Summer School Fire Drill Great Success

Thanks to the excellent prearrangements of Marilyn Pakele of the Principal's Office and the superb summer school faculty and staff, the 10:30 a.m. fire drill went off without a hitch with minimal disruption to normal summer session classes. The calm demeanor of all students was very impressive. This was the first first time that St. Joseph has conducted a fire drill during the summer session. Mahalo to all participant in this important safety exercise.

 

Clarification of Star Bulletin article about St. Joseph Interim Principal

The article about me in yesterday's Star Bulletin (page 2), was from a news release sent to that newspaper by Peace Corps Washington, and the first I heard about it was when my brother, Wayson Chong, an outstanding architect living on Oahu, sent me an e-mail message yesterday morning calling my attention to it. The article noted that I worked to keep "Hawaii a nuclear free state. " That needs clarification. Obviously, with our polaris submarines still based at Pearl Harbar, Hawaii is most definitely not a nuclear free state. Back in the 70s and early 80s, however, it was indeed my privilege to work closely with Sister Sandy Galazin and Sister Anna McAnany (now deceased) to launch the idea of a nuclear free Pacific. With the cold war ended, the reality of this dream is that much closer. Let us continue to work for this dream, not only for the Pacific for also for Planet Earth.

 

Suggestion Box is Installed

Thanks to Dannie Villena's quick recovery, the suggestion box is now ready for business in the main, entrance hall right next to the admissions office managed by Aileen Mattos. A new lock has been installed, and the key will be turned over to the PTG President who is in the process of setting up a procedure to handle the suggestions. Stay tuned for updates! (smile)

 

Athletic Director Yasso Announces move to Kamehameha

In a dramatic announcement to volunteer coaches at a banquet in Hilo earlier this evening, St. Joseph Athletic Director, Eloise Yasso, announced her intention to accept a position at Kamehameha Schools. I tried to dissuade her from the move earlier in the day, but like Mr. Shehata's situation (see my 6/27, 2:41 pm posting), I could not match the breadth of Kamehameha's overall benefits package. Eloise agreed to stay on at least another month to help me sort out what she feels needs to be done based on her intimate knowledge of the athletics situation at St. Joseph. She also will attend and represent St. Joseph at the Athletic Director's statewide conference tomorrow and has agreed to give me a thorough briefing on that conference. Her recommendation to me this evening is to appoint an acting Athletic Director as soon as possible.

I shall do so after I meet with my senior advisers and consult with the Catholic Diocese in Honolulu on this matter tomorrow afternoon. Until then, Eloise is still the Athletic Director, and I expect that everyone will continue to support her in her very important work on behalf of St. Joseph.

 

PTG mass mailing update

We have completed typing names and addresses on envelopes of all known parents and teachers at the high school and are now working on the same for the elementary and pre-school. The task should be completed by this afternoon or tomorrow morning, latest. These envelopes will then be turned over to the new PTG officers for their use. (See my 6/23, 6:34pm posting below for background).

 

Maintenance Update

The reason why the suggestion box has not been moved as mentioned earlier this week is because Danie Villena, our experienced maintenance person is currently at home with a minor illness. He wanted to rush back to school to do his normal work, but I told him not to do it until he is thoroughly rested and feeling OK. Parents who are anxious to use the box should hold their suggestions for another few days. As soon as we get it over to the main entrance area, I'll post a note here. Thank you for your understanding on this matter.

 

Science Lab update - On track

Kenneth Waltjen, the general contractor for this $174,000 upgrade told me this afternoon that the new classrooms will be ready for use on August 11 when classes begin. He and his workers have been working evenings so as not to bother the summer session classes. St. Joseph is thus on the verge of having the most modern, up-to-date high school science laboratory/classroom on the Big Island! (See the June 15 posting for background on this).

 

Deacon Leroy's Short List Appeal over the top

It is a distinct pleasure for me to report that our $33,900 goal to handle the short list of scholarship aid to deserving Catholic families, as recommended by Deacon Leroy, was not only reached, but also exceeded by about $8,000! Major donors include Diocese senior staffers who donated funds out of their own paychecks and Father Scott's decision to divert $7,100 to this special appeal out of savings from an abolished marketing position. The excess of donated funds is being applied immediately to a broader list of deserving Catholic families who will be receiving a confirmation letter of this good news in a few days.

 

Bailey, Banks and Darrow meet the Principal

I had a brief introduction to tenth graders Ian Bailey, Cody Banks and Crystal Darrow this morning. These poised, future leaders of Hawaii were in the hallway waiting their turn to sign up for classes in the upcoming semester. Ian is the Student Council treasurer.

 

Jennifer Lee Loy Performs at State Capitol

Jennifer Lee Loy, a St. Joseph High School Senior and participant in the OHA summer leadership program, performed a hula during a ho'okupu ceremony yesterday at the State Capitol. This morning's Honolulu Advertiser published a nice photo of her State Capitol performance.

 

Sister Pat Rapozo Briefs Principal-Designate

Sister Pat gave me a no-nonsence briefing on operational matters at the elementary and pre-school which I am still absorbing. For instance explaining the use of the numerous keys to the rooms, file cabinets, storage closets and other areas that require tight security took a long time. I am satisfied that the confidential personnel files, library check out system, informal "snack shop" and in-place monitoring system for the handling of all matters dealing with petty cash, has been set up and handled extremely well, down to maintaining detailed records and receipts which are turned over to my office on a regular basis. I'll be using Barbara Austen's office most of today to go through the envelopes she left on her desk for items that need immediate handling, such as book orders which will be done by this afternoon. CLARIFICATION: The reason why I'm doing this instead of the Special Assistant in charge is because she and others are registering 9-12 high school students (yesterday, today and tomorrow).

 

Beginning Classic Drama elective for Fall Semester:

The course deals with basics of stagecraft including stage terms and direction language. The American classic, Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman," will be the script read, analyzed and workshopped. The acting technique will be the Mickeal Chekov method. Chekov was Russia's leading actor in the early 1900's, he made his way to Hollywood and an Oscar. Along the way he worked out a system of acting that is fun and effective. All students will read classic drama read, write short analysis and perform scenes and exercises. Regardless of ability students will learn to be at ease communicating in front of audiences.

ROBERT DUERR an accomplished actor and award winning playwright and film maker will teach the course. He has acted with Jackie Debus Johnson, SJS alumnae and head of UHH's drama department. He was also in Randall Duk Kim's acting company. Besides being one of the country's leading Hamlets, Hawaii's own Mr. Kim can be seen this summer in the role of the Keymaker in the "Matrix Reloaded." Duerr's latest project is "Paradise on Ice" a gripping play dealing with the Hawaiian tragedy called ice addiction. Duerr studied Mickeal Chekov's activing method while in graduate school and is excited about the new SJS community mentors program.

The other new elective offering is the course in Personal Finance (also known as Business Economics or Consumer Economics at some schools) for juniors and seniors to be taught by Anson Chong, a former portfolio analyst with Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith in New York. He also is a former manager of a savings and loan association and has taught this course at Hawaii Community College, UH-Hilo in recent years. He holds a B.A. with honors in economics from Colgate University and an M.A. in economics from Columbia University. For course details, see June 20 posting, below.

 

Qualified School Counselor Alice Shaw coming aboard in August

It is a pleasure to announce that, Alice Shaw who holds a Master's degree in Counseling/Education from California Polytechnic State U., and a B.Sc. in Social Science from California State University, has agreed to help St. Joseph parents, teachers and students on a part-time basis. While we are working out the details of her part-time contract which won't start until August 1, she will be advising incoming registrants tomorrow and Wednesday on a voluntary, unpaid basis. Mahalo, Alice, for your kokua in our hour of need! Over the past decade, Alice has worked as a professoinal student counselor and advisor. She is also an experienced teacher and a member of the American Association of University Women. Mahalo to Karen Kuester for finding this experienced counselor for us on such short notice!

 

New PTG Officers meet with Principal

A productive, cordial and frank meeting was held in my office late this afternoon with key officers of the Parent Teachers Guild. They were Carol Martin, Secretary, Gwen Husted, Vice President and Professor Keven Hopkins, President who also brought his lovely daughter, Alyxandra, age 10 as an observer. Kevin indicated that he wanted the PTG to assume a more active role in the affairs of St. Joseph. PTG money, about $5 collected from each student, will be held in a seperate account, and surpluses, if any, at the end of the year will be carried over to the next year. Up to now, any surplus was swept into the St. Joseph School general fund. The current "carryover" balance in the PTG account is about $300. A wide range of issues were discussed. I stressed that under my "transparency" management approach, this electronic bulletin board (blog) ensures that everyone in the St. Joseph Ohana will be kept informed in a timely manner and need not rely on rumor or heresay to find out what's going on. The PTG group said that a mass mailing to all known parents, teachers and friends of St. Joseph is planned for tomorrow to report on their impressions and other details of this very productive meeting.

 

Clayton Kua Reports

Clayton, our lead person in charge of the required religion/theology course requirements at St. Joseph School, a top priority of all Catholic schools, told me last night that he is doing follow-up interviews with a qualified, experienced religion teacher to work with him in the upcoming semester. This is necessary because of Deacon Andrews illness reported here earlier. Clayton stressed to me that parents need not worry about St. Joseph's ability to handle this required component in the upcoming semester. Although non-Catholic students are also required to take our religion/theology courses, I would like to point out that we do not proselytize.

In the event that the enrollment surge exceeds our estimates next semester, we have already obtained a verbal commitment from a person raised in a Catholic household and educated in Catholic schools with substantial teaching experience and a Ph.D. He is ready to step in to keep the teacher-student ratio low at St. Joseph should the need arise. Parents who have been calling my office with concerns about this have my commitment to protect this bedrock required religion/theology component of St. Joseph High School.

 

St. Joseph Art Instructor does Big Island Phone Book Cover

Kathleen Kam, our art instructor, did the 30th anniversary cover of the Big Island 2003-2004 phone book. A color photo of Kathleen with her painting for the phone book cover titled Ka Aina O Pele, along with a short article that mentions St. Joseph High School, is on today's front page of the Hawaii Tribune Herald.

 

Chapel to be used daily

In addition to moving the suggestion box to a more accessible location on Monday (see June 18, 10:33 pm posting), Danie Villena and I will be cleaning the chapel area and its sacred contents. I plan to use that quiet place every day to contemplate the heroic sacrifices of dedicated nuns, priests, deacons and laypeople who, over the past 135 years, have set the standard for moral and spiritual leadership of Hawai'i and the nation. Pane mai.

 

UH-Hilo Honors Grad to take over Computer Courses

I am pleased to announce that we have worked out a preliminary agreement with W. Stofer Smith, a 1999 Honors graduate of UH-Hilo to step into the shoes of Nader Shehata, who decided, last Friday, to accept a Kamehameha Schools salary offer that more than doubles what we could offer him. We are saddened to see Nader's departure but understand, totally, why he could not refuse the offer. Stofer, a UH-Hilo Honors graduate in mathematics with a computer science minor, will tentatively come on board on August 1. He is the current Hawai'i Prepatory Academy Computer Science and Math Instructor for the summer session.

 

Reminder: Father Enrique's Aloha Party is tomorrow

The tents are up at the St. Joseph Parking lot, the kalua pig is in the imu, and all volunteers are working hard today to make this a memorable event for our beloved clergy assistant to Father Scott. As you know, he is returning to the Philippines soon after the aloha party. I had the honor to be present at his last official Mass in Hawaii last Sunday evening. Parents of St. Joseph students who may be attending this gala affair are certainly invited to talk-story with me. I'll try to be there between 2-4 p.m., rain or shine. Update 6/23: 5pm: I just talked with Father Enrique. He said that his schedule has been changed. His tentative "aloha" mass is now reset for this coming Sunday at 11:30am.

 

Personal Finance Course to be taught by Principal

I met with faculty and some staff today as a group for the first time to tweak the upcoming block scheduling system we'll be implimenting in the upcoming semester. The system is already in use at Hilo and Waiakea high schools and will make it much easier for us to adjust to the expected influx of new registrations this and next semester. It also will help to prevent overload for individual teachers while, at the same time, assure parents that they get value for the tuition they are paying, i.e. the best quality education in the state. It also enables us to offer more electives. I have therefore volunteered to create and teach one section of a course on personal finance (sometimes called Business Economics or Consumer Economics) for juniors and seniors. The course is already widely taught in many high schools.    Click Here for details of the course.

 

Tuition assistance and Catholic discounts from St. Joseph $35,600

For the current fiscal year, St. Joseph has provided $35,600 in tuition assistance and tuition discounts for Catholic families. That amount has already been allocated. The current fund raising drive is to cover a qualified short-list of families provided by Deacon Leroy. The generosity from the St. Joseph ohana is very much appreciated by St. Joseph staff and faculty.

 

Principal Meets Chris Andrews

I ran into Chris Andrews, 8th grader today and noticed that his left arm was in a sling. He reports that it was injured in a basketball accident but that he's healing up fast, not to worry, and that he might be able to play basketball again soon. It is always heartening to note the brave and courageous attitude of our St. Joseph athletes.

 

Income must equal or exceed Outgo

Howzit, folks? I had an excellent meeting with Father Scott Bush yesterday. This was my first regular weekly meeting with him. He reiterated what you know already, but I thought I'd repeat it here because I'm still receiving calls and letters asking me to break existing policies that were in place before I got here. The existing policy is that St. Joseph school will not -- repeat will not -- spend money it doesn't have. Income must equal or exceed outgo. We've stopped using a school "credit card" to run this place. In fact, it's the opposite. We need to bring down our existing "credit card" balance which is still rather huge. Our current account deficit numbers, I am happy to report, is now under $2,000 and it will, I repeat, it will get to zero within a few weeks. We're already on the way to financial recovery, thanks to all of YOU and our understanding staff and faculty!

 
Here I am in the St. Joseph High School computer lab learning how to use this thing. My tutor is Jordan Lerma, going on to 7th grade and taking a summer session computer class. I'll post some stuff here later on after Jordan instructs me on what to do. And now, Charnel Julian, Sarah Hamakawa, and Kayla Alapai, just joined Jordan in instructing me on using this thing. Over and out for now. More later.

 

High School Faculty Meeting Set for Friday

ATTENTION, y'all. Over the past two days, Karen Kuester, our Special Assistant for Elementary & High School affairs, on my instruction, had to "tweek" the excellent class schedule that Susan Wehrsig pulled together before Deacon Leroy's departure last week. The last-minute change was because of our growing enrollment and staff departures. The Friday meeting is to brief you about these tweeks. A hui hou !

Principal Meets Incoming Seniors

I had the pleasure of meeting visiting incoming seniors, Brandon Estrella, Kelden Waltjen, Ashley Kierkiewicz and John Balberde yesterday when they dropped by my office to say "hello." These outstanding St. Joseph seniors took time out from their very busy summer study schedules to do the courtesy call.

Suggestion Box to be moved to main hallway

The Suggestion Box in the upper building will be moved to the main hallway entrance to St. Joseph school by next week when the maintenance staff returns from vacation. Information on how the suggestions will be handled is at the top of the agenda when I meet with the new St. Joseph Parent Teacher's Guild officers on Monday. (See also 6/17 posting).

 

Maryknoll School President Appointed Senior Advisor

It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of Michael Baker, President of Maryknoll School on Oahu as a senior advisor to my office. The other two Senior Advisors are Dr. Ed Paradis and Mr. Richard C. Fisher. See last Sunday's posting here (below) for more information. This outstanding "brain trust" will provide valuable strategic information and advice.

New PTG Officers to meet with Principal

Professor Kevin Hopkins, the new President of the St. Joseph Parent Teachers Guild, along with Mrs. Gwen Huston, PTG Vice President, and Mrs. Carol Martin, PTG Secretary, will meet with me next week Monday to share ideas and concerns. (NOTE: We had inadvertantly typed in Wed. a few hours ago, for those of you who read this thing at 3 a.m.)

Leadership Team back on hold

The former chair of this group just sent me an email message to the effect that his understanding, backed by documentation in his files, is that the team is basically defunct (see last Sunday's posting for background on this). So, it appears that I was mistaken about the functionality of that group. Sorry about that.

Financial/Aid Scholarship drive Surging

See last Sunday's posting for background. Two other parishes have tentatively committed $4,000 more. As soon as this is confirmed they will be named here. It should also be pointed out that this emergency drive is to cover commitments made by Deacon Leroy above the very generous grants from the St. Joseph Parish exceeding $23,000 for this fiscal year. (Updated 6/18).

 

Reimbursement Policy Reminder

It has come to my attention that the Business Office is still getting requests for reimbursements that have not received prior approval for the expenditure. Today, Jeri Spain, our Business Office Manager, has sent a memo to all faculty and staff reminding everyone that reimbursements will not be processed without a valid requisition form. A valid requisition form must have Jeri Spain's and my signature on it. This prior-approval requirement has always been St. Joseph policy, and I have instructed the Business Office to follow it. No reimbursements without the proper signatures. Mahalo for following this policy.

 

Nick Carroll, Jr. Introduces New Principal

St. Joseph senior Nick Carroll, escorted me around campus today. Nick also introduced me over the loudspeaker system. Karen Kuester, the new Special Assistant for Elementary & High School matters, did the escorting for the elementary school campus. I was very impressed by the generally good condition of the facilities and was surprised to see Elizabeth Andrade in work clothes painting one of the classrooms. The dedication and good cheer of everyone I met today was heartening.

Suehere Shehata confers with Principal

By chance, I ran into Mrs. Shehata who is teaching a summer session class. She found the time to brief me on the exceptional math offerings at St. Joseph. The reason I had the time for this unscheduled, rather impromptu briefing was because Deacon Leroy had to cancel his luncheon meeting with me due to illness.

Pray for Deacon Leroy

I am concerned about Deacon Leroy's health situation. I have not been able to talk to him since my warm and friendly breakfast meeting with him last Sat. (see earlier posting below). At that meeting I informed him that my top priority this week is to solicit funds for the deserving Catholic families in urgent need of scholarship funds (see my earlier posting here yesterday about this). Deacon Leroy told me that many families on that short-list he left for me need to know the situation soon in order to make decisions about their children's enrollment for the upcoming semester. This worries him very much. If you have not yet brought in your check to Jeri Spain (see my earlier note on this) to help these families on Deaon Leroy's list, please do so immediately. I've instructed Jeri Spain to keep him informed on the progress of this urgent matter which is so dear to his heart. The Deacon is very grateful to all those who have responded to my call to help him fullfill his promises to these deserving Catholic families. Don't forget to keep Deacon Leroy in your prayers for a speedy recovery. Mahalo! (Initial posting 6/16, typos corrected 6/25)

Expansion of ESL program underway

Dr. Paradis, one of my two senior advisers, is pushing for the expansion of the St. Joseph ESL (English As a Second Langauge) program in the upcoming semester. This exciting program is projected to attract between 30 and 50 new students to our campus in the upcoming semester.

21st Century Building Program in the Works

I've asked our Development Director, Pat Pavao, to look for a competent draftsman to create a conceptual blueprint for a 21st Century campus to handle the expected surge in enrollments in the years ahead. The tentative cost of this capital improvement program is in the $20-30 million range.

 

Update Financial Aid/Scholarship drive

Please scroll down to the 6/14 posting here for background on this. Of the estimated $32,000 needed to handle this short list of qualified Catholic families that requested special tuition assistance from Deacon Andrews, as of today the following churches have responded to our request: $7,000, Malia Puka O Kalani, $2,000 St. Joseph, $1,000 Immaculate Heart of Mary for a total of $10,000 out of the $32,000 needed. Not bad for the first three days of our appeal! We would appreciate donations to arrive by this coming Thursday so that letters can go out to families who need to know where to send their children this coming semester. Bring your check to Jeri Spain, our Business Office Manager who will immediately allocate your donation to families on the Deacon Andrews short list and draft a letter for my signature informing the parents of the assistance. Mahalo.

 

Science Lab Renovations almost pau

Kenneth Waltjen, the General Contractor for this $174,000 project just told me that they are about a month from completion. The project is funded through a grant from the Wiegand Foundaton written by former St. Joseph counselor, Eric Kendra. Certain cost overruns were financed out of Parish funds.

 

Paradis, Fisher Senior Advisers

This is to announce that I have appointed Dr. Ed Paradis and Mr. Richard C. Fisher to serve as my senior advisers as we adjust to the new reorganization. Dr. Paradis, the current English as a Second Language teacher (ESL) at St. Joseph has many years experience as a high school principal. Mr. Fisher, the current assistant Parish Administrator has been intimately involved with the St. Joseph reorganization prior to my arrival last week. Sage advice from the two men, along with suggestions from Deacon Leroy Andrews and Barbara Austen, have enabled me to hit the ground running as we implement guidelines provided by Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo, Bishop of Honolulu, Dr. Carmen Himenes, the Superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools, and Father Scott Bush, Administrator of the St. Joseph Parish and the St. Joseph School complex.

 

Air Conditioning Initiatives Underway

I have directed newly appointed Special Assistant, Karen Kuester, to do what is necessary to get airconditioning installed in all high school, elementary and preschool teacher offices ASAP but preferably before fall semester classes start. She will be working closely with Development Director Pat Pavao to get the funds necessary to do it. I've also asked her to get the airconditioner that has already been donated installed in an office deemed most needy, in her judgement, by the end of the week to get things started if the capacity parameters of that air conditioner are adequate to do the job.

 

Leadership Team Reconstituted

It has come to my attention that there is no record that the Leadership Team created by the Diocese and Parish several months ago was abolished. There was only one message from the Principal's office alluding to the possibility, but since only the creators of the body could abolish it, the official diocese and parish position is that the Leadership Team continues to exist. Accordingly, I have contacted Robert Duerr, Chairperson of the team, to assess the situation and make recommendations to me regarding the feasibility to reconvene a meeting of the Team at its earliest convenience. The Leadership Team now consists of: Robert Duerr, Dr. Steve Woo, Pat Pavao, John Tolmie, Doug Leite, Richard Fisher, Mike Pearring and Yu Yok Pearring.

 

Meetings with LeRoy & Barbara Warm and Friendly

Barbara Austen and I had a lengthly meeting at her office yesterday afternoon, and I am pleased to report that she is fine and well and in good spirits. She also agreed to keep me informed and thoroughly briefed on important administrative matters that need to be done now to ensure a smooth transition into the upcoming semester.

This morning, I had breakfast with Leroy Andrews, who, I am happy to report, is also looking well and relaxed and in good health. His briefing on important matters that need to be done now was very useful. We've set up a luncheon meeting on Monday to continue the briefing.

I'd like to publically state here that this outpouring of kokua by Leroy and Barbara demonstrates the high caliber of leadership and commitment to St. Joseph that has made the school one of the best of its kind in the state. We all should be grateful to them for their outstanding service, not only to the school, but also to the people of Hawaii.

For media & non-St. Joseph readers: Barbara Austen was the Principal of the St. Joseph Elementary & Preschool and Leroy Andrews was the Principal of St. Joseph High School before the merger of the two institutions under "one roof" a few months ago.

 

Namu-Namu prohibited

Do not repeat any rumors about St. Joseph without checking this Web site first. If the rumor is not addressed here, send an email message to me about it. My email address is: ansonchong@pobox.com. During this period of transition, it is important to be alert to false or misleading statements about St. Joseph. I call upon the St. Joseph Ohana to review Matthew 7:1-5 immediately.

 

Excerpt of Message from the Bishops office:

"The Diocese of Honolulu and Saint Joseph Parish are committed to assist Mr. Chong in the economic turnaround of Saint Joseph School. Bishop DiLorenzo said, 'In order for the necessary substantive changes to occur, everyone in the Saint Joseph School community needs to work together in support of Catholic education on the Big Island of Hawaii. I am asking other parishes and the friends and supporters of St. Joseph School in Hilo and elsewhere to unite with Anson Chong in his efforts on our behalf.' "

--- End of excerpt. For complete statement of today's announcement from the Bishop, Click Here.

Correction of typos in today's Tribune Herald piece about me: I was born on Oahu, and not Kohala. However, my father was born in Kohala and his father (my grandfather, whose name was simply "Ahnee,") helped to maintain the Kalahikiola Hawaiian Stone church in the last century. The "Chong" name was adopted as the family name in the early 1920's when it moved to Oahu, en mass. Consequently, I am not related to anyone named "Chong" on this island.

Kuester and Kua appointed Special Assistants to the Principal

Effective immediately are the following appointments to my interim staff: (1) Karen Kuester, Special Assistant for Elementary & HighSchool affairs and (2) Maggie Kua, Special Assistant for Pre-School affairs. Please extend all courtesies to them as you would to me, as they go about their duties to ensure that the students and parents of this school get the best cost-effective educational experience in the state. Mahalo!

Financial Aid/Scholarship Confirmation Letters Moving out

The first batch of letters to the parents of scholarship/financial assistance students went out yesterday when we secured $9,000 of additional funds that day. An additional $23,000 is needed to fullfill the short-list of financial assistance grants developed by Deacon Andrews with the help of Richard Fisher, the St. Joseph Parish Assistant Administrator. A group of St. Joseph parents and friends are in the process of looking for the $23,000 which I've requested by this coming Thursday. As the money comes in, I'll be issuing confirmation letters to the parents on that list.

Astronomy Club in the works

Mahalo to Mat Moutain and Klaus Hodapp, astronomers, who agreed to assist me in setting up an Astronomy Club at St. Joseph for the upcoming semester.