Alumni Association Board Meeting
Monday September 8, 2014
In attendance: George Shaughness, Patty Anglin, Tom Smyth, Rob Dunphy, Bobby Anastasia, Chrissy
Gawyrch, Maureen Johnson
Ken Dunn informed the board that we would no longer be able to keep his board commitment and was
withdrawing from the board.
The meeting was opened with a prayer by the school president Grace Cavallo.
Item 1:
The Position of board secretary remains open. The function of secretary will be rotated among board
members. Co president George Shaughness will be acting secretary at the first meeting.
Item 2 Presidents Address:
School president Grace Cavallo thanks the board membership for their help.
In addition, thanks to Bill O’Reilly’s gift which provided air conditioning for portions of the elementary
school.
The Schools of Saint Mary is succeeding.
The two principals working together with synergistic results.
The school year began with a joint faculty meeting.
Enrollment of the high school as of September is 615. Ten less than their goal.
Five additional international students may be added to this student body.
Current tuition $9750, the highest Catholic high school tuition on Long Island.
The fact that so many parents are willing to pay this is a credit to our school.
Parents report they prefer St. Mary’s because of the customizable curriculum.
We have Jonathan Kramer to thank for this personal flexible curriculum.
The theater department has expanded.
The dance studio is open and available to seventh and eighth graders after school.
A full orchestra room is scheduled. An orchestra pit has been developed in Immaculata Hall theater.
International students account for 10% of student body. There is a waiting list of applicants for our
international program.
A new international student center has developed and is headed by Helen Yuen..
The high school open house will be Sunday, October 5 2 PM to 4 PM. The date is later than previous
years which will allow better organization.
Two boys from the High School senior class have elicited praise and thanks from the community for their
recent care of an injured woman on Plandome Road.
Item3 :
Loss of Janet McHale .
Multiple board members expressed grief and sorrow for the sudden and tragic loss of our fellow alumna
and friend.
It was observed that our feelings are reflected in Lost Another One by Graham Nash, Lost by George
Harrison, and Gentle Woman.
A suggestion was made for a day of remembrance in Janet’s name.
Item 4:
A tuition scholarship was initiated by Janet’s family.
Suggestions for the scholarship included possible dediction towards future nurses.
Scholarship details will be developed as per Janet’s family’s wishes.
Item 5:
Don Monti Memorial Golf Classic :
Thursday, September 25.
The golf committee has benefited from the experience of new members Kevin Raleigh and Tim Fulton.
It is noted that there are no single large ticket items for fundraising this year.
Multiple suggestions were made to compensate.
The committee will likely decide on including a “football pool” type feature in addition to the 50-50
raffle and auction.
Suggestions were made to remember Janet McHale without diminishing the memorial for Don Monti
and Timmy Coughlin.
Item 6 :
Class agents.
The success of conference calls for the benefit of class agents is noted.
These will be utilized this year.
Thomas Jordan ’73 is recognized for his personal contribution of a 9/11 memorial recognizing St. Mary’s
alumni.
He purchased cobblestone #86 in tree row T under Tree # 105.
Item 7:
Class reunions this year include the 50th reunion for class of 1964 and a 40th for the Class of 1974.
The meeting was adjourned.