History of St. Mary Academy P.T.O.

     Since the start of the new millennium, the P.T.O. at St. Mary Academy has made many significant improvements at the school and has evolved into a very active organization.  In the fall of 2000, our first major accomplishment, phase I the large play structure of the playground was constructed.  This project was built by the St. Mary Academy community of volunteers.  Phase II was completed in June of 2001.  This included the swings and gliders.  The total cost of both phases was approximately $52,000.00.  This money was raised in about a year and a half through 2 bowl-a-thons, 2 Sally Foster sales, Little Caesars Pizza sale, 2 pop can drives and a group of benefactors.  It was also during the winter and spring of 2001 that we held our first Sweetheart Dance and bowling outing for the boys and their moms.

     During the 2001-02 school year, we set our sights on improving our computer lab.  Complete renovation with new equipment and technology was the plan.  We held another bowl-a-thon and Sally Foster sale to raise funds.  The Great Books program was started along with a family night Border Cat’s hockey game.  Unfortunately, we, like many Catholic schools started facing a decrease in our enrollment.  New marketing ideas started evolving towards the end of this school year.  It was also during this time that we started thinking of new ways to fundraise.  The idea of a Fall Harvest started to form, spearheaded by the Parents Advisory Board committee of Karen Basha, Tami Cuthbertson, Char Sweeney, and Anne Falk.  We would have an evening of food, entertainment and a silent and live auction.  Plans evolved during the summer months.  Committees were formed.  There was a new excitement around St. Mary Academy. 

     The 2002-03 school year started out with a Morley Candy sale.  November 16^th was the date for our first Fall Harvest.  We were very fortunate to have a very generous parishioner offer to be our benefactor.  He challenged us to obtain 5-$1,000.00 donors and he would match that amount.  To our surprise, we raised $8,000.00 and he matched it.  We made a profit of $38,592.00 that evening and as a result, the Fall Harvest  would become an annual event.  Our last fundraiser for the year was a cookie dough sale.  Plans for the computer lab were under way.  By the end of the year, we purchased 20 Pentium 4 desktop computers with flat screen monitors, 1 small business server, 1 color inkjet printer, 1 laser B&W printer, 1 video projector and all associated networking and cabling.  In addition, the room was painted with a beautiful solar system/sky theme.  New computer desks, chairs, shades and closet doors were added.  Comments were made that it was the nicest computer lab of all the schools in St. Clair County. 

     It was during this school year that we realized that our enrollment may be decreasing for the next year.  The idea for a Strategic Planning Session was started.  Families and staff completed surveys to determine the areas where the school needed to make improvements in order to maintain and increase our enrollment in the future.  Marketing the school to the community became the first priority.  Open houses were planned.  In March of 2003 our principal decided not to return to her position during the next school year.  The search for a new principal was started.  Fr. Stan, our Pastor, involved many parents and faculty members in the selection.  God must have been looking over us during our selection.  Mr. Tim Toepel became our new principal.  He had many years of administrative experience and brought with him new ideas to increase enrollment and make improvements to our school.  On May 19^th, 2003, we had our first all school parent meeting to meet and plan with Mr. Toepel.  He had a lot of work ahead of him, but he also had the unwavering support of the St. Mary Academy parents who were determined to maintain our school and make it better.  Our goal was to see the Parent Advisory Board Committee to become more defined as a formal P.T.O..  We would have monthly meetings, establish by-laws and hold elections for officer positions.  A Strategic Planning session was being scheduled for September of 2003.  Problems would be evaluated.  Solutions, both long and short term, would be determined.  Committees to address needs were formed.  The school year ended for 2003 with many plans for improvements. 

     During the summer of 2003, much work was done at St. Mary.  The building was cleaned like never before.  The marketing committee and the fundraising committees worked through the summer months.  The faculty worked tirelessly preparing for the next school year.  August of 2003 started with a new fundraiser.  We held a Midwest gift wrap and candy sale.  Our goals for this year were new desks, cafeteria tables and a school sign display.  We also started the year with a new slogan…striving to be, “The Best Little School in St. Clair County.”  As planned, we met for 2 days in September for the Strategic Planning sessions.  Many areas were covered during these meetings.  The turnout of administration, faculty and parents was great.  We all worked together to set a plan for improvements for our school.  The Alumni, Grant Writing, Academic Enrichment, Library and Building and Grounds Committees were formed in addition to Special Events, Fundraising and Marketing Committees that were already in place.  Bingo was replaced with parents making a 16 hour fundraising commitment for the year.  A new hot lunch program and Accelerated Readers program were started.  Our classrooms and library were connected via wireless technology to the computer lab.  Filtered internet access was provided throughout the school.  Our second annual Fall Harvest was held with great success.  With a very generous benefactor, we made a net profit of $63,947.00.  In order to get our name in the community, we became involved in the city parades and marketed many different places including a kiosk at the mall.  We finished out the year with a soap sale, Frankenmuth fundraiser, spaghetti dinner, book fair and a very successful first time school carnival.  During the year, we also participated in charitable functions such as adopting families for Christmas and Read to Feed for March reading month.  The year ended with the addition of 3 members at large to the P.T.O. officer positions.  It was decided that the current officers would remain in their positions for the next year.

     The 2004-05 school year again started with the Midwest fundraiser.  Our third annual Fall Harvest was held in November and we grossed $46,408.00.  We also held a spaghetti dinner in October, a soap sale in January, 2 book fairs and the school carnival in June.  Our goals for this year were to purchase a new Language Arts Series for all the grades and complete phase III of the playground.  New uniform rules were made.  Skorts and skirts were allowed in 4^th and 5^th grades.  St. Mary Academy emblems were also added to the uniform.  Our “specials” such as music, art, gym, health & safety and computer were now being provided daily by the PHASD at no charge.  The school day was extended 10 minutes to enable us to continue Spanish.  Our first all school movie and zoo trips were enjoyed by all.  Our first family read in night was well attended.  After school tutoring sessions were also made available to students through a grant.  In May of 2005, phase III of the playground was installed.  A new preschool structure, 3 bouncy items and climbing pods were added to enhance the playground.  Many volunteers helped with this project.  Our first P.T.O. election with nominations was held at the end of the school year.  The results were: President-Jennifer McClelland, Vice President-Gary Stoldt, Treasurer-Char Sweeney, Secretary-Anne Falk and members at large-Eileen Koppinger and Debbie Peloso.

     As we look forward to the 2005-06 school year, plans are already under way for the 4^th annual Fall Harvest.  Our enrollment is up and our school remains very viable amidst many other school closings in our Archdiocese.  Our success is directly related to a very dedicated administration, faculty, parish community and families that continue to strive to make St. Mary Academy, “The Best Little School in St. Clair County.”