APRIL 2, 2012

Dear St. Joseph School Families and Friends,

May you enjoy a Blessed and Happy Easter!

On March 21, 2012, St. Joseph School completed its accreditation visit. We are anticipating a renewed six-year Triple Crown Accreditation from the Western Catholic Education Association, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.  Their written findings should be mailed by July 1, 2012.  If you wish to review our 2-year self-study and the commendations/ recommendations of the Visiting Team, we have copies available in the High School and the Elementary School offices.  Thank you for your commitment and dedication to St. Joseph School in pursuing our renewal.

We realize St. Joseph School is at a pivotal place in its history of providing Catholic education on the Big Island.  The SJS School Board, faculty, staff, and major stakeholders have established a SJS Strategic Plan for 2012-2017.  We are focusing our mission, values, major strategic goals, and implementation plans.  We are identifying quantifiable performance indicators that measure what is working well and what changes need to be made to progress toward our school goals: primarily that of keeping St. Joseph School alive and emerging to thrive.

As principal, it is my job to improve finances and facilities, integrate a rigorous and relevant curriculum, fill the classroom seats, enhance collaboration, and fulfill dreams.  A vision for the future – a forward looking plan - emerges when people join as a team to imagine; and when leaders invite others to join in creating a shared vision of multiple perspectives and informed decision-making to build long-term effectiveness.  Plans for 2012-2017 include a successful school; where established partnerships increase human resources, finances and instruction are transparent, and a strong student recruitment effort is under way. 

Many Catholic schools throughout the USA are struggling to fulfill a dream: to establish a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th grade system on a beautiful, consolidated campus.  St. Joseph School has achieved that dream.

A CATHOLIC SCHOOL OF TOMORROW

1. To make a great school, St. Joseph is committed to:

•Faith integration, 21st century learning skills, and a guaranteed curriculum

•Marketing St. Joseph School’s brand

•Restructuring our School to achieve its best and highest potential

•Supporting a rigorous, relevant, and “school of the future” initiative

•Integrating technology

•Involving the total community

•Successful college placement for 100% of our graduates

2. To make a great school, St Joseph is putting significant resources into emerging fields:

•Critical thinking & problem solving

•Adaptability

•Effective oral & written communication

•Curiosity & imagination

•Collaboration

•Initiative & entrepreneurialism

•Accessing & analyzing information

3. Financing Catholic Schools of the Future- St. Joseph School, Hilo involves:

•Positive synergy- The decision to “fill every seat” can result in more families participating in the School community. This leads to more interaction and a larger pool of gifts from which to draw when conducting fundraisers.

 •Centralizing financial management – Through a standardized chart of accounts, accounting system, and reporting throughout the Diocese of Honolulu, we are joining with the Hawaii Catholic Schools Department in the outsourcing of accounts receivable through FACTS Tuition Management to help stabilize us financially and provide tools for effective planning in the future.

 •Distance Admissions – This department enrolls students from the Big Island, outer islands, and foreign countries.

 •Collaborating with the University of Hilo - provides professional development and other mentoring programs.  Virtual learning partnerships can expand curricular offerings in schools while actually saving the school money and increasing enrollment.

 •Utilizing our Advisory School Board to expand available resources and provide business-oriented decision making.

 •Finding new partners for revenue enhancement.

4. The Diocese of Honolulu is asking St. Joseph School to focus on five key areas through its 150th anniversary in 2019:

•Building Relationships- To build a network of charitable support, we must all join in our mission to bring Christ to people and people to Christ.

 •Nurturing Alumni- SJS Alumni are the key component for the overall success of St. Joseph School.  Frequent contact includes: an updated data base,  providing reunions & tours,  hosting will and estate seminars,  publicizing alumni,  forming an alumni association, and continuing our Alumni and Friends Annual Appeal.

 •Recruiting Volunteers- Volunteers are an irreplaceable support for school improvement and the lifeblood of our school.

 •Instituting Planned Giving- This is a necessary program for the future of our School, which will reap rich benefits when it includes a cohesive blend of long-term stability and vitality.

 •Creating an Endowment- to be entrusted to an Endowment Board that directs the investment of these assets to support the school’s mission in perpetuity.

WHAT MAKES A CATHOLIC SCHOOL CATHOLIC/ UNIVERSAL?

PRINCIPALS OF FAITH INTERGRATION:

1.    Environment: The environment of the St. Joseph School reflects the love of God.

·      Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, and the Spiritual Environment

2.    Community: Community in the School expresses the love of the Trinity.

·      GOD>SELF>OTHERS

3.    Mission: The mission of a Catholic school is to evangelize, catechize, and educate students in

      Christ, nurturing loving service to God and neighbors.

4.    Witness: Catholic school faculty and staff are a constant testimony that Jesus lives.

·      Students do not care how much we know until they know how much we care. The relationships that define our roles as teachers to students, among teachers, and as administrators to teachers, communicate a caring attitude.

·      St. Joseph strives to build community where everyone feels welcomed, validated, and valued – we work hard to work with you. Both teachers and administration have an open-door policy at the School.

·      Catholic school teachers’ inner hearts and souls have never wavered.  They continue to assess, plan, teach, and reflect – utilizing differentiated learning as much as possible under our present conditions. Every child in our School is loved, and with this love comes an imperative concern for the spiritual, academic, emotional, and physical growth of each student.

NEWS AT ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL FOR 2011-2012?

SOTF INITATIVE - We are completing year 3 of our Schools of the Future grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation, assessed through the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools. “Creating Collaborative Cultures” helps us to achieve positive change in our School and fosters a climate of collaboration. Principals who develop collaborative cultures shift from being the person who sets the goals to being the person who sets up the conditions that allow others to establish goals. Transparency tips the scale toward collaborative decision making. We take concerted steps toward formatting information to make it user friendly, developing guidelines, explaining our thinking, and working against isolation by giving teachers opportunities to observe colleagues and engage in conversations about work in classrooms.

SENIOR PROJECT- In its first year, senior project challenges seniors to achieve peak performance by daring them to dream, meet a personal challenge, and demonstrate potential, abilities and talent while completing their senior projects.  As long as the topic selection is rigorous, relevant, challenging, and complies with school guidelines, the choice belongs to the student.  Components of the project are:

·      Paper- Research information related to Senior Project topic.

·      Project- The physical project tied to some aspect of the research paper that demonstrates skill applications.

·      Portfolio- Your history of the project journey that includes paper, logs, and photos.

·      Oral presentations- Students present their research, project, and learning to an audience of adults.

DISTANCE ADMISSIONS- Our goal is to increase our international presence at SJS and to offer a Catholic education to a diverse group of students on the Big Island.

FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT- In many shapes, sounds, and forms, SJS has the Arts:  instrumental band, visual arts, performing arts, and dance.

In closing, my heartfelt gratitude speaks for the entire St. Joseph School community to each and every one of you who has supported St. Joseph School through your time, talents and treasure hours. I applaud you for your kindness and generosity.

JUST A REMINDER……

•            ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL CONTINUES TO OFFER A $1,500.00 DISCOUNT PER FAMILY WHO REFERS A NEW STUDENT/ FAMILY FOR THE 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR.

•            ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL CONTINUES TO OFFER A $1,500.00 DISCOUNT PER NEW STUDENT IN HIS/HER FIRST YEAR.

•            THREE (3) TIME & TALENT HOURS CAN BE EARNED BY PURCHASING A TICKET TO THE ALUMNI & FRIENDS LUAU ON GRADUATION EVE, SATURDAY, MAY 26TH. (YOU CAN PURCHASE TEN TICKETS, FULFILL ALL YOUR HOURS, AND SELL THEM TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY.  Please see Mrs. Rachel Dawson in the high school front office for tickets or call 935-4936/ X 226.

The high school flyer is also included in the elementary school mailing as an insight into 7-12 grade life. We hope your child can continue at St. Joseph School through his/her senior year. Please let us know when we can be of help to you to make this a reality.

Peace in Christ,

Victoria Torcolini, Principal