A Letter from the School Board
Dear School Families:
The School Board and Rita Stasi sent a 12 page year-end summary with your child’s report card on the last day of school. Here are a few highlights:
- Our children had another amazing year in class, on the athletic fields, and in our community. We are inspired by their growth and see the spirit of St. Joe's alive in them, as well as in our alumni.
- We will continue to celebrate SJS’ 100th birthday by marching with school families, parishioners, alumni, and friends during the annual Downers Grove July 4th parade. Watch the eMessenger for details!
- Our new pre-school will open in September and is filled to capacity. We hired a state certified teacher and aide, established our curriculum program, and are busy completing classroom construction.
- Our enrollment will increase for the fourth straight year – with a kindergarten at 60 and many students transferring in to St. Joe's.
- St. Joe’s experienced good operating results in a very challenging economy. Please remember that our future remains dependent upon the continued generosity of parish and school families.
- We are grateful to our parents for choosing SJS for their children, and appreciate Father Jerome and our parish’s commitment to supporting our school. We give thanks for our many benefactors.
- To help offset a 3.4% increase in costs, tuition will increase 3%, or $110 to $230 per family depending on how many children you have enrolled. Tuition assistance is available by contacting Sister Dorothy or Beth Harbauer.
- The Diocese is creating a formal strategy for sustaining Catholic Schools. We anticipate underperforming schools will close, new schools in growing areas will open, and meaningful guidance will be provided on how to better manage our school. With this in mind, we must continue to focus on all aspects of our school to help ensure St Joe’s viability now and in the future.
If you are interested in seeing this school board newsletter in full and Rita Stasi's cover letter, please click on the attached or stop by the school office to pick up a copy.
Thank you.
The Saint Joseph School Board
