A Year in Review St. Joseph Montessori School Annual Report 2020-2021 POINTS OF PRIDE: MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL • St. Joseph Montessori School Dear St. Joseph Montessori School Stakeholders, opened for the 2020-21 school year on September 8. We This year has brought us all unprecedented events were able to hold in person challenging our health and mental well-being: a Montessori instruction, as well devastating pandemic, global economic instability, as extended care, 5 days a record-breaking unemployment, children’s learning week throughout the Global loss, civil unrest, and political divisiveness. I realize COVID 19 Pandemic. that many individuals have uniquely felt the impact of our current climate, and my heart remains heavy • The faculty and Board of for those who have faced tragedy or loss. Trustees of SJMS embarked on the American Montessori As we anticipate the future, I am deeply moved by Society self study with the all who remain committed to supporting the school, goal of hosting a fall 2022 which in turn, allows us to care for the children we on-site visit to achieve full serve. I hope that every parent, grandparent, or accreditation. friend of SJMS understands the impact they are making on the future. Dr. Maria Montessori said, • The Class of 2021 left a legacy “The education of even a small child, therefore, does of a St. Joseph Montessori not aim for preparing him for school, but for life.” I School mascot; The Blue see evidence of the adults our children will become Jays. 55.6% of our population every day; independent, confident, life-long learn- voted for this mascot choice. ers, curious, and global citizens. Observing these The other choices were the characteristics brings hope and purpose to our ev- Salamanders and the Spartans. eryday work, especially during this challenging year. • Stakeholders were invited to The powerful demonstration of passion, resilience, participate in our partnership and courage by the SJMS community also fosters with Cary Dabney, Director, great hope. The faculty and the Board of Trustees Office of Ministry to African have worked selflessly in the face of challenge and I American Catholics, Catholic am thankful for each of you. We acknowledge that Diocese of Cleveland. Cary the journey ahead may still be unsettling and rid- brought a wealth of knowledge dled with the unknown, but we have learned a great deal about ourselves and our ability to persevere to our faculty, parents, Upper with positivity and grit. We will always look to the Elementary 6th Years, and children; to the future. Middle School students in Cultural Humility. • When possible, events were Sincerely, shifted from an in person format to virtual. Much thought was given to effectiveness, delivery, and format to make these events meaningful for our Brenda Huth community. Head of School MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT Dear SJMS Community: As the year is coming to an end, I have many feelings going through my mind and I am consumed with pride. I am mindful of the challenges we faced and overcame as a team. I am thankful for the leadership and perseverance displayed daily by the school staff and administration, and I am humbled, when I look into the faces of our children as they resiliently navigated new ways of learning. This past year, we as an SJMS family, have truly engaged the tenets of our mission—”To educate the human potential.” To the staff of SJMS, thank you for being diligent and relentless in ensuring the safety of our children and engaging with them face-to-face for the entire school year! Few schools can share the same story of success. To the SJMS families, thank you for trusting us with your children. Thank you for providing feedback and for supporting our initiatives. I recognize the sacrifices we all had to make and endure to make this school year successful. I am grateful for having the opportunity to work alongside a team of caring professionals- our SJMS Board. Our Board of Trustees has been working side by side with our administration to ensure all of our decisions are pointing to creating the best Montessori School in the State of Ohio. As a Board we kept the goals of the school at the forefront of our decisions. Our committees are dedicated and strong. Our governance committee has been hard at work this past year, addressing many essential items that will make our Board not only stronger but even more efficient. The team has created a Head of School rubric evaluation, has engaged a consultant to provide Board training, and remains true to its responsibility of being responsible for the school’s purpose, direction, and progress. They have met diligently every month to review our bylaws and policies to ensure accuracy and respect for the dignity of those we serve as our climate changes. They have vetted strong candidates as part of the Board succession planning, and they conducted a Board self-assessment, remaining open to learning. The Board has been involved for the past year in the AMS Self-study and continues developing our strategic and financial plan for stability. Our Board supports our faculty and school financially; we achieved 100% Board participation to the annual fund by early November of last year. We advocate for and support the school’s fundraising efforts. Our Board is solid and committed to making the best long-term decisions for our school. To my fellow Board members, thank you for not only supporting me and the administration, but also being passionate about our school’s vision and mission with your time, talent, and philanthropy. We created family at SJMS; whether in person or virtually, we remained present for each other. Together, we addressed tough conversations and problem solved as we walked together addressing social justice and systemic racism. I believe there is nothing we can’t solve together at SJMS. As my time as a Board member ends, I will assume my role as a committed parent and SJMS super fan. I am genuinely proud of each of us. I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to serve the SJMS family. Sincerely, Liza S. Paul Board of Trustees, President St. Joseph Montessori School Brenda Huth Liza Paul Head of School Board of Trustees President Looking ahead to 2021-2022 • St. Joseph Montessori School will offer a toddler program for the 2021-22 school year that will serve children ages 18 months to 32 months. • For the 2021-22 school year we will be expanding to offer a third Lower Elementary classroom. • St. Joseph Montessori School will offer STEAM programming for the 2021-22 school year led by Evan Boylan. Evan’s vision for STEAM education and computer science will serve students’ Children’s House through Middle School and will incorporate a “Problem Bank” to ensure a connection to real world learning and application. 2020-2021 STUDENT STUDENT STATS DEMOGRAPHICS 26% 203 STUDENTS 54% 12% 91 112 1% 5% GIRLS BOYS 2% STUDENT : TEACHER RATIO White 54% Black/ Non-Hispanic 5% Hispanic 2% CH 1:10 LE 1:13 Asian 1% Multi-Racial 12% UE 1:11 MS 1:15 Unknown/Unspecified 26% Data provided 10/2020 16.3% CATHOLIC 87% RETENTION FROM 20-21 MOVING INTO 21-22 AS OF 04/30/21 SJMS Students travel from 43 different zip codes to come to school each day. Top 10 Zip codes 1. 43206 6. 43081 2. 43214 7. 43085 3. 43201 8. 43209 4. 43215 9. 43205 5. 43221 10. 43202 Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, SJMS offered a Homeschool Options for students. 16 students began the year participating in the SJMS Homeschool Option 3 students ended the year participating in the SJMS Homeschool Option 13 students returned to in-person learning throughout the 20-21 school year Were purchased to support 348 our home school students. BOOKS Were created by our special 558 subject teachers to support VIDEO LESSONS our homeschool students. We are extremely happy with our experience at SJMS. We have 2 children enrolled in Childrens House and are very excited for the growth we have seen in them this past year. Our children started the year with the homeschool option. The materials and guidance received were helpful in providing enriching activities at home. We were very impressed with how well SJMS man- aged the return to in person school with Covid protocols and felt safe and comfortable to have our children return to in person learning. The faculty did a great job supporting our family with both the homeschool option and in person learning. While at home, the materials provided for the homeschool program along with the individualized 1:1 lessons and community time helped to make our children feel connected to their friends and classroom activities. When we pivoted back to in person school SJMS made it extremely easy and our children are so happy to be back with their peers. They are thriving with the support of their amazing teachers, Pen & Bethany, who have been working with us along the way to ensure our children have felt included regardless of whether they were at home or in school. We are so excited to be part of the SJMS family and look forward to having our children grow into global citizens, as a result of the rich experiences they are receiving with this wonderful Montessori program. ~Shani Sklepko 64 students participated in 6 clubs or sports Music/Band Enrichment Private Lesson 19 Outdoor Track & Field 22 Virtual Power of the Pen 3 Boys Basketball 7 Girls Basketball 3 Spanish Enrichment Private Lesson 6 Art Enrichment Private Lesson 3 AWARDS Boys 8th grade Basketball: Division Championship with 6-0 record (This is their 3rd straight championship!) Power of the Pen: Matthew Holonitch 7th Grade Director’s Choice Award -(Regional) Power of the Pen: Matthew Holonitch District Platinum Pen Award Ohio Music Education Association: Lilla Hohl and Dominic Paul for their successful performance in the OMEA Solo and Ensemble contest.