Annual Report
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Risen Christ Catholic School Annual Report ¡Dos lenguajes, muchas culturas, infinitas posibilidades! Two languages, many cultures, infinite possibilities! 2015 2016 1 BONNIE O’CONNOR Chair of the 2015-2016 A Year of New Beginnings Board of Directors BOARD OF Bonnie O’Connor isen Christ Catholic School has just DIRECTORS (incoming Chair 2016-17) Vice President Professional Services completed its 23rd year. The year has - retired been filled with change, challenge, Fairview-University Medical Center John Banovetz - Chair (final year) growth and commitment to the mission Managing Director of Germany, Deborah Organ, LICSW, DMin R of service to the children and families of this school. Austria and Switzerland, 3M Pastoral Associate Holy Rosary Parish Rev. Joseph Gillespie, OP It is also a time to be grateful for the leadership, Canonical Administrator, Pastor Juan Ramirez Church of St. Albert the Great Founder/CEO dedicated faculty, staff, volunteers and benefactors Grupo Avance and Marcelita’s Cookies who have made significant contributions to the Bill Hettling International Business Kelly Regan students and families in south Minneapolis. Development Manager Vice President Marketing Asia Pacific and Canada, 3M Premier Banks The Board wants to give a special thanks to John Banovetz for his years Sue Huber, PhD Kelly Sardon-Garrity, MBA of service as Board Chair. We are grateful to him for his vision and skill in Executive Vice President, Provost Program Director - retired Center for Global & Local Engagement navigating Risen Christ through challenging times with unwavering University of St. Thomas University of St. Thomas support of the mission. We wish John success in his new position at 3M Joe Johnston Rev. Leo Schneider as the Managing Director of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Branch Manager Pastor Senior Investment Executive Church of the Holy Name Feltl and Company The 2015-16 school year brought new leadership as we welcomed Rev. Jim Spahn, OP Michael Rogers as President and James DeLong as Director Maureen Lahr Pastor Managing Director of Americas Holy Rosary-Santo Rosario of Advancement. It was also a year of: Sales Operations Catholic Church Aon Benfield • Strong Board involvement • Academic achievement Peter Spokes • Renewed focus on fiscal issues Maria Lara Vice President Corporate Family Liaison Responsibility - retired • Continued implementation of the Spanish-English Andersen Family Resource Center Wells Fargo dual immersion model Bill Makens Kathleen Strombeck • Expanded opportunities for family enrichment and involvement President Vice President & Private • Strengthening collaboration with community partners Royal Concrete Products, Inc. Banking Officer Bell State Bank & Trust John McCarty As the new Chair of the Board of Directors, I know that John will be a Owner & CEO Carl Valdez St. Paul Development Corporation Deacon/Deácono tough act to follow. However, I am confident that with the support of Church of the Incarnation/ Board members, school leadership and the community that is Risen Christ, Frank Miley, JD Sagrado Corazón de Jesús President we will continue to make a difference for the children and their families. Cretin-Derham Hall High School Rev. Joseph Williams Pastor 2 Church of St. Stephen 3 BONNIE O’CONNOR Chair of the Board of Directors Educating Students — Mind, Body And Spirit! isen Christ Catholic School has just MICHAEL ROGERS President Mission Statement completed its 23rd year. The year has Risen Christ been filled with change, challenge, he 2015-16 school year was one of great change for us at Catholic School growth and commitment to the mission Risen Christ. Our dual immersion program expanded into of service to the children and families of this school. a new grade level, our enrollment increased and there was transition among our Board and Leadership Team. Risen Christ Catholic School It is also a time to be grateful for the leadership, T dedicated faculty, staff, volunteers and benefactors But through any change we might encounter, we walk together is a bilingual, multicultural who have made significant contributions to the in support of our mission to educate children in mind, body and and financially accessible school students and families in south Minneapolis. spirit to live and lead in the example of Jesus Christ. of excellence, educating children The Board wants to give a special thanks to John Banovetz for his years Academic results are important. Physical health is important. Faith is important. But at Risen in mind, body and spirit of service as Board Chair. We are grateful to him for his vision and skill in Christ we do not see these things as distinct items, separate from one another. We see them navigating Risen Christ through challenging times with unwavering as key components of an integrated program that serves a diverse community of children. to live and lead in the example support of the mission. We wish John success in his new position at 3M This is why Catholic education is, in the words of Deacon Joseph Michalak, “The broadest of Jesus Christ. as the Managing Director of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. and deepest education humanly possible.” The 2015-16 school year brought new leadership as we welcomed I believe this integrative approach explains why our students outperform their “Catholic education Michael Rogers as President and James DeLong as Director public and charter school peers on state tests. Or why our graduates attend is integrative, not of Advancement. It was also a year of: high schools like Cristo Rey and DeLaSalle, which are stepping-stones to just balanced. It’s the broadest and • Strong Board involvement • Academic achievement universities like St. Thomas, Creighton and the University of MN. I believe this deep, Catholic education explains why so many of our graduates turn into young deepest education • Renewed focus on fiscal issues humanly possible.” adults of faith who are dedicated to their communities and families. • Continued implementation of the Spanish-English —Deacon Joseph Michalak dual immersion model • Expanded opportunities for family enrichment and involvement It also explains why your generosity is so essential. You help us fulfill our mission • Strengthening collaboration with community partners through every gift. You help us provide this transformative Catholic education at a tuition rate that is affordable for the single mother with three children working As the new Chair of the Board of Directors, I know that John will be a two jobs to make ends meet, or the family who has immigrated from tough act to follow. However, I am confident that with the support of Honduras so they can access critical medical care for their special needs child. Board members, school leadership and the community that is Risen Christ, we will continue to make a difference for the children and their families. On behalf of our families, and all of us at Risen Christ, thank you for making another amazing school year possible! 2 3 Closing the LIZ RAMSEY Achievement Gap Principal Excellence—Much To Be Proud Of! 2015-2016 he 2015-16 school year was an exciting one filled with Risen Christ’s middle school students take hard work and dedication to excellence! Our dual the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment immersion program expanded to first grade and 73 (MCA), the same standardized test as their scholars learned in both Spanish and English every day. peers in public and charter schools TResults from the Children’s Progress Academic Assessment —and the results are impressive. (CPAA) demonstrated that our kindergarten and first grade students were meeting expectations in all areas of reading When compared to students from the same and mathematics in both languages! economic circumstances, our graduates’ Math and Reading scores are DOUBLE the Our City Connects program was launched with Lindsay O’Keefe Minneapolis Public School average. as our school coordinator. Students and families were connected to over 1,128 community services in just three and a half months— 60% 50% truly, a great need is being filled! 40% 30% As part of our accreditation process for the Minnesota Nonpublic School Accrediting 20% Association (MNSAA), the faculty worked diligently on a self-study to thoroughly 10% 0% examine our programs and policies in light of our mission to be a bilingual, Reading Math multicultural and financially accessible school of excellence, educating children in mind, body and spirit to live and lead in the example of Jesus Christ. The findings It’s no wonder that 70 percent of our Class will guide our work in the development of a Strategic Plan. of 2016 are now preparing for college at Catholic high schools like DeLaSalle, Our school was twice honored this year as Mrs. Diane LaBeau, one of our second Cristo Rey and Holy Angels, while others grade teachers, was named Honor Teacher of the Year from the Minnesota Indepen– go to a high-performing charter like dent Schools Forum (MISF) and when a Boston College report titled, “Catholic Schools Hiawatha Collegiate High School. in an Increasingly Hispanic Church” featured Risen Christ as a school of excellence. Early enrollment in Risen Christ is key. Our students also have a lot to be proud of — Students who begin their education at Risen 70 percent of our 46 graduates were accepted into Christ before 4th grade are nearly twice as Catholic high schools and ten students received likely to meet state standards Flaherty scholarships (financial assistance making than those who enter in later years. attendance at Catholic high schools possible). From a student’s perspective, the highlight . Your investment in Risen Christ helps us close a visit from Minnesota Twins players and TC Bear! the achievement gap. Thank you for your faith and trust in our work. 4 5 JAMES DELONG ’95 Our Donors, Our Inspiration! Director of Advancement n December 2015, it was my unique honor and privilege to return to Risen Christ as the school’s new Director of Advancement.