Transition Team Meeting Minutes

February 24, 2010 

(7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Attendees: Father Francis, Patricia Deleu, Michael St. Pierre, Matt Alpaugh, Carol Budisak, Michael Holland, Camille Leggett, Rob Zebick (Jen Qvotrup and John Walsh, both school parents were unable to attend)

Father Francis said an opening prayer.

Pat Deleu began the meeting by providing her personal and vocational background. She currently works “part-time” for the diocese as Personnel Coordinator and is assigned special projects. Prior to this position, she was the principal at St. Brendan School in Clifton, New Jersey. Pat expressed the importance of family, children and catholic education. Matt is the Director of Communications at Morris Catholic High School (MCHS) and an alumnus. In addition to high school, he is also a graduate of a catholic grade school and college. He is very excited and describes the new model presented to school parents on February 8 as an incredible opportunity. The other members of the team introduced themselves. 

Pat confirmed our goals as starting-up the Morris Catholic Junior School (MCJS), to increase enrollment and draw in students for Kindergarten through Grade 5. She stated that we are a consultative body with Michael St. Pierre and Father Francis jointly responsible for policy-making.

A discussion followed as to meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3, Thursday, March 18 and Thursday, March 25.

Pat stated that the MCJS students will have contact with the MCHS and participate in activities such as sports and retreats.  

Transition Items Discussed:

Student Handbook

• Issue:  Separate or joint Handbooks

• The team discussed whether the MCJS and SVS should have separate parent/student handbooks. Perhaps the MCJS handbook should be similar to the MCHS handbook. The team felt that the MCJS handbook should be aligned to the SVS handbook, and as we review and compare the current SVS handbook to those provided by Pat that the team will make the appropriate determination. Carol suggested that we may want to include the handbook as part of the planners given to each child. In addition to parents, should students acknowledge receipt of the handbook in writing? Further discussion of the format and distribution of the handbook will follow. Carol recommended asking Jen to compare the handbooks and to bring review notes to share with the team at the next scheduled meeting. Camille will contact Jen and assist with this task.

Other Middle School Questions:

Pat brought up the following:

1) whether the MCJS students should enter the building at different doors than the SVS students, 2) smart boards in each classroom, 3) have MCJS students meet in the school library as a group for socialization, and 4) students love color, use color to stimulate, paint classrooms different colors, hang banners in hallway.

Uniforms

The team discussed whether MCJS students should have a new uniform. SVS currently uses Co-Ed Uniform while MCHS uses Flynn & O’Hara. Carol noted that Co-Ed usually is onsite at SVS in April to measure students. Parent input on these issues will be captured via focus group / survey. Rob recommended that we determine what other items should be addressed and reach out to parents in a single survey. 

Carol reminded the team to be conscious of in-scope and out-of-scope tasks of this group.

Fundraising

The team briefly discussed fundraising and the question of separate Home and School Associations came up. Due to the number of families and families with children in both the middle school and the grade school, it may be best to continue with one Home and School Association. Parent input on this will be solicited.
Marketing and Enrollment

A Feeder Parish breakfast to generate awareness and inform on the new model will be scheduled when all can attend. 

Matt had recently met with Tim Potter on the SVS marketing plan and commented on the great promotional tools already in place. He will work with Tim on mail distribution for the Open House scheduled in April.

The team agreed on the importance of technology enabling curriculum and marketing efforts.

In school technology discussion focused on use of smart boards to enable the curriculum. Matt offered MCHS resources (MCHS students and faculty) could potentially assist with the use of technology. 

Michael suggested that we survey the teachers to see what they would like to have or see, noting that it is good to know what their thoughts are.

The team discussed linking the schools web sites and ways to make our SVS site more effective. Matt stated that we can create a clean and slick web site that is easy to update.

Registration

Re-registration packets are expected to be issued shortly. Michael is working with Mrs. Condon on this. 

Next Meeting

At our next meeting, the team will review the parent/student handbook analysis, continue our discussion of marketing, and discuss the new extracurricular opportunities for students. Also, it was suggested that Pat arrive early to have a tour in order to know the facility better.

The meeting adjourned shortly after 9 p.m.

Activity/Items    Lead    Timing    Comments    Status
Review parent Handbook    Jen/Camille    March 3          
Parent Input
Fundraising                    
H S A                    
Other tbd