Holy Child Catholic School

In order to keep our families informed we have created this webpage to list all of the pertinent and up-to-date information about the Blue Ribbon Commission and the process of regionalizing Holy Child and St. Bridget Catholic Schools.

 On January 31, 2012 the 1st Facilitated meeting for our local Implementation Committee will be held at Fr. Judge High School. The recommendation was made that our local committee bring the suggested name of the new regional school for approval. The Implementation Team believes it prudent to announce the new name for the regional school after this approval.

Update 2/15/12

Implementation Steering Committee Meeting Notes 2/15/12

                        Implementation Steering Committee Meeting Notes 2/9/12

Implementation Steering Committee Meeting Notes 1/25/12

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Implementation Steering Committee Meeting Notes 1/20/12

Implementation Steering Committee Meeting Notes 1/18/12

Update, 1/17/12:

The Implementation Steering Committee will meet this Tuesday evening to begin the process of the merging of our two schools.  Also, this Thursday afternoon representatives from both schools will meet with representatives of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to discuss the site of the new regional school.

As a first step, the Archdiocese requested the formation of an “Implementation Committee.” This committee will include:

• Pastors,
• Principals,
• Parents/guardians from each of the partnering parishes/schools
• Business Managers
• Persons responsible for setting the tuition

The GOAL of the Implementation Committee is to brainstorm what is needed to bring a positive outcome for the regionalization plan.

The “Stage 1” TASKS to be completed by the Implementation Committee between January 16 and January 30, 2012 are provided below.

Stage 1 Local meetings:

1. Meeting #1 1/17/12 @7pm – Place: St. Bridget’s
2. Meeting #2 1/19/12 @7pm – Place: Holy Child
3. Meeting #3 1/23/12 @7pm – Place: St. Bridget’s

The following are important EVENTS in the initial implementation process:

•      Between January 16 – January 30, 2012, hold 2 – 3 meetings of St. Bridget/Holy Child “Implementation Committee”
•      January 31, 2012 - 1st Facilitated meeting for Implementation Committees of all affected schools in Philadelphia North area (7 to 9 PM at Fr. Judge High School)
•     February 21, 2012 - 2nd Facilitated meeting (7 to 9 PM, Fr. Judge)
•     March 13, 2012 - 3rd Facilitated meeting (7 to 9 PM, Fr. Judge)
•     March 25, 2012 - First Open House for newly formed Regional School

1.     Establish a timeline for the local meetings that will culminate with the Open House for the new Regional School on Sunday, March 25, 2012, the feast of the Annunciation. The local meetings may be as frequent as deemed necessary with the understanding that prepared tasks must be accomplished between each of the larger meetings where all area groups will come together at a designated location to share progress, receive guidance and support as well as the next tasks to be accomplished in the succeeding stage.

2.     Review relevant documents provided by the archdiocesan Blue Ribbon Committee:

         a.     Standards for Quality Catholic Schools;

         b.     Model Catholic School Components: Requirements for All Regional Schools;

         c.      Guidelines for Pastors as Partners in Regional Schools;

         d.     Recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission for the Purpose of Administering Regional Schools.

3.     Identify current strengths each school brings and plan for the underscoring of these strengths as the newly formed regional school is brought into being. What should be brought over into the newly formed school and what new ideas might emerge? 

4.     Set a communication plan that will provide key pieces of information that will keep parents/guardians informed along the way generating a high level of interest and involvement in the newly established regional school. A communication piece should be sent home after each local meeting and at the end of each large county gathering.

5.     Walk through the building to be used and make a list of what needs to be done to make it ready to accept additional students.

6.     Consider the best name for the school without feeling the name must change or the current name cannot change. Find ways to allow the families to offer suggestions.   Recommended name and reason for the name should be brought to the meeting of January 31 on the attached form.

7.     Plan tasks for parent/guardian involvement once registration begins so all families feel they are welcome to contribute their time and talent for the sake of the children in the school. (Home/School Association Executive Board; Advisory Board members; summer moving group to take things from one school to the other, etc.) It is crucial to keep the volunteers involved and a good representation from each of the schools included.

8.     Create a picture of what the newly formed regional school will be composed of as far as programs, clubs, activities, schedule; the picture needs to generate excitement and buy in from the various audiences.

9.     Hold an Information Meeting for parents/guardians from both partnering schools to show them what is being created – Standards for Quality Catholic Schools, Ideal School Components

10. Consider the best name for the regionalized school and be prepared to share the best name it at the first large county meeting.