Blarney Stone
School Business

 

In recent years, successful business practices have been applied to education.  Measurable goals; data analysis; employee satisfaction surveys and teacher evaluation methods have all been influenced by business models.  It's not always a smooth transfer from a for profit business to the "business of schools" but there has been greater fiscal accountability for how schools are managed because of credible business practices.

St Pat's School Commission has been blessed with members who bring a business acumen but also understand that the business of our school is about kids.  In their wisdom, they have created a "pro forma" document wherein minimum but essential requirements are embedded.  The School Commission begins their budget planning with mandates for a balanced budget; significant financial aid; and resources to ensure our commitment to the faculty for a competitive and just wage.  There are, and always will be, competing goods in schools and never enough dollars so starting with what is essential, our sine qua non, is hugely important for the Commission.  From my perspective, they have been faithful to their fiscal responsibilities while keeping in mind the aspirational elements of our mission: in other words, they have been good stewards of our resources while striving for the school to become even more.

The School Commission will present a balanced budget to the Parish Finance Council with a goal of 365 students.  We will have a slight cost of living increase for all budget lines except for Technology where we will invest more for reliable internet access.  The proposed budget will continue to place teachers at the 90% of Tacoma Public School's previous year level.  Our financial aid budget will go up slightly but our Development Office is pursuing a mini campaign for increased dollars to make St Pat's accessible to more families.  All other budget adjustments have been considered and so the School Commission has accepted a 4% tuition increase for in parish and a 1% increase for out of parish families.   These rates keep us in line with rates for local parish schools, allow for essential obligations to be met, and encourages growth in our programs.

I am so grateful for the members of our School Finance Committee, Parish Finance Council and our Commission.  They work hard to keep us running as a business while allowing us to be about the real business of our school-the education and religious formation of children within a faith-filled community.

Peace,
Chris
Upcoming Events

January 19:  SPPA Meeting, 7 PM, Library

January 20:  Welcome Wednesday for Prospective Families 9-11 AM

January 21:  Middle School Mass

January 28:  Primary Mass, 8:45 AM

January 31- Feb. 6:  Catholic Schools Week

February 3:  Welcome Wednesday for Prospective Families 9-11 AM
2016/17 Admissions

Thank you for referring friends and family to St. Patrick Catholic School.
SPPA

The next SPPA meeting is tonight at 7pm in the library.

Join us as we begin the 2nd half of the year of events and opportunities: Catholic Schools Week, Father Daughter Dance, Mother Son event, Field Day and more!
Community Ministry

Question of the Week:  King David calls us to trust God and not to fear.  How do Jesus' words and actions increase our trust in a loving God?


Join us on Thursday, January 21 for a Middle School Division Mass at 8:45 AM.
Catholic Schools Week


Catholic Schools Week is January 31 - February 6.
Our Catholic Schools Week Committee is busy planning fun events for the week.  More information will be available soon.

Good News for the Nation: Catholic Schools Are Thriving

Catholic schools offer academic excellence and faith-filled education for students nationwide.  National test scores, high school graduation rates, college attendance and other data show that Catholic schools frequently outperform schools in both the public and private sectors. While some Catholic schools are challenged by declining enrollments and school closures, the good news is that there is a strong demand and enthusiasm for Catholic schools. Thirty-two percent of Catholic schools have waiting lists for admission and new schools are opening across the country.  This infographic shares facts and figures about the ongoing excellence and promise of growth represented in our country's Catholic schools.
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CYO

Basketball
We have had a great season to this point.  Our 8th grade boys' and girls' teams have completed their seasons!  Thank you to all the boys and girls who worked so hard for these last 4 months.  Thank you also to John Barta the boys' coach.  He has been with most of these boys for 5 years.  Thank you to Mark Schmogyi and Jake Sterino for taking on the new adventure for the girls' basketball team!

Our 7th grade girls and 6th grade girls have made the playoffs which start next Wednesday.

Our 7th grade boys have one more game to determine if they make the post season.

Here is this weekend's schedule:
7th grade boys play @ St. Pats vs. St. Charles blue @ 11:15 am
6th boys play @ Bellarmine vs. All Saints @ 11:20 am
6th girls play @ Bellarmine vs. Annie Wright 5th @ 10:00 am
5th boys play @ Bellarmine vs. St. Charles blue @ 12:00 pm
5th girls play @ Bellarmine vs. Annie Wright 5th @ 11:00 am
4th boys play @ Bellarmine vs. St. Charles @ 1:00 pm
4th girls play @ Bellarmine vs. St. Nicks @ 2:00 pm

Score and highlights:
The 6th grade girls played All Saints this weekend. During the first half of the game it was a slow and rough start for the players.  The players came back with a vengeance during the second half with a win against All Saints 32 to 16.  Jo scored 18 points helping to kick the Saint Pat's players into gear. Also, contributing to the board Robyn 4, Ellie 2, Ryan 2 and Jasmine 2.  Big defensive moves by Bella with 10 rebounds, Robyn 5, Ryan 5, Lillian 4 and Ellie 3.  Great job Shamrocks!

The 5th grade boys played great against St. Francis Cabrini.  All the boys took great shots, grabbed rebounds and played great defense allowing us to get steals and rebounds.  We won 42-17.  Matteo was the leading scorer for both teams with 12 points.  Liam M. had 7, Peter had 6, Kellen had 5, Jack had 4, Liam Mc., Aidan, Luke and Jordan all scored a basket as well.  Every player had at least one rebound!
 
Volleyball
Volleyball in Pierce County CYO is coed.  Sign-up sheets will be in the classroom this week for the 5th - 8th grades.  Coaches and the Athletic Director may contact parents next week to verify your son or daughter's interest in playing volleyball.
Practices will start in early February.  Games will start in late February and conclude at the end of April.  The cost to play will be around $40.
Please email the athletic director if you are interested in coaching or you have any questions.  

The Athletic Director's email is cyoathletics@saintpats.org.

For more information about CYO, click here.
Tuition Assistance

St. Patrick Catholic School is offering financial aid for the 2016/17 school year. We would like any family in need of assistance to please complete this application.  

The application for the school's tuition assistance is due on February 10.  If you have any questions about this, please contact Bonnie Viafore in the school office at (253)272-2297 or 
Lost and Found

The Lost and Found will be collected on January 25.  Please retrieve your items by the end of this week.  Thank you!
Yearbook

We need more CYO and any outside sports/activities pictures for the yearbook!  

Please send them to our parent volunteer, Mindi Marsh at swampclan@hotmail.com.
Lacrosse Opportunities

Come Bowl with the Bellarmine Lacrosse Teams!
Saturday, January 30th 2016
 
Tower Lanes
6323 ~ 6th Avenue
Tacoma
5 - 8 pm
 
$25.00 includes shoes, unlimited bowling, and mini golf
PLUS - taco bar, soft drinks, and dessert
Silent auction, awesome LAX gear, and more!
 
Fun for the WHOLE family!!
Tickets can be purchased in our new online store
 
From the Parish

March For Life

St. Patrick Catholic Church and School parishioners, staff and students attended the March For Life in Olympia this morning.



New E-Newsletter!

The parish has a new e-newsletter, The Cornerstone!  Please click below to subscribe.

 

Youth Group

Saint Patrick Youth group meets every other Sunday from 4-5:30 PM in the Parish Center. We have fun, great fellowship, games, food, and grow in our faith. Come every time we meet or whenever you can make it. Bring a friend and join us.



The mission of St. Patrick Catholic School is to nurture in its students an abiding Catholic faith while pursuing academic excellence and modeling honesty, respect, and service as dynamic members of our world community.
St. Patrick Catholic School | 1112 N G Street, Tacoma  WA  98403 | 253-272-2297

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