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Press Release- 2010 Initiative Dorchester/Mattapan 2010 Initiative  |
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Welcome to the Cape Ann 2010 Information PagePlease feel free to review the attached materials The goal of the 2010 Initiative, begun in August 2005, is an effort to improve, strengthen and revitalize the Archdiocese of Boston's Catholic schools. Your support is greatly needed at this important time in the history of our Catholic schools here in the Archdiocese. Please come back from time to time to see what is new in this section. Thank you. Comprehensive Plan Unveiled To Strengthen Catholic Education In GloucesterBrighton, MA, -- An exciting, comprehensive and aggressive initiative is underway to enhance and strengthen St. Ann Elementary School in Gloucester (the only Catholic elementary school on Cape Ann). Working in collaboration with the 2010 Strategic Planning Committee and the Catholic School Office (CSO) for the Archdiocese, the school and parish communities have developed a plan that will implement a new vision for the 123-year old school. The plan moves St. Ann to a broader management model. A greatly enhanced Catholic education experience will result from achieving the following: stronger management, increased enrollment, decrease in tuition, a vibrant Merrimack College partnership, implementation of new academic standards, facility improvements, and an aggressive marketing and development initiative. In a joint statement, co-pastors Rev. Ronald Gariboldi and Rev. Timothy Harrison of Holy Family Parish in Gloucester said, “We are grateful for the efforts and contributions of so many who have helped to develop a plan that will greatly enhance Catholic education in our community. We recognize the commitment of generations of Catholic school students who have been educated at St. Ann’s over more than a century. With the support of Cardinal Sean O'Malley, the Archdiocese of Boston and the 2010 Initiative, we look with confidence to the future of Catholic education on Cape Ann. We trust in the Lord's continued blessings on us all." Cardinal Seán said, "Catholic education is one of our most important priorities as a Church. We give thanks for the effort that is underway to greatly enhance and strengthen Catholic education at St. Ann Elementary School, led by co-pastors Rev. Ronald Gariboldi and Rev. Timothy Harrison. For 123 years, St. Ann students have been provided an outstanding Catholic education strengthened by dedicated and experienced teachers and a faith community committed to preserving Catholic education in Gloucester and the surrounding communities." This past fall, St. Ann School, the 2010 Committee and CSO convened a Consulting Board of local business people who enthusiastically supported the idea of strengthening and revitalizing the school. Working with the pastors they developed a plan that will enhance and strengthen St. Ann. Faced with a 43% decrease in enrollment since 1999, the school is working to stabilize and increase enrollment while lowering tuition. Additionally, St. Ann seeks to enhance its offering to families seeking a Catholic education in the areas of curriculum, technology and programs such as expanded Pre-K. Sr. Kathleen FitzSimons, CND, Interim Superintendent of the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Schools, said, “Quality schools require planning & resources to meet today’s needs. This includes strong academic programs with technology, competitively paid and trained teachers, improved facilities, Pre-K/full-day programs, and extended day programs. With this plan we are aggressively working to see that St. Ann achieves these and more.” An already academically strong school where students score above the national median Terra Nova scores and the average class size numbers 16, this new initiative will attract additional talented students and more investment to ensure that the school remains a center for the best and the brightest. Currently, there are 130 students enrolled with one class per grade Pre-K to 8.As part of the curriculum enhancements, the school will implement a new Math Series in K-8, enhanced Faith Formation and new and expanded Pre-K. In designing the plan being unveiled, tuition was a key factor, which needed to be addressed. The decision was made to decrease tuition from the current rate of $4,200 to $3,500 for the 2008/2009 academic year. The facility has extensive deferred maintenance, which needs to be addressed. The new vision for the school includes a plan to upgrade and renovate the facility. The renovation is anticipated for the summer of 2009. To help fund this effort, a $4.5 million capital campaign has begun and will continue over the next 18 months. Plans are also underway to build an endowment to support the school in future years. In addition, an aggressive marketing program has been created to increase enrollment. Launched during the recent Catholic Schools Week, plans are also underway to develop a new website and a full calendar of school and parish based events in support of this new initiative. To move toward a sustainable viability, a goal has been set to grow enrollment to 175 (Pre-K-8) for the 2008/2009 academic school year and to 225 (Pre-K-8) within the next three years. Sr. Judy O'Brien, IHM, Principal of St. Ann said, “Working with Merrimack College, an assessment was performed and curriculum is being enhanced for the 2008/2009 school year. Ongoing teacher training is continuing this month to assist in this implementation phase.” She added that “we will be investing in our teachers over the next three years with a phase in of salary increases. The result will be an extraordinary Catholic school experience for our students.” 2010 Plan Moving ForwardCurrently, the Archdiocese and the 2010 Committee have implemented plans in Brockton and Dorchester/Mattapan. This will be the third school community to implement a school revitalization plan in the Archdiocese. For more information please visit the 2010 website at www.rcab.org and click on the “2010 Initiative” link. St. Ann Elementary SchoolSt. Ann School was started as a school for Cape Ann's fishing community. Its first students came from families of various cultures that sought to make a better life for themselves and who sought a quality faith based education. Today, we remember our history and continue the legacy, welcoming all people to our school community, people who are now, and have been, an integral part of Cape Ann, with the same energy and excitement. (*http://www.stannsschool.com) 2010 InitiativeWhen the 2010 Initiative was announced in August 2005, the Archdiocese stated that it believed that the most effective plan will be one developed by drawing upon the collective experience of principals, pastors and local stakeholders working with professional education experts, consultants and practitioners in the community. The Archdiocese is committed to developing a sustainable plan that will meet the needs of students and local communities now and in the future. About the Archdiocese of BostonThe Archdiocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of approximately 2 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 295 parishes, across 144 communities, educating nearly 50,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156, 000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of more than one million patients annually in its hospitals and 200,000 individuals through its social service outreach. Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit www.rcab.org |
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