A Blessed New Year Mr. John A. Bres, Principal

When you receive this newsletter, we will have enjoyed a truly special holiday and holy day. I hope that all of our Richard families had a blessed, peaceful, Christmas and took time in the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas with members of their families. I pray that you have a good 2001. Since our first Update you received a letter from me in late October informing you of recent developments with our staff. The following is an update:

Faculty
Shirley Patterson’s recuperation went well and she returned to the classroom on December 4. Dr. Dan Webster had a successful operation, has recuperated and also returned to the Guidance Department on December 4. Debbie Vinson had a nine pound baby boy named Miles Weston on November 28, 2000. Esther Ropert who most recently has been working part-time in the Business Office has retired at the end of November. She has given many years to Richard not only as an employee but also as an involved parent of four children who attended Gabriel Richard.

Faculty Luncheon
We are very appreciative of the PTG for the excellent Christmas luncheon they sponsored at the Grosse Ile Country Club and to all the parents that contributed refreshments and centerpieces. The PTG on behalf of all the Richard families have provided this luncheon to the staff in appreciation for their dedication, commitment and all they do. The staff always looks forward to the luncheon and considers it the highlight of the year.

Academics
Improvement and development of academic courses are an ongoing process at Gabriel Richard. The academic departments usually finalize decisions for the following academic year at the Curriculum Council meeting in November. Changes are kept to a minimum with description of some classes revised, some courses are dropped and a few are added. Courses added this year are “Creative Writing”, “Life Science” for underclassmen, and “The Hero in Society” from the Social Science Department, “Photography II” and “Sewing”. Remember that course offerings are listed on our web page www.bitworx.com/grhs/. I recommend that you check on it when you and your child are making course selections for the 2001–02 school year. The web page also provides additional information on fund raising activities, athletic clubs, sports, alumni association, etc. Two of the new courses will be offered at “Zero” hour, which means before school at 7:00 a.m. By adding zero hour classes, we lessen the chances for students who select classes that are singleton and have conflicts. Both new classes, “Sewing” and “Photography II” are zero hour classes. This is listed in the course booklet and on the web page.

Registration
The registration process and course selection will soon begin. In order to process your sons’/daughters’ course selections, it is essential that a registration fee of $100 be paid by March 1st. The non-refundable fee is paid during the course selection/registration process. (February 1st thru March 1st). When your son/daughter make their selections, both parent and student signatures are required. If you have a question or need clarification on any course selections, you can check the web page or have your child request and sign out a course booklet from the Guidance Department. The selections must be taken seriously for they determine budget and tuition for the new school year. We accept registrations until school begins in August but there is no guarantee that classes will be open or room in a particular grade because our needs and number of classes are determined in the spring.

Tuition
The Finance Committee will be having their first meeting in late January to determine budget and set tuition. The Finance Committee will then make a report and recommendation to the School Board. A decision by the board is usually done in late April or early May.

Graduation Credits
After discussion at several meetings, the Curriculum Council finalized a decision to increase graduation requirements. At the present time students must earn 23 Carnegie units of credit to graduate. Students from the Class of 2004, the present freshmen class, will have to earn a minimum of 24 Carnegie units of credit to graduate and the Class of 2005, the incoming freshmen will have to earn a minimum of 25 Carnegie units to graduate. Most students take 7 classes their first three years and six classes their senior year. Thus, they should have no difficulty to earn the minimum credits required. To earn 25 credits a student must take and pass 6 classes for three years and 7 classes for one year.

School Board
A parent inquired about the makeup of our school board. The school board generally meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month in the library. Since occasionally there is a cancellation, you should call the school to check if there is a meeting. All meetings are open but guests are not permitted to participate in the meeting. Agendas are present a couple weeks before a scheduled meeting. The board establishes policies, approves budget and tuition, evaluates the principal, etc. The members of the board and whom they represent are:

Funding
As a parent you have made a commitment to Catholic education by having your son or daughter attend Gabriel Richard. For all of you, that signifies a major financial investment and for many of you, it is also a financial burden. We make every effort to keep costs down. Kathy LeBoeuf, our Development Director, with her many fund raising activities help to achieve that goal. Your purchase of Scrip, participation and involvement in Festival of Lights and Mardi Gras, your contribution to the annual fund drive, etc. are helpful and appreciated.
I cannot thank all of you enough for your continued support and involvement. Your attendance at athletic events, your attendance and participation at PTG meetings, Athletic Club and Band Boosters, etc. reflect your commitment to Richard and its goals.