Handbook

"Share the Experience"

        The McQuaid Jesuit Parents' Association, of which each parent or guardian of a student at McQuaid is a member has as its goal the promotion of greater family involvement in McQuaid ;and encouraging close bonds among parents/guardians and with faculty/administrators as well and, of course, with their own and other students at McQuaid.  It is the goal of the association to "Share the Experience" of our sons as they pass, all too quickly, through McQuaid Jesuit High School thereby enriching their experience and ours as well.

         In order to accomplish the purposes of the Association, the officers of the association serve as an Advisory Board that works with the administration and faculty on various activities and facilitates communication between the administration and McQuaid parents.  The officers are designated each year by consensus among association members at a regularly scheduled meeting and work with the association moderator, Fr. James Fischer, S.J., to plan and promote activities directed at helping parents share in the academic, financial, public relations, religious and social life of the school.    

         Additionally, the Parents' Association provides a forum for members to communicate their views to the administration and address issues of interest to the McQuaid community at large through the Advisory Board and moderator.

         Officers of the Parents' Association (The Advisory Board) for the academic year 2007/08 are:                

        The Parents' Association ordinarily meets on the first Monday of October, December, February, April and June each year.  In addition to association business, which includes reports on High School and Middle School events and activities affecting the students, each month a speaker discusses a subject of interest to all parents and answers questions from the parents in attendance. The meetings are held in the First Floor Conference room in the Fr. James Fischer, S.J. wing.  They begin at 7:30 p.m. and are always concluded by 9:00 or before.  All are welcome! To check the schedule for this year's meeting click on the “Calendar" link on the Parents' Association home page.

         The Association has several standing committees: 

Parents' Christian Service Committee

        This committee is developing a program of service for parents to donate time (on a volunteer basis) to a variety of institutions and organizations similar to the Magis Program in which the students participate.  The program will offer opportunities for parents to work either on their own or with their sons to promote the values of McQuaid Jesuit and benefit the Rochester/Monroe County community.  See the Parents' Christian Service Project link on the Parents' Association Home Page.

Parents' Ambassador Program

        The McQuaid Jesuit Parent Ambassador Program is a coordinated effort of current McQuaid Jesuit Parents to support parents of new students as they become acclimated to the McQuaid Jesuit community. By serving as Parent Ambassadors, parents participate in the overall educational mission of McQuaid Jesuit by acting as "people for others."

The program is sponsored by the Parents' Association and is coordinated by the Parent Ambassador Coordinator (Kate Deane) in conjuction with parent volunteers.

The overall goal of the program is to create a network of parents-helping-parents within the McQuaid Jesuit community. During the summer, parents host orientation meeting(s) for new parents at the school. The meetings are designed to provide information on topics such as school communications, dress code, physicals, calendar, transportation, etc. The meetings also provide a forum for new parents to ask questions, raise concerns and network with other new parents. Ambassadors provide personal contact information to attendees, so that later questions or concerns can be addressed as needed.

The program consists of a training session, summer meeting(s), and follow-up as needed. The Principal and Dean of the Middle School participate in the meeting(s) as resources to parents.

        The activities of the Association are loosely characterized in one of three ways: Hospitality; Social Functions; and Academic/Spiritual/Civic Activities.

 HOSPITALITY

        The Parents' Association hosts a number of events throughout the year.  This generally involves providing and serving refreshments at a variety of functions such as the Open House, Registration, National Honor Society Induction Reception, Parent Mini-Class nights, Baccalaureate Mass Reception and Mass for Deceased Alumni.

        As with all association activities, volunteers are needed to set up, serve and clean up at these functions.  Depending on the function three or four people will usually suffice.  Volunteers can indicate their willingness on volunteer forms included in the annual August mailing, by volunteering at one of the meeting or by contacting the association web site.  Messages can also be left for the Association in the main office or by e-mailing the Association at parentsassociation@mcquaid.org.

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

        The Association sponsors a number of social functions during the school year.  Among these are the Mothers' Tea (Sunday, September 23rd); Wine Tasting (Saturday, October 13th); Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon (May 8th) and Administrative Professionals' Day (April 23rd) and Barnes & Noble Book Fair (June). Some functions are free of charge while others involve a modest charge to cover the expenses of the Association.

        As with Association hospitality activities, volunteers are needed to organize these functions.

ACADEMIC/SPIRITUAL/CIVIC ACTIVITIES

        In addition to the annual Family Advent Liturgy (Sunday, December 9th), the Association plans include the presentation of brief seminars on subjects of interest to McQuaid parents such as college selection and financing and the Ignatian Spiritual and Educational Philosophy by faculty and staff.  The Association will provide the opportunity to participate in a program of Parents' Christian Service (See Parents' Christian Service Project link on Parents' Association home page).

THE ADVISORY BOARD

        The officers of the Association constitute an Advisory Board which facilitates communication between parents and administration on issues of mutual interest or concern.  While the Advisory Board does not advocate on the behalf of individuals with respect to an issue specific to that individual, the Advisory Board, with the Moderator, will communicate with the administration on issues or concerns of general interest to the McQuaid community at large which are brought to the Board's attention at a meeting or otherwise.  An effort will be made to resolve those issues or concerns to the satisfaction of all concerned.  The Advisory Board also works closely with the administration and staff to accomplish the purposes of the Association as set out herein.

        Parents are encouraged to participate fully in their Association and become true participants in their son's education and spiritual growth.

        Suggestions or comments are always welcome!