July 11, 2011

 

Dear St. Joseph School Ohana,

 

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to St. Joseph School. I invite you to walk with me, both spiritually and academically, in our vision for St. Joseph’s.  There is much work to be done, besides our upcoming accreditation renewal, to keep our School alive after 2012. 

 

We realize St. Joseph School is at a pivotal place in its future and in providing Catholic education on the Big Island.  The SJS School Board, faculty, staff, and major stakeholders are in the process of establishing a SJS Strategic Plan for the next five (5) years.  We are focusing on 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.  My plans for 2012 include a successful school where partnerships have been established to 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 12^th grade system on a beautiful, consolidated campus.  With our newly painted & renovated facilities, we already have it here at St. Joseph School in Hilo!  Let’s count our blessings! Thank you, Dean Au (project coordinator), Jason Armstrong (grant writer), and everyone else involved,  for making this beautiful campus happen.

 

A CATHOLIC SCHOOL OF TOMORROW: “IT TAKES A VILLAGE”

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4. The Diocese of Honolulu is asking us to focus on five key areas to keep St. Joseph School open

           through its 150^th anniversary in 2019:

 

 

 

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.

·      Spurred on by the aim of offering to the poor and marginalized the opportunity of an education, of training for a job, of human and Christian formation; Catholic education finds in all forms of poverty a fervent dedication and manifestation of Christ’s love for the poor, the humble, and the masses seeking the truth.

 

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 may have shed their religious garments for more modern garb, but their inner hearts and souls have never wavered.  We 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.

 

 

WHO’S NEW AT ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL FOR 2011-2012?

I am pleased to welcome new faculty and staff for 2011-2012:

 

·      Jacob Doolittle - will be teaching Religion 7, 8, & 9 and also serve as our Head/Men's Athletic Director.  Jacob is a University of Portland graduate with a strong Catholic upbringing and many years of Catholic schooling.  He has played basketball, field & track, & football.  In July, he will be marrying a Hilo girl and relocating to the Big Island. He will be our ninth grade homeroom teacher.

·      Chloe Thurston - (substituted for us last year) is a UH English major graduate and will be teaching English 7, English 8, and world History.  Ms. Thurston will also serve as our Women's /Assistant Athletic Director.  She will co-homeroom with Jacob Doolittle.

·      Dr. Irina Savery- holds a PhD in Computer Science and undergraduate degrees in math. Dr. Savery will co-moderate Math League and will also be our 11th grade homeroom teacher. Welcome!

·      Heather O'Connell - holds a Master Degree in science and comes to us from Maui Preparatory Academy.  She will co-moderate 11th grade with Irina and lead Interact.  Science Fair will be a mandatory requirement for 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders.

·      Our new kindergarten aide is Vanessa Saviskas.

·      Our new pre-school Aide is Christelle Bockrath

·      Sr. Lisa's duties have been split:

- Theresa Burian will assume the administrative duties as ES Vice Principal;

- Stella Kawa'auhau will conduct morning assemblies and student-of-the- 

  month program; and

- Janan Malinowski will be our sacristan for school masses.

 

OUR EXPANDED SCHOOL BOARD

Our SJS Board has now expanded to (lucky) thirteen, and we hope to be able to bring this board to fifteen by the end of this school year.  I am pleased, proud, and sincerely grateful to each and every one of our members for their time and talent they devote to our school and community.  All members are part of the strategic planning committee. In addition, several hold other committee positions.  Board committee membership is open to anyone with exceptional talents in a particular area – not just board members.  If you would like to join a Board committee to contribute your time and special talents, please contact the chair below.  

Listed alphabetically:

·      Dean Au (Facilities Chair)

·      Joanne Balberde-Kamalii (Development Chair)

·      Bill Brilhante Jr (Facilities)

·      Dan Brinkman (Finances)

·      Hank Correa (Facilities)

·      Margarita (“DayDay”) Hopkins (Vice-President; Strategic Planning)

·      Jill Jacunski (President; Executive Chair; Finance)

·      Pastor Samuel Loterte

·      Dr. Charles Mauro (Strategic Planning)

·      Jody Montel (Finances; Development)

·      Dan Rogers (Finance Chair)

·      Donna Saiki (Strategic Planning Chair)

·      Victoria Torcolini, Principal

WHAT’S NEW AT ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL FOR 2011-2012?

·      SOTF- We are now entering year 3 of our Schools of the Future grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation and 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 working together.  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. (See #2 above…**)

·      SENIOR PROJECT- In our 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:

1.    Paper- Research information related to Senior Project topic.

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

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

4.    Oral presentations- Students address the research, project, and learning to an audience of adults.

 

·      AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM- We will be piloting a Jr./Sr. high after-school program for 6, 7, & 8^th grade and 9-12^th grades from 2:30 to 5 PM (1:15 PM on Wednesdays). The first hour is a mandatory study hall in the computer room. The second hour is optional enrichment or remedial classes.  A nominal fee will help defray costs.

·      FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT- In many shapes, sounds, and forms, SJS has the Arts:  instrumental band, visual arts, performing arts, and dance.  This year we plan to include choral.

·      DISTANCE ADMISSIONS- Our goal is to increase our international presence at SJS and to offer host family boarding to student who would otherwise not be able to have a Catholic education.  Come see us!

 

In closing, my heartfelt gratitude speaks for the entire St. Joseph School community and goes out 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.  I respect you. I honor your willingness to share our vision and mission.  May the Lord be with you.

 

Peace in Christ,

Victoria Torcolini, Principal

 

 

GOALS GIVE PURPOSE

PURPOSE GIVES FAITH

FAITH GIVES COURAGE

COURAGE GIVES ENERGY

ENERGY GIVES LIFE

LIFE LIFTS US UP

CONCENTRATE.  FOCUS.  PRAY.  DO IT.

GOD BLESS YOU.