SJW #18, January 14, 2010
PBS Implementation Continues-The implementation of Positive Behavior Supports continues with the students learning about how we "Live the Gospel" by Respecting Ourselves, Others, and the Environment in the hallway. The next area slated for implementation is the lunchroom by the end of January.
Board of Education News
At the regular business meeting held on Tuesday night, the Board approved a budget model for 2010-2011 based on a single class per grade level. While a very bold step and one certainly not without controversy it will undoubtedly put the school on solid financial ground for years to come. The Board did not ratify the budget, but will continue to debate the budget in the coming months. The final budget will not be adopted until the April board meeting. To see a copy of this budget and the features of this model, please click here.
The Board also set tuition for the upcoming academic year with a 4% increase to tuition and a modification to the family discount structure. Our goal continues to remain affordable to middle class families and we strongly encourage any family who wishes to attend St. Joseph Catholic School to not let the inability to pay get in the way of a Catholic school education. We have a very strong tradition of ensuring that our programming is available to anyone who wants it and will continue to do so. We are blessed to have met our STO goal this year of $3.7 million raised throughout the Archdiocese this year, which means we stand to benefit from this, but only if you apply for the aide. To view tuition rates for the 2010-2011 academic year, please click here.
Finally, there has been a lot of work regarding the revised academic elgibility policy. That policy continues to be modified and revised. We are not to a stage where the Board is comfortable voting on this policy yet. Therefore, the current policy will remain in effect for the remainder of 2009-2010. Any revision in this policy will not go into effect until the 2010-2011 academic year.
For more details on the action taken at the Board meeting on Tuesday evening, please click here.
St. Joseph Graduate Wounded in Action
Cameron Opsahl (SJCS'04) was injured on January 6th while on security patrol in Afghanistan. During the routine patrol, Cameron was climbing over a wall when a remote controlled bomb was set off (IED). He was evacuated to Khandahr Army Hospital where he was treated for a concussion, back and leg injuries. Please keep Cameron and his family in your prayers and we will continue to keep you updated on his condition.
Haiti Relief
We have begun to receive inquires about the school's response to the earthquake in Haiti. At this time, we are waiting for some directions from the Archdiocese of Dubuque so we can ensure that all efforts are coordinated. Most likely, our efforts will be coordinated through Catholic Relief Services. You may recall that St. Joseph Catholic School has a special connection to Haiti, because we had the visitors at our school a few years back from the orphanage "Wings" (Rember Soni?) We have received word that at Wings, the dormitory where all the children with special needs lived, the roof collapsed. St. Joseph House, where all the boys live was completely destroyed. While last night they were unable to find all the boys, they were all accounted for this morning. (Thanks to Mrs. Bopp for providing this information.) Please keep all the vicitims of the earthquake in your prayers as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
Registration Material
The registration material for 2010-2011 will be mailed out at the end of the month. As we make plans for the next school year, it is important that we receive your response as quickly as possible. Thank you in advance for your attention to this.
