Schlarman Catholic Academy News

Last updated: Feb. 2, 2011

Question and Concerns In Regard To Schlarman Catholic Academy

Questions

Will tuition increase when we were told earlier that there would be no noticeable increases?
Tuition costs were carefully reviewed. Tuition rates for grades 9-12 have been frozen for next year. Grades K-8 have been averaged from the Holy Family and St. Paul schools tuition schedules. A complete tuition schedule will be available at the Schlarman Academy Open Houses.
Will there be any transportation offered for Holy Family students?
Transportation needs are currently under review and will be depend on number of students that would utilize it.
Why wasn't the plan to consolidate the schools done once the facility was built to handle the students?
Based on the Meitler study, consolidation was needed to continue to provide quality Catholic Educational opportunities for Vermilion County. It was a local decision to restructure the way we did.
What will happen to the wonderful teachers and administrator at Holy Family?
All teachers in all facilities will have the opportunity to submit applications for positions at Schlarman Academy. With the projected enrollment numbers and an expected amount of attrition, most positions will be maintained.
Will the St. Paul's staff all go to the academy?
All teachers in all facilities will have the opportunity to submit applications for positions at Schlarman Academy. With the projected enrollment numbers and an expected amount of attrition, most positions will be maintained.
When and how will teacher staffing decisions be made, and by whom?
Staffing decisions will be made based on projected enrollment numbers following registration. These will be made by the Schlarman Academy Administration.
What is the teacher's pay scale and will teachers receive a tuition break for their children?
We are undecided on whether or not students of Schlarman Academy faculty and staff will receive a tuition break. Teacher pay scale is currently under review. However with tuitions being frozen, it's likely that salaries would follow suit for the 2011/2012 school year.
How will you fit all the students from Holy Family and St. Paul in one school?
Current capacity of the Walnut street campus will be able to serve the current enrollment of Holy Family and St. Paul Schools.
Will grades 6, 7, and 8 be going to Schlarman High School?
Pre-K through 8th grade will be served by the Walnut St. Campus of Schlarman Academy for the 2011/2012 school year. The current goal is to move students to the Winter St. Campus, but we will not make decisions to fit a specific time frame. Rather we will make decisions based on what is best for promoting and maintaining quality Catholic education in Vermilion County.
What will the tuitions be?
Tuition schedules will be available at the Schlarman Academy Open Houses.

Do you think it is a good idea to mix 11 year olds with high school seniors?
At any time elementary and secondary students are housed on the same campus, there will be little or no interaction between the two groups throughout the day.
Where will the children receive their first communion?
It is our intention for children to receive sacraments in their home parish when possible.
Will the start times be the same as St. Paul's?
Schlarman Academy Walnut St. Campus will have start times the same as the current St. Paul model.

Where will the athletic contests be held for grades 7 and 8?
Current facilities used by the St. Paul school will be used when possible, but other venues may be used when appropriate.
Will a balanced calendar be considered?
No
What is the maximum enrollment allowed for each class?
Based on Diocesan policy: Kindergarten maximum of 20 students, 1st-2nd grades maximum of 25 students and 3rd-8th grades maximum of 28 students.
How many classes per grade do you anticipate?
This will be determined as enrollment dictates.
What physical changes are being considered for Schlarman?
We have a long-term plan for expansion of the Winter St. Campus, but no firm changes are planned for the 2011/2012 school year.
Will there be a principal for the Academy and will there be assistant principals?
Schlarman Academy will have a Principal/Vice-Principal model of administration.
Will the current athletic director oversee all athletics?
Yes
Why do the elementary school links to the Schlarman page not have updates?
No problems with the links were found but if problems exist with links let the webmaster of your school know. We are constructing a new Schlarman Academy site that will contain all the information about Pre-K through 12.
Will there be childcare provided during breaks when school is not in session?
This is under review and will depend on interest in such a program.
What will the dress code be and will it be transitioned?
2011/2012 dress code will be available at the Feb. 13th 2011 community day event. The dress code will be very accommodating to current elementary school uniforms.
What are the charges for uniform purchases?
Since no change in the style of uniform has changed, prices should be similar to prices paid for the 2010/2011 school year.

Will there be pre-care and after-care or what changes will be made?
Yes, see the tuition guide which will be provided at the Feb. 13th, 2011 meeting.
Do you plan on expanding the pre-school program to younger children?
No
Will there be a breakfast program?
Yes
Will Fr. Ted be involved in weekly Masses or prayer services?
Yes
How will the Valedictorian and Salutatorian be chosen at the elementary school?
No decision has been made concerning an elementary division Valedictorian or Salutatorian. All awards of honors will be based on the student's grade point average.
How will scholarships to the High School be chosen since some went to each school?
Generally, scholarships will be need based. Scholarships provided by private donations will be based upon criteria established by donor and if there are no criteria established by donor, these scholarships will be need based.
What are the pre-school fees, multiple children, and will non-Catholics pay the same rate?
All tuition amounts for the academic year 2011-2012 have been determined and are published and available. There are rates for active members of a Catholic parish. There are separate rates for non-Catholics and Catholics who are not active in a parish.
Will the St. Paul and Sabre signs be replaced?
Yes, signs in and on the current St. Paul School will be replaced. Schlarman Academy and Hilltopper signs will replace all St. Paul School and Sabre signs this summer.
Will day to day traditions and fundraising be continued?
New traditions will be developed. Fundraising will continue. The weekly Bingo now conducted at Holy Family School will not be continued by Schlarman Academy. The decision of whether to continue Bingo will be made by Holy Family Parish
Will the principal have duties at both schools and who will handle the discipline?
Both the Principal and the Vice Principal will have duties at both the Winter and Walnut Street Campuses of Schlarman Academy. Discipline will be handled as it is now. The class room teacher will have the primary responsibility. There may be referrals to the Vice Principal and Principal according to the Discipline Policy.
Will accelerated reader points and certificates follow the students?
Yes, all academic records of achievement will follow all students to Schlarman Academy.
Will high school teachers be teaching junior high students?
The Principal will assign teachers to classrooms. Assignment will be based on class size and teacher certification. It is possible that teachers who are currently teaching only Schlarman High School students may teach junior high students in the future. However, at this time no teacher assignments have been made.
What did the feasibility study say about financial support our community could achieve?
The feasibility study indicated strong support for the Schlarman Academy Plan. Catholic Education was strongly supported. The study indicated that a formal case for the campaign must be prepared. The Schlarman Academy Board appointed an Ad-Hoc Committee to begin the preparation of a formal case for the campaign.
Is there a plan in place to control the cost of tuition if enrollment is not as high as expected?
Yes, the tuition rates for the academic year 2011-2012 are set. Teachers will be hired based on enrollment to control costs. No teacher contracts have been offered yet by the Principal.
Will there be a new identity for the sports teams or will the current elementary school uniforms and colors be used?
Schlarman Academy will use the identity of the Hilltoppers for all sports teams. It is likely that all teams will have Schlarman Academy game uniforms.
How often will the children attend Mass?
Weekly Mass will continue for students in the Elementary Division of Schlarman Academy. Weekly Mass for students in the High School Division is under study with a goal to provide weekly Mass for these students as well.
Will all of the questions have answers prior to registration in March or April?
Yes, questions will be answered prior to registration. However, the answer to some questions is dependent on the number of students who are registered.
Will there be fair-share opportunities such as library, lunchroom, and bingo?
With the exception of Bingo there will be fair share opportunities. This program may be revised and may be tied to need based scholarships.
Will there be pre-care and after-care?
Yes, both pre-care and aftercare will be provided at the Walnut Street campus.
Will the possible costs of building construction come from tuition increases?
No..not at this time
How will we continue to learn of the changes…bulletins, newspaper, e-mails, or websites?
All of the above will be used to communicate information as it is available.
What is the teacher-student ratio?
Based on the Meitler Study, class size would be per teacher...K = 20, grades 1-2 = 25 each, and grades 3-8 = 28 each
What are the academic standards?
National Course Standards, IL State Standards, Diocesan Regulations, individualized differential instruction, learning styles
How do test scores compare with other schools in the city?
No applicable comparison since the public school system test scores are based on IL State testing and local Catholic schools scores are based on Iowa testing. Overall, our students rank considerably above average based on the National Test Scores.
What enrichment or service opportunities will be available?
Ambassador Program, Market Day, Pet Therapy, Community Day, Faith Alive, Food Pantry, Jean Days for Community Causes, Acolytes, Children's Choir, Lector, Peer Tutoring, Peer Court...to name a few.
Can I meet the teacher and how highly qualified will they be?
Yes, opportunities will be made to meet the teacher, especially at a scheduled Open House. Teachers meet diocesan qualifications.
Can I talk to current students and recent graduates?
Yes, schedule a tour of either campus at any time and attend the scheduled Open Houses.
Can you tell me what a typical day would look like?
7 a.m. Precare
7:50-8:20 Breakfast
8:30 Start
Morning Classes
Lunch
Afternoon Classes
3:30 Dismissal
3:30-5:30 Aftercare
What is the religious instruction my child would receive?
Catholic, daily religion classes/instruction, start/end day with prayer, weekly mass, sacrament instruction
What will be the opportunities for parent involvement?
We encourage the gifts of time, talent, and treasure from our Schlarman Academy Community. We recommend contacting the campus administration if you are willing to share your gifts.
Will I be able to see the classroom and the school my child will attend?
Yes
Concerns
Offended that questions are now being asked so late
We agree that the process has not been smooth and we apologize for any frustration that has caused. We should have asked for questions earlier, but many of the answers would not have been available until this time. Please believe that board members share your frustration of the process and are working hard to answer your questions and concerns.
Disappointed at the way the Board handled the publicity
Since the board was seated in late July we have been working on the task of providing for the future of Catholic education in Vermilion County. The lack of publicity was in large part due to the lack of information to provide. The process is complex and at times slow moving, but we at no time withheld information.
Told that Holy Family and St. Paul would both close not just one
Holy Family School and St. Paul School will both close at the end of the 2010/2011 school year. Schlarman Academy will be housed on two campus located at the Walnut St. (former St. Paul School) and the Winter Campus (former Schlarman High School).
Holy Family is the wiser choice to remain open
Based on an extensive evaluation of both current facilities used by Holy Family School and St. Paul School, it was determined that it was most cost effective to use the building located on Walnut St.
Have heard that and feel many parents will pull their students because they have been lied to
No false information has been provided by this board. This is an unfortunate situation and we hope any ill feelings can be resolved for the sake of providing a Catholic education for every child.
Please try to increase communication
We will make more of an effort to communicate better. We appreciate the feedback that everyone who responded has provided.
Consider the movement in stages
It is our intention to concentrate on the quality of religious and educational opportunities. Changes in facilities will move in a timeframe that supports our intentions. There is no firm deadline for completing any building project.
Re-think the drop off and pick up options at St. Paul and provide an entry to the building from the parking lot for those needing to go to the office
With an increased student body, a review of policies, daily schedules and other factors is under review and will be adjusted when needed to provide the best educational experience we can provide.
The balanced calendar is a much better calendar
We appreciate differing opinions, but we have determined the standard calendar to fit best into the Schlarman Academy educational needs at this time.
Board members are not approachable and do not get information to the principals.
Board members are members of your parishes and attend Mass with you. They are open to hearing your opinion, but do not always have all the answers. Information has been provided, as decisions have been made, to principles, parishioners, parents, and others through updates. Decisions made by the board, though they appear and feel painfully slow, are made through great thought of the future of our Catholic Community. Decisions made not in the heat of the moment, but by careful research and discussion of the impact the decisions will make for all of us.