CATHOLIC PARENTS AS STEWARDS (CPS)
MISSION STATEMENT
Catholic Parents as Stewards (CPS) is a ministry of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School that is aligned with the Stewardship Way of Life practiced at our parish. As stewards of our God-given gifts, we are committed to gratefully serving and supporting our Domestic Church, school, parish, and greater community, as well as growing through hospitality, prayer, formation, and service. By bringing the Domestic Church, school, and parish into a closer relationship, together with the Holy Spirit, we are committed to forming Disciples of Christ through a meaningful Catholic education.
As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another
as good stewards of God's varied grace. - 1 Peter 4:10
CPS TEAM
The CPS team ensures that all CPS activities fulfill our ministry's mission, as well as align with parish and school policies. The CPS team consists of the pastor, principal, parish staff representative, teacher representative, and two parent co-leads. (Former parent co-leads may be resources as needed but are not considered part of the team.)
The team serves from June 1st through May 31st. Team meetings are held every 6-8 weeks (or as needed) and are facilitated by the principal and co-leads. The team discusses past/upcoming CPS events, plans parent meetings, and reviews any questions brought to the team from the coordinators through the co-leads. The team also evaluates modifications or updates to CPS activities, budgets, or coordinator positions as needed, with the principal making all final decisions.
SUMMARY OF COORDINATORS
As parents, we are each called in different ways to generously and graciously give of our time, talent, and treasure. CPS provides various opportunities to give of these gifts through hospitality, formation, prayer, and service. SHOJ Catholic School asks all parents to prayerfully consider serving in these various leadership positions to support and serve our parish school:
Two parent co-leads serve as liaisons between all of the CPS coordinators and the CPS team. Responsibilities include communicating with CPS coordinators regarding their various events/activities, ensuring coordinators work within their set budgets/guidelines, communicating with the CPS team regarding all past/upcoming activities for updates and approval, and assisting with facilitating CPS team meetings. Co-leads also plan the Back-to-School picnic, as well as assist with planning CPS parent meetings.
Two parent volunteers are needed to work together as co-leads. One parent volunteer serves as the lead. Another parent volunteer is needed to shadow the lead, assuming that role the following year. Each volunteer will serve for a total of two years: the first year serving as a shadow by assisting the lead with all duties, and then the second year assuming the lead role (with a new volunteer entering the shadow role).
LIST OF PAST AND POTENTIAL CPS EVENTS AND COORDINATORS
CPS Parent Meetings
CPS parent meetings are held two times a year (on the first Wednesday in September and November). At each meeting, there is: prayer, CPS announcements/thank yous, principal's report, guest speaker /formation, and fellowship.
Back-to-School Picnic
The picnic kicks off the new school year for families and staff to come together in fellowship, celebrating our parish school community.
Donuts with Dads/Grandparents
This coordinator is responsible for organizing Donuts with Dads in September, and donuts after Mass on Grandparents' Day in November, as well as arranging volunteers to help with setup, serving, and cleanup at these three events. The shadow assists the coordinator and assumes the role the following year.
Family Fun Coordinators
The family fun coordinators are responsible for planning two family-centered events (one per semester), as well as the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances. Family Fun events should be outside of school property with little or no cost to families. The Dances should help in the MPC. The shadow assists the coordinator and assumes the role the following year.
Family Service Coordinator
The family service coordinator provides opportunities for families to give back to the community and parish by working in conjunction with our parish Stewardship Pillar of Service Committee. One representative shall sit on SHOJ Pillar of Service Committee for the school year to serve as a liaison between CPS and the parish. The coordinator is responsible for organizing at least one family service project based on community need that does not conflict with other parish ministry projects or the teachings of the Catholic Church. The coordinator also helps market the service opportunities list maintained by SHOJ Pillar of Service Committee.
Trunk or Treat Coordinators
The Trunk or Treat coordinators are responsible for planning the annual Trunk or Treat event open to all parishioners at no cost. The shadow assists the coordinator and assumes the role the following year.
Room Parent Coordinators
The room parent coordinator serves as a liaison between CPS and classroom room parents. Responsibilities include coordinating the room parent signup, ensuring each classroom has 1-2 room parents, facilitating an informational meeting for all room parents at the beginning of the school year, and communicating room parent guidelines before each holiday party and throughout the school year as needed.
Rosary Coordinator
By taking our requests to Jesus through Mary, we strengthen our faith community. The rosary coordinator organizes the signup for parents and families to pray for our school staff by name as we pray the rosary daily for one week, every week of the school year.
Teacher Appreciation Coordinators
Teacher appreciation activities are ways for families to thank the staff for providing a strong academic and faith-filled environment for our children. Responsibilities of the teacher appreciation coordinators include distributing birthday cards/gift cards to the school staff, principal, and pastor on their birthdays, coordinating teacher-treat days in September, November, and Catholic Schools Week, and maintaining the staff "favorite things" survey for families to reference throughout the year. The coordinators also create and manage the signup for the teacher conference dinners (in October and February) and lunch for National Teacher Appreciation Day (first Tuesday in May) that is generously made by parents.
Vocations Coordinator
The vocations coordinator assists families, in conjunction with our parish Vocations Committee, in bringing awareness of vocations through prayer and support. Responsibilities include recognizing the seminarians during National Vocations awareness week, organizing care packages and spiritual bouquets for our parish seminarians, as well as recognition on their birthdays.
Welcoming Coordinators
The welcoming coordinators are the first contact from CPS to welcome families with new students into our school community. Responsibilities include matching new families with host families, organizing the Ice Cream Social in August and host a coffee and Kleenex event to be held for Kindergarten and new family parents the first day of school. The shadow assists the coordinator and assumes the role the following year.
School Lobby and Hallway Marketing Coordinator
The school lobby and hallway are the first thing students, parents and potential new families see when they enter our school. Responsibilities include consulting with Kathy Rhodes and the Art Teacher to decorate the school lobby and front hallway with marketing materials, announcements, art work and school work on a regular basis to show case what is going on at our school.
School Photographer and Videographer
The school photographer and videographer will serve as the school historian for the year documenting through photos and videos all CPS events and other events per the principal's request. They will also develop the end of year school video.