CREATING A NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN

SOUTH BOSTON

Presentation to Parents December 2008

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A G E N D A

• Basic Plan and Goals• Ensuring Excellent Catholic Education in South Boston

• Decision Process/ Rationale• South Boston Demographics• Enrollment Realities• The New School Solution

• Action Plan - 6 Months• New School Improvements• Students & Enrollment• Principal & Teachers• Curriculum & Professional Development• Tuition

CREATING A NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN SOUTH BOSTON

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THE BASIC PLAN

• Strengthen and improve Catholic education in South Boston

• Create a new Catholic elementary school in South Boston

• Combine the strengths, resources and potential of Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid’s schools and parishes.

• Students will vote on the new school’s name based on a list prepared by the Regional Bishop.

• Open the new school at the current St. Brigid’s site in September 2009.

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GOALS

• Build upon the strong academics and faith formation in Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid’s schools

• Develop a Catholic elementary school exemplifying:

• Academic Excellence

• Catholic Faith Formation

• School Viability and Vitality

• Use the resources of the Catholic School Office, the Campaign for Catholic Schools, and external partners to develop a Catholic elementary school incorporating:

• Strong Principal leadership and faculty

• Standards-based curriculum and materials

• Technology to assist instruction

• Phase-in capital and physical improvements over 3-5 years

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TRENDS AFFECTING THE DECISION

• Flat population growth over next 5 years• ~ 30,000 people• Largest cohort is 20-40 year olds, Median age is 34

• Fragile number of under 15 year olds projected for future• Forecasts predict fewer people under 20 years of age in South

Boston by 2010• Young families continue to leave South Boston

• Strong elementary school competition

• We cannot finance growing needs of the schools• Limited parish resources• Growing deferred maintenance

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SOUTH BOSTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL TRENDS

Key findings• South Boston Catholic schools enrollment has been

declining since 2000 (e.g., -36% average) and is expected to lose ~18% of its current student population by 2011

• The enrollment loss is occurring in both schools

• Grades 3 & 4 losses due to advanced classes in public schools

• Grades 7 & 8 losses due to Boston Public exam schools, including both Latin Schools and O’Bryant, as well as Catholic schools such as Boston College High School and Catholic Memorial HS

• Tuitions have increased yearly and have not covered the cost per pupil cost of education

Gate of Heaven

and

St.Brigid

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CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT DECLINE BEEN STEADY OVER THE PAST 8 YEARS

Source:School information, ABSCO model; team analysis. Enrollment numbers are from NCEA reports and based on October 1 enrollment.

Gate of Heaven enrollment, 2000-2008Number of students

-50%

St. Brigid enrollment, 2000-2008Number of students

-17%

• St Brigid’s enrollment decline has not been as precipitous as Gate of Heaven’s over the last 9 years

388 400 383 373 350298

246203 192

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

268 266 269 241 229

180 192 196225

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

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IN SUM: ONE SCHOOL IS THE SOLUTION

• South Boston’s demographics lead to a single Catholic school solution

• Viability of Catholic education in South Boston favors a single school of 400 + students over two struggling schools with fewer than 200 students

• The new school will be stronger, more viable and provide more options with two classes per grade instead of one class per grade

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WHY ST. BRIGID?

St. Brigid selected as site for new school after comprehensive review and consultation

• 18 months of deliberation by Collaborative Board

• Consultation with Catholic Schools Office

• Assessments by Campaign for Catholic Schools, including facility

experts and architects

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PHYSICAL AND STRUCTURAL EVALUATION

Physical Space Evaluation

Gate of Heaven (G.O.H.) = 42,900 SF; Constructed 1922St. Brigid (S.B.) = 48,100SF; Constructed 1964

G.O.H. is a composite masonry terra cotta and wood structure with masonry bearing wallS.B. is a concrete structure (Gym is steel frame)

G.O.H. exterior walls are multiple wythe brickS.B. exterior walls are brick veneer with block

G.O.H. expansion (addition of floor) = not possibleS.B. expansion (over gym) = possible

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PHYSICAL AND STRUCTURAL EVALUATION

Plumbing

G.O.H. Bathroom Facilities are improperly located, and completely outdated

S.B. Bathroom Facilities are located on each floor and are in relatively good shape

G.O.H. plumbing is beyond serviceable life

S.B. Plumbing is in serviceable condition

*ADA upgrades will be required for either

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PHYSICAL AND STRUCTURAL EVALUATION

Fire Protection:

G.O.H. sprinkler system installation required. No water service from street exists.

S.B. sprinkler system exists in basement only. Remaining areas to be sprinkled.*Both systems will require an update.

Electrical:

G.O.H. single phase, 400AMP main service panel is inefficient and does not meet connected service requirements

S.B. three phase, 800AMP main service panel is currently sufficient for school use

*Both systems will require an update.

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PHYSICAL AND STRUCTURAL EVALUATION

Program Space Evaluation

S.B. can be programmed for classroom space, a science lab, a music room, a resource room and a gymnasium within the existing footprint.

G.O.H. is short approximately 7,000SF of space for program.

G.O.H. bathrooms need to be constructed on each floor, at considerable cost and space impact.

S.B. bathrooms located appropriately for school use.

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NEW IMPROVEMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER ‘09

• Upgraded curriculum and teaching material for all grades in Math or Reading/English Language Arts

• Choice to be made by new school’s Principal and faculty in coordination with Catholic Schools Office

• Professional development for teachers in targeted academic areas, in collaboration with area colleges and universities

• Two new Pre K classrooms

• New white boards for each classroom

• New security system in the school

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NEW IMPROVEMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER ‘09

• Technology- Strength in combining both schools resources• Increase in computer hardware and software• Computer Lab with over 30 computers and Internet access• Computers in each classroom with Internet access • Five interactive learning boards for use in classrooms

• Libraries will be combined – Immediately bolstering academic resources

• Literacy Collaborative - Working with The Philanthropic Initiative to determine support for the literacy program in the new school

• Furniture and equipment – Best from the two schools will be used so overall quality level is much higher

• Title I – Support will continue with federal funding

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GOVERNANCE & PARENTS

• Parish School Model will remain the same for the new school’s governance and management

• New Parish School Advisory Board will be established by May 2009

Selection process begins with names submitted to Pastor by:

• School administration and teachers

• Current PTO

• Community Leaders

• Home and School Association will be established in late spring 2009

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IMPACT ON BOTH PARISHES

• Mission of Catholic education remains the priority in South Boston

• New school will serve both Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid parishes

• Priests and pastoral staff will continue to play a critical role in the school advancing:

• Catholic Identity• Catholic Mission• Catholic Pastoral Care

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NEW SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

• All current students at Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid’s will be guaranteed a seat

• Sufficient space to enroll 450 Students

• Grades Pre-K (3 year olds) – 8th Grade in one school

• Number of Classes:

• Pre-K - 6th – Two Classes Each

• 7th & 8th – One Class Each

• Class size goals –

• Pre K- K2 = Average 18

• Grade 1 – 3 = Average 22

• Grade 4 - 8 = Average 25

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ENROLLMENT PROCESS

• December 3, 2008 -- Enrollment begins for current students at Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid - Seats Guaranteed for all current students

• January 25, 2009 – Catholic Schools Week - Open enrollment begins for all other students

• Registration Fee -- $100 per student, maximum of $200 per family

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WILL TUITION INCREASE?

• Tuition will be announced in January 2009

• It will be affordable and competitive

• Tuition will be different for:• Pre-K (no family discounts)• K-8th Grade

• K - 8 Family discounts when registering more than one child

• Financial aid will be available to those who qualify• The Catholic School Foundation and Inner City Scholarship

Fund will ensure that tuition aid follows qualified students to the new school

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PRINCIPAL SELECTION

• Principal position will be posted by December 5, 2008

• Expect to name new principal by Catholic Schools Week (January 26-30, 2009).

• Selection of principal will follow a standard parish school governance model.

• The pastor will make final selection, based on recommendations from a Screening Committee.

• Screening Committee, representing Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid, will be facilitated by Catholic Schools Office and include, pastor, teachers, parents, and other area educators

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TEACHER HIRING PROCESS

• Teachers currently work on annual contracts and they will go through a standard yearly evaluation process

• The total number of teacher positions at the new school will be based on enrollment

• Current teachers and staff will have the first opportunity to apply for jobs in the new school

• Application Process:• January 1-February 28 – Accept applications from current Gate of

Heaven and St. Brigid teachers ONLY• March 1 - August 31 – Open application to all other teachers

• Teachers will be interviewed and selected on a rolling basis starting in February.

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CORE CURRICULUM

• Core curriculum aligned with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks:

• Arts & Music, English Language Arts, Foreign Languages (Spanish), Math, History & Social Science, Science & Technology, Physical Education

• Upgraded curriculum – Textbooks and learning materials to be selected as necessary by new school’s principal and faculty in coordination with the Catholic Schools Office. For Fall 2009: New Math or Reading/ELA curriculum for all grades

• Professional development for the principal and teachers in leadership, management, curriculum, teaching, and faith formation provided by the local universities, colleges and the Catholic Schools Office

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ASSESSMENTS & EVALUATION

• Student Assessment – Annual academic assessments of each student with national exam (Grades 3-8)

• School Evaluation – The new school will be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC

• The new school will be evaluated regularly as part of NEASC’s comprehensive process of systematic improvement. This process includes a 12-18 month self-study cycle

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CATHOLIC FAITH FORMATION

• Religious education will be a central part of the new school’s curriculum.

• Both churches will remain open.

• Sacraments, Mass and Liturgical services will be offered for school

children at both churches.

• Priests and other local clergy will be an active part of the new school.

• Public and independent schools students will continue their religious

education through CCD programs at the new school site.

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SCHOOL SPECIFIC PROGRAMS

• Lunch programs will continue

• After school program will continue

• Transportation and Drop-off/Pick-up

• Public safety officer will make recommendations

• Starting and ending times for school may be staggered to ensure safe flow of traffic

• School hours and pick up and drop off issues will be addressed by early spring once enrollment is determined

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Parent Questions….

This Presentation will be available

Wednesday Dec 3rd

on www.rcab.org

and Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid

School and Parish websites