APPEAL The Learners of Today are the Leaders of Tomorrow
Facility UpgradesGRACE continues to focus on continual renewal of facilities in many ways. This graphic represents many amenities that were upgraded at our schools over the summer. We share a special thank you to our GRACE parishes, our Site Advisory Councils, our parent organizations and the gracious donors that make these upgrades possible. Every bit of attention benefits our students in large and small ways!
SJPII and HFSGym Floor
FACSPainting
CafeLighting
OLOLPreschool
HCPaintingFurnitureLighting
NDDPOffice
EntrancePainting
STMNew Site
ALL: Chromebooks, technology, math resources
SBComputer Lab
Cafe TablesSoft Seating
SJBLibrary
8 | GRACE Newsletter FALL 2018
LET US HELP YOU
Call 920-499-7330E-mail [email protected]
Business Services Gerard Faller, ext. 307
Development and Annual Appeal Lisa Niemuth, ext. 313
Enrollment and Financial Aid Lori Ashmann, ext. 303
Food Service Jamie Hurley, ext. 306
Human Resources Jami Hintz, ext. 309
Outreach Administrator Edgar Zaragoza, ext. 311
Student Services James Cullen, ext. 308
Looking Ahead…
GRACE 2018-19 CALENDAR
Check out the complete 2018-19 academic calendar online
for important dates.| Link to www.gracesystem.org | About GRACE | GRACE Academic Calendars
Look for the Winter Issue of GRACE News online in
January 2019.| Link to www.gracesystem.org | About
GRACE | GRACE Newsletter
GRACE Schools Events and FundraisersOctober 20, 2018 • Our Lady of Lourdes Night of Keys
November 9, 2018 • Notre Dame School of De Pere Rise Up Raider NightNovember 10, 2018 • Father Allouez Catholic School Auction
January 27-February 2, 2019 • Catholic Schools WeekFebruary 22, 2019 • St. Bernard Catholic School Auction for Education
March 2, 2019 • St. John the Baptist School AuctionApril 6, 2019 • Holy Cross Catholic School Auction
Please contact the GRACE school or check the GRACE events calendar as additional events and details will be posted as they become available.
| Link to www.gracesystem.org | Calendar
GRACE Gold Summer Camp 2018 Review
Link to www.gracesystem.org | About GRACE | GRACE: Gold Summer Camp
“We want summer camps to be fun and
enjoyable without feeling like school. Our
daughter loved it!”
“As parents that work full time, we appreciated the ability to drop off by 7:45am and the after school option.”
“My child LOVED the activities. He was so proud to come home
and share what he learned.”