ALVERNO PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION (APA)

The Alverno Parents' Association supports the school financially and through service. All Alverno parents are members of the APA, paying dues as part of their daughters' registration fee. The APA provides service during the year for activities such as Back-to-School Night, Junior Ring Ceremony, Graduation, and a variety of other events. Parents support the school by performing school services to help keep expenses down, and also to provide funding for the school by sponsoring fundraisers.

Monies raised by the APA benefit school projects chosen by the APA. The APA funds projects or items the school needs.

Parent Fundraiser: Annual Gala Dinner-Dance and Auction
Each year, the APA sponsors their major fundraiser, the Gala, Dinner Dance and Auction. Each family is expected to sell or purchase two tickets to the Gala, and make one $75 donation, either in the form of cash or an auction item.

• Gala Donation Form
• Gala Ad Sponsorship Form

Participation Program
All parents/guardians are required to volunteer their time (20 hours total for two parents, 10 hours per single parent) during the school year in support of school activities, OR make a donation of $300 ($15 per hour) to the APA. Opportunities to perform service are available throughout the year; account balance reminders are mailed in January and May. Completed service hours by both student and parents are one of the criteria for continued receipt of financial aid, and/or scholarships. Parents whose daughter is the recipient of financial aid or scholarship monies are not eligible to pay for their service hours.

ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN

The Annual Giving Campaign is Alverno’s most important fundraising activity because it bridges the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating each student. Tuition only covers 77% of this cost; therefore the Annual Giving Campaign helps support the budget by providing unrestricted income to the school. All current parents are expected to make a tax-deductible donation to the Annual Giving Campaign. In addition to current parents, alumnae, past parents, grandparents, trustees, faculty, staff, and friends of Alverno contribute to the Annual Giving Campaign. Gifts made to the Annual Giving Campaign may be matched by a donor’s employer, often doubling or tripling the size of the gift. The foundation support Alverno enjoys is enhanced by high participation in the Annual Giving Campaign, as foundations tend to support schools where annual giving support is strong.

The fiscal year begins July 1. Gifts are solicited throughout the fiscal year.

The goal of the Alverno Annual Giving Campaign is 100% participation.

ALVERNO PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION (APA)

Catholic schools exist to assist parents/guardians in their responsibility as chief educators of their children. Therefore, Alverno High School educators function as professionals in their particular areas of academic expertise to complement/supplement the parents/guardians’ desire for college preparatory classroom work for their children.

Alverno’s philosophy and mission statement is a clear presentation of the perspectives and values that are paramount in our educational process. It is, then, essential that parents/guardians take seriously our philosophical and educational mission that is publicly stated in this publication and other materials.

Parents/Guardians are expected:

1. to allow their daughters to take charge of their school lives;
2. to facilitate communication between their daughter and the appropriate Alverno adult; teacher, dean, assistant Head of School, advisor, or Head of School;
3. to make sure their daughter’s education takes priority at this time in her life—meaning that dating, weekend activities, babysitting, jobs—are always secondary to her academic life;
4. to be sure and clear that parental values are in stated agreement with the school’s stated values;
5. to participate in the Annual Giving Campaign;
6. to contribute service hours to various activities or pay in lieu of service (20 hours or $300/ two parents 10 hours or $150/ one parent.) Reminder: Parents who have a student receiving financial aid or a need-based scholarship must complete their service hours—payment for service hours will not be accepted.
7. to be physically present at all school events;
8. to participate in fund raising-activities, including the Gala and Student Calendar Raffle
9. to serve on APA committees when asked (serving on committees is not solely the job of women; we are dedicated to being equal opportunists for our students’ guardians/parents;
10. to call the APA board members with ideas for parent activities so they can put parents/guardians in touch with the appropriate APA council member.

Structure

• Structure: The council consists of the president, 1st vice-president, 2nd vice-president, a treasurer, an athletics representative, secretary, communications coordinator, parliamentarian, service hour coordinator, sports representative, parent representative for each State, and members-at-large.
• Meetings: The council meets monthly on campus from 7-9 p.m. on specific dates (see Calendar).

  ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ANY PARENT WHO WISHES TO ATTEND.

• Money: Financial reports are made monthly by the APA treasurer. At the end of each academic year, the APA contributes various sums of money for school needs.

  The APA Financial Report is PUBLIC. Any Alverno parent has access to information on Association revenues, expenditures, or contributions.

• Calendar: The school Calendar is the important document for keeping students, parents, and guardians aware of school events. The executive committee of the APA meets with school administrators each summer to schedule traditional and new events for adults. It is expected that Alverno parents and guardians will display the school calendar on a refrigerator, or other important location in the house, as a family reminder of what is going on at school.