Frequently Asked Questions concerning the Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School
 

1. Why build Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School (ICCR)? Why not just renovate the current CJCR school?

Two challenges faced the present CJCR. The first was the condition of the building; the second, a question of ownership.
 
The present structure is in need of extensive repair. When the cost estimates were seen to range from $4.5 to $6.5M, the question was raised about whether we should repair or just build from scratch. This seemed especially appropriate since renovations would achieve little more than a reworking of basic structural conditions of the present school. A decision was made to pursue the concept of a new school.
 
For nearly two years, we have pursued the possibility of building a new school here at Immaculate Conception Parish. The parish trustees, the auditors, the finance council, the ministry committee and the staff were all consulted along the way. Everyone felt that building a new school would only serve to enhance our parish while guarantying a quality Catholic Education for the children of our own parishioners, those of St. Mark’s and those of Catholic Families throughout Western Cranston. Great care and serious reflection went into the final approval of this school
 
The second challenge that faced the present CJCR was one of ownership. CJCR has gone through a long history of multiple owners. At one point there were over 15 parishes that took responsibility for the school. Until recently St. Mark’s and Immaculate Conception attempted to run CJCR as an inter-parish school. Ultimately all arrangements involving more than one owner seemed to fall short of expectation. Building a new school that would be owned by one parish solves the challenge of multiple ownership and creates a more viable Catholic School.
 
 
2. Did Bishop Tobin and the diocese approve plans for this new school?
 
Bishop Tobin has kept a very watchful eye on this entire project. He has carefully weighed all options and possibilities. He has consulted the Diocesan School Board, the Diocesan Finance Council and the Consultors of the Diocese in arriving at a decision for the future of CJCR.
 
His decision to go ahead with the new school was not made lightly. After consultation with all of the above groups as well as the Vicar of Finances, the Building Commission and the Diocesan School Office, Bishop Tobin determined that building a new school was the wisest decision.
 
Beyond the decision to move ahead with this project, the diocese has been involved in all aspects of planning and finance. Ms. Carol Nelson, the Head of the Diocesan Building Commission has been present for all meetings concerning the planning and design of the new school. The diocese will also oversee the choice of Construction Company which will build the school. All financial considerations will be overseen by the office of the Vicar of Finances.
 
3. Will Immaculate Conception Parish assume responsibility for running the ICCR?
 
Yes. Immaculate Conception Parish will assume full responsibility for the school. In proposing the new school, the Parish accepts full responsibility for all aspects of the school.
 
That being said, some qualifications need to be added. While the parish accepts the responsibility for running the school, it is the School Board who advises the Pastor on all issues concerning the school. Further, it is the Principal of the School who assumes the day-to-day operation of the School. The Principal will report directly to the Pastor.
 
Probably the most important qualification needs to be made concerning the financial responsibility for the school. While the Parish will be accepting full responsibility for the school, the school itself has been, continues to be and is projected to be a totally self-sufficient financial venture. All costs for the school are supported by tuition and by the fund-raising efforts of the Parent-Teacher Organization. In order to insure that the school remain fiscally self-sufficient, the projected cost of tuition for the next five school years was sent to the parents of all children in the school. The parents, in turn, were asked to respond by indicating their willingness to follow the projected tuition rates. The response was overwhelming in support of the increased tuition. Very few indicated they would need assistance to accomplish that. And almost no one indicated that the projected costs would cause them to take their child out of the school. If anything we have experienced a surge in families seeking to become part of the school. In Kindergarten alone, there is a waiting list of nearly 40 children.
 
Finally, in order to highlight the Parish’s ownership of the school, it has been decided that when the new school opens it will be called Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School (ICCR).
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School

1. Why build Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School (ICCR)? Why not just renovate the current CJCR school?

Two challenges faced the present CJCR.
The first was the condition of the building;
the second, a question of ownership.

The present structure is in need of extensive repair. When the cost estimates were seen to range from $4.5 to $6.5M, the question was raised about whether we should repair or just build from scratch. This seemed especially appropriate since renovations would achieve little more than a reworking of basic structural conditions of the present school. A decision was made to pursue the concept of a new school.

For nearly two years, we have pursued the possibility of building a new school here at Immaculate Conception Parish. The parish trustees, the auditors, the finance council, the ministry committee and the staff were all
consulted along the way. Everyone felt that building a new school would only serve to enhance our parish while guarantying a quality Catholic Education for the children of our own parishioners, those of St. Mark’s and those of Catholic Families throughout Western Cranston. Great care and serious reflection went into the final approval of this school

The second challenge that faced the present CJCR was one of ownership. CJCR has gone through a long history of multiple owners. At one point there were over 15 parishes that took responsibility for the school. Until recently St. Mark’s and Immaculate Conception attempted to run CJCR as an inter-parish school. Ultimately all arrangements involving more than one owner seemed to fall short of expectation. Building a new school that would be owned by one parish solves the challenge of multiple ownership and creates a more viable Catholic School.


2. Did Bishop Tobin and the diocese approve plans for this new school?

Bishop Tobin has kept a very watchful eye on this entire
project. He has carefully weighed all options and possibilities. He has consulted the Diocesan School Board, the Diocesan Finance Council and the Consultors of the Diocese in arriving at a decision for the future of CJCR.

His decision to go ahead with the new school was not made lightly. After consultation with all of the above groups as well as the Vicar of Finances, the Building Commission and the Diocesan School Office, Bishop Tobin determined that building a new school was the wisest decision.

Beyond the decision to move ahead with this project, the diocese has been involved in all aspects of planning and finance. Ms. Carol Nelson, the Head of the Diocesan Building Commission has been present for all meetings concerning the planning and design of the new school.
The diocese will also oversee the choice of Construction Company which will build the school. All financial considerations will be overseen by the office of the Vicar of Finances.

3. Will Immaculate Conception Parish assume responsibility for running the ICCR?

Yes. Immaculate Conception Parish will assume full
responsibility for the school. In proposing the new school, the Parish accepts full responsibility for all aspects of the school.

That being said, some qualifications need to be added. While the parish accepts the responsibility for running the school, it is the School Board who advises the Pastor on all issues concerning the school. Further, it is the Principal of the School who assumes the day-to-day operation of the School. The Principal will report directly to the Pastor.

Probably the most important qualification needs to be made concerning the financial responsibility for the school. While the Parish will be accepting full responsibility for the school, the school itself has been, continues to be and is projected to be a totally self-sufficient financial venture. All costs for the school are supported by tuition and by the fund-raising efforts of the Parent-Teacher Organization. In order to insure that the school remain fiscally self-sufficient, the projected cost of tuition for the next five school years was sent to the parents of all children in the school. The parents, in turn, were asked to respond by indicating their willingness to follow the projected tuition rates. The response was overwhelming in support of the increased tuition. Very few indicated they would need assistance to accomplish that. And almost no one indicated that the projected costs would cause them to take their child out of the school. If anything we have experienced a surge in families seeking to become part of the school. In Kindergarten alone, there is a waiting list of nearly 40 children.

Finally, in order to highlight the Parish’s ownership of the school, it has been decided that when the new school opens it will be called Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School (ICCR).

4. How will the construction of ICCR be financially supported?

The money for building the new school will come from
several different sources. First and foremost, we will float a bond for $6.5 M. Added to this will be (1) the money that the school receives from the sale of the present CJCR,
(2) a gift of $250,000 and (3) a personal loan of $750,000 from a parishioner.

The repayment of this bond and loan will be achieved through tuition. The present school is financially self-sufficient. The new school is planned to follow in that tradition. The new school is not intended to be a financial burden on the parish.

It needs to be noted that because of the generosity of
St. Mark’s in agreeing to give to the new school a large portion of the proceeds from the sale of the present structure, there has been an agreement made that students from St. Mark’s will be treated equally with students from Immaculate Conception Parish. Students from both these parishes will always have first preference to be accepted in the new school.

5. When will construction begin?

Construction is scheduled to begin towards the end of June, the beginning of July. Several steps, however, need to take place prior to the beginning of construction.

The first is gaining the building permit from the city. That process is well under way and should be completed in a few weeks.

The second is the choosing of the construction company. A pre-bid meeting was held on May 14th. The bids are due on June 4th and the choice of companies will be made that day or shortly after.

Construction should take one year. The school is scheduled to open in September of 2009.

6. How many students will be accommodated at ICCR?

The school is projected to accommodate 340 students.
Included will the following: a preK for three year olds, a preK for four year olds, one class each of K through 5 and two classes of grades 6, 7 and 8. The middle school is larger because the committee planning the new school felt that there would be a greater demand in the middle school. Class size will be 20 students for each preK and 25 students for all other classes

7. What is the cost of tuition at ICCR?

When we were contemplating the concept of a new school, projecting tuition was an important consideration. To that end the tuition rate for the next five years was carefully calculated. A letter was then sent to parents asking if they would support the project tuition rates. Of the nearly 82% of parents who responded, 98% said they would support the projected tuition rates. For grades K through 8 the tuition will gradually move from $4100 a year to $6100 a year. For pre K, the projected tuition for next year will be $5800. Projections through the next five years have yet to be done for pre-K.

It is also interesting to note that if we did not build the new school but simply renovated the old, the tuition rate would be almost identical.

8. What are some benefits of attending ICCR rather than public school?

This goes to the heart of building and supporting a
Catholic School.

On the one hand it is an educational institution and as such strives to offer the best possible opportunities for our children to learn the basics and beyond in elementary and middle school education. Of special importance for this school will be the ability to explore not only athletic opportunities but also, and certainly more important, opportunities in the arts and in culture. This new school will be equipped with art studios and galleries, a music center and a theatre. Beyond an opportunity to explore athletics and culture, our classrooms will come equipped with the best of modern technology.

But there is more…much more. For while our school will offer educational and enrichment possibilities that might not be available in other schools, its more important contribution comes in terms of faith. As a Catholic School its main purpose is to support the role of parents as primary teachers in the way of faith. This school will work to help its students see with the eyes of faith. It will support students making a Catholic culture the heart of their lives. The truths of values of our faith will be carefully integrated into every aspect of learning.

Catholic Schools are not just another type of school. Catholic Schools are a place where faith is nurtured and solid Gospel Values are carefully taught and lived. Beyond the gift of an education, a Catholic School is a gift of faith. And faith is priceless in its value.



9. If a child is interested in the arts (music, theatre, art) will there be academic opportunities for them?

Yes. the new school has been designed with special attention to the arts. There will be an art studio with an
outdoor sketching space. There will also be three art
galleries within the school so that there will be ample
opportunity for students to display their artwork.
For music there will be an ample music room that
will accommodate individual keyboard instruction as
well as group choral work. Finally there will be a
200 hundred seat stadium-style theater. This new school will champion the Arts as well as other dimensions of a good and solid education.



10. Who will be the Principal for the new school?

I am happy to announce that after reviewing the twenty-five applicants who applied for the position of Principal and interviewing the six finalist, the search committee has selected Mr. Robert Morissette to be the Principal of CJCR beginning this July. Further, Mr. Morissette will lead the transition from the present school to the opening of the new school in September of 2009.

Mr. Morissette comes to us with a distinguished background that is rich in experience. Most recently he was the President of Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River. Prior to that he served as Head of the Middle & Upper School in the Norfolk Collegiate School in Norfolk, VA. He further went on to become Special Assistant to the Headmaster in that same school. He has also served as Principal of the Burrilville Middle School, the Burrilville Junior High School, the Chairman of the English Depart at the North Smithfield Jr. – Sr. High School as well as instructor in the Graduate Division of Rhode Island College.

Mr. Morissette has also worked to establish Communication Arts Program in graphic and film arts, middle school mentoring programs, summer arts camp for drama and art as well as several programs in writing and literature. He is a a Member of the Advisory Board for Gifted/Talented Education for the Rhode Island Department of Education.

I could not be happier in announcing Mr. Morissette’s acceptance as our new Principal. While he will not formally begin working until July 7th, he has already immersed himself in several important meetings concerning the plans for the new school as well as preparing for the coming school year.


11.Will the school have a gymnasium?

Yes, the new school will have a gym that is larger than the gym found in the present structure. The gym will have a wooden floor with ample bleacher space for viewing athletic competitions. The present CJCR has a rich tradition in athletic programs. That tradition will not only be continued it will also be expanded. Beyond the normal athletic activities during the school year, the new
school is planning to offer special programs in athletics during the summer.