Church

School Commission Minutes – August 2011

School Commission Meeting Minutes
August 22, 2011

Attendance
John Gochenaur, Father Haemmerle, Jonathan Albrecht, David Bogle, Michelle Popp, Chris Sharbaugh, Jenifer Davis, Erin Stolly, Brian Leen, Teresa Sarmiento, Carrie McHenry, Tim Azbill, Sue Klosterman, Michael Carter

I. Opening Prayer
John Gochenaur opened the meeting with a prayer at 6:15 in the Teacher’s Lounge.

II.Approval of Minutes
The May minutes were approved. Mike Carter motioned.

III. New Principal/Commissioner Introductions
John Gochenaur welcomed Mr. Bogle and the school commission members. Possible areas of interest to cover and focus on this year were presented:
1). Encouraging volunteerism and playing on the personal interests and strengths of parents at St. Charles
2). Transparency in Operations – i.e. publishing budgets and showing where money is being spent.
3). Communication in school matters i.e. updating website and providing current information

IV. Pastor’s Report
Father Haemmerle reported that it has been a good summer. The school looks great, and the playground dedication was wonderful. Father looks forward to working with Mr. Bogle and is very positive about the year ahead. Enrollment is at 423 students with an increase of 37 students from last year. Father said this speaks well for our school and that Maggie Collins deserves a lot of credit for her work in recruiting families.

Father reported that the biggest item on Parish Council’s agenda is the approval of last year’s financial report.

V. Principal’s Report
Mr. Bogle reported:

Maggie Collins organized a new student and family pool party that was a huge success. There was also a new student orientation where new students were paired with an ambassador for the day that will serve as a buddy throughout the school year to the new students. New parents also attended an orientation night where they met some of the teachers and learned about functions and programs at the school and parish.

I have taken the opportunity this month to meet many of the parents and students at various pool parties. I also attended the Athletic Commission Meeting this month, which afforded me the opportunity to meet the commission members.

The teachers held their first Faculty Meeting on Thursday, August 18 following the 8:30 mass. We reviewed my expectations of the faculty and events for the upcoming school year. In the afternoon, the faculty continued their work on team building through the St. Remy Connect program with facilitators Dr. Toni Moore and Mrs. Jennifer Leen.

The Sunday Open House was a huge success with the dedication of the new playground. Parents and students enjoyed visiting with teachers and seeing their classrooms. I spent the day visiting each classroom and meeting many students and parents.
We have a new speech therapist, Victoria Hoover, through Kettering City Schools. Miss Hoover will be here one day a week and is serving three Catholic Schools in the area and Fairmont High School.

We currently have 423 students enrolled in the school including 37 new students in grades 1-8.

The teachers will be attending a Religious In-service with other teachers from the Dayton area Catholic Schools here at St. Charles and Alter on Friday, August 26. Fr. Richard Fragomeni will be the guest speaker to discuss the Liturgy of the Eucharist and changes to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. There will be no school this day.

Junior High Parent Back to School Night – September 8.

School Pictures – September 22.

The building and teachers are ready and we’re looking forward to a great school year!

VI. Old Business
The liaison positions for school commission members were reviewed.
a. Teacher’s Report – Teresa Sarmiento
b. Marketing/PR – Michelle Popp
c. Charger Support Committee – Jenifer Davis
d. Athletic Commission – Jon Albrecht
e. Parish Council – John Gochenaur
f. Finance Committee – Sue Klosterman/Tim Azbill
g. Technology – Chris Sharbaugh/Michelle Popp
h. Scouting – John Gochenaur/Mike Carter

VII. New Business
Direction and issues for the upcoming school year were presented. (See III.)

Mr. Bogle reported that we are continuing our relationship with the YMCA after-school care. The YMCA is licensed through Job and Family Services and has been very good to work with. George Rieger will be the new employee that will be with the children after school until 6:00 p.m.

We will re-look at the preschool for St. Charles this fall. The state is ready to evaluate our plan and location once we do the work that is needed on our part. Our new playground is rated for ages 5 years and up, while the swings alone are rated for ages 2 and up. Mr. Bogle will research what’s actually required in this regard to go forward with the pre-school.

Father reported that our school will be needing plumbing and roofing repair/replacement. This will take place over a number of years and the work has already begun. We will be replacing piping, and the PAC air-conditioning will be replaced as well. With advances in technology, the two older units in the PAC will be replaced with a single unit.

All updates and repairs to the school go through Chris Rauch.

Recognizing recent volunteer efforts by the Knights of Columbus and Boy Scout Troop 813, John Gochenaur expressed interest in capturing a master list of improvement projects that could be tackled by volunteers. As an example, he mentioned there was a group of people interested in making improvements to our stage and backstage and suspected there were additional groups with similar interests in improving other aspects of the school.

A discussion ensued, regarding the need for a strategic plan for our school so that people are aware of needs and wants and a balance can be established for items that need improvement or new items purchased. A strategic plan would identify these opportunities and make sure any conflicts or timing issues were addressed (no one wants to paint a wall just to find out it’s scheduled to be torn into the next week as part of the plumbing upgrades)!

The Charger Support Committee (CSC – formerly PTO) will have quarterly meetings that are open for anyone to attend. These dates will be posted. The first meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, in Walsh Hall. It was mentioned that more communication between CSC grade level representatives is needed. Mr. Bogle explained that last year was a formative year for the CSC and that this year the CSC will be moving forward.

Chris Sharbaugh explained that other schools were researched and the CSC is based on how those schools operated with a similar format and group of volunteers.

Members of the commission relayed concerns they have received from school families regarding the $100.00 Family Activity Fee. It was apparent from the discussion and the concerns presented that the fee is unclear to many families. A discussion was held about clarifying the fee and the impact it may have on other fundraisers. Mr. Bogle reiterated the explanation that was sent home to all families. . .”This modest fee will reduce but not eliminate the number of fundraisers you are asked to personally and/or financially support.”

Mr. Bogle explained that the CSC does have a budget, and it will be published. It was important for the CSC committee to see a copy of the budget prior to it being released so that all representatives will have the same understanding and be able to explain it.

Michelle Popp mentioned that the 7th and 8th grade is considered separate from the other grades as they have numerous expenses compared to K-6.

Other items mentioned in the discussion were the possibility of starting additional academic activities at St. Charles. Power of the Pen is a great marketing standpoint for our school and is reflected based on the high scores St. Charles students achieve at Alter. Michelle Popp suggested having a Science Olympiad for grades 6th-8th.

Mr. Bogle announced that the students participating in the St. Charles Science Expo will have the option of competing with other schools this year. Sue Klosterman mentioned that we need to institutionalize a consistent plan or protocol for the Science Expo so that all teachers involved have the same requirements.

Sue Klosterman suggested that the documentation that is currently used for our bullying policies and procedures be reviewed so there is an explanation in the handbook as to exactly what the procedures will be in these circumstances. It will be helpful for parents to have access to this information and that the courses of action are clear.

Mrs. Sarmiento reported that the Kettering Police Department speaks to the 7th and 8th graders each year about bullying.

VIII. Liaison Reports
Teacher’s Report: Mrs. Sarmiento reported that the teachers are excited, ready, and looking forward to a great year.

Marketing/PR: Mr. Bogle reported that the school website will be updated this fall by Lunne Marketing.

CSC: Quarterly meeting dates will be posted and open for attendance.

Athletic Commission: A new budget was approved. Mark Schwieterman has been replaced by the new President, Ed Gerding. John Sweeterman is Treasurer.

Soccer is in full swing. The golf team has a lot of 6th grade students. It is hopeful to keep the large group going to create a strong St. Charles team to move forward.

Athletic Commission will be providing new uniforms as needed for some sports. Basketballs will also be provided for our new playground.

Parish Council: No report – first meeting is tonight.
Finance Committee: No report

Technology: St. Charles is in the process of updating our website through Lunne Marketing. Our contract with Vartek expires in March. Mr. Bogle reported that a network survey for our school and parish was done last week. He will be meeting with the company to discuss the results. This information will be part of a strategic plan as to what our specific needs are now and in the future. We will be getting additional bids from different companies before choosing whom we will have a contract with for our computer systems.

Scouting: John Gochenaur and Mike Carter reported that at Camp Logan there were many merit badges earned. There will be more specifics after the Boy Scouts’ upcoming Court of Honor. Mike Carter will be replacing Don Klosterman as the new Cub Master this spring – Thank you Mike!

Michelle Popp reported that St. Charles has 6 groups of girls participating in scouts! Next summer the 4th grade troop will travel to Savannah, GA to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 26, at 6:15 p.m. in the school library.

Submitted By: Carrie McHenry

Church

School Commission Minutes – August 2011

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