WINTER 2013
Destination: DePaul Cristo Rey N E W S L E T T E R F O R F R I E N D S O F D E PA U L C R I S T O R E Y H I G H S C H O O L
Inside
2 Mission Possible 3 School Year Highlights 4 Gift Carries on Legacy
Revised School Mission Statement Unveiled The DePaul Cristo Rey Board of Directors and school leaders are excited to share the newly updated and approved school Mission Statement and Beliefs. The core mission of our school, first developed by the Sisters of Charity in line with the priorities of the Cristo Rey Network, has not changed. It was created several years before the school actually opened and has now been revised to reflect the realities of the school’s day-to-day operations and longterm goals. You’ll find this inside on page two, with a message from President Sister Jeanne Bessette.
Rey of Light Dinner Auction is April 27
S
tudent scholarships are among the most pressing needs at DePaul Cristo Rey. To shine a light on the importance of scholarship support and raise funds to meet this challenge, the first annual Rey of Light dinner and auction will be held on April 27. This evening of food, fun and fundraising will be held that Saturday evening at DePaul Cristo Rey beginning at 6:00 p.m. Two community leaders who have been strong supporters of Sister Joan Elizabeth DePaul Cristo Rey from Cook, SC its start are serving as the honorary co-chairs: Sister Joan Elizabeth Cook, SC, president of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, and Rev. Eric Knapp, SJ, pastor of St. Xavier Church in downtown Rev. Eric Knapp, SJ Cincinnati.
Rey of Light Committee Chairs We gratefully acknowledge the following volunteers chairing committees for the Rey of Light. Pat Robertson – Auction Co-chair Barbara K. Bennie – Advisor Abby Held – Spirits Kathy Friedmann – Catalog Mary Jo Speed – Catalog Darrick Murphy – Checkout Mark McLaughlin – Cleanup Jackie Siders – Decorations
After cocktails and dinner, Rey of Light guests will have the opportunity to brighten student lives through their participation in silent and oral auctions. Auction Committee members are working diligently to procure exciting gifts and packages for bidding. Numerous individuals and corporate sponsors have committed their support to the Rey of Light, and additional sponsors are welcome and needed. Please contact DPCR Development Director Sparkle Worley at 861-0600 or sparkle.worley@depaulcristorey.org for information on sponsorship opportunities, to donate an auction gift, or to volunteer to help at the Rey of Light.
Marcia and Jerry Schmidt – Donor Solicitation
Watch your mail in March for a Rey of Light invitation. We look forward to sharing an “enlightening” evening with you in April!
Mary Pat Brennan – Volunteer Coordinator
Cindy and Dick Piening – Floor Managers Eileen Mechley – Hospitality Amelia Riedel – Invitations/Graphic Design Julie M. Ross – Oral Auction Michele Schuster – Oral Auction Jane Yost – Raffles Donna Broderick – Reservations Tim Ogonek – Rising Professionals Liaison Molly Weissman – Rising Professionals Liaison Linda Holthaus – Setup Don Feldmann – Sponsorship
1133 Clifton Hills Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 | (513) 861-0600 | www.depaulcristorey.org | like us on Facebook
FROM THE PRESIDENT
DPCR: Mission Possible
A
t DePaul Cristo Rey we’re on a mission. Our mission revolves around young people and their families, and we offer something most can’t find in another high school. Before they arrive at DPCR many of our students have been led to believe that it’s an impossible dream to consider a successful life that follows high school and college; here that’s mission possible. And I am excited to share that we have begun 2013 with a newly-revised Mission Statement, the result of five months’ worth of work and planning. With one full year’s experience as a new high school, DPCR’s Board of Directors and school leaders began a strategic planning process in August. This included revising the mission and beliefs statements, as well as creating Strategic, Development and Business plans for the school. All of these important initiatives have been reviewed and approved by the full Board of Directors. Additionally, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati have approved our revised Mission Statement, a responsibility they have as our sponsors. I am happy to share the revised Mission and Beliefs statements with you on this page. The Strategic Plan, which will guide the work of the Board and staff in the months ahead, includes six main focus areas. Those areas are: 1. Student Education and Experience: Provide a rigorous program that develops students beyond their projected growth and readies them for success in college. 2. Recruitment/Enrollment: Attract and enroll students from Catholic, charter and public schools who can benefit from our program and have the potential to successfully complete college. 3. Corporate Work Study: Secure and retain sufficient positions to meet enrollment growth and that provide a quality experience for the employer and student. 4. Organizational Health: Engage people to support and enhance programs to ensure growth of a quality Cristo Rey high school. 5. Facilities: Plan and deliver facilities that effectively and sustainably support all of the school’s programs, mission and needs. 6. Development: Expand Development strategies to contribute to the school’s long-term financial stability. In the months ahead we will continue to refine objectives, strategies and measurable outcomes in each of these areas and develop timelines for implementation. I express my sincerest appreciation to those Board and community members who joined school leaders as members of the Strategic Planning Committee: Jack Bunker; Manuel Chavez; Sister Barbara Hagedorn, SC; John Neyer; Rick Reynolds; and Paul Sittenfeld. With my gratitude for your sharing in our mission, Sister Jeanne Bessette, OSF, Ed.D. President 2
DEPAUL CRISTO REY MISSION: DePaul Cristo Rey High School, sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, prepares students to become high school and college graduates by helping them realize their full potential. Our Catholic, college prep curriculum and innovative work study program combine to form young women and men of integrity, faith, tenacity and purpose.
BELIEFS: 1. We believe in the promise of hope – every student can succeed personally, academically and professionally. 2. We believe that an excellent, uniquely affordable Catholic education is more than academic; it requires persistence and nourishes values. We believe that educated individuals transform a community. 3. We believe that faith is integral to each person’s life. 4. We believe that ongoing exposure to positive role models and experiences can transform a person’s life and goals. 5. We “dare to risk a caring response” as modeled by St. Vincent de Paul, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.
DPCR Receives Major Foundation Funding Three Cincinnati foundations have pledged a combined total of almost $6.2 million to DPCR over the next four years. These anonymous gifts are designated to support the school’s operating expenses, science program and campus expansion. The generosity of these foundations enables DPCR leaders to move forward with acquiring the resources and staff to meet the academic and facility needs of the school’s growing student population. The primary efforts of the Development staff, under the direction of the Board Development Committee, now focus on continuing to build support for student scholarships. As DPCR continues to enroll and serve students with significant economic need, the need for scholarships for tuition assistance remains critical. The success of the Rey of Light Dinner Auction in April will greatly aid this effort. Gifts designated to this need are always welcome; please contact Development Director Sparkle Worley at 513-861-0600 for more information on how to support DPCR students through scholarships.
DPCR STUDENTS:
Learning, Working, Serving While it’s hard to believe the students are well into the third quarter of the school year, a look back brings to mind the many activities and achievements of the school year so far. Measurable Academic Growth All Cristo Rey Network schools measure student progress annually through EPAS, the Education Planning and Assessment System of the national ACT organization. With data from the EXPLORE test taken at the start of their freshman year, and the PLAN test taken this past October, the members of DPCR’s Class of 2015 advanced at a rate of 1.5 grade levels over the course of one academic year. DPCR ranked fourth among the 24 Cristo Rey schools in overall student yearly progress, and second among all schools in measurable reading growth between freshman and sophomore years. On-the-Job Success DPCR students work hard in class and on-the-job. This year the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) began recognizing Student Employees of the Month – those who have excelled on the job as measured through employer evaluations and work attendance. Eight students were recognized in November and eight more in December.
Lending Helping Hands A group of DPCR students and faculty participated in a community service project to assist in the rebuilding of the Camp Washington Recreation Center playground that had been destroyed in a fire. The DPCR group helped with landscaping, planting and beautification at the Rec Center in November. Bruins Athletics Expand The Bruins women’s volleyball team posted a winning record in its second season, and in its inaugural season, the DPCR cross-country team participated in seven local high school meets. The men’s and women’s basketball teams are wrapping up their second seasons of play. Dance and Basketball Make Homecoming Weekend The second annual DPCR Homecoming festivities took place in December. The weekend began with three basketball games on Friday night followed by a homecoming dance on Saturday. The students chose an 80s hip-hop theme for the dance and crowned two classmates as the homecoming king and queen. Catholic Schools Week The DPCR community joined students and teachers at the almost 7,000 Catholic schools around the country to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. DPCR students participated in a videoconference with Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis Schnurr, celebrated an allschool Mass, completed an afternoon of service work on campus and enjoyed the second annual Bruin Games that pitted students, faculty and staff in fun games and activities.
3
Estate Gift to DPCR Carries on Concordia Lutheran’s Education Legacy
L
ong before DePaul Cristo Rey High School began operating and educating on Clifton Hills Avenue, Concordia Lutheran Church and School carried out a mission of faith-based education. The Sisters of Charity purchased the property after the school closed and the church congregation disbanded. The generosity and foresight of one longtime member of that congregation has helped to ensure that Concordia’s educational legacy lives on. Dr. Robert Helm lived in Clifton for almost 70 years and was a member of the Concordia congregation for more than 40 years. “He always said he was very blessed in life in so many ways,” recalls his son, Bob Helm. Dr. Helm left an estate gift to Concordia in his will, and though the church disbanded before his death, he chose to leave his legacy alone. Thus his $10,000 gift is now carrying Concordia’s faith-based education mission forward through DePaul Cristo Rey. “He wasn’t happy that he outlived his church; it bothered him,” says his son, Bob. “So I know he’d be happy his gift went to DePaul Cristo Rey.” Planned gifts such as bequests offer an important way to support DPCR well into the future. If you would like information on how to make a planned gift to DPCR, please contact Development Director Sparkle Worley at 513-861-0600 or sparkle.worley@depaulcristorey.org.
CWSP Partners Make an Impact on Young Lives
K
ey to the success of every Cristo Rey student and school is the support of the local business community. Through the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), all DPCR students work five days a month at one of 47 partner organizations in Greater Cincinnati. The students’ earnings help to pay their educational costs while they gain invaluable professional experience and exposure to the real-work world. While DPCR staff members are actively recruiting eighth graders to fill next year’s freshman class, the CWSP team is actively recruiting new companies to add to the roster of CWSP Partners. Three new firms have already signed on to hire student teams for next school year: Clark Schaefer Hackett, School Outfitters, and P.G. Sittenfeld City of Cincinnati Council Member. The CWSP offers a win-win for both students and employers. For students,
CWSP participation is both a resumebuilder and a way to help pay for their private, college-prep education. Employers gain the opportunity to make a difference in a young person’s life while filling current staffing needs. Frisch’s Restaurants, Inc. has been a CWSP Partner from the start; CEO/President Craig Maier explains why.“Frisch’s is proud to be an active and supportive presence in the Greater Cincinnati community both through our restaurants and our involvement in programs that improve quality of life. Our partnership with DePaul Cristo Rey High School through the Corporate Work Study Program continues this longstanding tradition of community involvement,” says Maier.“We believe we are making a substantial impact on young people by providing them the benefit of corporate employment, while they strive to
complete a college-prep education. We consider this an important contribution to the development of an educated workforce for our community’s future.” If you or someone in your company would like more information about becoming a CWSP Partner, please contact CWSP Director Lisa Claytor at 513-861-0600 or by email at lisa.claytor@depaulcristorey.org.