Annual Report Risen Christ Catholic School 2013 2014 Serving low income and immigrant K-8 students in a faith- based environment in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of south central Minneapolis 1 Risen Christ Catholic School: JOHN BANOVETZ Making a Difference Chair of the Board of Directors Where we are . 2013-2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Risen Christ delivers a high quality John Banovetz – Chair Frank Miley Catholic education in a safe and nurturing Global Business Director Director of Development environment to over 300 students in south Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Cretin-Derham Hall HS central Minneapolis. Considering that more Division, 3M Bonnie O’Connor than 90 percent of the students qualify for Andy Bauer VP, Professional Services (retired) free or reduced lunch and over 60 percent of Vice President and CFO Fairview-University Medical Miller Milling Center the students are English learners, fulfilling the mission of Risen Christ is no easy task. Yet, we are closing Arthur G Boylan Deborah A Organ, LICSW, DMin the educational achievement gap for our students and making a Shareholder Pastoral Associate Stinson Leonard Street LLP Holy Rosary Parish difference in the lives of the children and their families. Rev Joseph Gillespie, OP Kelly Regan Canonical Administrator, Pastor Vice President of Marketing . Where we are going . Church of St Albert the Great Premier Banks We’ve been able to accomplish much in the last year to help close Bill Hanley Rev Leo Schneider the achievement gap. Educationally, through the hard work of Attorney Pastor the faculty and staff, Risen Christ achieved its educational goals Lowry Hill Law Offices Church of the Holy Name —over 70 percent of the students were proficient or made more Bill Hettling Rev Jim Spahn, OP than a year’s academic growth in the school year. Financially, the International Business Development Pastor school operated on a balanced budget—a budget that is half the Manager Holy Rosary Catholic Church Asia Pacific and Canada, 3M budget of comparable public institutions. Finally, through our dual Peter Spokes immersion program commencing in August 2014, we will build on Sue Huber, PhD VP, Corporate our strengths to create the best possible learning environment for Executive Vice President, Provost Responsibility (retired) University of St Thomas Wells Fargo our students. Maria Lara Deacon Carl Valdez Risen Christ cannot exist without the dedication of its faculty, staff, Family Liaison Church of the Incarnation- Andersen Family Resource Center Sagrado Corazón de Jesús volunteers and benefactors. On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your time, talent and support. Your generosity makes Bill Makens Rev Joseph Williams a difference in the lives of our students and community. President Pastor Royal Concrete Products, Inc Church of St Stephen . Imagine the Possibilities. John McCarty 2 Owner/CEO 3 St Paul Development Corp HELEN DAHLMAN Hope and Opportunity President Mission Statement e often like to say that Risen Christ Risen Christ School provides hope and opportunity Catholic School Frank Miley to children living in poverty, but how Director of Development do we really quantify that? Although Cretin-Derham Hall HS our standardized test scores give us a good indication Risen Christ Catholic School Bonnie O’Connor W that we are narrowing the achievement gap, I believe is committed to developing VP, Professional Services (retired) the best way to quantify a concept such as hope is to Fairview-University Medical the spiritual, academic, social, Center hear from the students themselves: physical and leadership gifts of Deborah A Organ, LICSW, DMin all of our children. We promote Pastoral Associate “When I entered Risen Christ in the fifth grade, I wasn’t where I was supposed to Holy Rosary Parish be academically. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to be. I used to think passing was collaboration with families passing and I didn’t strive for greatness, but Risen Christ helped me find my way; Kelly Regan and the community in order Vice President of Marketing they really push you because they know what you’re capable of. They aren’t just Premier Banks building academic excellence here; they are building character.” . “I have grown to affirm and embrace our so much over the past four years. I now get grades I can be proud of. I now have an cultural diversity within a safe, Rev Leo Schneider academic foundation that will take me far in life.” — Jazmine Pastor academically challenging and Church of the Holy Name Christian learning environment. “. it is very important to put God first before anything else. That is, by far, one of Rev Jim Spahn, OP Pastor the most important lessons I’ve learned at Risen Christ Catholic School. It is not all Holy Rosary Catholic Church my effort that has gotten me this far. If it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” . “All my teachers here at Risen Christ School have taught me so much Peter Spokes VP, Corporate academically, but they have also taught me many life lessons that will stick with me Responsibility (retired) for the rest of my life.” — Efrata Wells Fargo Deacon Carl Valdez Both Jazmine and Efrata, children of immigrant parents, graduated from Risen Christ School Church of the Incarnation- this year and are attending DeLaSalle High School on full scholarships in the fall of 2014. Sagrado Corazón de Jesús They are what hope looks like, and they, along with their schoolmates, are the reason Rev Joseph Williams I am so deeply grateful to our teachers, staff, volunteers and you, our benefactors, for Pastor ensuring that Risen Christ School remain a steadfast source of hope and opportunity for Church of St Stephen God’s children here in the heart of Minneapolis. Thank you. 2 3 LIZ RAMSEY A Banner Year for Students Principal ost students enter Risen Christ Catholic School performing at least two years below grade level. We are very excited this year that 70 percent of all students, K-8, either achieved proficiency or made more than one year’s growth in the three key academic areas of reading, math and language arts, as measured by the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments from NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association). MWe have been striving to meet this goal for three years. From a historical perspective, culturally and linguistically diverse students score lower than their English-speaking peers on standardized tests. Through the combined efforts of teachers, students, families and volunteers, the goal was met. Teachers targeted their instruction to meet students’ specific language and academic needs. Students applied themselves in reaching their goals. Parents supported students by bringing them We are very excited to special programming and encouraging students to demonstrate their knowledge on the tests. this year that 70 percent of Volunteers provided support in mastering skills or by enriching the curriculum. all students either achieved During the 2013-2014 school year, an award-winning program—E3 (Eat, Educate, proficiency or made more Exercise) was implemented for our students. Through a grant awarded to St. Mary’s than one year’s growth in Health Clinics (SMHC) from United Way’s “Healthy Behaviors” initiative, SMHC the three key academic and Risen Christ School partnered to reduce the risk of childhood obesity and Type II diabetes in low-income children by promoting physical areas of reading, math and activity and healthy eating habits in a supportive environment. language arts. The E3 program provides opportunities throughout the school day for students to engage in fitness activities and learn about nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices. This was a banner year for student achievement and engagement. It makes all of us very proud. 4 5 FRAN RUSCIANO MURNANE We Know These Things About You Director of Advancement t Risen Christ, you work with us so that our students become Risen Christ students educated, ethical, moral and successful leaders. You know that invite you to come education is an essential way out of poverty. You support our Discover Risen Christ. academically rigorous curriculum, along with our faith-based Meet students and approach to educating the whole child. school leadership over lunch, followed AYou are a critical element in sustaining the school for the children. You provide the financial resources to make everything work harmoniously by a student-led tour. toward the goal of closing the achievement gap for at-risk students. Discover Risen Christ Your commitment is invaluable. Wednesdays 11:30 am - 12:45 pm When we think of you, we see you as a stalwart, a friend and our inspiration. We are grateful for your caring and generous support of the children. Nov 19, 2014; Jan 14, Feb 18, We understand that your giving is a reflection of your values. Mar 18, Apr 15 or May 20, 2015 For information, please contact the During the 2013-2014 fiscal year, you gave $925,000, an all-time record, Advancement Department: and close to $50,000 over our goal. Your financial gifts made up 42 percent 612-822-5329 of our income—an extraordinary, but fundamental task in serving children living in poverty. 2013-2014 Advancement Committee Members Some of you are mentors to our 7th and 8th graders in our Imagine the Possibilities program. You made our fourth year wonderfully successful. Bonnie O’Connor, Chair Others of you celebrated our students at the 18th annual Gala For the Children. Fairview University Medical Center (retired) It was a great evening because of you! Many individuals and groups contributed Arthur Boylan - Stinson Leonard Street LLP in important and wonderful ways. James DeLong - Community of Peace School Craig Erickson - Erickson & Wessman, PA By any standard, you are impressive! You make an immense impact on the lives Linda Ewing - Cincinnatus, Inc of the children and families of Risen Christ.