St. Irene Catholic School Strategic Plan 2012-17 Celebrating 60 Years of Academic Excellence and Faithful Learning Submitted By: Rev. James Antiporek, Pastor Maureen White, Principal St. Irene 2011-12 School Board Lauren Bouchard Nancy Caesar Eric Fladeland Rosario Herbst Jenny Inserro Don Malesh Laura McGowan Jerry Schilf Jeff Schmitz
Introduction It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards a man s progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken. - St. Francis Xavier In prayerfully discerning God s will for our school and faith community, the school board of St. Irene School has assembled the following plan to help guide our decisions, priorities and resources for our school. This blueprint will help us continue to offer a superior education to children in our parish and community, one that is rooted in faith and dedicated to Christ. Acknowledgements This document is the result of many hours of discernment, research and effort by the members of the school board and our principal, Maureen White. We gratefully acknowledge the candor and support of our faculty and staff, especially our pastor, Father Jim, whose unfailing support of our school makes him our greatest advocate. Thank you. Background St. Irene Catholic School is a community where Christian values and attitudes are part of our daily routine. It is our responsibility to provide opportunities for children to grow spiritually, academically, morally, socially and physically into responsible individuals. We provide a well-rounded curriculum that is geared toward individual abilities and talents. Constructive interaction and clear communication among students, staff, and parents are essential for direction, growth and evaluation. We ask each parent, in principle and in fact, to fully support the policies of St. Irene School. Together, we will assist the Christian growth of self-discipline and responsible students eager to serve God, family and community. Vision Statement St. Irene is a community of Catholics dedicated to supporting the faith formation of our children through life-long, service-oriented learning. The administration, staff, parents, fellow parishioners and the community form an integrated network that provides an environment for each child to thrive as a well-rounded individual in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Focus Area 1: Vision & Purpose - Our Catholic Identity Catholic schools help students and their families to develop and nurture a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ and deeper incorporation into the Church, embodied in ongoing sacramental participation, service to the community, and future leadership in the Church. St. Irene Catholic School is guided by the teachings of the holy Catholic Church and devoted to engaging students and their families in developing and nurturing a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. While we believe that parents are the primary educators of their children, it is our goal that our educational process complements their efforts. The educators of St. Irene are committed to the highest standards of academic excellence further enriched by our Catholic faith. We strive to draw students into deeper communion with the Church, through being committed to ongoing catechesis. We prepare young disciples commissioned for service and leadership in the Church and community, living as gracious stewards of their divine gifts. Current Strengths and Long-Range Objectives Continue to strengthen spiritual ties with the larger St. Irene Community and live our mission as a service-learning school community. Provide ongoing and new opportunities for families to grow in faith together through their association with St. Irene School and their interactions with one another. Demonstrate the Catholic Christian values we uphold through action and deed to the larger community in which we live, play and work. Through the shared responsibility we have as educators and parents of St. Irene students, foster every opportunity to help students grow as Catholic Christians aware of the world around them and prepared to act out their faith in tangible ways. Use established service hour requirements and ACRE test to continue to evaluate our faith-building. Action Statements/Priorities 1. Host an annual all-school family service project (including faculty and staff families) to bring families, students, and staff together in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and show the commitment of St. Irene School to the surrounding community. This expands upon the
successful service hour requirement we currently have for students and offers a unique way for families to bond and represent our School. Service project will be sponsored by school board in conjunction with parish leadership. [School Board/PACE/Faculty] 2. Designate one Sunday Mass per month as a family Mass. Children from both the school and RE programs will serve as the ministers during the Mass. Working in conjunction with the pastor, the homily can be geared toward a message that applies to families. This will bring the two programs together to strengthen their ties and promote the school to current religious education families, while also providing families with a spiritual opportunity to share the Mass in a special way. [School Board/Worship/Faculty/RE] 3. Conduct an annual 360⁰ review of curriculum, extra-curricular activities and school functions with school and parish leadership to thoughtfully and prayerfully identify areas in which our Catholic teachings can be incorporated both inside and outside the classroom. Use the first meeting of each board and one of the September faculty meetings to review areas where Catholic identity can be enhanced as a function of continuous improvement. Explore saint devotions (including St. Irene as our patron saint), school-wide retreats and other functions of faith. [School Board] 4. Integrate the spectrum of church ministries into school activities and serve as a bridge for parents and children to the faith and service offerings of the church, including service ministries, small Christian communities, and social groups. [Faculty/Staff] Financial Resources Financial requirements for these efforts will be minimal; however, any costs associated will be accommodated by existing budget resources. Benchmarks and Measurement 1. Annual faith integration review incorporated into each board meeting beginning with 2013-14 school year with each board setting objectives for the year. 2. Increase presence of school families on key ministry boards and communicate parish activities to families. Establish a system and designate a school liaison for each ministry to aid in distribution of ministry information to school families. 3. Conduct all-school service project and strive to have 10% school family participation in 2013-14, growing each year. 4. Meet with Worship Council in Fall 2013-14 to discuss family Mass opportunities.
Focus Area 2: Governance Leadership for Schools St. Irene School will ensure that it is staffed by talented educators who seek to maximize each student s academic achievement and promote all students faith formation as followers of Christ. Additionally, the staff and school board will actively work to promote the well-being of the school in the parish and local community. Current Strengths and Long-Range Objectives Solicit best practices from schools throughout the Joliet Diocese and around the country to create an environment that promotes lifelong learning Provide clear goals and leadership for teachers, staff, parents and students and collaborate with parish leaders and local community to promote mutual support for each other and for the mission of St. Irene School Continue to work towards increased transparency and accountability for boards Continue to serve as examples of excellence on the local and national stage through striving for commendations and acknowledgement of achievements (NCEA Awards, diocesan boards) Foster a positive, achievement-driven work environment for faculty and staff and explore initiatives to help attract and retain the best teachers Action Statements/Priorities 1. Faculty, leadership, school board members, and other staff will take active roles in diocesan boards and programs to promote the sharing of ideas and best practices [Faculty/Staff/School Board] 2. All boards will provide an annual report to school families and parish to showcase their accomplishments and stewardship [School Board/Athletics/PACE] 3. Explore funding initiatives to provide teachers and staff with additional professional development resources (ie, tuition support, Title funds) [School Board] 4. Evaluate current staffing needs and opportunities to promote an exceptional learning environment and financially healthy school [Staff]
Financial Resources Additional student tuition revenue to fund a part-time marketing position for the school Consider options to fund a teacher professional development fund, ie., special fundraising event Benchmarks and Measurement 1. Create a mechanism to distribute the minutes from all school groups to the parent body and staff of the parish on a monthly basis (2012-13) 2. Ask each board to provide an annual report of accomplishments and stewardship for the parish and parents of the school (annually) 3. When enrollment meets or exceeds 185 students, establish a part-time marketing/community liaison position to support the continued development of the school 4. Conduct a feasibility study to outline the funding necessary for a teacher development fund (2013-14) and develop a policy for funding this initiative and a protocol for equitable access to these funds (as needed in 2014-15) 5. Meet with each teacher to establish personal development goals and encourage periodic diocesan-wide board participation (annually) 6. Pastor and principal will be active on diocesan boards (ongoing)
Focus Area 3: Academic Excellence Teaching and Learning With consistent evaluation and improvement of our rigorous academic program, St. Irene is committed to helping our students to grow in their Catholic faith, meeting the needs of all of our students, using best practices in all areas of the curriculum, and providing differentiated instruction. Faith, education, and service are the foundation of our teaching philosophy, and our faculty is faith-filled, highly qualified and committed to Catholic education. Current Strengths and Long-Range Objectives Continue to implement and align our curriculum to the new Common Core Standards and prepare students to exceed Diocesan and national averages based on educational research, theories and best practices. Use RtI (Response to Intervention) to identify students with special learning challenges and to create individual programs to meet their needs. Continue to work with the public school district to provide fair and appropriate services for our students. Continue to integrate technology into the curriculum with research-based programs. Continue to enhance the curriculum through current technology and additional technology utilizing both the resource room and technology in the classroom. Encourage staff to pursue professional development opportunities that will enhance teaching and learning. Use standardized test scores and other assessment tools to identify strengths and improvement goals for our program. Explore additions to the learning experience outside core curriculum as extracurricular activities, including summer enrichment Provide parents with an overview of the RtI process, service plan resources from District 200 and classroom accommodations Action Statements/Priorities 1. Enhance and extend early learning (prek/k) opportunities for our school, and based on demand, continue to offer a multi-age program with possible addition of an all-day option. [School Board/Staff] 2. Consistently review curriculum options, classroom tools and continue to serve as a pilot school for new programs. [Staff] 3. Continue to address the diverse needs of learners and consider expanding support resources and explore adding a full-time special education teacher to serve the needs of all students, based on enrollment. [School Board/Faculty/Staff] 4. Enhance parent/student/teacher communication and explore addition of spring conferences and extended parent conference times. [Faculty/Staff]
Financial Resources - Potential staff increases (special education) would be funded through increased tuition dollars (enrollment targets) - Review budget line items and Title money opportunities for staff development and curriculum enhancements - Make enhanced learning opportunities (summer, extracurricular activities) self-sustaining. Benchmarks and Measurement 1. When enrollment reaches 185, evaluate need for part-time special education teacher. 2. Assess teaching through classroom walk-through, team/subject meetings, standardized testing, and progress monitoring. 3. Create an accommodations plan for students with learning challenges and strengths. 4. Budget appropriately to enhance the curriculum annually. 5. Use all available Title money toward professional development and program enhancement.
Focus Area 4: Curriculum and Assessment Student Performance and School Effectiveness The 21 st Century student must have a strong foundation in Catholic teachings as well as high standards for academic achievement. St. Irene will consistently assess its curriculum by monitoring student performance through standardized testing and progress monitoring. Curriculum will be reviewed and revised annually as needed to consistently enhance our program and academic offerings. Current Strengths and Future Commitments Continue to administer Diocesan-approved standardized tests to analyze strengths and areas of improvement in our academic program. Use results to direct changes in curriculum, materials, and necessary resource materials to continue to challenge our students to reach beyond their potential Continue to administer DIBELS to monitor students progress and to identify students at risk. Integrate with student achievement information to identify students in need of RtI (Response to Intervention). Continue to partner with our area high schools (both public and nonpublic) to ensure that our programs transition well into their programs through collaborative meetings and using our normed referenced assessment to provide appropriate academic placement of our students into high school programs Administer the National Catholic Education Association-endorsed ACRE test to assess the faith formation of our students in grades 5 and 8. These results will be used both locally and on the Diocesan level to identify the strengths and challenges of our religious education curriculum. Continue to use the IFG (Information for Growth) Survey to assist in the faith formation of our faculty and staff and to determine the level of religious knowledge for adults Action Statements/Priorities 1. Review of standardized testing and progress monitoring to ensure that we are differentiating our curriculum to meet the needs of individual students on an ongoing basis [Faculty/Staff] 2. Use Teacher Assistance Team (TAT) to help identify students at risk and students in need of intervention and special services [Faculty/Staff]
3. Continue to work with District 200 to ensure that our students receive their proportionate share of services to which they are entitled. [Faculty/Staff] Financial Resources - Budget testing materials each year as standard line-item and allocate ample funds for enhancement materials. Benchmarks and Measurement 1. Attend all meetings required by District 200 to secure Title funds, allocate the funds, and submit referrals for RtI 2. Results of the ITBS test and progress monitoring tests (i.e. DIBELS) will enable our school to gather sound educational data to implement necessary changes to our programs and to meet the individual needs of our students.
Focus Area 5A: Facilities We maintain our facilities as a safe and comfortable environment conducive to learning for our staff and students. A focus of our efforts includes making the facilities and grounds attractive and appealing to new and current families. Working with our parish, we share the responsibility for investment and maintenance and tap community resources like the Warrenville Park District gymnasium, area parks and other resources to create an integrated campus. This smart sourcing of additional assets helps us host athletic events in a state-of-the-art facility at a reasonable cost. Current Strengths and Future Commitments - Retain custodial services to keep our facility clean and outside grounds maintained - Maintain strong relationship with the Warrenville Park District to continue using its state-of-the-art facility. - Continue to evaluate our school campus for areas that need updating, repairs or replacements. - Continue to update the facility with repairs or replacements of building components due to age or damage. Targeted items may include doors, windows, flooring, HVAC and plumbing. Action Statements/Priorities 1. Explore the creation of an endowment fund for future maintenance, repairs or replacement of building components. This will be added to our budget to prepare for long range project costs. [Staff/School Board/Parish] 2. Conduct feasibility study for capital campaign to fund building enhancements/additions/new facilities to the current school and parish buildings. [Staff/School Board/Parish] Financial Resources - Use of Warrenville Park District facilities will continue to be supported through Athletic Board fundraisers. - Funds for facility updates, maintenance, and repairs will be budgeted annually by school administration. Based on the current needs, funding may come through annual appeal funds or safety grants (as available).
Benchmarks and Measurement 1. Evaluate appearance and maintenance of facility through biannual parent/parish survey. 2. Explore process for establishing an endowment fund for the school with parish financial officers when enrollment reaches 185 students. 3. Explore feasibility of a capital campaign to build a new facility when enrollment reaches 200 students.
Focus Area 5B: Resources St. Irene School integrates teaching, parish resources and experienced-based learning in every classroom, supported by a strategic approach to technology investment. A commitment to continuous strengthening of our technology and resources will enable teachers to enhance and differentiate learning for all students. The use of technology will enable students to be prepared for higher learning and the challenges of the 21 st century. Current Strengths and Future Commitments - Continue to build on technology resources to maximize core standards learning. - Appropriately steward technology investments through a staff technology coordinator and technology volunteers who maintain networks and hardware, and ensure a smart, consistent and selective evaluation process for investment. - Continue to integrate technology into all classrooms with the following elements: o Computers in each classroom, with WiFi internet throughout the building o Integration of online learning components and education management (TeacherEase, online textbooks, Discovery Streaming) to support research, expression and communication o Appropriate investment in educational software and hardware (Mimio, Elmo, Accelerated Reader) as shared resources or dedicated hardware. - Continue to extend the use of a centralized Technology Lab to facilitate research, keyboarding, writing lab and classroom activity - Tap the resources of community and partners to extend learning opportunities. Continue to work with the University of Illinois Extension, FermiLab, Navistar, religious communities, area Catholic high schools, Warrenville Park District and others to provide new opportunities for our students Action Statements/Priorities 1. Review all technology opportunities and needs annually to budget for increased software. [Staff/Faculty/School Board] 2. Source additional technology through partnerships with St. Francis High School, Knights of Columbus, etc. [Staff] 3. Continue training for all teachers to increase integration of technology and other classroom resources into everyday teaching [Faculty/Staff]
4. Review staffing needs on an annual basis as enrollment increases for additional support team positions (technology, social worker, special education specialist) and budget accordingly [Faculty/Staff] Financial Resources - Budget annually for technology investment with student technology fees and budget line items from tuition income. - Explore grants and source partnership donations from community as additional sources of funding. Benchmarks and Measurements 1. Evaluate classroom technology investments annually and fund new resources appropriately 2. Fund the purchase of appropriate online components of current textbooks by 2014/2015 school year and evaluate regularly 3. Explore feasibility of an individual use technology investment (1-to-1 laptop, ipad cart) by 2013
Focus Area 5C: Finances We strive to maintain a healthy financial outlook for the school that provides a cushion for emergencies, funding for improvements and a positive relationship with the parish. We look to contain costs wherever appropriate and to increase revenues from tuition through new student enrollment, appropriate tuition increases and fundraising efforts. Current Strengths and Future Commitments - We maintain a financially stable budget with a parish subsidy no greater than 25% o Increase enrollment with appropriate benchmark goals o Determine appropriate tuition increases to support a thriving school while balancing the needs of our families o Maintain appropriate cost containment, budget to cover non-negotiable costs from diocese and parish while scrutinizing all other costs for improvements Action Statements/Priorities 1. Ensure tuition increases are modest and appropriate for our audience in order to extend the opportunity for Catholic education to as many families as possible [School Board/Parish/Staff] 2. Review budget monthly as a board [School Board] 3. Balance non-negotiable expenses from diocese and parish with other expenses to ensure costs are kept to a minimum [School Board/Staff] Financial Resources - None Benchmarks and Measurement 1. Conduct monthly budgetary review at school board meetings, review expenditures and accounts weekly with parish accountant 2. Conduct annual school board review of adjustments to tuition, expenses and fees 3. Hold tuition discussion annually each November/December with tuition finalized by January 4. Finalize yearly budget by April of each year
Focus Area 6: Stakeholder Communications and Relationships From sharing information and eliciting feedback in the classrooms to building a collaborative atmosphere between parents, teachers, students, administration and the parish at large, communication fuels the engine of St. Irene School. Communication (which encompasses marketing, enrollment and retention efforts, parish and community-wide outreach and public relations) is a key focus of St. Irene School. It is the outward sign of our welcoming atmosphere, the showcase for our students achievements and a building block for our future. Current Strengths and Future Commitments - Strong integrated marketing program o Electronic communication tools including weekly e-newsletter, website, Facebook page o Parish communication tools, including weekly School Corner column in the bulletin and regular postings to website and social media o Community outreach efforts including neighboring parishes, community, etc. - Clear, defined message of excellence, faith tradition and family o Visible and critical support for parish activities - Pastor, principal and teachers visible and active in parish, area Catholic high schools, community at large o Pastor on board of Warrenville Youth & Family Services, is Fire Chaplain, on board of St. Francis High School o Staff active in parish initiatives (Autumnfest, youth liturgy, etc.) - Building strong relationships to connect the school with parish, community and beyond o Community-wide service projects o Call for Angel donors who support students in need through donations for tuition assistance and technology o Integration with parish groups like Senior Gems, Knights of Columbus, etc. - Steadily building enrollment support o Concentrated marketing and open houses throughout the year o Outreach events for potential students and families (Easter Party, shadow days) o Personal invitations to religious education students and preschool-age children with personal follow-up o New Family Fellowship program for newly enrolled families
Areas of Focus/Priorities 1. Maintain and expand marketing plan and communicate to audiences with materials in English and Spanish and establish a Hispanic outreach task force [School Board/Staff] 2. Relaunch school website in 2012 with improved design and functionality for parents and other stakeholders [School Board] 3. Conduct a bi-annual parent/stakeholder survey [School Board] 4. Explore improved school signage and branding relaunch [School Board/Parish/Staff] 5. Increase community and parish partnerships [School Board/Staff] Financial Resources - Maintain existing marketing plan, increase budget to 1% of revenue by 2017 Benchmarks and Measurement 1. Translate all materials into Spanish by 2012-13 school year 2. Conduct parent/stakeholder survey in 2013 and 2015 (based on 2008 survey) to review benchmarks and accomplishments 3. Explore additional permanent signage and launch new branding campaign by 2014 4. Establish and build on strong connections in the community (Navistar, Sikich, Tellabs)
Focus Area 7: STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP Commitment to Continuous Improvement Continue to build relationships with our stakeholders, parish community, and local community to ensure the vigor of the school and parish. Through marketing, sound fiscal planning, educational and institutional advancement, and maintaining and improving our facility, St. Irene will continue to provide Catholic education to those who seek the opportunity. Current Strengths and Future Commitments Work closely with the Pastor, business manager, and administration to appropriately budget for the fiscal year Support all ministries of the Parish and work collaboratively with each other to ensure the viability of the Parish/School Expand presence in the community to drive enrollment Add staff as needed to address expanding enrollment Project a welcoming, friendly environment through consistent communication and customer responsiveness Annually review all benchmarks and goals to ensure progress on all action items in strategic plan Areas of Focus/Priorities 1. Continue to evaluate our preschool offerings. Continue to offer a multi-age program with possible addition of an all-day option. [School Board/Staff] 2. Extend outreach to the Hispanic community to offer Catholic education to all who seek the opportunity through a Hispanic Outreach task force and a bilingual ambassador to assist potential parents. [School Board/Staff] 3. Expand marketing strategies to increase enrollment [School Board] 4. Connect with partners in the community to encourage new opportunities for our school and students. These include other parishes, area businesses, etc. [School Board/Faculty/Staff] Financial Resources - Budget in each fiscal year, augmenting budget as appropriate to cover additional costs.
Benchmarks and Measurement Focus on increasing enrollment to 185 as initial goal through marketing, retention efforts and increased communication Increase diverse population of the school through outreach to key audiences, including Hispanic outreach, area parishes without schools, etc. Annually review benchmarks and goals for achievement of Strategic Plan Initiatives. Review Strategic Plan in 2015 to augment/revise/adjust goals