MINUTES OF MEETING OF ST. THOMAS SCHOOL

DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

 

 

 

          A meeting of the St. Thomas School Development Council was called to order at the St. Thomas School Library/Media Center at 6:31 P.M. on Wednesday, September 26, 2007.  The following members were present:   Claire Auger, a new member, Teresa Breault, Brian Coffta, Joanne Cusack, Donna Jacques, Debbie Legere, Jackie Nolette, Sue Ouellette, Norman Provost, ex officio and Edward J. Titcomb.  Tom Ursia, St. Thomas School Development Director, was a special invited guest.  Christine Beaudoin was excused.

 

          Joanne Cusack called the meeting to order and offered a prayer.

 

          The Secretary’s Report was not available and will be presented at the Council’s October meeting. 

 

Brian Coffta, Treasurer, has asked for guidance from other Members of the Council in order to prepare appropriate Reports.  He stressed he is willing to work hard with the guidance of the Council.

 

Joanne welcomed Claire Auger as a new Member.  She is a retired teacher and a long time supporter of St. Thomas.  All four of her children graduated from St. Thomas and she has two grandchildren, both of whom are enrolled at St. Thomas. 

 

Joanne Cusack then recognized Tom Ursia, who provided a Development Activities Report to the Council. 

 

Tom Ursia advised the Council he had been involved in grant research and foundation research, including the Mattel Corporation and the Libra Foundation, Maine Group.  The most promising potential is with the Libra Foundation.  Tom Ursia advised there are four trustees who are the decision makers.  Foundation Grants are made on a quarterly basis.  The trustees are Attorney Owen Wells; William Ryan, who is connected with Banknorth; Henry Brooks; and Pendred Noyes (related to the late Elizabeth Noyes, who established the Libra Foundation).  Successful grants are within the range of $20,000.00 to $25,000.00.  The Foundation does not fund scholarships.  Tom Ursia stressed the Libra Foundation is open to innovative and creative projects.  An example would be to partner with another group in making an application.  Potential partners include the Microsoft Corporation and Tom Chappelle of Tom’s of Maine.

 

Tom Ursia also cited the Nordstrom Department Store Company.  Grant opportunities exist with respect to historical preservation and also educational projects.  Tom advised Nordstrom has a November deadline.  On that basis, it may be appropriate to explore grant opportunities with Nordstrom over the coming year. 

 

It was pointed out that St. Thomas was successful in putting together a Wellness Program and received a grant for this in partnership with the Goodall Hospital.

 

Norman Provost advised the Council Cathedral School in Portland received a $10,000.00 grant from the Libra Foundation.  He believes it was for a nutrition program. 

 

Brian Coffta suggested the focus should be local, that is, with the Libra Foundation and with Tom Chappelle.

 

Joanne Cusack brought the Council up to date regarding raffle tickets.  Dick Bergeron, a past Member of the Council and a long time supporter of St. Thomas, has 100 tickets to sell.  20 tickets were sold at the School’s Open House which was held in August 2007. 

 

It was suggested that after the Church Fair which is scheduled for mid-October, the sale of raffle tickets can begin at the various Masses.  The tickets can also be marketed to alumni.  This year the proceeds will be used for the Scholarship Fund.

 

Joanne Cusack then turned the Council’s attention to other fundraising ideas.  Donna Jacques advised the Council that her husband, Mike, has come up with an idea that would involve selling bricks with names on them to be placed in the sitting area by the School’s sign.  This would be a memorial area.  Such a fundraising effort has the potential to raise as much as $22,500.00.

 

Recruitment Program – the Marketing Committee appeared before the School Board with the proposal to send books to all children being baptized this year.  If all of the Parishes in the cluster are considered, it is estimated there would be approximately 300 children who would be receiving the books.  5^th and 6^th graders at St. Thomas have started to prepare personalized cards to be sent as well.  Joanne Cusack advised three volunteers have started over the summer putting the packages together.  Such packages will also include a letter from the School.  Mr. Provost has circulated a draft of this letter asking for input.  He also pointed out that it is important to include all of the Parishes in the cluster because St. Thomas receives support from these other Parishes.

 

Joanne Cusack then presented a Report on behalf of Christine Beaudoin.  Joanne reported that an alumnus of the School, Monsignor Rene Mathieu, will be highlighted in an upcoming Quarterly Newsletter.  She also reported there is a proposal for a yearbook.  The School Board has given its approval for this. 

 

Donna Jacques reported the website is up and running.  Her husband, Mike, has devoted countless hours to this project.  The website, at present, is now much easier to navigate.

 

Joanne Cusack reported on the Milk and Cookies Club.  There are four new volunteers who will run the Program.  They are Claire Webb, Becky Tanguay, Mary Ann Fink and Claire Ledue.  The Program will start on Friday, October 19.  There will also be events held Friday, November 2; Friday, November 16; and Friday, December 7.  All of these events will take place from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M.  Scheduled events will be announced at Masses. 

 

Friday, November 9, has been scheduled as a Family Fun Night.  There have been numerous suggestions for the event, including a talent show and also organizing a family movie night.  The consensus of the Council was to look into having a movie night.  Council Members will be asked for input on the movie selection.

 

          Joanne reminded the Council there is a joint meeting of the PTO, the Development Council and the School Board scheduled for Monday, October 1, at 7:00 P.M.  The focus will be on the upcoming visit by the accreditation committee.  Part of the visit will include a catered banquet to be held at the St. Ignatius Parish Hall at 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 28.  Members of the School Board, Development Council, PTO Officers and others have been invited.  It is expected there will be approximately 75 people in attendance.  Joanne asked that all Development Council Members re-review the self-study report in preparation for the visiting committee visit.

 

          Mr. Provost provided the Principal’s Report.  Letters have been sent out to the parents of all students advising the Anti-Bullying Program is now being implemented.  Statistics for opening day are as follows:  enrollment is 197 (9 less than last year); and the Early Childhood Program, consisting of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten has 55 children enrolled.  It was noted that of the 197 enrolled, approximately 16% (about 30) represent non-Parish families.  The projected budget for the beginning of the school year (which was determined in February) has been readjusted and amended.  The projected budget now stands at $779,941.00.  The Portfolio Account, which is a stock portfolio, as of June 30, totals $268,408.00.  The School’s Capital Account, as of the same date is $48,214.00.  With respect to the Scholarship Account, $15,000.00 in scholarship aid has been paid out for this school year.  The Account has $91,000.00 in reserve. 

 

          The next meeting will be held Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at 6:30 P.M.

 

          There being no further business to discuss, it was voted to adjourn at 8:27 P.M.

 

                                                                   Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                             

                                                                   Edward J. Titcomb, Secretary