Sacred Heart 2012-2013 ANNUAL REPORT
“To set God’s kingdom right.” This is what Goal III is all about. Sacred Heart is committed to promoting social awareness in ways that make our world a better place. In 2012-2013, our school community focused on how we could fulfill the aspirations and responsibilities of this sacred goal— one of five goals at the center of a Sacred Heart education. We are honored to share stories of service among members of our Sacred Heart community. They remind us that knowledge of injustice is not enough. We must take action to transform the world.
The Goals of a Sacred Heart Education I. A personal and active faith in God II. A deep respect for intellectual values
III. A social awareness which impels to action IV. The building of community as a Christian value V. Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom
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“Let us leave acts behind us, not just words.” Taking St. Madeleine Sophie’s direction to heart, Sacred Heart strives to value, own and intentionally live the Goals and Criteria of a Sacred Heart education. Each year at Sacred Heart we focus on a single goal and in 2012-2013, it was Goal III. In the last decade and a half, under the guidance of Maria-Paz Salas, service programs at Sacred Heart have truly blossomed. Now the entire Sacred Heart family—including students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff—are personally involved in direct service every year. On the pages that follow, I am pleased to report on major achievements from the past year, including the completion of our new Strategic Plan. It is the culmination of several years of reflection, analysis and priority-setting that engaged stakeholders at all levels in charting the future course of the school. I am grateful to our outgoing Board Chair, Liz Connelly, for her inspiring commitment. Liz has been a member of the Board for nine years, including three years as Chair. Sacred Heart has benefitted in countless ways from her steadfast leadership. To everyone who continues to support our mission, thank you! Sacred Heart thrives because of your friendship and generosity. Together we are educating children to make a difference in the world.
Nat Wilburn Head of Schools
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Head of Schools Nat Wilburn with Board Chair Elizabeth Connelly
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They are known as “the three J’s”—June, Jessica and Jesse— in the Sacred Heart cafeteria. They are highly-valued employees, beloved members of the school community and a force of nature when it comes to recycling. June has been with Sacred Heart for six years. Jessica and Jesse are new to their jobs but already pros when it comes to handling the organized chaos of a school cafeteria. What do they love most about their work? The students. And the worst? “Cleaning up after tacos,” they say in unison. In addition to their help in the cafeteria, June and Jessica volunteer in the kindergarten art classes and Jesse assists with gym activities.
Students make blankets for the Howard Area Community Center.
he three live at Misericordia, a residential and T vocational community for men and women with developmental disabilities. It is one of many organizations that Sacred Heart actively partners with through its Community Service Program.
“We follow the calling of Goal III out beyond our doors to wherever it leads us to make a difference,” says Head of Schools Nat Wilburn. Today, June, Jessica and Jesse are eager to tell the story about how they first became involved in recycling at Sacred Heart. Apparently it was when the dishwasher finally broke down. As members of Misericordia’s Green Committee, they took the lead—educating students bottle by bottle, and can by can. The recycling program in the cafeteria is a grand success except for those Mott’s applesauce containers, which are not recyclable. “I am going to write them a letter,” says June.
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The school is linked in a reciprocal manner with ministries among people who are poor, marginalized and suffering from injustice.
(left to right) Jessica Frantz, Jesse Chez and June Thomas
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Savita Gupta spent a summer picking strawberries alongside migrant workers. “We take for granted how fruits and vegetables get to our tables,” she says, recalling the service trip. The recent graduate is wise beyond her years, with kind eyes and a calm sense of purpose about her. Her serious side is balanced with a rollicking sense of fun, evident in her starring role in the Middle School production of Singin’ in the Rain. Savita is passionate about the importance of service and the role that Sacred Heart played in inspiring her service commitment. “Savita is a role model for all of us,” says Middle School teacher Christine Meo.
Students conduct a food drive for Care for Real.
Over the years, she has taken part in food and clothing drives, volunteered at a homeless shelter and been active with Children of the Heart. “Service is never a chore,” Savita says. “It is a way to contribute and care for others.”
She spent this past summer assisting at the Howard Area Head Start program and participating in a Sacred Heart Network initiative focused on the juvenile justice system. In August, Savita entered St. Ignatius College Prep. “They have mandatory service hours,” she reports. “Isn’t that awesome?” “At Sacred Heart, the goals don’t just hang on the walls,” she says. “They become a part of our lives.”
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In our multicultural world, the school prepares and inspires students to be active, informed, and responsible citizens locally, nationally, and globally.
Savita Gupta Class of 2013
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When Maria-Paz Salas arrived at Sacred Heart in 1998, there was no formalized service program in place. There was, however, a strong desire to be more connected to the surrounding community. Looking back, Paz vividly recalls meeting with Sister Susan Maxwell, then Director of Schools. “She told me that she wanted to open the gates,” Paz says. “The image has really stuck with me over the years.” And open the gates Paz did. Sacred Heart now has 11 service partners across Edgewater and beyond. In the past year alone, students, parents, faculty and staff provided more than 5,000 hours of community service at sites including Howard Area Community Center, Inspiration Corporation, Centro Romero and Family Matters.
Students take the lead at the Thorndale Beach Clean Up.
oday, Paz and a group of students are just back from T a clean-up day at Thorndale Beach, in collaboration with the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “Lake Michigan is in Sacred Heart’s front yard,” Paz says. “We have a responsibility to do our part to care for it.”
Over the past year, environmental service projects have focused on water conservation and scarcity. Students built rain barrel gardens in conjunction with Loyola University and raised funds to install a water filtration system at a Sacred Heart School in Uganda. More than just a drop in the bucket when it comes to community service in action.
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The school prepares students to be stewards of the earth’s resources.
Maria-Paz Salas Community Service Coordinator
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Becky O’Connell is a remarkable woman and role model, but she doesn’t want the accolades. That’s just not her style. “I have managed to serve,” she says softly, “and I don’t want any hullabaloo about it.” Today, Becky is cradling a 3-month-old infant in her arms. For more than a decade, she has provided temporary foster care for a local adoption agency. This is baby 78. Taking care of babies has always been second nature to Becky. That is why Sacred Heart turned to her in 2000 to help establish Children of the Heart, an onsite parenting enrichment program for low-income parents.
Hardey students volunteer at Children of the Heart.
s a Sacred Heart parent, Becky volunteered in the A classroom, helped with fundraisers, and served on the Parents of the Heart Auxiliary Board. She was elected to life membership in 1993. “Once they know you can sew, Sacred Heart doesn’t let you go,” she laughs, recalling the quilts and costumes of days past.
In addition to her foster care work, Becky volunteers at Evanston Hospital and coordinates book drives for inmates at Cook County Jail. Her husband, Ed, is one of her strongest supporters. Service runs in the family. They met as VISTA volunteers in the late 1960s. “Some people call it service, I call it life,” says Becky O’Connell.
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The school educates to a critical consciousness that leads its total community to analyze and reflect on the values of society and to act for justice.
Becky O’Connell Community Volunteer and Parent of Sacred Heart Alumni
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Jennie Przybylo A’99 can pinpoint the exact moment in her life when she decided to become a doctor. It was in Kindergarten. A classmate’s father—a neurosurgeon—came to talk about his work and brought along a plastic model of the human brain. “That was it,” she says. “The deal was done.” Jennie has just finished her second year of medical school at Stanford via Sacred Heart, Yale, Cambridge and a two-year stint doing cancer research at Sloan Kettering. Along the way, Jennie honed more than her academic skills. She learned that she had something valuable to say about community service. And so she wrote a book. Do Good Well: Your Guide to Leadership, Action and Social Innovation grew out of her many years of service, which began at Sacred Heart. “The school ignited a passion in me to help others,” Jennie says. Students support the cause on Justice Day.
Her book, co-authored by Nina Vasan, is a how-to manual for social change geared to young adults. It has been picked up by schools across the country for classroom use.
As a practical guide to leadership, the book bridges the gap between good intentions and lasting results. “At Sacred Heart I learned that everyone can have a positive impact if provided with the tools to harness their goodness,” she says. “It takes more than a heart of gold to change the world,” says Jennie. “It takes a head for service.”
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The school offers all its members opportunities for direct service and advocacy and instills a life-long commitment to service.
Jennie Przybylo Class of 1999
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Highlights of the Year Retiring Teacher gets an A+ After 23 years of nurturing an appreciation of literacy and literature in her students, Wenche Haverkamp retired in June. While she will miss sharing her love of the Iliad, the Odyssey and Shakespeare with her enthusiastic students, she is looking forward to retirement—spending more time with her grandchildren and not grading papers! On behalf of the hundreds of students who were forever changed by her passion for teaching, Sacred Heart says thank you.
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Raining Applause A rousing production of Singin’ in the Rain was presented by the Middle School in April. More than 70 students were involved onstage and behind the scenes. With tap dancing, romance and pie-in-the-face humor, the show was a raincoat-clad winner thanks to Director Jane Steinfels, Choreographer Jill Renn, and Music Director Cheri Dahlen. Beginning with Music Man in 2002, the three have now presented their 12th spring musical.
Kick, Set, Jump, Run!
Rhyme and Reason
The Sacred Heart sports program celebrated a stand-out year, winning five tournament championships, a league first place and a trip to the state finals! A record 465 student-athletes competed in basketball, soccer, cross country, volleyball, track and baseball. Added to the year’s roster of activities was a Mother-Daughter Volleyball Tournament and a March Madness Party for the basketball teams. Winning is great, but building school spirit always comes in first!
In April, Sacred Heart launched its first-ever Poetry Initiative in conjunction with National Poetry Month. Conceived by the Fine Arts Council, the initiative included activities and events to encourage a love of poetry and foster imaginative thinking and writing among students. As part of the weeklong festivities, Sacred Heart hosted a residency with nationallyrenowned poet Elise Paschen.
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Highlights of the Year
Bring on the Band Are those dulcet strains coming from the music room? It must be the new Sacred Heart band practicing! The 47 student-musicians made their spectacular debut at Gallery Night in May, wowing the audience with a four-song performance. With 12 years of elementary school band experience, music teacher Tim Mikolay is bringing all the right notes to the job. Made up of horns, woodwinds and percussion instruments, the band is a goal come true for the Sacred Heart community.
Smiles and Cameras in Abundance In May, Sacred Heart welcomed more than 300 grandparents of students in grades K-3 for a special day in their honor. Following singing performances in the gym, grandparents spent time with their grandchildren in the classroom. As part of their visit, these very special guests also had the opportunity to learn more about the mission and goals of Sacred Heart.
It Adds Up! In February, a panel of outside specialists spent three days onsite assessing Sacred Heart’s math program. Their findings will be used to further align the curriculum to provide the best education possible for students. In addition to providing specific recommendations, the team noted Sacred Heart’s exceptional strengths including its highquality program, skilled teachers and exemplary commitment to providing for the learning styles and abilities of each student. SACRED HEART SCHOOLS
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Highlights of the Year
Science Olympiad Team Finishes First Sacred Heart’s Science Olympiad team finished first in its division at the Illinois Middle School Finals held in April. The team took first place in three events: Road Scholars, which required students to read a topographical map; Rocks and Minerals, which asked students to identify and classify rocks from a possible list of 100; and Disease Detective, which presented a disease scenario and asked participants to track its source. Proudly, Sacred Heart was also named winner of the 2013 Coach’s Award.
No Debating the Facts It was another winning year for Sacred Heart’s debate program, which is only in its second season! After competing in five tournaments against 24 other Middle Schools, the Academy and Hardey teams amassed enough points to finish third and fourth overall in the City of Chicago. This was a remarkable feat as most Sacred Heart participants were first-year debaters competing in a Junior Varsity Division meant for second-year competitors! Congrats to all.
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Highlights of the Year
A Strategic Plan for St. Madeleine Sophie’s Vision Sacred Heart recently unveiled its new Strategic Plan, an essential blue print for the coming five years. In implementing this dynamic plan, we will provide the finest Sacred Heart education possible for students—ensuring a strong curriculum, innovative 21st century programming, responsive facilities, outstanding teachers and “best in class” school governance. To learn more about the Strategic Plan, visit our website at shschicago.org.
Lifelong Friendships, Treasured Traditions Nearly 150 alums attended Alumni Reunion Weekend in April. The occasion was particularly memorable for the classes of 1963 and 1988 celebrating their 50th and 25th reunions. Festivities kicked off with a Friday reception honoring retiring teacher Wenche Haverkamp and continued through the weekend with mass, tours and nonstop reminiscing. At a special luncheon, Joanne Barranco Steenveld AHS’56, (top right) a former Hardey teacher, was honored with the Catherine I. Seiker RSCJ Award.
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Thank you to all our supporters for contributing to Sacred Heart Schools! We are grateful to our alumni, faculty and staff, families, students, Trustees, volunteers and all of our friends who made the 2012-2013 school year such a success.
In May 2013, the Sacred Heart Board of Trustees hosted the second annual Merci Beaucoup reception—an opportunity to acknowledge donors whose exceptional commitment and leadership support benefit the mission of Sacred Heart in powerful and lasting ways.
The Mass and Dinner—which brought Trustees and supporters together to affirm the core values of Sacred Heart education—celebrated the generous spirit of our donor community.
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Artist: MarQuise Anyaeto, Kindergarten
Board of Trustees The guidance and generosity of our Trustees play a major role in Sacred Heart’s success. We are honored by their stewardship and commitment. Ms. Anna Atkinson Sister Mary Bernstein, RSCJ ASH’64 Mrs. Suzanne Bettman Mr. James F. Brady Sister Sally Brennan, RSCJ Mrs. Elizabeth H. Connelly Father Justin Daffron, SJ Mr. Peter H. D’Arrigo
Thank you to the 762 donors who contributed a record $956,900 to the 2012-2013 Annual Fund campaign! On behalf of every student and teacher, we are grateful for this outstanding commitment to Sacred Heart education. Your Annual Fund support provides first-rate academic programs, outstanding faculty, robust athletic and extracurricular programming, and preserves the historic campus and cherished traditions of Sacred Heart.
Annual Fund Council Sacred Heart is especially grateful for the guidance of the 2012-2013 Annual Fund Council, whose dedication and year-long efforts were the foundation of the Annual Fund’s success. Thank you! Julie and Jeff Hesse & Lynn and Dustan Beier, Chairpersons
Mrs. Ellen E. Engel
K.K. and Aric Cleland, Leadership Giving
Sister Frances Gimber, RSCJ
Emily Mange and Douglas Zell, Stewardship
Mr. Eric J. Gorman
Tina and Paul Chatalas & Maria and James Carr, Kindergarten
Mr. Jeffrey Hesse
Helena Gabriel and Patrick Collins & Nancy Hammond and David DuRoss, Primary School
Mrs. Virginia S. Hiteshew Mr. Michael Husman H’89 Mr. Jeffrey Jozwiak Ms. Judith Keller Mr. Michael H. Kennedy Mr. Carson P. Kyhl Mr. Michael H. Mooney, Jr. Mrs. Yvonne Ralsky
Ramona Curtis and Brian Massengill & Laurel and Eric Hansen Lower School Kimberly and George Ruhana & Anne Auten and James Wyman Middle School Mary McCauley Clark A’84, Alumnae Kelly Ryan H’87, Alumni Janice and Kevin Lee, Parents of Alumni
Mr. David L. Reahl, Sr. Mr. George Ruhana Mr. Rex Sessions Mrs. Maureen Sippel Ms. Kimberly M. Taylor-Smith Mr. John J. Waller Mr. Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools
Administration Mr. Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools Ms. Margaret Steele, Head of Primary School Mrs. Mary Ann Ligon, Head of Lower School Mr. Stephen Puricelli, Head of Middle School Dr. Sally Sharp, Head of Student Life Mrs. Judith Corrin, Director of Institutional Advancement Mr. Brian McGuinness, Chief Financial Officer
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2012-2013 Annual Fund Highlights • Gifts ranged from $3 to $35,000. Every gift has an impact on Sacred Heart education! • 30 companies matched their employees’ contributions for a total of nearly $56,000 to the Annual Fund. • A lumni participation in the Annual Fund ranged from the Classes of 1938 to 2013. • 83% of school parents supported the Annual Fund, including 88% of new families. • 100% of Trustees and 98% of faculty and staff demonstrated their commitment with an Annual Fund gift. • 9 % of parents of alumni made a gift to the Annual Fund to support the legacy of their children’s Sacred Heart education.