SJW #30, April 16, 2010

5th Grade Birdhouse Service

Our fifth grade students with Mr. Stephenson helped the Cedar Rapids rebuild project by decorating birdhouses. For the next six weeks, these houses will be used as centerpieces at the dinners for the volunteers and the families whose houses are being rebuilt by the Church World Service group. At the last dinner sponsored by the Catholic Churches, each family will pick a birdhouse to keep as a remembrance.

Prayers

Please continue to keep Diane Evans, mom of our student, Blake Evans in your prayers as she continues to recover from surgery. Please continue to keep Rachel Runde, mom of our students Lauren Runde and Kylie Trittle in your prayers as she continues her battle with cancer. Please pray for Bette Offerman, grandma of our student, Amanda Vasey. She will have back surgery on Friday, April 16th.

Board of Education News

The Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday evening.  It was a very aggressive agenda with lots of action items.  I can say now that the Board has moved forward and approved the recommended reductions of staff that were proposed.  A copy of the minutes from Tuesday evening can be found here.

All educational budgets for fiscal year 2011 were also ratified on Tuesday evening.  The school budget for fiscal year 2011 is probably one of the healthiest and most stable we have had in years.  This budget will enable us to move forward with sound fiscal practices that ensure the longevity and stability of St. Joseph Catholic School for years to come.  Undoubtedly, the tough decisions that have been made now will ensure a Catholic education for future generations of parishioners at St. Joseph Parish.

The Board also adopted the calendar for the 2010-2011 academic year.  School will start on August 17th with an early dismissal.  School will be out next year by May 27th, which is before Memorial Day.  Our spring break aligns with Xavier High School and five snow days have been built into the calendar.  Like this year, three snow days can be used from spring break.

One issue that didn't get too much press, but has been an important issue nonetheless was the Board's decision to change our 7/8 football program from an eleven man scheme to and eight man scheme.  While we are uncertain about the future of 7/8 grade football here at St. Joseph, for the time being we will continue to have football for these students.  I should also point out that at this time, we plan to continue to offer 5/6 grade football in an eleven man configuration.

School Board elections will take place the weekend of May 15-16.  If you are interested in running for the school board, please call my office to set up an appointment.  I would be happy to provide you with very valuable information as you discern a possible run for this office.

Part of our PBS implementation plan is to develop a continuum of consequences and clear disciplinary sanctions and policies.  The Board has taken a look at a first draft of a new discipline policy that we will spend the next several months evaluating and modifying.  I have asked the teachers to look at this policy, which they are doing right now and have offered some suggestions.  I plan on bringing this policy before the SIAC committee as well at our next meeting.  I would invite you to look over this document and provide feedback to me.  If you see something that doesn't make sense or would like something to be considered, please let me know.

St. Joseph Catholic School Teaching Faculty 2010-2011