Dear Mater Christi Families:
As we begin this new calendar year and prepare to celebrate Catholic Schools Week next week, I believe this is the perfect time to share with you a vision for Mater Christi School as we look to the future.
For over 130 years, the Sisters of Mercy have been educating young people in the heart of Burlington. Our roots go back to Mount St. Mary’s Academy that opened in 1886 and were strengthened with the opening of Mater Christi School in 1963. Throughout our history, we have been an inclusive school that welcomes children of all faiths and provides a rigorous academic program by highly qualified teachers who know, love, and empower each student entrusted to their care. As a school, we are committed to building on this rich history and success in order to ensure a promising future in the Burlington area.
Since arriving last July, I have spent a great deal of time listening to members of our community including the Sisters of Mercy, our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, parents and students, alumni and community members. All of these stakeholders have shared their experiences, as well as their hopes for our school as we look to the future.
Our Board of Trustees and I organized a strategic planning committee that has been charged with developing a vision and strategic plan for our school. The Strategic Planning Committee is an ad-hoc subcommittee of our Board of Trustees. The focus of this committee and planning process is to ensure our school remains a vibrant and innovative educational institution where all students can thrive. The strategic planning process assists me, our faculty, and our Board of Trustees in identifying present and future needs, develops strategies to navigate changing conditions more effectively, and guides decisions with future goalsin mind.
One of the clear objectives of our strategic planning committee is the develop meaningful goals that are based on an honest assessment of our school including our mission and identity as a Catholic and Mercy school, our leadership and governance structures, curriculum and instruction, as well as needs related to marketing, development, finances, and facilities.
Attached to this letter is “A Vision for Mater Christi School,” a document the strategic planning committee developed, recommend, and had approved by our Board of Trustees. This vision document provides a framework from which our school strategic plan will be developed. This plan will be shared with you by the end of the school year. As you review this document, you will see the vision for the future of our school is focused on four pillars:
- Developing the whole student in an authentic Catholic and Mercy community
- Achieving 21st century academic excellence
- Demonstrating best teaching practices and innovative instruction
- Ensuring the future of Mater Christi School
In developing this vision statement as well as a strategic plan, the work of this group has been based on the “National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools,” developed by Catholic school leaders across this country through support from Boston College and Loyola University in Chicago.
Finally, I would like to thank the members of our strategic planning committee that is comprised of parents, board members, representatives of the Sisters of Mercy, and members of our faculty. Committee members include:
Amanda Barone, Assistant Head of School
Glenda Bedard, Teacher
Beth Dusablon, School Trustee & Mercy Associate
Sue-Rae Glinka, School Trustee
Tim Loescher, Assistant Head of School
Bridget Marroquin, Parent & School Trustee
Declan McCabe, Parent
Miranda McClellan, Teacher
Mike Walsh, Parent
In the coming weeks and months, we will be sharing additional information with you regarding our strategic plan, as well as the profile of a Mater Christi graduate and the philosophy of instruction provided by our dedicated and highly qualified faculty and staff.
It is my hope that you are optimistic about the direction of our school and committed to working together as a school community to ensure the very best for all of our students, both currently enrolled and those who will attend our school in the future.
Sincerely,
Patrick A. Lofton, Ed.S
President/Head of School