Dear Friends of St. Michael,

As the new school year progresses, we reflect on the great mission we have entrusted to our valued faculty and staff inside of our school.  For over a half century, St. Michael Catholic School has educated thousands of young students in the rich context of our Catholic tradition.  We have been greatly helped by the academic, spiritual and financial contributions of our parents, alumni and parish community.  And so, again we reach out to you asking you to participate in our 2012-2013 St. Michael Catholic School Annual Fund Drive.  

The Annual Fund Drive is an important part of the school’s annual budget. In order to maintain an affordable tuition for our families, the Annual Fund covers the gap between the actual operating cost to educate each child and the price of tuition.  Together with the assistance of the Parish, the Annual Fund Drive closes the gap, allowing us to live within our means and to offer the best opportunities to our students.  

Today we have 475 students in our ten grades (Pre-K through 8).  And although we are sad when families move away from the city and school, we have been blessed to have an even greater demand for admission into St. Michael.  This is due in part to the inspired leadership we have from both Monsignor Rossi and our principal, Chris Skowronek; they are committed to - and deliver - the best spiritual and intellectual development of our children.  St. Michael’s reputation for providing a quality education is also due to the exceptional commitment of our parish and school communities.

This year, for the third year in a row, we achieved 100 percent participation in our Annual Fund Drive from our school families and from our faculty and staff. As parents and educators, we are fully committed to our school and have risen up to meet the challenge of paying for it.  We have also been very blessed to be aided by the generosity and help of many alumni, former school parents and friends from within and beyond our Parish.  

Rise Up, our 2012-2013 Annual Fund Drive theme, speaks to our community’s rich legacy of joining together to support this vital part of our Parish.

Together let us Rise Up to surpass the past and to keep raising the bar of excellence for academic education.  

And, as followers of Jesus Christ, let us Rise Up to shape the future of our Church, community and nation through values-centered Catholic education.

We ask you to Rise Up with us for St. Michael Catholic School by donating to the 2012-2013 Annual Fund Drive.  Every dollar is deeply appreciated; your ongoing prayers, love and support will assure our success.

All the best,

Kathleen Wood            Pat Wood
Fund Drive Chair         Fund Drive Chair