The Parents Association holds regular monthly meetings throughout the school year with updates from the Headmaster, Board, and teachers as well as information about upcoming events. All parents are welcome to attend. On the first day of school after opening chapel, there is a general volunteer fair for the parent body in Gresham Hall to meet committee chairs and to learn about events for the year. In addition to The Cathedral School Fund, the fundraising contribution of the Parents Association is vital to the School’s operations. The Board of Trustees has asked the PA to contribute an estimated two percent of the School’s operating budget for this year (or, $185,000). The majority of these funds are raised through the PA’s annual gala & auction, which also raises funds for a specific project not covered by the annual operating budget. By supporting the school’s programs and teachers, the Parents Association benefits every boy and helps make Cathedral School for Boys the special place it is. We encourage each and every parent to attend meetings and become involved when possible. Spring Gala/Auction: This year, the Parents Association Gala, its major fundraising event, is scheduled for March 3, 2018 and will celebrate the school’s recent 60th anniversary with a “Once Upon a Time...” theme. Because the funds raised through this event benefit all boys in the School, we ask that each family find some way to contribute to the overall success of this important event. Back-to-School Nights: In the early fall, families have the opportunity to visit the School on a desig- nated evening in order to learn about each teacher’s program for the year and to gain information about the typical activities and expectations of each class. These “back-to-school nights”—one for the Lower School (September 19) and one for the Upper School (September 12)—are a valuable general introduc- tion to what parents may reasonably anticipate in their son’s year of maturation and learning. Big Brother/Little Brother Program: Early in the fall, teachers of corresponding grades (kindergarten, fourth, and eighth; first and fifth; second and sixth; third and seventh) work carefully to arrange new Big Brother/Little Brother pairs, keeping in mind the unique personalities of each of their students to create complementary matches. Teachers plan Big Brother/Little Brother activities throughout the year to foster relationships across grades. Blessing of the Animals: On October 2, near the Feast of St. Francis, the School observes the Blessing of the Animals. Boys can bring small pets or stuffed animals to be blessed at a special chapel held on the Plaza of Grace Cathedral. Families are welcome to join with larger family pets (such as dogs). Details about the service will be included in the Bulletin prior to the service. Special Events and Activities
Book Fair: The fair supports literacy and furthers the library’s mission to encourage a lifelong love of reading and appreciation of literature. The Book Fair dates will be communicated in the Bulletin.
Cathedral School Sunday & All-Family Picnic: Each year, one Sunday is set aside to celebrate the special ministry of Cathedral School as part of Grace Cathedral’s Mission. Families, trustees, teachers, staff, and students take part in the liturgy in the Cathedral, and all families are encouraged to attend. This is also an excellent opportunity to hear the Cathedral students in the Choir of Men and Boys sing a full Eucharist. Following Cathedral School Sunday, there will be festivities for all attendees on the
CSB 2017–2018 handbook | 31
Made with FlippingBook HTML5