Matters Addressed this School Year

2006-2007

1) The school adopted the Beginning to Read, Write and Listen program for kindergarten. The purpose of the program is to develop in the children the ability to decode words with short vowel sounds, to print clearly and distinctly and take dictation, and to listen carefully and follow directions. 

2) Reading labs have been purchased in the primary grades in order to meet diverse needs of the students. 

3) Religion texts will be used as consumable and will be purchased each year. 

4) Technology has been a major goal with the purchasing of nineteen new top-of-the-line Dell Optiplex computers and the upgrading of additional units. 

5) A new server was installed better accommodate the new computers in the school. 

6) The science lab has been an emphasis for the school year with the purchasing of a demonstration table, four new computers, a laser color printer, a smart board, and a magnifying microscope as well as other equipment. 

7) A new Fire Alarm System was installed over summer 2006 to completely upgrade the system. 

8) New tables were purchased for the kindergarten and pre-kindergarten classrooms to brighten those classrooms and make them more functional and attractive. 

9) New chairs were purchased for the kindergarten and second grade. 

10) Sidewalks were poured in the front of the school along with a walkway from the gym to the Notre Dame Center. This offers parents and visitors ready access to the office. 

11) A new phone system has also been installed in the school. All four lines rotate. 

12) The school has purchased $5,000.00 worth of new hardback books for the library. 

13) Other materials ordered for various teachers as requested including seven new VCR-DVD players, novels for the eighth grade, and test generators for the fifth grade vocabulary books. 

14) The addition of a Reading Specialist to the staff  has offered the school a consultant not previously available. 

15) A newly designed website is up and running with plans for additional features to be integrated in the near future. 

16) The completion of a database for the school community is complete including needed information on parents such as places of employment, work numbers, church parish affiliation, and other pertinent information including grandparent addresses and phone numbers. 

17) The accomplishments outlined are the result of the generosity of parents through the Jumpstart Parent Giving.

Academic Plans for the Future

1) English 1 will be added to the curriculum next year to complement Algebra 1 presently offered. 

2) Computer literacy for grades third through eighth will be added to the curriculum next school year with additional access to the computer lab being available throughout the week for class assignments. 

3) New social studies textbooks will be purchased for the 2007-2008 school year. 

4) Plans are to purchase the Weather Bug Weather Station for the 2007-2008 school year. 

5) A need exists for a portable wireless computer lab for the upper grades. 

6) Plans for a new Early Childhood Center as the first step in the construction of new classrooms for the school are in process. 

7) Additional opportunities for co-curricular activities should be sought including drama and art. The music department is in good hands. 

8) A new playground that will excite all students and parents and attract new students should be planned. 

9) The introduction of a foreign language is a need for the school.

Capitol Improvement Needs

1) Bids are being collected for a security system including cameras for the area around the school and a new burglar alarm system for the school. 

2) Special concern about the state of repair of the main school building remains. Some repairs will be addressed this summer. 

3) A need exists for more cafeteria space if the school is to grow. 

4) Cable needs to be installed in such a way as to originate from the library. Service is not available in the library at all. 

5) A storage place will be a necessity if the Notre Dame Center is torn down or renovated into classrooms. 

6) A maintenance shed for tools, chemicals, and other maintenance needs is necessary for the church and the school. 

7) Drainage is a problem especially on the street behind the cafeteria. 

8) A music room should be built to accommodate the program. 

9) The enhancement of the organization and attendance for the Home and School Association is a goal for the school.

Other Needs

1) Work is ongoing on a data base for alumni to be completed as part of the ongoing program of development of the school. 

2) Additional staff is needed for maintenance.