OLPH Catholic School
Pre-K through 8th Grade
2010-2011 School Supply List now online: Click Here to download
2010-2011 Calendar now online: Click here to download
Letters from Fr Mike:
April 29, 2010
Dear OLPH School Families,
We are blessed in many ways at OLPH-Glendale Catholic School! This is my fourth communication with you as we move forward through our transitions. I want to continue to share with you that I am with you every step of the way. As more and more families are affirming their plans to return to our school next year. I believe it would be a good time to highlight a bit of a planned road map of our intended direction, so we may put to rest any unknowns that are still potentially lingering.
- First priority is to secure a principal for our school. We are working diligently to accomplish this task, and hope to have the position filled before the end of May. Our prospects are bright! They are all submitting their documention to the diocese now.
- School day schedules, calendars, and parent handbooks will be issued before the last day of the school year. Introduction of 9th Period Electives. Spanish, PE, Art, Music, Computers, Organic Gardening, Cooking, Nutrition, Latin, and sewing, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for prek and kinder are the intended offerings for the prospective elective courses.
- During the summer break we will begin the restoration and updating of our school computer lab. The new computer lab will be up and running for the new school year with an on duty Lab Technician for Technical support. This person will assist with the operation of the new computers and to ensure that the computer lab environment is maintained, and always one of appropriate learning. The safety of our students is always priority, especially when technology is concerned.
- May 3, 2010 is the deadline for returning teacher contracts.
- We will continue to strive to enhance the Catholic Identity and culture of our school. Through the model of St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic School, we will incorporate: Morning Prayer with the Saint of the Day and Pledge of Allegiance, Daily Mass Attendance, Angelus at noon, continued presence of clergy by providing regular sacraments. This is also an attempt to re-establishing our culture at OLPH-Glendale Catholic School as a community of vested Catholics who embrace their faith in and outside of the life of the school.
- In early August, we will conduct a meeting with the principal and faculty on incorporating the work begun on the strategic plan, discuss building our accreditation team for the new year, and goal setting.
- Re-evaluation of teaching strategies to include more opportunities for Outcome Based Education, Experiential Learning, Cooperative Learning, Mastery Learning, and components of Montesorri Method that will predominantly be found in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Mathematic Solutions, Science Education, and practical applications that will assist in the overall improvement of standardized testing results.
- Main priorities for OLPH-Glendale Catholic School over the next 3 months: Maintain Catholic Identity through experience and promotion as a passionately Roman Catholic Elementary School, Strategic Plan implementations and continued goal setting. focus upon elevation of academic standards, Rejuvination of overall teaching strategies to encompass proven effective methods that cater to the individual child.
- Booster Club Gathering Scheduled prior to the beginning of the new school year. This will be a welcome back night of family fun. TBA.
- Opening of our Spirit Shop, clothing, supplies, backpacks, waterbottles, and everything with an OLPH-Glendale logo can be found at the Spirit Shop.
Our enrollment for next year has reached a number conducive to providing one class per grade. It is our intention to cap grades at 25 students per grade unless circumstances keep us a bit below or above that. The number twenty-five will be the magic number for us at OLPH-Glendale. This will permit better learning opportunities, and allow for better student to teacher ratios. I want everyone one to know that we are well above 75 students. The rumors keep saying how low our student enrollment will be. Though our numbers are not below 100, numbers really are not the focus, but rather our students. God will continue to lead families to OLPH-Glendale, and we are taking every step necessary to attract certain families that only buy into a Roman Catholic school setting that may be compared to those of years gone by, but with a contempory edge, that will put us on the map as an excelling school for the West Valley.
I always loved a good Kevin Costner Movie, and Field of Dreams was one of them that reminds us of God's Divine Providence. "If you build it, they will come" The Lord tells us to build up His Church for the sake of our salvation. We are building up our school as part of our parish for this same reason.We are His obedient servants.
Our smaller size is a blessing because it will allow us to re-group and return to the basic foundations of our identity, before embracing growth again. If we are going to keep our tuition below the average cost of neighboring Catholic schools, and well below the national cost of $6,500.00 to educate a student, than we also must be open to alternatives that in essence could advance us if conducted properly.
The unknown is always frightening to people. In this way we will have to see where the Lord leads us, for now we will not be combining our classes.
OLPH-Glendale Catholic School is only getting better and better as we move into this direction. Your support is always appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the curriculum, tuition, academics, accreditation, or any other questions regarding our school please contact the school office. Our administrative team is there for you. If you find yourself in doubt, do not rely on anyone else to answer your questions. We want to hear your concerns so that as this new school year begins we can start renewed.
Peace,
Fr. Michael
Previous Letters:
Send comments to webmaster1@olph.com