Annual Report 2005-2006 - Owensboro Catholic Schools

Annual Report 2005-06
A Letter from Ken Rasp
Dear Friends of Owensboro Catholic Schools,
As I complete my first year as Director, I am in awe of and continue to be inspired by the many faith-filled people who
both support and live our mission every day. We have incredibly generous and committed men and women who teach
and volunteer in our schools, serve on our boards and committees, and contribute their time, talent and treasure. They
make it possible to offer the excellent spiritual and academic education that we have been proud of for many years. I
want to say a special “thank you” to Judy Brandon, Linda Todd, Mary Hilda McFarland (Miss Mac), Janet Roberts and
Judy Kapelsohn who recently retired after many years serving the children of this school system as teachers. I would
also like to recognize Bob Wimsatt for his leadership and dedication to OCS in the 6 years he served as a member of
the OCS School Board, several as Board Chair. May their example serve to inspire us to excel in our Mission.
As you read through this Annual Report, I hope that you see how our schools are working to be good stewards of all of our gifts. As always,
we focus on providing a quality, affordable Catholic faith-based education, as evidenced by our outstanding religious education (ACRE) and
academic (ACT, PLAN, Explore and CAT 6 Terra Nova) test results. I actually hope that you see much more. We care deeply about the faith
formation of our students in all facets of the educational process: from school liturgies and special prayer days, to principals, teachers and
staff who give witness each day as they model Jesus’ behavior in all they do.
For all of you who share in our work for the Church, I thank you for your support. You, too, obviously recognize the value of a Catholic
school education. As partners we will continue to build a vibrant, faith-filled Owensboro Catholic School system.
Yours in Christ,
Ken R. Rasp
Director
A Letter from Father John Vaughan
Dear Friends,
As we begin our third year of reconfiguration of the Owensboro Catholic Schools we have good reasons for increased
optimism for our system. The year is off to a wonderful start and our enrollment numbers are looking good. We are
especially happy for the increased number of kindergarten students. We have just received the good news about the
ACT composite scores for last year’s seniors. They were the highest in the school’s history and surpassed both national
and state averages, indicating that our students are indeed receiving an education second to none in our area.
The Catholic High Aces have begun their football season in Steele Stadium and although it is not completely finished at
the time of this writing, it is nonetheless a wonderful facility that should serve us well for many years. We are also about to initiate work on
the Annunciation Center multipurpose building at the Elementary K-3 site and have every expectation that the building will be completed in
time for next school year.
Many things are going well and I am grateful for the participation and cooperation of our parents, parishioners, pastors, school personnel
and students - and all others who collaborate so well on behalf of our children and our school system. I offer a special word of thanks to
those dedicated women and men on the School Board.
We must continue to look for ways to improve and to grow our system. With God’s help I am confident that we will succeed. Let’s continue
to pray with one another and to work together so that God’s will might be accomplished in us.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. John Vaughan
OCS Priest-Pastor
(270) 686-8896