Edline

A SENSATIONAL SUMMER AT HSP

May 8, 2011

Dear Cougar Families,

During the spring, we conducted a feasibility study to obtain feedback on the school’s 5-year development plan prepared during our reaccreditation self-study, and we included priorities based upon the 2010 parent survey.  During this process, we were pleased to identify support for a number of exciting development projects that will take place over this summer:

• Comprehensive remodeling of the interior and exterior of the “main” Lower School building including the implementation of Promethean technology in every classroom

• Reengineering the field at the Lower School to a regulation U11 pitch and the installation of professional grade artificial turf
• Creation of a “Math & Technology Laboratory” at the Upper School that will feature state-of-the-art 3D technology allowing implementation of revolutionary educational software packages and co-teaching of video conferenced e-learning
• Equipping all PreK4 classrooms with digital “smart tables”
• Completion of the upgrades to the Lower School gym
• First-stage build-out of a black-box theater/auditorium (in partnership with Holy Spirit Parish)
• Upgrades to the technology infrastructure at the Upper School
• Investment in additional technology for the Seton Center
• Implementation of Band and Orchestra programs at Lower and Upper Schools

As you may imagine, this will be a very busy summer with construction commencing on May 27^th!

These projects will have a major impact for the whole school and have been made possible by the support of generous donors in our school community.  The remaining projects in our 5-year plan will be implemented as support is raised through a community wide capital campaign.  Assuming that there is sufficient support early in the campaign, many of these projects could be completed in time for fall 2012:

• Construction of Cougar Field (Lake Forrest Drive location) to include a lit, multi-purpose artificial turf field with bleachers, swimming pool, tennis courts, practice golf holes, and environmental science research facility 
• Construction of a new Academic Building and Atrium at the Lower School to replace the existing Intermediate Building
• Implementation of a school-wide faculty technology update
• Implementation of a one-to one technology plan      
• Construction of a covered outdoor dining area at the Upper School
• Addition of air-conditioning and an exterior architectural veneer to the Lower School gym
• Second-stage development of the black-box theater
• Construction of a multi-use 15,000 sq. ft. building at Cougar Field, use to be determined by the school’s future needs

Although we will all have opportunities to participate in the forthcoming capital campaign, there is an immediate opportunity (and need) which is the 2010/2011 Annual Fund.  While the Annual Fund is part of the school’s operational budget and does not fund capital improvements, participation in the Annual Fund will be a critical factor when foundations consider funding for our capital campaign.  We currently have 100% participation by faculty & staff and 43% participation by parents.  We have arranged for the blessing by the Holy Father of medallions celebrating the Beatification of John Paul the Great during our senior trip to Rome as our gift to each family that gives or pledges to the 2010/2011 Annual Fund by May 18^th.  If you have not yet contributed to the Annual Fund, please consider doing so at http://www.holyspiritprep.org/giving.asp or, if you wish to make a pledge, please contact Dara Liberatore at dliberatore@holyspiritprep.org.

Kind regards,

Gareth N. Genner
President