Visioning the Future of Great Catholic Schools

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Visioning the Future of Great Catholic Schools

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse

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Our Mission The Catholic Schools
carry out the mission of Jesus Christ,
proclaiming the Gospel and forming students in a
faith that is living, conscious and active in
accordance with the teachings of the Roman
Catholic Church. The schools are also committed
to fostering academic excellence in a
Christ-centered environment.
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OUR JOURNEY

• Bishop met with pastors of the schools in the
  South/southwest corridor
• Ahern, Murphy Associates volunteered to
  facilitate visioning sessions
• Pastors and principals in SSW selected a
  representative group from their parish/school
• A concurrent process was conducted between Our
  Lady of Pompei and Cathedral Schools
• Plans of action were developed and presented to
  Bishop Moynihan

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Goal

• To develop a model that creatively unifies our
  school system incorporating the mission of
  Catholic Schools recognizing our Catholic
  identity, academic excellence and fiscal
  stability while adapting to changing
  demographics, the diversity and ethnicity of our
  students and financial resources.

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Excellent Schools

• Passion for excellence
• Leadership with vision
• Research based decision making
• Quality education
• Optimal class size - student to staff ratio
• Safe, efficient and appealing facilities
• Geographic location
• Academic enrichment and intervention programs
• Athletics
• Expanded curriculum

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GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
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Enrollment by School
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PHASE 1
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BENEFITS

• FIRST AND FOREMOST,
• We teach theology centering on Christ and the
  virtues He taught. Thus the focus of the
  curriculum is our Catholic Identity.
• Academic services
• Both academic intervention services and academic
  enrichment services will be provided to students
  at all sites. These will include resource,
  remedial and tutorial services, enhanced programs
  for advanced students, speech and counseling
  services.

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• TECHNOLOGY
• All sites will have wireless internet access
  with an emphasis on integration of technology
  into the Pre-K 6 curriculum. This will be
  accomplished through the use of laptops, a
  technology integration teacher and the alignment
  of technology in the junior/senior high schools.
• FINE ARTS PROGRAMS
• Expand fine arts programs at all sites to
  provide drama/performing arts, band, visual media
  and choral opportunities.

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• FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM
• Implement a K 6 foreign language program at
  all sites aligned with the junior/senior high
  schools.
• ATHLETICS PROGRAMS
• Expand the interscholastic athletic program in a
  variety of sports in
• grades 3 6 and provide intramural programs for
  grades K - 2

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• INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS
• Provide opportunities at each site for teachers
  to design innovative programs based on best
  practices, data analysis, grants and
  federal/state initiatives.

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FINANCIAL BENEFITS

• Tuition reduced rates for the second and third
  child include junior/senior high schools
• Two year tuition schedule has been formulated for
  schools throughout the Diocese
• Efficient use of human resources
• Consolidated financial resources with local
  budgetary accountability

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LONG RANGE PLANNING

• Recruitment and retention of high- quality
  administrators and teachers
• Development plan for the region
• Aggressive marketing plan advancing the Pre-K
  12 Catholic educational system
• Continuous evaluation of facilities

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PHASE II

• EXPANSION POTENTIAL
• In this phase, namely implementation of a
  middle school, grades 6 8, sites were
  envisioned that could accommodate development of
  a strong middle school educational program based
  upon increased enrollment at the three existing
  educational sites. Further study and research of
  the middle school model will continue as we move
  toward our enrollment goals.

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OPENING THE DOORS TO A WHOLE NEW CATHOLIC
EDUCATION EXPERIENCE.
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Q and A
Are these the final recommendations? Yes, these
are the results from the process engaged in by
the 40 members of the Visioning the Future
committee and have been approved by Bishop
Moynihan. Will the schools still be parish
schools? All the new schools will be diocesan.
However, each school will have a form of
governance which will advance ownership on the
part of parents, teachers, administrators and
priests. Will the pastors retain control of the
schools in the system? The pastors will be part
of the governance and all priests are encouraged
and welcomed to be a vital and active presence in
our schools as they are presently.
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Will the parish still be responsible for the
building? The Catholic School Office is
responsible for the curriculum, school personnel
and programs. The responsibility for the
facility will be determined by a mutual
agreement between the parish and the
diocese. Will the current parish support/subsidy
change? The parish support/subsidy for schools
are under review throughout the diocese. What
will happen to the current staff? As a result of
creating a new system, all positions will be
open for interview. Administrators will be
announced on Friday, February 10th
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Will each schools development efforts be kept
separate? Yes. Development efforts will be
identified for each school. Will the Catholic
Schools Management Strategic Planning efforts be
part of this system? Yes. We believe the future
success of this system is built upon the
strength of the CSM goals and objectives. Why a
Catholic International Academy? It is the
mission of the Church to embrace peoples of all
cultures and proclaim the Gospel message of
Jesus Christ. In collaboration with Lemoyne
College, our diversified program will engage our
children in this global mission.
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Will bussing be provided for my child? Bussing
is provided to our schools by all public schools
districts according to state regulations. Will
there be tuition assistance? Private School
Assistance Service (PSAS) provides a
schedule for Tuition assistance according to
need and funds available. Application with
correct documentation must be sent to PSAS by
April 1st. Principals will provide Information
and packets upon request. What about uniforms,
school mascots, etc.? Each site will determine
this with the students involved. Why rename the
schools The Bishops Academy? Our new name
represents our commitment to look forward to the
future in our new system while retaining our link
to the past.
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What about the Daycare and Pre-K? St. James, St.
Ann and St. Patrick may choose to continue their
programs. How can I feel confident in the
stability of the new system? How is it
different? This plan is a result of a
collaborative process based on data analysis,
historical perspective and the dreams of the
participants from each of the parishes. The
system is only as good as you, the stakeholders,
make it. What will the tuition be next
year? The tuition for grades K-6 for 2006-2007
and 2007-2008 will increase by 195. The tuition
discount rates for families with multiple
children will be made available at schools by
the time of registration.
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PLEASE DIRECT YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE
SUPERINTENDENT AT

• diosupt_at_syrdiocese.org

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Remember Our Mission

• Proclaim the Gospel
• Form students in Faith
• Foster academic Excellence
• Create a Christ-centered Environment