Consultative Council

2024/2025
Holy Ghost Catholic School
Consultative Council

 As per the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Catholic School Policy Manual Policy No. 1090:
SUBJECT: ROLE OF LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCILS
"Each school will have a local school Consultative Council that reports to the Principal and Pastor/Rector. The Consultative Council provides support to the Principal and Pastor/Rector in matters designated by the Council’s Constitution and Bylaws or as requested by the Principal and Pastor/Rector. Areas for Council consultation and support include: planning, finances, facilities, public relations, marketing, enrollment management, and advancement/development and other areas identified in the strategic plan and approved by the Pastor/Rector and Principal."
The Holy Ghost Consultative Council is made up of 8 members consisting of different stakeholders in the Holy Ghost community. Our Council will meet once a month and a monthly summary will be shared to maintain transparency. 

September Summary of Minutes

The 2024/2025 Holy Ghost Catholic School Consultative Council gathered for the first time in the 8th grade room on September, 11 2024. By-Laws were read and officers were elected. The new, Chairperson is Chris Brown, Vice Chairperson is Devona Benavidez, and Secretary is Veronica Pino. The next meeting will take place on October 9, 2024.

October Summary of Minutes

The Consultative Council met on October 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the 8th grade room. The principal mentioned that the office is now preparing for the 2025/2026 enrollment process in FACTS. There was a review of Blessing of the Animals and the shot clinic held on October 4, 2024. An accreditation update was given and ideas were shared of how HGCS can get families to help pay to host the accreditation team. Fall Festival was discussed, as well as feedback received from BCSO on HGCS safety procedures. The Council discussed a Veterans day celebration with a small reception following Mass and a fundraiser for students to wear Red, White, or Blue for $5.00. Proceeds will go to the Paralyzed Vets of America here in Albuquerque. Donation letters were distributed and the Council was asked to help get turkeys donated for Turkey BINGO, scheduled for November 16, 2024. Giving Tuesday will take place on December 3, 2024 and the focus this year will be on new lunch tables. The HGCS financial audit will begin on October 28, 2024. The school is prepared for this.  

November Summary of Minutes

The HGCS Consultative Council met on November 13, 2024. Mrs. Dominguez-Chávez informed them that the school accreditation has been postponed until January due to the diocese not having enough volunteers to steer the committee. The Council discussed that enrollment for the 25/26 school year will be opening in November to stay in line with other Catholic schools and discussed the increase in attendance costs. Council suggested putting up QR codes and enrollment info in the gym so visitors see it. The Council also asked for more texts with enrollment deadlines to be sent out to families as reminders. They suggested that Holy Ghost find a liaison that works at KAFB to help advertise and advocate for our school on base. A review of the Fall Festival and Red, White, & Blue Day took place. Turkey Bingo was discussed and the Council was informed that the school was prepared for the Bingo. A suggestion was made to have a Bingo type event in early Spring. The Council was updated with information regarding the campaign for Giving Tuesday. They were also told that the school will be celebrating Las Posadas and Our Lady of Guadalupe in December. An update was given stating that the school’s bank account had been compromised but no funds were taken, and an audit update was given. It was reported that the school is doing a great job with finances and with the controls that are in place. Dates were shared for Thanksgiving lunch and a closing prayer was said. Next meeting is December 11, 2024. 

December Summary of Minutes 

The Consultative Council met on December 11, 2024. Mrs. Osborn updated the Council on FACTS training she has taken to streamline and make enrollment easier and more user friendly for families. Events were reviewed. Bingo update was given stating it was a success and the school is planning a similar spring event. Giving Tuesday was not as successful as last year but we were informed that at all schools, giving was lower this year. OLG, Las Posadas, and Science Fair, upcoming events were discussed. Science fair judges were needed and suggestions were made. Catholic Schools Week was discussed and the Council was informed of the focus for each day. The planned spring event was discussed at length and several suggestions were made to make the event fun for all. The Council will make the final decision. Dialogue was had regarding retention for middle school students and families. Mrs. Osborn and Mrs. Dominguez-Chávez shared a plan that will be implemented when we return from Christmas break. There will be no January meeting. Next meeting is February 6, 2025. 

February Summary of Minutes 

The HGCS Consultative Council met on February 12, 2025. An enrollment update was given and suggestions were made to have the school text out enrollment updates, rather than through email. Principal Dominguez-Chávez informed the Council that a Letter of Intent will be given to staff on March 1, 2025. Discussion took place regarding finding a HGCS advocate for Sandia National Labs. A bingo update was given and the principal requested help from the Council procuring foods for the concession stand and advertising the bingo via word of mouth. The council was informed of an ASF Consultative Council training hosted by the diocese and all were encouraged to attend. The Council discussed the upcoming Golf Tournament and discussed some of the costs. An accreditation update was given and feedback the HGCS admin and staff received from the accreditation team. Next meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2025. 

March Summary of Minutes

The Consultative Council met on March 12, 2025. A staffing update was given regarding Letters of Interest. An advocate to represent HGCS at Sandia National Labs has volunteered and will speak on behalf of our school at the next SNL meeting. A report on what items have been donated for the bingo was shared with the Council. An update on the information presented at the ASF Consultative Council training was given and it has been confirmed, based on that training, that the HGCS Council is running well. The Council was asked to contribute or play in the HGCS Annual Golf Tournament on April 28, 2025. Kids Against Hunger updates were given and the plan on how we will cover the cost associated with KAH was shared. Next meeting is April 9, 2025

 

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2023/2024
Holy Ghost Catholic School
Consultative Council

October Summary of Minutes
The Holy Ghost Consultative Council met on October 3, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the 8th grade classroom. The Council, consisting of 8 members, along with the Holy Ghost Catholic Church pastor, the school principal, and several non-voting school staff members, introduced themselves and spoke about their history and experience with Holy Ghost. The Council reviewed the Consultative Council By-laws and became familiar with both Council and meeting expectations. The principal gave a current school year update and upcoming school events were discussed. It was determined that officers would be voted on at the next meeting, held on November 7, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

November Summary of Minutes
The Holy Ghost Catholic School Consultative Council met on November 7, 2023 in the 8th grade classroom. The voting of officers took place. Brandi Phlieger has been voted in as chairperson, Devona Benavidez co-chair, and Julieta Fackelman as secretary. There was a review of the Fall Festival and a 10K update was given by Mr. Chacon. Families gave positive feedback on how they felt about the Fall Festival, it was a success. The Council was updated on upcoming events, such as our Veterans Day celebration and Giving Tuesday. The meeting concluded with a discussion about student retention as we open enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year. 

December Summary of Minutes
The HGCS Consultative Council met on December 5, 2023 in the 8th grade classroom. The Council reviewed the action item of CC members getting a new background check and were informed that if their VIRTUS was current, that would suffice. The Council reviewed recent HGCS events that took place on campus: Veterans Day celebration, Thanksgiving lunch, and Giving Tuesday. Council discussed current enrollment and ways we are working with Our Lady of Fatima to help their families and encourage them to tour the HGCS campus. The council was updated on upcoming events: Spelling Bee, Las Posadas, and Merry Bags. Council was informed that Teacher Bonuses were not being collected this year and families were encouraged to give what they wanted to to our staff directly. There was a short discussion on spring events: Walk-A-Thon as an aid for family fundraising obligations, Science Fair in January, Golf Tournament in April, and STREAM fair in May. No January CC meeting due to Christmas break. Next meeting will be held in February. 

January- The HGCS Consultative Council did not meet in January due to Christmas break and it being a short month. 

February Summary of Minutes
The HGCS Consultative Council met on February 6, 2024,  in the 8th grade classroom. There were no action items from the previous meeting. The success of the Fatima tour day, Merry Bags, Las Posadas, Spelling Bee, Faith Challenge Bowl, and Science Fair were all discussed. The dates for Spring activities were reviewed. Walk-A-Thon was a topic of discussion and it was decided that it may be the last year, should it not be successful this spring. The Golf Tournament will be the HGCS big spring fundraiser. Once the golf date is determined, Walk-A-Thon and Stream Fair will be scheduled. “Why Holy Ghost” is being sent to current families and will be sent out to a broader audience to encourage enrollment. HGCS will leave Dennis Uniform and go to Land’s End. Renovations funded from Giving Tuesday will continue on Father Bullman Hall bathrooms at the next break. Questions were asked about HGCS continuing with STEM certification and WCEA accreditation status. Next meeting will be held March 5, 2024. 

March Summary of Minutes
The HGCS Consultative Council met on March 5, 2024 from 5:00 p.m - 5:45 p.m. They discussed the annual golf tournament. Staff asked that the CC help get sponsors for the tournament. Suggestions were made to also include class sponsors . Stream Fair is scheduled and plans are underway. All classes will contribute and have something to showcase. Walk-A-Thon will take place on April 12, 2024 and is a great way for families to fulfill their unpaid fundraising obligation. HGCS is still looking for athletes and volunteers for Walk-A-Thon. Enrollment is ongoing. We are still posting, “Why Holy Ghost” features to encourage enrollment from our current families. Council was reminded about the gift cards exchange as a way to fulfill fundraising obligation, as well. Next meeting is April 2, 2024 

April Summary of Minutes
The Consultative Council met in the 8th grade room on April 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.  They discussed the Golf Tournament and emphasized the importance of having hole sponsors, the largest net profit from the tournament. Comparisons were made between current year and last year’s numbers and all felt that HGCS was in a good place. More door prizes were needed and the council was encouraged to donate or find donors. Walk-A-Thon was discussed and volunteers were needed. The council was asked to help with popsicles and a STREAM fair update was given. Mrs. Dominguez-Chávez gave a budget update and informed the council that she will present the budget before the parish finance council late in April. An update was given regarding enrollment and the middle school was discussed. The middle school will remain open until it can no longer pay for itself. Calendar updates were given and a draft of the academic calendar was shared with the council. Staff indicated that they are all still working on accreditation and the council was encouraged to think of ways they can help when the accreditation visiting team is on campus in November. The next meeting will be May 7, 2024. 

May Summary of Minutes
The Holy Ghost Catholic School Consultative Council met for their last meeting of the 2023/2024 school year on May 7, 2024 at 5:05 in the 8th grade room. The council discussed the Gold Tournament and reviewed numbers regarding net profit, number participants and door prizes and discussed ways in which HGCS plan on improving the tournament for next year. Also discussed is the STREAM fair and plans on how that can improve for the following year.  Mrs. Dominguez-Chávez shared how she would be putting out another interest form for new council members in hopes that we get new interested members from the community. During an ASF training she learned that the council should not consist of more than 50% of parents to ensure a variety of perspectives. HGCS is in process of becoming a state licensed Pre-K and will continue with whole school accreditation planning throughout the summer months.  The staff is also working together to determine the new curriculum for both Religion and Science.  During the summer HGCS will finish the facilities maintenance in the gym bathrooms and throughout the campus. The office will be open in the summer Mon-Thurs from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and closed on Friday and holidays. The next meeting will be held in August, when we return from summer break.