11.3.17 ST LUKE PLAN

519 ASHLAND AVE St. Luke Parish School
R I V E R F O R E S T, I L 6 0 3 0 5 Strategic Plan 2017-2023

708.366.8587 S C H O O L - S T L U K E PA R I S H . O R G

Mission Statement Table of Contents

ST. LUKE PARISH SCHOOL IS A private school in Overview & Timeline 3
River Forest, IL founded in 1921 dedicated to pro- Layers of Review & Consultation 6
viding students with the advantage of a well-round- Pillar One 7
ed Catholic education in grades preschool through Pillar Two 9
8. We are committed to nurturing the spirit and Pillar Three 11
engaging the intellect of each child. We prepare Pillar Four 13
students with the strong foundation of rigorous
academics and a vibrant school community rooted
in the shared values of faith, excellence, service,
responsibility, and love.

Strategic Plan 2017–2023 Strategic Plan 2017–2023

Overview & Timeline STRATEGIC PLAN TIMELINE Four Core Pillars
The Strategic Planning Process Emerged for the Plan:
AUGUST 2016
Over the course of the 2016-2017 Academic Year, the Saint Luke BSJ Meetings Begin PILLARS OF STRATEGIC PLAN
Parish School community underwent a comprehensive strategic
planning process with the intention to vision and pragmatically SEPTEMBER 2016 - NOVEMBER 2016 1 Advancing a Tradition of
plan for the next 5-7 years. BSJ Introduction to Strategic Planning Teacher Leadership and

JANUARY 2016 Academic Excellence
Visioning Day for Strategic Planning Group
The process holistically sought to open spaces where community calling faculty and staff into focus groups, surveying all parish and 2 Emboldening and Animating
members could effectively dialogue with one another in an open, school constituencies, and transparently sharing the results and FEBRUARY 2017 Catholic Identity
non-threatening way so as to collect the widest hopes and dreams data from the process back to the community. The timeline for the Creation of Comprehensive Survey
for the school. From December 2016 to June 2017, this process process followed the pattern and steps to the right. Staff Focus Groups (Week of February 13th)
involved a retreat with the Board of Specified Jurisdiction (BSJ), Parent Interviews (Week of February 20th)

MARCH 2017 3 Expanding of Student
Finalize Comprehensive Surveys Experience and Care of
the Whole Person
APRIL 2017
Launch Comprehensive Survey/Focus Groups 4 Ensuring Saint Luke’s Future
and Sustainability
MAY 2017
Data Collection and Analysis to BSJ

JUNE 2017
Faculty and Staff Presentation of Findings Report

JULY 2017
Completion of Draft One of Strategic Plan

AUGUST 2017
Educator/Leader Review of Strategic Plan

SEPTEMBER 2017
BSJ Review of Draft 1.5 of Strategic Plan

OCTOBER 2017
Release of Strategic Plan to Saint Luke Community

PG 4

Strategic Plan 2017–2023 Strategic Plan 2017–2023 Additionally, the
drafts of the strategic
RICH IN HISTORY Layers of plan were carefully
Review & Consultation reviewed by each
St. Luke Parish School member of Saint
has a storied academic Over the course of Summer 2017, a team of Luke faculty and
history that spans almost professionals within the field of non-profit staff and the Board of
management and education were assembled Specified Jurisdiction
100 years. to systematically review the Saint Luke in Fall 2017.
Parish School Strategic Plan. We owe a
PG 5 great debt of gratitude for the time, insights With this collective review, the plan was
and thoughtful consultation the individuals brought to final draft in late October
below poured into our process. 2017 for release to the wider community
in November 2017.
STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW TEAM
ROBERT BASSETT Principal / Heritage Middle School
SUSIE BEDELL Assistant Principal / Trinity High School
REV. JOHN BELMONTE S.J., Superintendent of Catholic Schools / Diocese of Joliet
JAMES BRATAGER Social Studies Teacher / Saint Luke Parish School
MARY JO BURNS Former Principal / Ascension School
THOMAS CHINSKE Principal / Saint Cletus School
PETER CORRIGAN Director for Formation and Ministry / Saint Ignatius College Prep
GENE DEVLIN Director / Forest Lake Camp
MARY ANNE GLEASON English Teacher / Saint Luke Parish School
RICHARD GOODE Senior Director of Planned Giving / Depaul University
MARIA GOSLIN STEM Teacher / Saint Luke Parish School
JOHN KRAMBUHL Director of Mission and Ministry / Georgetown Preparatory School
TIMOTHY MARTIN Director of Service Learning / Loyola Academy
SELINA MCGUIRE Counselor / Loyola Academy
JOSHUA PETERS S.J., Jesuit-in-Formation / Berkeley School of Theology

Strategic Plan 2017–2023 Strategic Plan 2017–2023

Pillar I: Initiatives
Advancing a Tradition of Teacher of P I L L A R O N E
Leadership & Academic Excellence

VISION At the heart of the tradition and history of Saint Luke is a commitment to academic rigor • Implement teacher evaluation system aligned with Archdiocesan • Select and implement a mission-centered early childhood
GOALS and a curriculum that cultivates love for learning in every discipline. The faculty and staff evaluation standards and vision curriculum that will allow Saint Luke to stand out as an
have led the school’s academic mission to ensure its excellence through 96 years; in order instructional leader among Catholic schools in the Oak
to sustain this performance, ongoing teacher-driven curricular work will be advanced to • Include peer evaluation and critique as part of the system Park-River Forest area
meet the needs of 21st-century learners.
• L aunch Instructional Coaching Program across faculty and staff, • Develop a formal teacher-induction program for new
1. Support the ongoing development and innovation of faculty and staff and led by veteran teacher leaders and horizontally supported across faculty and staff
2. Establish annual curricular and instructional priorities. teachers grades 1-8
• Include faith and formation as an integral part of becoming
• D esign, write and implement STEM curriculum across grades a teacher-leader
1-5 so as to be a self-sustaining curriculum and programming by
Academic Year 2019-2020 • A ttain ACT Aspire scores in the top-70% percentile and
higher on a national level;
• I nnovatively create an Honors Program for students in grades
5-8 focused around great art, great books and great film; • Promote a culture of assessment literacy amongst all
constituencies, including the parent community
• Conduct school-wide curriculum review process, beginning
with the Math program in grades 5-8, health and wellness, • E ncourage teacher voice, innovation and a culture of
and the school wide religion curriculum; launch Big Ideas teachers-as-intellectual-leaders through instructional
Math Curriculum coaching program, department chair leadership, and
representation of faculty on the school board
• Design a teacher-driven structure for teachers to meet and
dialogue professionally in professional learning communities • A rticulate our grade level curriculum by hosting curriculum
(inclusive of data-driven foci), discipline-specific settings, and breakfasts with parents and guardians as a way to promote
entire faculty community meetings; expectation-setting, partnership and collaboration in the
learning process
• S park innovative teacher teams to create curriculum and
programming • Explore the creation of a team of literacy coaches for teachers
across the curriculum
• Position the school as a leader in the study of foreign languages
and cross-cultural study by creating an academic Spanish • Re-evaluate school academic goals and mission on an annual
program as well as the addition of a second language basis informed by and aligned with Archdiocesan and national
Advanced goals
• A ssess and review early childhood curriculum so as to remain
competitive with surrounding programs and curricula in the
inner-Western suburbs;

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Strategic Plan 2017–2023

Initiatives
of P I L L A R T W O

Pillar II: • Articulate goals for student leadership in school mission • Highlight religious and spiritual artwork in the hallways of Saint
Emboldening & Animating statement and Graduate at Graduation documents Luke, serving as a sacramental reminder of our Catholic identity
Catholic Identity and mission
• Integrate restorative justice ethos and practices into the
VISION At the heart of the identity of Saint Luke is its commitment to forming discipline system in Academic Year 2017-2018 • Increase understanding of Mass participation and frequency of
GOALS young people who have a strong, convicted identity rooted in Jesus Mass attendance by developing a schedule of Wednesday morn-
Christ, the Gospels and a rich, living and breathing sacramental life. • Review and assess religious education curriculum so as ing sacramental participation with Saint Luke Parish community
In partnership with parish initiatives, our school will continue to to upgrade and update instruction as well as align to
boldly live out its Catholic faith while welcoming in students and Archdiocesan curricular review; emphasize role of the • Align annual school-wide spiritual and mission theme with the
families from neighboring communities and faith traditions to parent in religious educational processes overarching theme of Chicago Catholic schools
celebrate our collective vision of the Kingdom of God.
• Integrate faith and formation into the teacher • Create a formal partnership with a Catholic school in Chicago
Place Catholic sacramental life and Christ-centered values at the induction program; that challenges and expands Saint Luke’s view of community
forefront of the school’s focus, mission and programs. and identity
• Ensure the mission-centeredness of teachers growing in
the profession of Catholic education • Teach and emphasize the Church’s evangelism on the Seamless
Garment of Life and Consistent Ethic of Life;
• Create a culture of daily school prayer by expanding collective
prayer experience into the afternoon; • Collaborate with Parish Staff to ensure Saint Luke has a presence
of witness at local and national March for Life events starting in
• Honor and implement practices of mindfulness and reflection Academic Year 2017-2018
as a school community
• Collaborate with Catholic schools in Vicariate IV on faith and
• Direct, write and publish all-school prayer book each year, mission programming
allowing for student voice on spirituality to expand to wider
school community

PG 9 St. Luke Parish’s Mission

We prepare students with the strong foundation of rigorous
academics and a vibrant school community rooted in the shared
values of faith, excellence, service, responsibility, and love.

PG 10

Strategic Plan 2017–2023 Strategic Plan 2017–2023

Pillar III: Initiatives
Expanding of Student Experience
& Care of the Whole Person of P I L L A R T H R E E

VISION As a Catholic school that seeks to support learners from a wide variety of academic skills sets, STUDENT EXPERIENCE • Strengthen programming and counseling for high school
GOALS Saint Luke seeks to support students and create structures aligned with best practices across • Create annual art programming to motivate student voice transition and discernment;
the field of education. Moreover, we as a community will operate with an understanding that
the student experience at the school is enhanced by the extracurricular life of the school, which and artistry; • Practice enhanced cura personalis for students and families
includes dynamic student and family programming and a vibrant, competitive athletic program. in this important academic passage
• Make Saint Luke a “home” and center for Chicago authors and
Renew aspects of student extra-curricular life to ensure that the holistic well-being of the Chicago artists • Create a vision for student council based on best practices
student body is reflected in school programs and supports. in public and private schools
• Expand student programming around diversity and inclusion,
with a focus on embracing the many cultural backgrounds of • Establish intentional meetings for student leadership to
Saint Luke students; address faculty and staff and meet with administration on
policy and student life matters
• Empower minority students and families and celebrate
underrepresented voices within our community at large • Empower the leadership of the athletic department in
collaboration with the athletic committee to expand
• Enhance offerings in after-school program by developing sports offerings and develop coaching training and
curriculum and structure for program aligned with formation program
best practices;
• Explore the use of school kitchen and cafeteria for service
• Create a teacher-leader position and driver for after-school of fresh and healthy meals for students
program

CARE OF THE WHOLE PERSON performance and/or in need of social-emotional support; pilot
intervention team faculty-wide in Academic Year 2017-2018
• Prioritize in-person, face-to-face contact with parents and
students when meeting and dialoguing on matters related to • Create a math and writing lab for students seeking enrichment
student health, well being and academic performance and extra tutoring in these academic areas

• Ensure students at Saint Luke are supported in their social- • Evaluate the meaning and purpose of homework in school
emotional needs with a trained, experienced school counselor curriculum so as to support student health, well-being
and balance;
• Design and create school counseling efforts on students social-
emotional intervention, support groups, and special academic • Develop a realistic homework policy by Spring 2018
and executive functioning support efforts
• Develop partnerships with local leaders in social-emotional
• Create Learning Center with two learning specialists, social and academic support of elementary school students
worker, school counselor and speech pathologist under the
leadership of assistant principal • Create sustainability in learning center by promoting a
diverse set of skills among staff members and building out
• Develop Lucan Care intervention team and data-tracking staff capacity
system for students in need of scaffolding with academic

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Strategic Plan 2017–2023

Initiatives

of P I L L A R F O U R

ENROLLMENT AND MARKETING • � Expand outreach to communities outside of River Forest to
• � Design and develop updated school marketing plan by ensure admissions pool is wide, varied and reflective of families
seeking rigorous, faith-based, elementary education
December 2017
• � Highlight teacher voice and educators-as-thought-leaders in
• � Re-design school website to allow for more skillfully organized school communications
and fluid communication with parents and prospective families
• � Task Board of Specified Jurisdiction, in concert with pastor and
• � Upgrade all school marketing media including curricular principal, to collectively agree on enrollment numbers that can
summaries, brochures, video and advertisements to align with support the holistic financial well-being of school
and reflect school strategic vision and mission

• � Work collaboratively with parent community to provide
relevant and compelling programming through Parent
Education Network (PEN) three times a year at minimum

Pillar IV: D• E�VAErtiLcuOlaPteManEnNuaTl development plan aligned with the academic • � Re-brand and re-envision tuition assistance program to
Ensuring Our School’s Future and mission-centered goals of school; partner with benefactors personalize the experience for benefactors and to more closely
& Sustainability who have niche interests in school improvement understand connect student scholars with their support sources
giving needs
• � Research and create strategic opportunities for grant-writing
• � Discuss and educate on the “tuition gap” responsibly and and partnerships with family foundations
regularly with parent, parish and alumni community;
• � Evaluate the use of school endowment to fund key academic
• � Deliver smooth communication to parents at orientation and initiatives of the school
welcoming phases
• � Market the compelling story of Saint Luke alumnus more
effectively and frequently

VISION Saint Luke is in the privileged position to have a supportive and active Board of OPERATIONAL AND PLANT SUSTAINABILITY • � Script and review annual wish-list for building priorities
GOALS Specified Jurisdiction coupled with a financial viability to support future growth every 4-5 years in strategic planning processes
and stability. Our school community will continually tell a compelling story of our • � Re-assess the best use of current school plant in order to
high-performing school and determine a long-term development plan. prioritize school goals; • � Conduct comprehensive strategic planning process every
5-7 years;
Protect, preserve and enable Saint Luke to have a sustainable and vibrant future • � Examine the key areas of early childhood education, use of the
from an enrollment and financial standpoint. library, and administrative office spaces • � Review and renew school goals with the educational signs of
the times
• � Explore and examine non-traditional sources of revenue to
support operating budget of the school - specifically summer • � Focus on developing one major campus improvement for the
programming and food services 100th anniversary of the school

• � Sustain the reputation of Saint Luke is a leader in technology PG 14
integration by supporting maintenance and upgrading of all
school systems

PG 13