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GOALS
Many thanks to Annette Dodsworth and the teaching staff for doing a yeoman’s
job with prep for our school accreditation and review process. The OCSAA
process involves a two-year review. Precious Blood is in the second of the
two years. We met in the fall to review our two, main school goals (the
Catholic identity goal involves the development of our students as
respectful persons [to themselves and others]; the academic goal is aimed at
improving student performance on math word problems). On October 17, Sr.
Helen did a comprehensive review of our work as prep for the Team visit on
January 15 and 16. Her findings gave us time to work on areas of concern
(most involve minor housekeeping details) prior to that team visit.
ODE
AUDIT
Precious Blood underwent an audit by the Ed Choice staff from ODE. Ed Choice
students receive tuition vouchers from the state of Ohio because their local
public school has underperformed on state report card indicators. We have 66
students in the program. Those students are expected to take all state
achievement tests. The reporting obligations for our school are
considerable. Precious Blood met all expectations but one: we need to obtain
proof of residency verification for all Ed Choice students.
COMMUNITY.
Students have learned all the routines for school and, in general, have done
a good job of meeting our expectations. Some focused work on respect,
teasing, and gossip is being done with the 7th grade. Eighth
grade students did a very nice job of serving the entire school the
traditional Thanksgiving luncheon. Special thanks go out to the cafeteria
staff, Bill Wilbanks, Larry Sutherland, Annette Dodsworth and Brenda
Ricciuto for all the extra effort they put in to the event to make it a
positive one.
Students in grades 6-8 will be participating in the Victoria Theatre
Association Holocaust education series this winter. The series involves work
in class, performances at the
Victoria
Theatre,
a visit to the Holocaust museum in order to develop a sense of local and
global need for justice.
FAITH
Mass and prayer service schedules have been set for the year. Teachers and
classes have a strong ownership for “their” services. Our new DRE, Sharon
Perkins, works very hard at designing prayer services that are meaningful
for our kids and staff. We are blessed to have her with us.
TESTING
Students in grades 2, 4, 6, and 8 all participated in the Terra Nova testing
series. All students in diocesan schools take those exams. Results will be
available in mid-December. Students in grade 3 all participated in taking
the reading portion of the Ohio Achievement Test in October. Results were
returned to us in late November and we are reviewing them with staff now.
In
addition to Dan's report he stated:
Ø
Technology is improving
inch by inch.
Ø
Check the school website
for any updated information
Ø
Every teacher/staff has a
Welcome page up and running.
Ø
Now have reliable email.
Ø
Laptops stay @ school
unless student doesn't have a computer at home.
Ø
Hope to purchase flash
drive for $2-$3.00 for students but haven't seen any for that price.
DISCUSSION:
Ø
Is Ed Farmer certified to
teach Internet Safety for Kids?
Ø
Lap Tops and CPUs are
available at Lexis Nexus for free.
·
Schools
require certain standards for their computer systems. To meet these
standards by obtaining used computers may cost as much or more than the
purchase of new ones.
Ø
Catholic School Identity
·
Goal is
respect for themselves & others by living Gospel values.
·
This goal was
set by the school staff.
·
Discussion on
how this is achieved. (See Principal's Report)
·
Present
enrollment indicates that slightly over half of the student body is non-
catholic.
o
Focus of
Catholic Schools is changing and leaning more toward Evangelization.
o
Precious
Blood School provides a safe environment, good academics, and
Catholic Christian values for all of its students.
o
Non Catholic
students are Christian and attend weekly Mass and Prayer service
as well as participate in daily religion classes.
Ø
Fr. Bill's
remarks:
·
Dan
stepped forward after 33 years in the classroom and as principal.
·
He is a
member of our parish
·
He has been
asked to look at the day to day school operation.
·
He is an
affective leader and Fr. Bill is grateful and pleased that he accepted the
position.
Ø
Ed Choice
students
·
Students of
underachieving schools are eligible for tuition grants.
·
To qualify
for these funds schools must meet required standards, which Precious
Blood does
except for student residential verification.
Ø
Dan's
remarks:
·
Accepting
this position has allowed him to marry his faith and professional life
together.
·
It is a
privilege to work in this atmosphere.
·
Grateful to
Annette Dodsworth and the entire school staff for maintaining standard
of excellence
during his absence the last few months (previously planned vacation
& volunteer
work outside of the country)
No Old
Business
No New
Business
Fr.
Bill's Remarks
Ø
Christ the
King Sunday vespers and concert with the combine choirs from St. Paul, St.
Rita and Precious Blood was wonderful. 160 were present.
Ø
Festival
·
Festival
reorganization Committee met once.
·
Fr. Bill had
unsuccessful conversation with CTU and Sisters on possible collaboration.
·
Parish Life
Commission is exploring a summer social event for the parish.
·
Will need the help
of those who were on the original reorganization committee.
·
Stewardship
Commission will be looking to see if we need to raise any funds now that
there are no funds generated by the demise of the Festival.
Regional Planning
Ø
In summer of
08 the 3 parishes (St. Paul, St. Rita and Precious Blood) will try one
Saturday Mass.
Ø
Because of
worship space and parking availability, Precious Blood will be the host
parish.
Ø
Fr. Bill
Distributed cover letter and survey for Council Members to critique. Any
suggestions should be returned to Fr. Bill by Thursday, 11/29/07.
Motion placed on the floor since there was no pressing
business, December meeting will be canceled. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned with prayer led by Linda Nurrenbrock
Next meeting January 28, 2008
7:30 pm Church Meeting Room
COMMISSION REPORTS
Adult Faith Formation
Report-submitted by Mark Moorman
R.C.I.A.
On Sunday, November 11th, Precious Blood Church celebrated the Rite of
Acceptance at the 10:30 Mass, and welcomed four adults into the Church.
All four are baptized Christians, and prepare now to receive the Sacraments
of Confirmation and Eucharist.
The cluster catechetical sessions move now from St. Paul’s Church to Our
Lady of Mercy, before moving again in January to Precious Blood.
ADULT SCRIPTURE STUDY
The 6-week Scripture Study on The Names of Jesus concluded recently.
Twenty-four adults participated, either on Thursday evenings with Mike Prier
facilitating, or on Friday mornings with Mark Moorman. A sampling of the
evaluations follows:
“Great program. Loved the closing, "My Jesus Prayer". Well organized
sessions. Provide more of these scripture studies.”
“I
truly enjoyed this class. It was structured in such a way that everyone
could feel at ease regardless of their knowledge of scripture. The class
was faith-filled. I will be interested in attending future offerings.”
“I
thought it was truly beautiful, inspirational, helpful and thought
provoking. We had a wonderful and learned teacher and instigator. And the
closing "Art Work" was great! Thanks Mike!”
“Study was very well done. It was informative and instilled a sense in me
of the power and majesty of God. The study reinforced my love for God.”
“I
think this was wonderful. This is my third class and I really enjoyed all
of them. Thank you for offering them to us and I hope you will continue to
offer different things to us. Thanks Mike and Mark.”
“This was my first study group. I surprised myself as to how the readings
and sharing with friends brought me closer in Christ. Mike did a wonderful
job in his sharing and explanations. Will do again.”
“This has been a great format to use to study this wonderful topic. I feel
so blessed and at peace right now, and so privileged to be a part of this
study. This makes me all the more disappointed that my illness kept me from
participating in the earlier studies.”
“I
felt that this course was very informative and I got a lot out of it. I
wanted to know a lot more about Jesus and you helped me to do that. I thank
you for that. I know my studying also helped me. I would sign up for
another course.”
REFLECTIONS ON THE ADVENT
CALENDAR
Discover the origins of our favorite Christmas traditions
WHAT 25
mini-documentaries (each between 3 to 4 minutes),
presented over three sessions, that take viewers on
an
entertaining yet informative journey
through the Advent Season.
WHEN Offered two
different times:
Following Tuesday evening Advent
liturgies (7-8:00 PM) December 4, 11, 18
Following Friday morning school liturgies
(9:45-10:45 AM) December 7, 14, 21
WHERE: Church Meeting Room
YOUTH Submitted by
Cecilia Ewers
Alive Youth Ministry –
Dec 1st and 2nd - lock-in at St Rita
Dec 2nd Holiday Bazaar Dec 2nd
Dec 15th Flower Delivery and delivering gifts to our adopted families
Dec 16th Caroling with the Sisters
Dec 22nd helping St Vincent de Paul with baskets
(junior high will be invited to participate in everything, but the lock-in)
Athletic Association –
Soccer season finished with one team going to State tournament
Basketball season continues
Volleyball sign-ups and clinic will be held soon
Fewer CYO games scheduled at PB this year, the reason given was safety,
unsure if this is
real reason
Boy/Cub Scouts -
Cub has pack meetings 3rd Tuesday of month
Boy Scouts had campout & Midway Merit Badge program 2nd weekend
of November
Home & School Association –
2 positions filled: Secretary is Kristil Wilmore & Asst. Homeroom Coord. is
Chris Kingston
Sally Foster fundraiser was successful although $700 below last year
H&S has donated 17 pies to the House of Bread
School Advisory Board –
Reconfirming new candidate interest due to time lapse
Have called all new families, it was very appreciated. Shared any concerns
with Mr. Mecoli
General Meeting info
Cecilia Ewers proposed that the YC help with the June Market Day pick-up at
school (with the H&S coordinators) and donate the proceeds to the Dorothy
Day Dinner program at church. This was agreed upon by the members.
Parish Life Commission
Minutes
October 22, 2007 6:00 PM
Attendees: Ray Fortener, Skip Ekhart, Mari Temple & welcome back Judy Long
Café Anticoli Dinner Status:
All set to go! November 5th,
4 to 10 PM
Skip met with Leo.
Homemade deserts will be provided.
Limited menu with children’s portions.
Copies of the menu to the committee and they will be available in the
Gathering Space after masses.
Skip will purchase paper plates, to go containers, serving knives & gloves.
Deserts will be brought to Hospitality Room on Monday, Nov 5th
between 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
or bring to church on Sunday.
15% of the meals and 100% of the deserts will be donated to the church.
Proceeds benefit Ongoing Musical Events in our church.
Judy Long & Mari
Temple are ready to contact the parishioners.
Skip will ask choir members to help cut and/or serve deserts.
Committee
Reports:
Leisure Club: Ray Fortener, Committee discussed briefly about having a
Card Club
and starting a Social
Club, more on that subject later.
Next Meeting: Monday, November 26, 2007 6:00 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Mari Temple
Parish
Life Commission Minutes
November 26, 2007
Attendees: Ron Boeckman, , Skip Ekhart, Chris Gulliford, Ray Fortener.
Regrets: Mari Temple, Luke Albers, Judy Long.
Agenda
distributed.
1.)
Café Anticoli Dinner Recap
Skip provided a summary statement from Leo Anticoli which
described the event and provided the amount that PB received. Overall, PB
received ~$800 from Anticoli’s and ~$700 from the desert sales. This year
we received 15% from all items sold by Anticoli’s. The percentage is down a
little from last year but last year the amount PB received was only on food
items. Attendance was down by roughly 100 people from last year (269 vs.
375). The reasons for this are not precisely known but could be a
conflicting UD basketball game, economic issues, the limited menu, etc. The
mood during the event was great and overall it was deemed a success. There
are plans to make this an annual event and it will be called the Annual
Benefit Dinner. Thanks to all who helped plan and execute. Skip sent out
thank you notes.
2.)
Committee Reports
Leisure Club:
The Leisure Club is working on the purchase of a food warmer for the
PAC. They
are planning their Christmas gathering for December 27 in the school
cafeteria.
Welcoming
Committee: There were 5 new registrants in November.
3.)
Upcoming Events
Appreciation Dinner (January)
Anniversary Dinner (February)
The
Appreciation Dinner is scheduled for
January 18, 2008. The plan
is to sick with last year’s outline in terms of caterer and entertainment.
There was discussion about, again, combining this event with the Anniversary
Dinner. Ron will contact the DJ and Skip will contact the caterer.
4.)
Open discussion
-
There was discussion about events targeted replacing the Festival.
These events would be aimed at the social aspect but with the desire to
generate some revenue if possible. A single event to take the place of
the revenue that the Festival provided would be challenging to plan for
this year. Ideas discussed ranged from a dance, a raffle or a flea
market/dinner.
Next
Meeting – January 28, 2008.
Future
Meetings – February 25, 2008
March 31, 2008
April 28, 2008
May 19, 2008
June 23, 2008
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