Nativity
Educational Centers Network, Incorporated
breaking the cycle of poverty through education
January 13, 2005
Alen Brown
Deborah Betsill
St. Laurence Education Inc.
Dallas, Georgia
Dear Alen and Debbie,
I am happy to inform you that the members of the Board of Directors of the Nativity Educational Centers Network voted unanimously to admit Saint Laurence Episcopal Middle School to the Nativity Network. As a member, Saint Laurence Episcopal Middle School will be expected to live up to the mission of a Nativity school:
The Nativity model is a middle school which seeks to
provide a quality education, integrated with personal, moral and spiritual
development, for students of low-income urban families, who would not otherwise
have access to such an education. In addition to the academic programs of a
middle school, the Nativity model includes educational programs and activities
throughout an extended day and in the summer. Through its preparatory programs
and through guidance during the student’s further education, the Nativity model
is designed to transform the life and aspirations of each student so as to
encourage a student with strong motivation and parental support to realize his
or her fullest human potential as a productive member of society and as a
leader and role-model in his or her family and community.
The program
takes a comprehensive approach to student development, characterized by high
academic expectations, moral and spiritual values, small classes, a supportive
family-type educational community and an exceptionally dedicated faculty and
staff.
Once the school is operating, it is expected to pay the yearly membership fee. At present this is set at $200. for a school in its first three years of operation and $500. for a school four or more years in operation.
All
schools in the Network are expected to provide requested information concerning
the school’s operations and student progress. Administration and teaching
personnel are expected to participate
in Network gatherings, institutes and conferences.
As a
member of the Nativity Network Saint Laurence Episcopal Middle School can expect certain benefits and
supports:
·
Periodic
visits by members of the Network staff, board, or colleagues.
·
National
gatherings, institutes and conference focusing on best practices for the
betterment of the individual school.
·
Access
to communication among the schools.
·
Access to national funding.
·
Promotion at a national level.
I would
like to share with you some comments made by our board members. Please share
them with your board members.
“They have certainly responded to our concerns with due diligence. I still have some concerns about suburb being able to financially support a school, but if the people on the front lines think it can be done let’s go for it.”
“I
like that they have contact with their potential constituency already.
They spent a great deal of time on the questions that were raised.”
“There's
always going to be risk in these entrepreneurial ventures, and it seems as if
they're better prepared than we were.”
“I think they are good to
go and it will be great to have more
Episcopalians in our crowd!”
“I'd also suggest that they
contact the new Roman Catholic bishop Wilton Gregory. He came from the
Belleville, Illinois diocese, just across the river from us, and
was very interested in setting up a Nativity school on the East Side
when he was elected president of the US bishops' conference and more or less
gone for the next three years. He has visited Loyola several
times and is enthused about Nativity schools. He's a good guy, easy
to work with.”
“I've
never been to Atlanta so will be willing to serve on a collegial visit when the
time comes.”
You will receive a hard copy of this announcement at the Gathering where the board members and I are looking forward to seeing you, congratulating you and welcoming you to the family.
God’s blessings on you, the project and all those people committed to make it a reality.
Sincerely,
Jack Podsiadlo, SJ
Executive Director
740 North
Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202* (410) 244-1388* Fax (410) 244-1344* Website: www.nativitynetwork.org