OPENING PRAYER – KELLY ZECH
WELCOME – STEPHANIE COOGAN & MARJORIE KENNEDY
SCHOOL UPDATES – SUE KERR
OPENING PRAYER – SUSAN WHITNEY BROWN
2018/19 PROPOSED BUDGET APPROVAL – STEPHANIE COOGAN
OPENING PRAYER – EILEEN O’TOOLE
HOME & SCHOOL INTRODUCTIONS – HOME & SCHOOL BOARD
HOME & SCHOOL FINANCIAL UPDATE – SUSAN KROOK
Reviewed final numbers for the 2017/18 school year. Total income was $24,143, Total Expenses were $17,027 resulting in a net income of $7,116.
A proposed budget for 2018/19 was proposed and voting on the budget was tabled until the next meeting.
POPS & LOLLIES OVERVIEW – FRANKIE LENZMEIER
Pops & Lollies, Springtime in Paris, was met with much enthusiasm. Ticket sales generated approximately $8,000 in income along with an additional $5,000 earned during the event. After expenses, total income for this fundraiser is $11,560; which exceeded the budgeted value of $10,000.
The 2018/19 school year event will be held on May 18th. This does overlap a three-day weekend and a Boy Scout Camp-Out, but it is the only weekend available on the church calendar to use the facilities. The theme will again be Springtime in Paris, and as decorations will be able to be reused, net income raised may be higher this year. Discussed needing to reach out early for additional volunteers this year.
Sue Kerr provided a bit of context/history: Home and School events, such as Pops and Lollies, and Mom/Son Fun & Yum, are designed to align around the school’s mission and build community rather than direct sales fundraising events.
MOM & SON OVERVIEW – ANGI RASSI AND KRIS OTT
The event was held successfully. There was excellent weather, the boys reported having a great time and the kids were well contained within the section thanks to parent volunteers. This is a break even event with tickets being sold at face value. Fundraising is mostly gained through raffle sales.
OVERVIEW OF HOSPITALITY EVENTS – RACHEL HOREJSI AND MEGAN HOWER
They provided an overview of Moms & Muffins/Dads & Donuts events. This is an opportunity for dads to volunteer for moms and vice versa. All donations are open basket. In general, the Hospitality Committee exists to provide a central point of contact for anyone who needs food, linens, decorations, etc for an event. The website provides a detailed listing of events. By having an overall committee, it prevents needing chairs and teams for each event and also de-conflicts supply closet management with St. Thomas.
SCHOOL UPDATES – SUE KERR
Emphasized Home & School serves as a catalyst to get volunteers in the right place whether someone has a little or a lot of time to offer. It serves as the go-to organization for various events put on by the school and is a central way for parents to be involved.
The summer was a busy time. The large muscle room was renovated and is continuing to be renovated. Carpet and paint is complete, and a climbing wall, fort and balance beams are in progress. It will be available to all students/classrooms on an as-needed basis. The Lower Campus also had a number of individual classroom “spruce ups.” These include improved Kindergarten classrooms and materials and flexible seating options in all classrooms. The outdoor classroom is nearly complete at the Upper Campus. In regards to academic programming, iPad use is increasing with catered apps for various student needs. The middle school is working with students on tailored learning programs, such as advanced math courses. The Upper Campus music program now includes ukuleles for 5thgrade and middle school enrichment. The Lower Campus has a new maker space room for art and STEM activities with programming being developed by Brigid Berger.
All faculty completed Top 20 training during the summer, and it will be rolled out on campus as the “Saints’ Way” This is a nationally recognized program that originated at Cretin Durham Hall. This social emotional learning program builds relationships and positive culture. There will be an upcoming parent information night.
Carondelet is thankful to parents for being involved in their children’s learning and in building community. Sue also wants to remind parents she maintains an open door policy and always makes time for appointments with parents.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OVERVIEW – EILEEN O’TOOLE
Eileen provided an overview of board operations. In summary, they serve as the advising board for the school with the school budget and Scope of Work statement revised yearly. There are several subcommittees to the board including Finance, Technology, Facilities, Marketing, Development, and Fundraising.
Last years’ major issue was busing, and they are happy to report that, while refinements are being ironed out, it will be a non-issue this year. A change from last year to this year is the Board now oversees both the Marathon Day of Service and Go-Go, the two major fundraising events for Carondelet.
This year, there is a greater need for financial support and fundraising than previous years. The cost of educating each student is approximately $8,000. Fundraising efforts close the gap between tuition and actual cost while keeping the school affordable to a wide range of families. They have set a specific goal of working to draw together various groups (the Board, Home & School, Saints Men’s Club, etc) to have greater cohesiveness between organizations to provide focus and efficiency on overall efforts.
The Board will meet the second Tuesday in October. The meeting will focus specifically on fundraising, and all parents are welcome to facilitate brainstorming. At the meeting, parents expressed immediate feedback to encourage prioritization of fundraising and to avoid overlapping or double dipping on asks (avoid fundraising fatigue).
MARATHON DAY OF SERVICE – EILEEN O’TOOLE AND SUE KERR
The Marathon Day of Service originated as a run/bike race along Minnehaha Creek with all area Catholic schools. Eventually it became too expensive to conduct and the Marathon Day of Service became an individual school event. To align with Carondelet’s mission, the day focuses on pledging to support school and classroom wide service projects.
The Marathon Day of Service has been kicked off with collection envelopes sent out to all students. The Day of Service is October 5th with Family Night to follow from 5:30-8:00 pm. It will include Food Trucks, yard games, music and other family activities. A pledge counting sign-up sheet was passed around.
ROOM REPRESENTATIVES – STEPHANIE COOGAN
All room representative positions are filled, and Betsy Kinkead will be the room rep communication liaison.
HOME & SCHOOL LONG TERM PLANNING – STEPHANIE COOGAN
Stephanie encouraged any interested parents interested in participating on the H&S Board next year to approach a member now to begin apprenticeship for next year. The next Home & School meeting will focus on the question, “What is Home & School to you?” All parents are welcome to come to a meeting and to participate in brainstorming. A meeting calendar for the year was passed out.