“State of the School” proves changes needed

Kate Froehlich, Executive Editor
April 3, 2010
Filed under Opinion

Prior to reading, check out the news story about President Richard O’Hara’s “State of the School” address.

As I poured over a Google Docs presentation of O’Hara’s “State of the School,” I was intrigued by the amount of purple and green, symbolizing progress and goals achieved, on his chart.

It is absolutely fantastic to see such progress in our school, especially as we attempt to better market ourselves in light of a severe decline in enrollment. I hope that this trend continues, especially as we face the results of both poor demographics and a still-faltering economy.

There has been strong evidence to support these gains. For example, the faculty has been taking strides to further their education, like Principal Paul Barker pursuing his doctorate. The addition of hand sanitizer stations throughout campus was a positive step in keeping the student body healthy. The master plan offers much hope for the future of the facilities, although the plausibility of receiving the $35 million needed is very much in question.

But yes, the school does look cleaner than it has in past years following the addition of the new cleaning staff. 

About our school’s Catholic identity, we must take the wait and see approach before determining how successful it has been. The implementation of the strategic plan will have the biggest consequences for this category.

There are several positive elements to JC right now. However, because it is crucial that the Board of Trustees is presented a fully accurate picture of the state of the school, I question how some of the rankings were reached.

As those in charge of protecting the interests of the school in the future, to make effective strategic decisions, they have to be aware of all perspectives to determine the best course of action.

According to O’Hara, he uses data, goals set in particular areas, Principal Paul Barker’s input, as well as his own observations to develop his “State of the School” address.

Although O’Hara and Barker are in the best position to make general statements about the school, I wonder about the lack of student, faculty and staffs’ say in the summary. Aren’t they the ones living out the areas?

This is most evident in a category like “sufficient technology and information systems.” It is admirable that we are upgrading the wireless network because the Internet goes down at least once a week. I would also mention the addition of Rosetta Stone software for the benefit of language studies as another benefit to the technology offered at our school.

However, I think the majority of upperclassman would disagree with the idea of the school being past all problems with laptops, as would their teachers who continually hear the excuse of “my computer is broken” nearly daily in the classroom setting.

I’m still struggling with a laptop that shuts off without warning. I don’t want to take it to the Tech Office out of fear that I’ll be without my laptop for a few days, maybe weeks. In addition, Help Desk Assistant Jane Fogarty estimates that at least 50 percent of the laptops turned in this year were senior machines.

It’s not the fault of the technology department – it’s simply the fact that giving high school students delicate machines to handle for four years will logically end with much wear and tear on the computers.

The additional issues that stem from the bankruptcy of Gateway and the lack of available and reasonably priced parts leave me concerned about the current juniors’ laptops for next year.

Student engagement is obviously the aspect that could use the most input. It’s one thing for outside sources to observe how the students appear to be acting, but another is for students to give their say.

Do we really feel like we are being listened to by the school? That we care about what we’re learning? That the programs and opportunities on campus are really enough? These types of questions can only be addressed by the students, and may also help to bring up ideas that need to be addressed to ensure further progress.

And, honestly, I realize that most of the school is involved with a variety of activities, but I’m not so sure that engagement has changed much, if any, from any other school year. Maybe because I’m a senior and senioritis is in full effect, it seems that students are spending more time on their computers and doing less work than in the past. I have a teacher that tells my class that students do less work than in prior years.

The engagement of students should continue to see at least minor progress with the addition of news clubs for students to involve themselves in, from Gold to Culture Shock to the Athletic Department Leadership Committee.

The State of the School address is of crucial importance, and gives the school the opportunity to not only address the Board, but see what areas still need to see progress. By allowing other groups in the school to give their say, the address will be more accurate and provide more opportunities for continued success.

Kate Froehlich can be reached for comment at kfroehlich@jcpatriot.com