2010
A School Odyssey
1: a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune 2: an intellectual or spiritual journey
Presented Nov. 25, 2002
Updated Nov. 18, 2005
Holy Apostles School Mission Statement
Holy Apostles School is a Catholic K - 8 elementary school serving the community of and around New Berlin, Wisconsin since 1893. The mission of Holy Apostles School is to advance the educational ministry of the Catholic Church by creating a compassionate atmosphere which will promote faith, knowledge, and service.
"With the Second Vatican Council we affirm our conviction that the Catholic school 'retains its immense importance in the circumstances of our times' and we recall the duty of Catholic parents "to entrust their children to Catholic schools, when and where this is possible, to support such schools to the extent of their ability, and to work along with them for the welfare of their children."
-- To Teach As Jesus Did
Summary
In reading over the 7 Year Plan for the school, here are the essential elements of this Odyssey:
- Instill a Catholic value system
- message
- community
- service
- Maintain quality teachers
- holding teachers accountable
- maintain a salary scale competitive with other Catholic schools
- people who love to teach
- Provide the best possible education for our children
- improved teaching methods Reading, Writing, Math, and Science
- better curriculum - attempting exemplary recognition
- the right equipment
- best textbooks
- current computer technology
- modern equipment; hands on science, math manipulatives, maps
2007 - 2010 GOALS
- Assess community members about Social Studies.
- Paint inspirational murals in Johnson Hall.
- Purchase new Science books.
- Review Methodology/Instructional Strategies in Religion, Physical Education, Art, Music, Technology, and Spanish.
- Assess community members about Math and Social Studies.
- Evaluate Student Assessment Alignment in the following content areas: Reading and Lang Arts.
- Use the Marketing Plan to recruit new members to the parish and school.
- Pursue Blue Ribbon status from Federal Government.
- Look into hiring Development Director with other schools.
- Paint inspirational murals in the gym.
- Monitor enrollment trends.
- Purchase new Reading/Language Arts books.
2006 GOALS
- Purchase new Math and Science books.
- Assess community members about Reading and Language Arts.
- Review Methodology/Instructional Strategies in Social Studies, Reading, and Language Arts
- Evaluate Student Assessment Alignment in Math, Physical Education, Art, Music, Technology, and Spanish.
- Organize multi-age activities for community building. Examples, reading day, lunch together, school wide walks for a cause.
- Prepare a hot lunch survey to assess program.
- Increase global awareness through service.
- Use the Marketing Plan to recruit new members to the parish and school.
- Monitor enrollment trends.
- Repaint locker rooms.
- Repaint all stage areas and back rooms.
- Monthly "Lunch with Father"
- Encourage vocations.
2005 GOALS
- Purchase new Art, Music, Physical Education, and Technology materials.
- Review Methodology/Instructional Strategies in Science, Mathematics, and Spanish
- Evaluate Student Assessment Alignment in the Social Studies.
- Progress Reports consistent school wide.
- Look into user fees to compensate teachers who do extra work in extra-curricular activities such as; clubs, music, tutoring.
- Promote an intergenerational program.
- Increase communication with SEA parish.
- Assess community members about Physical Education, Art, Music, Technology, and Spanish.
- Look into distance learning for classrooms.
- Look into distance learning from classrooms.
- Paid Aide in classrooms.
- Update Technology Plan.
- Study how HA meets the expectations of the high schools.
- Consider a new gym.
- Find new sources of funding.
- Recruitment of students and maintain a stable, or growing, enrollment.
- Have a parent run for New Berlin Public Schools Board.
- Look into available grants, pilot programs, etc.
- Promote Vocation Awareness.
- Address inconsistency between number of minutes in this school with the Archdiocesan recommended number of minutes.
2004 GOALS
- Using 6 Six Traits writing across the curriculum.
- Updated Technology curriculum.
- Reviewed methodology/Instructional Strategies in Religion, Reading, and Language Arts.
- Increased respectful attitude from students.
- Started Hot Topics luncheons to increase self-esteem of students
- Developed accelerated material for advanced students.
- Orientated the 6th Graders to the Middle School Program.
- Improved Christian behavior especially as they got older.
- Developed remedial program for students with needs.
- Perfected our system of early detection of students with learning
- Started High Interest Day.
- Increased prayer opportunities within the school day for students.
- Utilized Title funds for faculty memberships to attend conferences.
- Teachers started putting class material on the web.
- Increased service work by students coordinating efforts with parish.
- Creating a comprehensive environment of welcoming from a person’s first visit to the office to graduation.
- Promoting remedial and accelerated programs.
- All teachers tested for TB.
- All teachers in compliance for Religious Education. certification.
- Revised handbook to address custody issues.
- More storage in classrooms, built in cabinets.
- Purchased 42 Dell computers.
- Purchased new teacher desks.
- Purchase computers, large screen monitors, and video-conferencing equipment.
- Find ways of recognizing teacher accomplishments.
- Started 4K program.
- Started full-day 5K program.
- Have all teachers gain Advanced Religious Education Certification.
- Invite priests into the classes more.
- Improve ITBS scores in selected areas.
- Integrate technology into the curriculum for optimum student learning.
2003 GOALS
- Successful completion of site visit by Accreditation team of SPA.
- Purchased new Reading/Language Arts series for grades 6 - 8.
- Increased the Catholic Identity of the school.
- Updated Writing, Reading, Spelling, and English Curriculums.
- Included two levels of MS math; Pre-algebra and Algebra classes.
- Rewrote the mission including the word EDUCATION and SERVICE and have the mission approved by all stakeholders.
- Displayed Mission in a prominent position and within the community.
- Initiated a mentoring program for new teachers
- Orientation in-service for new school board members.
- More meetings to cross grade level to understand what is being taught before and after particular grade level.
- More communication about what is happening within the grades to the parents.
- New faculty handbook that is separate from the Employee Handbook.
- Regular Faculty Retreats
- Increased art teacher to two days per week and brought Art instruction down to 4th grade.
- Installed phone with the ability to dial out after office is closed.
- Purchased school administrative software.
- Computerized report cards.
- Listed the goals of the School Board.
- Developed an honor roll for the Middle School.
- Had the web site reflect current information.
- Implemented a development program.
- Organized subject meeting per grade level with other schools on a regular basis.
- Promoting a positive perception of our Middle School.
- Repainted and decorated the lunchroom (Lofy Hall)
- Added environmental/spiritual designs to the school hallways and stairwells.
- Included more and varied forms of prayer into school life.
- Purchased projection equipment.
- Promoted increased use of technology in teaching methodology through Power Point presentations.
2002 GOALS
- Increased the Catholic imagery within classrooms and hallways.
- Emphasized theme of "Blest Are They . . ."
- Increased the line of communication within the levels
- Completed Year II of SPA (School Planning & Accreditation).
- Updated Job descriptions.
- Purchased new Reading/Language Arts series for grades K-5.
- Purchased new Spanish books.
- Updated Religion, Science, Spanish, Technology, Physical Education, Music, and Social Studies Curriculums.
- Changed the name of the School Board to School Committee.
- Curriculum manuals for each subject in every classroom.
"[Catholic schools] seem to facilitate greater happiness, more support for the equality of women, more confidence in other people, more willingness to see sex as a sacrament, greater generosity to the Church, more benign images of God, greater awareness of the complexity of moral decision making, and higher intellectual achievement."
– Andrew Greeley
How much does this Cost?
| Increase the Catholic Identity imagery | $1,000 |
| Explore a Career Day or special interest day. | $2,000 |
| Look at the writing curriculum across the curriculum. | $10,000 |
| Develop Summer Enrichment programs for 1 - 7 grades. | |
| Purchase projection equipment. | $3,500 |
| More storage in classrooms, built in cabinets. | $1,500 |
| Marketing plan | $1,000 |
| New teacher desks. | $1,000 |
| Hire and share a Development Director with other schools. | $15,000 |
| Encourage faculty memberships in professional education with financial support. | $1,000 |
| Create a bumper sticker to promote school spirit. | $500 |
| Paid Aide in classrooms. | $10,000 |
| Purchase computers, large screen monitors, and video-conferencing equipment. |
$5,500 |
| Coordinate a consistent community service plan for grades K - 8. | |
| Prepare Art Shows. | $200 |
| Consider a new gym. | ??? |
| Hire Supportive Consultant to address social needs of students. | $15,000 |
| Add environmental/spiritual designs to the school hallways and stairwells. | $4000 |
| Add environmental designs to the Lofy Hall. | $1,000 |
| Paint inspirational murals in the gym | $500 |
| Expand the mentoring program for new teachers | $1,000 |
* based on 500 students
