St. Gabriel School

Uniforms

New logo uniform shirt to be phased in starting with next school year
Hooded sweatshirts will begin to be phased out starting next school year
Spirit Wear will not longer order the hooded sweatshirts
Having issues with students hiding phones in sweatshirt pocket and using to text during tests

2009/2010 Tentative School calendar discussed

Tentative start date Wed, 8/19 and tentative last day Mon, 5/24
Concern raised with last day of school falling on a Monday
Kathy & Pam will look at other options, perhaps start Thur, 8/20 and end on Tue, 5/25

Pam was asked by the Archbishop to represent principals on a new Catholic Identity Task Force

Task force consists of 3 priests, 3-4 archdiocese representatives and 1 principal (Pam!)

Student Appreciation pep rally and uniform break will be rescheduled

Action Items:

Margaret to tally/summarize School Board Evaluation results
Pam to follow up on budget timing – possibly schedule finance person to join March meeting if it is ready to share with School Board
All School Board members are asked to review Student Handbook and be prepared to review/discuss at March meeting

January 20, 2009

Attendance:

In Attendance: Pam Huelsman, Kathy Stivers, Dennis Comella, Denny Bruce, Julie Marino, Pete McManus, Lucie Mohr, Margaret Gohmann, Susie Bennett, Stacey Hobbs, Ruth Ann Harmeling
Absent: Deana Padgett

Opening Prayer: Lucie Mohr

Agenda Items

Accreditation Schedule

School Board evaluations postponed until February
Archdiocese is preparing a new accreditation process: SACS (Southern Associations of Colleges and School) accreditation
This accreditation will be for the entire archdiocese, not at the individual school level
More prestigious accreditation
St. Gabriel is in the first tier (approximately 10 schools)
The SACS accreditation will be in addition to the KY Non-public School Commission accreditation
Current accreditation expires in June, new accreditation effective November – Archdiocese has worked out a bridge program to cover the gap
Due to new process, delay in our schedule – we are waiting for updated forms
Expect process and forms to be finalized by March 1, 2009
“Did you Know…” this month will talk about the SACS accreditation – Ruth Ann to handle

Faculty Update: Dennis Comella

3^rd Quarter grading period runs from Christmas break through March conferences
This month’s theme: Respect: Common Courtesy
5^th grade updated bulletin board with “Catholic Identity” photos
Next week, 1/26 – 1/30, is Catholic Schools Week

Kick off with All School mass Monday morning
Various appreciation days scheduled (see January School calendar for complete list)

PTSO events

Successful Father-Daughter Dance in January
Preparations for February’s Taste of St. Gabriel in process

Faculty Meeting

Professional Development – things to remember about homework, passed from Pam Huelsman from Principal meeting
Differential Instruction sharing – “cubing” and “grouping”

Enrollment – per report brought back from monthly teacher meeting, St. Gabriel is holding their own relative to other schools in Archdiocese; data supports our focus on expanding Pre-K

Principal Update: Pam Huelsman

Pre-K will expand and offer a 2^nd preschool class beginning the 2009-2010 school year

They will continue with one full time class and add a half day class
Full day Preschool will use the Pre-K house
Half day will use the Child Care facility
37 students have registered thus far
Pam will ask Cindy Bowen to come to a future School Board meeting to provide additional details

66 of the 4^th & 5^th grade students qualified for the Duke test (requires 95% or above on Terra Nova)
Open House January 7^th was a huge success!

Great turnout
Very positive feedback from visiting families

Archdiocese is updating school registration forms that all schools will use next year – more to come at a later date…
High School Algebra Test - the archdiocese will use a different test.

Same criteria will be used throughout archdiocese as in the past
Test all 7^th graders at end of year
Tests are better than Terra Nova because the test results provide insight into why a question is missed – enables feedback to loop back to teachers and enable any necessary instruction modifications
Archdiocese developed a Math Task Force
St. Gabriel 8^th graders already take Algebra, not all schools do

Walk Through of School: Pam Huelsman

Pam gave School Board tour of school offices renovations

Action Items:

Pam will ask Cindy Bowen to come to a future school board meeting to talk about new Pre-K program
Ruth Ann will send “Did you Know” to the parish for the bulletin informing parish of new SACS accreditation
Stacey will add School Board Evaluation to February agenda
Stacey will add Accreditation Update to future agendas

Closing Prayer: Pam Huelsman

Next meeting: Feb 17th in the teacher’s lounge
Opening prayer: Dennis Comella
Closing prayer: Margaret Gohmann

November 18, 2008

Present: Denny Bruce, Dennis Comella, Margaret Gohmann, Deana Padgett, Lucie Mohr, Susan Bennett, Pete McManus, Julie Marino, Kathy Stivers, Becky Romero and Pam Huelsman

Persons Absent: Ruth Ann Harmeling and Stacey Hobbs

Opening Prayer: Pam Huelsman

Chairperson Comments: Denny Bruce

Denny welcomed Becky Romero, who is the Enrichment Program Coordinator for the school. There was also a discussion about SuccessMaker, an enrichment program that we use to help students with reading, math and spelling.

Guest Speaker: Becky Romero

Becky told the board the goals of her position and how she works with each grade level. Language & literacy experiences, critical thinking, analogies and book studies are just some of the services she provides our children. Students are picked for her program based on Terra Nova test scores of 95% and above. We presently have 85 students enrolled in the program.

Terra Nova Results: Kathy Stivers

Kathy presented the results of our Terra Nova tests for the past few years. Overall, scores are better than the national average. We will share the results with the faculty this week to discuss ways to bring up reading comprehension scores in order to apply for the Blue Ribbon.

Faculty Update: Dennis Comella

The theme for November is “respect for others”
Canned goods are being collected for Fern Creek/Highview Ministries
Confirmation for 8^th grade this weekend
Advent-prayer service, lighting of wreaths, reconciliation are all being planned
Christmas Program-December 10^th with 3^rd & 4^th graders presenting
David Gibbons-professional football player gave motivational talk to students
End of the quarter is before Christmas break; report cards sent the first week in January

Principal’s Update: Pam Huelsman

Security – 30 cameras are up and running. All doors are monitored along with parking areas and gym
The first week in December we will be hosting an open house and luncheon with area parishes to introduce ourselves and invite their parishioners to our school
Construction- work in the office area should be finished by Christmas

Action Items:

Denny will contact Sherry Babey to get calendar changes so that we can update our list- Take December off the calendar for business; move walk through to Jan.
Dennis will bring minutes from faculty meeting and report to board monthly
Walk through to be done in January if the office construction is done
Ruth Ann to talk to Margaret to include “Did You Know” in the bulletin

Did You Know: Security cameras are up and working around the entire campus. All doors, parking lots and open areas are being monitored.

Closing Prayer: Margaret Gohmann

September 9, 2008

Attendance:
In Attendance: Pam Huelsman, Kathy Stivers, Dennis Comella, Denny Bruce, Julie Marino, Pete McManus, Lucie Mohr, Deana Padgett, Margaret Gohmann, Susie Bennett
Absent: Stacey Hobbs, Ruth Ann Harmeling

Opening Prayer: Pam Huelsman

Agenda Items:
Reintroduced new members and positions; Denny Bruce will now serve as the Chairperson. Ruth Ann Harmeling is the Vice-Chairperson. Stacey Hobbs is the Secretary.

Updated email listing for the entire board

Reviewed September goals.

Discussion on concerns about our future and the smallness of our Pre-K program. Enrollment numbers for the school are down in kindergarten and first grade. Surrounding schools are taking our pre-K students.

Scheduled our meetings for the upcoming school year. (Oct. 21, Nov 18, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17, April 21, May 12 ) We moved to the 3rd Tuesday of each month except for the month of May. Kathy will make sure that the meeting dates will be placed on the web and on the school calendar. She will also ask Janey Miller to put us on the church calendar and reserve the teacher’s lounge for those meetings.

Denny began a discussion on our new Open House procedure. The students enjoyed being with each other, the first day of school was more organized, parents loved the freedom to visit with many teachers, class list posted early was very helpful. It was suggested that we tweak the time for next year and set up labeling tables for parents in the cafeteria

Denny also read the board’s bylaws and made sure everyone had a copy of the roles and responsibilities of the School Board. We also went over our Mission Statement.

We are very happy that we have two teachers, Mary Flynn and Sandy Weber to take care of public relations.

If members are going to be absent they should let Pam, Kathy, Denny or Ruth Ann know.

We will add to our agenda “Enrollment Update” to keep abreast of meeting items from the enrollment workshop that Fr. John, Pam, Kathy, Tim and Lisa are attending.

Faculty Update: Dennis Comella
School Theme – “Respect

All classrooms now have SmartBoards thanks to the PTSO. Teachers have been taking refresher courses and training on how to use them.

8th grade fund raisers for their trip to Washington, D.C. has begun.

The school is now collecting pull tabs to help send children with cancer to summer camps

Service hours and mentoring is in progress for the 8th graders as they prepare for their November confirmation; 2nd graders are preparing for Eucharist. Reconciliation teachings have also begun.

Most school clubs have begun to form and meet

Principal Update: Pam Huelsman
The new registration process was met with much happiness from the parents. Average time was under three minutes.

New teachers-Margaret Barrio (Spanish), Chris Huelsman (8th grade English and Religion), Jenee Chamberlain (3rd grade), Beth Macaluso (Kindergarten). Tammy Goodlett is the new school secretary.

Becky Romero is working with teachers to develop strategies for our gifted students

Brief discussion on the necessity to have a school logo in the future on all correspondence and uniforms. This comes from the enrollment workshop that our administrators are attending. The archdiocese has requested that all schools follow the new procedures. This will be in development for this school year as we devise our procedures. A monthly update will be given to the board by Pam and Kathy.

Enrollment figures are 732. This does not include preK. Pam and Kathy have been working with Fr. John to find ways to increase our numbers. We have begun to accept students from Highview area churches this year. Pam will reach out to these churches in the spring.

Action Items:
Kathy will call Janey and get the faculty lounge reserved. She will also see that the minutes are placed on the web and that future meetings are in all bulletins.

Pam will send “Did you Know” to the parish for the bulletin introducing our new members and Chair

Stacey will make sure that “enrollment update” is added to future agendas

Ruth Ann will you see that name tags are made for new members?

Closing Prayer: Kathy Stivers

Our next meeting will be Oct 21st in the teacher’s lounge. Dennis will do the opening prayer and Denny will be responsible for the closing prayer.

School Board Minutes 2007-2008

May 19, 2008

Opening Prayer - Pam Huelsman Chairperson Comments – Mark Hollinden

New Business

Elect new School Board Officers

Action Items

All Board members were asked to type up an evaluation of the year. What you liked, what you didn’t, suggestions...
Sherry will add Selection of School Board Officers to April Calendar

Faculty Update – Dennis Comella

Principal Update – Pam Huelsman

Open Discussion –

Closing Prayer – Lucy Mohr

April 22, 2008

In Attendance:

Pam Huelsman, Pete McManus, Lisa Leister, Kathy Stivers, Stacey Hobbs, Father John Stoltz, Dennis Comella, Lucy Mohr, Denny Bruce, Mark Hollinden, Sherry Babey, Ruth Anne Harmeling, Jennifer Bode

Opening Prayer: Denny Bruce

Lisa Leister, Business Manager attended the meeting to discuss tuition and budget issues.

Tuition letters have already gone home to parents and even though operating costs have risen 9% tuition only went up 3%.
Improvements to the grounds and buildings were discussed.

Father John Stoltz attended the meeting to discuss admissions policies and changes that will be made to those policies.

A Stewardship Director has been hired and will handle marketing for the Parish.

Selection Sunday – there will be 16 names to draw from to fill the three vacancies that will result from members who have served out their three year terms. The exiting members are Mark Hollinden, Sherry Babey and Jennifer Bode.

Chairperson Comments – Mark Hollinden

Discussion of ways to get feedback from graduating students and their parents.

All School Board members please type up an evaluation of the year, what you liked, what you didn’t, suggestions for next year, etc.

Principal Update – Pam Huelsman

The Archdiocese is looking for each school to have a logo that will identify them by May of 2009. St. Gabriel is looking for ideas for this logo currently.

Uniform break reductions and alternatives were discussed.

Mobile laptops are being used to design the roller coaster project – virtual roller coasters.

A new emergency response system has been donated by parishioner Ron Woodlee for the parents of all students. This system will send information directly to parents when there is something they need to know.

Faculty Update – Dennis Comella

The countdown to the last day of school is up on Miss Lauder’s window.
The 8^th Grade is preparing to leave for Washington, DC
The 7^th Grade is preparing for a retreat in Owensboro
The teachers are preparing for upcoming In-Services.Upcoming Events are the PTSO Walk-a-thon and the Derby Festivities.
The third conferences were a success. They gave parents ideas of what to do to help the students over the summer

The next meeting will be on May 19, 2008 in the Teacher’s Lounge from 6-8 P.M.

March 18, 2008

Attendees: Dennis Comella , Sherry Babey, Pete McManus, Denny Bruce, Stacey Hobbs, Jennifer Bode, Lucie Mohr, Mark Hollinden, Deana Padgett, Pam Huelsman, Kathy Stivers

Absent: Ruth Ann Harmling

Opening Prayer: Kathy Stivers

Closing Prayer: Pam Huelsman

Old Business:

Covered February and March goal calendar.
Decided to move the March “update computer facilities” to computer items in February.
Looked at session dates for school board new people to attend.
Pam Huelsman discussed other schools admission policies and how they were similar or different from St. Gabriel’s. The decision would be implemented to accept students from other parishes that didn’t have any school affiliate. All new students would be on a probationary period for three months. Final acceptance would be at the discretion of school administration. In the future, special needs students will be considered based on percentage per classroom in accordance with archdiocese. In addition, the removal of #6 in handbook, which states, “accept non Catholic students on a tuition basis”.

Faculty Update: Dennis Comella

3^rd Quarter reports cards and conferences have been held.
Catholic Identity with 2^nd graders beginning 1^st communion, 7^th graders prepping for confirmation and service criteria.
Holy Week beginning Thursday and Friday in Church with special masses.
3^rd, 5^th, 7^th grade finished Terra Nova Testing.
The cafeteria served breakfast before school during the testing window.
Cathy Balbach-art teacher selected to present in

New Orleans

8^th graders Governors Cup at state had 6 participating, which is the most ever from St. Gabriel.
Spelling and Geography Bee has had 6^th graders representing St. Gabriel.
Walkathon gearing up to begin soon.

Principal Update: Pam Hueslman

Delayed Schedules/Emergency Closings: working with archdiocese on changing all grade schools to be the same as high schools for a 2 hour delayed schedule instead of individual school policy

Handbook: minor changes and wordings addressed. No major changes to be addresses. Pam will email copy to board prior to the book going to the printers in May to look over.

Extra Conference Day added this year by archdiocese. Discussion by board on when and what time this will occur. Decided on April 16^th from 3-6 pm as needed by teacher and parent. April 18^th is deadline for parents to be informed their child is failing for the school year. St. Gabriel will not offer summer school and other schools fill up fast.

The last day of school this year is May 21^st, with the 8^th graders last day on the 15^th, a Brunch with parents on May 16^th, and graduation to be held on May 20^th.

08/09 Calendar distributed with conference days of October 9^th, March 5 and April 24^th.

The new doors in the cafeteria and kindergarten wing to be done shortly.

Bus Subsidy-final vote in state legislature upcoming for private school funding for buses.

New Hires: 3^rd grade: Jenee Chamberlain taking Lisa Rohleder’s position; Ashley Weiland staying home and Beth Macaluso taking her position in kindergarten.

“Did You Know” see website for early dismissal due to inclimate weather when phones are busy.

Media: Next year a teacher will be assigned to submit articles for local newspapers.

Open Discussion:

Stacey Hobbs-outside parent from St. Patrick complimented St. Gabriel on their technology. Multiple visitors to school are impressed with St. Gabriel Technology. Frequently sited as a key reason for them to consider our school for their children.

Action Items:

Change Pete McManus email to: Shamrok77@bellsouth.net and Deana Padgett’s email to: keatd@bellsouth.net

Business Manager to speak about budget.

All schools: design a logo on uniforms that would immediately identify us at St.Gabriel

Uniform breaks being reduced for next year; think of incentives to keep kids active in boxtops, skating etc.

Next Meeting: April 22^nd-6:00 pm

Opening Prayer: Denny Bruce

Closing Prayer: Mark Hollinden

January, 2008

Attendees: Pete McManus, Mark Hollinden, Deana Padgett, Stacey Hobbs, Lucie Mohr, Denny Bruce, Jennifer Bode, Dennis Comella, Sherry Babey, Pam Huelsman, Kathy Stivers

Absent: Ruth Ann Harmling

Old Business:

Deana Padgett updated the board on attending the recent faculty meeting. Teachers seemed to be receptive about board members attending and sharing ideas. January 17th faculty meeting Mark Hollinden will try to attend if he is not out of town with business.

Pete McManus gave an update from the Stewardship Committee and they said that you do not have to have a child enrolled at St. Gabriel in order to serve on the school board.

Kathy Stivers reported on the Terra Nova Achievement Tests for the school. Overall, St. Gabriel looks very good compared with the national standards. Pam Hueslman also stated that all Catholic schools are considering testing grades 1-7 in the future. Currently only grades 3, 5, and 7 are tested.

Pam Huelsman talked with Father John about the admission policy. He has asked the school board to come up with one that he will look over.

Sherry Babey presented the updated copy of the yearly goals month by month of the school board.

Faculty Update: Dennis Comella

Reconciliation for 2nd graders will be January 20th and the children have been preparing for it.

PTSO is sponsoring the first Father/Daughter Dance on January 12th.

School is preparing for the Catholic Schools Week January 28-February 1.

Young Authors Story Writing Contest sponsored by the Courier Journal has begun.

Students are also preparing for the Geography Bee and the Spelling Bee.

Quick Recall Teams have started for 5&6 and 7&8 graders.

Governors Cup Academic Matches will be at St. Gabriel starting on January 26th.

Principal Update: Pam Hueslman

3rd grade bathroom area torn up over Christmas break and the floor is almost completed Kindergarten bathrooms will also now be updated starting in June. Keyless entry has been discussed and new doors put on classrooms.

32 principals will be using a E-walk device at St. Gabriel to monitor teachers with two minute observations. It plugs into a computer and downloads information immediately to teacher about comments seen during walk thru, individual instruction, group work. etc. It can help with goal setting, professional growth and instructional techniques.

Staff Changes: Barbara Dunaway is leaving to find a part time job. Tammy Goodlett will take Barbara Dunaway’s secretaries job in the front office. Kim Boyd and family will be relocating to Florida and Lisa Rholeader will be taking Kim Boyd’s 2nd grade. Susan Hart may retire at the end of the year.

There has been progress between timely reports to the Archdiocese from the Cafeteria. Some Cafeteria Survey response items that have been implemented include playing music during lunchtime and placing cups by the cashier to use to fill with water.

Asked to support GIFT-a business tax credit for schools from the state that is being sent out to parents.

Open Discussion:

Pete McManus addressed the board about straying off topic too much during meetings and asked us to be more focused.

Action Items for next meeting:

Sherry Babey to present updated monthly goal calendar with changes made.

Pam Huelsman will check with business manager about attending board meeting in March.

Mark Hollinden will follow up with Bruce Nord with Terra Nova tracking of grades 3, 5, 7.

Pam Huelsman will review other schools admission policies and update the board.

Closing Prayer: Kathy Stivers

Meeting Adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

November 13, 2007

In Attendance:

Pam Huelsman, Pete McManus, Kathy Stivers, Stacey Hobbs, Dennis Comella, Lucie Mohr, Mark Hollinden, Sherry Babey, Ruth Anne Harmeling, Jennifer Bode

Opening Prayer: Stacey Hobbs

Chairperson Comments – Mark Hollinden

Discussion of homework policies.

Old Business:

Registration Night – We will no longer have a registration night. Parents will pick up packets earlier in the summer and return the completed forms to the School Office. Open House will be a time to meet the teachers and see the classrooms.
The Board would like for one of its incoming members this spring to not be a parent of a student at St. Gabriel. Pete McManus will talk with Father John and the Stewardship Committee regarding this and report back.
The remodel on the restrooms located near the 3^rd grade classrooms will begin over Christmas Break.
We are still looking for a new project for the Board. One possibility is an Alumnae Directory. This will be this month’s Did You Know.

New Business:

St.Gabriel School’s admissions policy was discussed and new wording was suggested.

The picking up of students from after school activities was discussed. Students will now be dismissed in the same manner as they are when school is out. They will be picked up in the car pool line area.

Faculty Update – Dennis Comella

The computer lab now has 15 mobile, wireless laptops that can go to any classroom.

Sixth grade Quick Recall won the city championship.

Second grade continues to work toward their First Communion

Professional Development – The teachers are observing one another in their classrooms

Principal Update – Pam Huelsman

Centralizing the cafeterias – The Archdiocese will get contracts and all Catholic schools will have the same lunch. The goal is to start this in January.

The Wellness Policy – healthy snacks will come back into effect with new guidelines for accreditation. This should take place in the next year. Also a new binder will come out in the spring regarding blood born pathogens

Julie Adams will attend a future Faculty Meeting to talk about food allergies. We have a considerable number of students who only eat peanut butter for lunch; therefore going nut free would pose a problem. All teachers are trained in how to use an epi pen. Gordon Food Service provides most of the food to the Archdiocese and they provide a full list of ingredients for their products on their web site.

Action Items:

Deana will report on the Faculty Meeting she attended.

Mark will send an updated copy of the goals to Sherry.

Pete will talk with Father John and the Stewardship Committee regarding having a non parent on the School Board next year.

Ruth Anne will get Margaret the new Did You Know.

Lucie will try and attend the next Faculty Meeting

Kathy will review the Terra Nova tests

Pam will speak with Father John about the admissions policy.

The next meeting will be on January 8, in the Teacher’s Lounge at 6:00 P.M.