By Holly Whisler, Special to Springfield Business Journal
Opening its doors in 1910, St. Patrick Catholic School has been serving the educational needs of families on Springfield's east side for nearly 100 years. The K-8 school, located at 1800 South Grand Avenue East, is about to embark upon a revolutionary change; one that will dramatically improve the lives of their students, enrich their educational experiences, and strengthen their opportunities for high school graduation and the pursuit of college. This change will be guided by the standards and practices of the Nativity Miguel model for middle schools.
There are currently 64 Nativity Miguel Schools serving 4,300 middle school students in 27 states. St. Patrick Catholic School wants to be school No. 65.
In order to make this a reality, St. Patrick Catholic School has announced the Century Campaign. The Century Campaign is the strategy that will provide the necessary funding to achieve their goal of being a Nativity Miguel School by 2010, the school's 100th anniversary.
The Century Campaign will be fueled by a force of passionate community volunteers, businesses and organizations. Dr. Robert Colantino has volunteered to lead the fundraising aspect of this major undertaking.
Colantino explained his passion for the project: "My wife is a volunteer at St. Patrick Catholic School and I was astounded to learn that only 50 percent of kids on the east side of Springfield graduate from high school. I couldn't believe this was true; that this is a fact in our community today. I feel very passionate about giving these kids the opportunity to improve their lives by having the support they need in order to earn an education.
"My father came to this country as an immigrant and worked six days a week for 40 years in order to send four kids to college. He told us that an education was necessary in order to get ahead. My wife and I have been blessed to send our kids to good colleges. I know the value of an education and I have seen what it can do for the quality of people's lives. I believe it's time that all kids have more than a fighting chance at an education. I believe that the Nativity Miguel model is a real opportunity for St. Patrick Catholic School to make a major impact on the lives of our students, and change the dynamic on the east side of Springfield," said Colantino.
Colantino continued, "However, everything has an economic underpinning and raising the financial support for this project is where my attention will be directed." Colantino will be joined in the fundraising effort by co-chairs, Michael Aiello, president, R.W. Troxell & Company, and Sergio "Satch" Pecori, president and CEO of Hanson Professional Services Inc.
Colantino said he asked Aiello and Pecori to co-chair this effort because "they are good-hearted men who are respected in our community and who have proven to be a successful team when it comes to fund raising. They have a vision of this project that parlays into significant community benefits. Plus, I knew they would take the challenge since our wives volunteer at St. Patrick School and we all recognize the need."
Aiello said that he and Pecori have worked together on other community fundraising efforts, including the Quantum Growth Partnership (Q5) through The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
"There was no question that I would agree to co-chair this effort with Satch; it was simple to say yes to the request. Our wives volunteer at St. Patrick School and they make a difference. We want to make a difference, too," Aiello said.
The Nativity Miguel model applies to sixth, seventh and eighth grades. According to Colantino, the campaign goal is to raise $900,000 over three years. "This breaks down into $100,000 per grade per year. The money raised will be used to add facilities, teachers, and support the process of becoming a Nativity Miguel School," Colantino said. "More than 70 percent of each donated dollar will go to teacher salaries and benefits. All remaining funds stay with the school and the money is put to work for the students at St. Patrick Catholic School."
Currently, the Century Campaign has two anonymous donors who have pledged $50,000 per year for three years. These donors have extended a challenge to the community: they ask that their pledge be met by one or two donors who agree to pledge the same amount of money for the duration of the campaign. Thus far, a match has been received for the first two years.
"We are hoping to get volunteers from the community to adopt-a-student, which means they would financially support a student while St. Patrick Catholic School is in the application and approval process of becoming a Nativity Miguel School. This money would also contribute to the upkeep of the school," Colantino said.
Overall, the Century Campaign seeks support from corporations and local businesses, tuition sponsorship from professional organizations, individual
donors, and religious groups. Colantino explained that the Century Campaign "is an ecumenical effort, not a religious endeavor." Pecori said, "Our community has recognized the need for alternative educational opportunities in Springfield and this is a response to that need. The Century Campaign is driven by individuals in our community who recognize that a need exists; it is driven by passion; it is driven by the desire to fulfill the need in order to see the success that will come from
it."
According to Dr. Cora Benson, executive director of St. Patrick Catholic School, "St. Patrick Catholic School receives 6 percent of its operating
budget from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, and 1 percent of its budget from St. Katharine Drexel Church, which is the church that the school
used to be associated with."
She added, "St. Patrick Catholic School is not yet a Nativity Miguel School," Benson said. "We are officially recognized as a school that is in the feasibility study mode of the Nativity Miguel Network."
Colantino explained the steps. "Becoming a Nativity Miguel School is a three-year process. We have completed the application, which is the first phase. Secondly, we must provide data that demonstrates that St. Patrick Catholic School has the potential to become a Nativity Miguel School, and finally, we must prove
that our financial and community support are strong enough to back our efforts. This is certainly not an individual effort. Credit must be given to
the teachers and administrators of St. Patrick Catholic School who are willing to work for woefully inadequate salaries and still put a great deal
of heart and love into educating their students. There are also the volunteers who willing contribute their time, effort and provide moral
support when needed. My favorite saying is 'it takes a village to raise a child.' In this case, I believe that it takes a community to educate our
children and our community is up for the challenge."
Holly Whisler is a freelance writer from Springfield.
