IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
258 South Main Street Lodi, NJ 07644 // www.ichslodi.org Proud to be a Felician Sponsored Ministry Since 1915
2019-2021
Dear ICHS Community, As the new Head of School of Immaculate Conception High School, I would like to thank you all for your commitment and dedication. It has been a challenging year that has required all of us to reimagine the way we work together. It has also highlighted the creativity, persistence, and deep care that each of you bring to your work at ICHS every day. Throughout the year, I have proudly observed the capacity within our community to support each other, our resilient students, families, and educators in our school. I am honored to share that Immaculate Conception High School implemented effective COVID-19 health and safety measures that ensured students, faculty and staff members, and families had the best possible experience during COVID-19, including providing academic and socialemotional support and running in-person classes. Along the way, the school also made progress on elements of our five-year strategic plan. I invite you to read about the achievements we accomplished during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years. The framework for this plan, as well as its goals and objectives, follow the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, focused around the National Standard’s four domains: Mission and Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, Governance and Leadership and Operational Vitality. The Felician Core Values for Ministry are infused throughout the plan ensuring the Felician-Francisican charism remains at the forefront of every student’s education. I look forward to your collaboration as we continue to grow together. With Gratitude,
Jessica Cutrona Mrs. Jessica Cutrona Head of School
“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” - Henry Ford 2
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVES
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Mission and Catholic Identity
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Academic Excellence
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Governance and Leadership
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Operational Vitality
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- INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT UPDATE
- FINANCIAL UPDATE
ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT UPDATE
• Mission & Catholic Identity • Academic Excellence • Governance & Leadership • Operational Vitality
MISSION AND CATHOLIC IDENTITY Worsh i p / / R e tre at • Pra ye r / / Se r v ice / / I nte gration / / Staf f ing Campus Minister/Mission Leader shares
2021
weekly readings as a formation piece towards living the core values.
Random Acts of Kindness: Students gave back to their communities. One student expressed Capstone Videos: Students are encouraged to
her gratitude to the police department in her
put their faith into action through the Christian
town and provided little bags of snacks for
Service Program, which is a requirement for
officers and other employees.
graduation. Students created presentations that highlighted their service during their
Through Advisory, students learned about
time at ICHS. Seniors created a Capstone
service opportunities in NJ and shared some
presentation that reflected the Mission and
of their own experiences in service to others.
Core Values through four years of their service experience.
Core Values In Action! The ICHS Community
2020
collected 400 pounds in items for babies and mothers in need that were donated to The Mercy House in Newark, New Jersey.
Felician Mission and Heritage Week began with the Campus Minister/Mission Leader posting and sharing with the ICHS Community lovely “Reclaiming the Vision” posters and announcing the importance of Felician Mission and Heritage Week. ICHS joined the Felician Sisters, recognized the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and prayed for peace in the world and a greater awareness of ecology. The Campus Minister/Mission Leader led students, faculty, and staff members in a beautiful virtual prayer
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service and shared profound words about the
Mass. Our Strategic Plan aims at a “movement
essence of our core values.
that is huge in contrast to the ICHS of the
The ICHS Future Nurses Club, raised funds for
past.” We recognize the need to recapture
research and education as well as helped raise
the enthusiasm and be the living stones of St.
awareness of Heart Disease and Heart Health
Francis, St. Clare, St. Felix, and Blessed Mary
during the month of February.
Angela. We, like St. Francis, will continue to build ICHS, while keeping our traditions strong and our Core Values in our hearts. We, as a family, will continue to “walk in the footprints of Jesus.”
Day of Service: This day was created by the Campus Minister/Mission Leader, as part of Mission and Heritage Week so that students could experience and live out the meaning of our Mission and Core Values. The ICHS family volunteered at The Felician Sisters Convent, The Felician 21 and Over Program, Day of Donating: Student Council successfully
The Felician School for Exceptional Children,
ran a coat and blanket drive to support The
Maywood Nursing Center for Health &
Mercy House of Newark. Additionally, we
Rehabilitation, Mercy House, Wellington
had a $3.00 dress down day in class colors to
Nursing Home- Care One, Eva’s Kitchen, New
support our “Adopt A Family” in the Bahamas.
Bridge Medical Center, and the Armenian
RAT PROGRAM Elmwood Park - Students
Nursing and Rehab Center.
volunteered their time raking leaves of residents who were eldery or handicapped
During Mission and Heritage week, the students had a $5.00 dress down day for "Water for Haiti." We were fortunate to have
2019
Sister Marilyn and Sister Inga on campus to share their story with us.
ICHS visited The John Theurer Cancer Center The Campus Minister/Mission Leader,
at Hackensack University Medical Center
introduced the students and staff to the theme
to present them with a $1,000 donation.
of Mission & Heritage Week at the beginning of
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Throughout October, ICHS was in the mindset
love in a tangible way to needy children around
to “Think Pink” and “Fight Like A Girl”! ICHS
the world, and together with the local church,
hosted several fundraisers, awareness days,
to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
and participated in the American Cancer Society- “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Students helped bring smiles to the children
Walk”, to raise money for Breast Cancer
at New York Presbyterian Hospital, by
Research. By showing their compassion for
participating in the ICHS Annual Christmas
breast cancer survivors and patients, our
Toy Drive. Faculty, staff, and students gathered
students, faculty, and staff continue to exhibit
to help collect gifts for children who are fighting
our Core Values in everything they do.
for their health, while also acknowledging the true meaning of our Core Value, Compassion
ICHS students delivered over 300 items to
for others.
Saint Joseph’s Food Pantry to replenish their shelves.
ICHS Swim Team joined Samaritan's Purse to spread the Christmas spirit by collecting shoe boxes filled with items such as toys, personal items, and school supplies to those in need. Shoebox gifts are a way to demonstrate God’s
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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Curric u l u m // Tech n o l o gy / / Pro f e s s i o n a l Deve l o p m e n t
Our ICHS STRATEGIC PLAN was developed pre-pandemic, therefore, it is important to note that implementation of planned enhancements has been colored by the need for a rapid response to a pressing need. Our successful rapid response to an
At Immaculate Conception High School, the commitment to growth and enhancement in the area of Academics is ongoing and will continue to flourish.
unprecedented need is to be recognized as a unique opportunity to show how adaptable our staff, students, and families are. The flexibility demonstrated by each member of our ICHS family is in and of itself proof of our uniqueness!
CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENTS At Immaculate Conception High School, there has been a significant rise in the
The adaptability and willingness to learn a new
comfort level of faculty in the creative use of
way in the short space of 48 hours is unique
technology integration, project based learning,
to us as we did not miss a beat in keeping
presentation, and many other alternative
valuable live instruction available to our
teaching methods in their area of expertise.
students.
The commitment to professional development in this area has significantly enhanced our
As the crisis ebbs and flows, we continue to
curriculum on a daily basis.
meet the needs dictated by circumstances beyond our control, hence, our enhancements
Educators are continuing to provide a quality
continue to be designed to work whether
education to in-person and remote learning
instruction is held in person or virtually.
students by utilizing Google Suite and its
• Mission & Catholic Identity • Academic Excellence • Governance & Leadership • Operational Vitality
applications like Google Meet. During
the needs of our individualized teaching
class periods, students are able to take
style. Mid-term and final exam structures
part in lectures, collaborative group work,
remained in place and can be (and were)
project based learning, as well as other
effectively integrated into our remote
digital learning platforms. The curriculum
learning environment as well as in-person.
has been restructured and enhanced with
This allowed students to demonstrate their
updated texts, digital tools, supplemental
progress and expertise in each area of
resources, and various learning platforms in
the curriculum using various methods of
all content areas. Educators have become
assessment. Assessment goals have been
more proficient with Google Suite and Google
put in place, and the entire school, as well
Classroom.
as the incoming class, will now partake in MAP Growth Assessments to match our
Assessments have been tailored to meet
individualized approach.
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TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS The Dean of Academics continues to work closely with the IT Coordinator to create new accounts for all students, instructional and support staff to access Google Suite to enhance the curriculum across all areas.
Virtual meetings with prospective students, incoming freshmen, parents, as well as summer instructional groups provided by faculty and administrative team members, enabled each department to take an active role
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENHANCEMENTS
in sharing the ICHS experience effectively. Immaculate Conception High School is Tech support was coupled with academic instructional support provided for Google Suite in addition to the remote learning experience. Peer-to-peer support for Google Suite and integrated applications are also available on an ongoing basis for both faculty and students.
dedicated to the ongoing support provided to mentor staff in raising each one’s comfort level in the effective use of all remote learning tools and effective instructional strategies using Next Generation Standards. The ICHS Guidance Department maintains supportive communication with both staff
The 5 Year Technology Plan has been created
and students to enable them to gain the most
and is now currently being solidified with the
from each class session. Emotional and social
newly selected Technology Team, which is
interaction is especially relevant to bridge the
composed of various stakeholders (students, parents, teachers, administrators, board members, etc.) This team meets regularly to enhance the current technology trends
gap between in person learning experiences and remote learning. Instructional dialogue is provided to each member of the instructional team to ensure
at ICHS. ICHS is looking into further
initial access and familiarity with the protocols
opportunities regarding tablets and school
needed for use of remote learning tools.
owned devices.
• Mission & Catholic Identity • Academic Excellence • Governance & Leadership • Operational Vitality
Professionally, each teacher is challenged to
The Dean of Academics continues scheduled
stretch to new heights on an ongoing basis,
and unscheduled supervision of each
providing needed feedback, support, guidance,
classroom provide a platform for discussion,
encouragement, and opportunities to try out a
clarifying effective strategies, posing
variety of instructional strategies. With this in
questions and answers, as well as providing
mind, a Professional Development Team has
the necessary feedback for instructional
been created to allow for teacher led training.
improvement. The Academic Excellence
This not only highlights the teachers’ strengths,
Committee has been integral in obtaining
but allows others to learn and grow along this
varied views when discussing ongoing ways to
journey to success together, as a team.
enhance our overall program.
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Committees are examined
to optimize the skillset of all
IZ A TI O
I OPT
and restructured each year
M
ICHS Board of Trustees as well as meet the needs of the ICHS
UPD
community.
AT ES
the name change of the top
AD
published which includes
H
administrator to Head of School.
have been updated to
within the strategic plan.
S U CCE
HE
of ICHS has been revised and
OF S C
The organizational chart
All job descriptions
reflect the objectives
OOL
Succession planning is
SS IO N
ongoing and has been utilized with the appointment of Mrs. Jessica Cutrona as the Head of
academic year.
U TIVE
EC
BOARD
The ICHS Board of Trustees in conjunction with the ICHS
T R US
the four meetings throughout the
ES
ICHS Board of Trustees at each of
EX
written and oral reports to the
School commencing on July 1, 2021.
M
Executive Team will continue
TE
A TE
The Executive Team presents
OF
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The ICHS Board of Trustees
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GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP
to identify persons to serve on the ICHS Board of Trustees and each of its subcommittees.
• Mission & Catholic Identity • Academic Excellence • Governance & Leadership • Operational Vitality
OPERATIONAL VITALITY E n rol l m e n t M a n ag e m e n t / / Adv ance me nt / / Financial
ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT UPDATE A strategic enrollment management plan
These efforts included: Virtual Open Houses
has been developed that encompasses all
via LiveStream, Individual Google Meets
recruitment, admissions, and retention
with parents and prospective students,
efforts while maintaining the data with a
Google Meets with 7th and 8th graders in
tracking system to capture information
local Catholic grammar schools in place of
from first contact with a potential student
traditional in-person visits.
or family through actual enrollment and attendance at Immaculate Conception
Although these events were virtual, we found a
High School.
way to bring the amazing things happening at ICHS to life through a camera.
ICHS social media platforms also displayed each day, the daily life, events and happenings to better connect with external constituents.
Individualized, COVID safe tours were hosted throughout the 2020-2021 school year with prospective families, especially during “May at Immaculate,” which invited prospective students for a tour during the month of May and each received a free bag of spirit wear. This strategic enrollment management plan included virtual events, as we were forced to
The Google Meet platform was also utilized to
pivot to a complete virtual platform for all
meet with principals in local Catholic grammar
enrollment efforts in March of 2019 and these
schools to speak about what Immaculate
efforts were continued into fall/winter of
Conception High School can offer their middle
2020-2021.
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school students for an extraordinary high
During faculty orientation in September,
school experience that encompasses growth
the Enrollment and Advancement office
in all areas, including academically, socially,
hosted a workshop with the faculty and staff
emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.
to understand their role in the enrollment process.
Numerous phone calls were made by the administration to prospective parents
They were provided with the tools and
throughout the admissions fall season, as well
resources to assist in recruiting efforts -
as during the holiday season. These phone
such as language to use, how to effectively
calls emphasized how we always provide a
communicate about ICHS, and how to
personalized experience at ICHS, even before
network to help promote ICHS to parents who
they attend ICHS.
may be unaware of ICHS and what it has to offer young women.
Track achievement of student and graduate success as they continue their education and life beyond Immaculate Conception High School. These experiences have been publicized on our website and social media platforms.
Developed recruiting strategies with faculty, staff, administration, coaches and selected students to ensure all are aware of their role in the student recruiting process. We provided training opportunities so everyone understands their particular role in the recruiting process and can effectively implement the action steps.
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We collected information from alumnae
Selected parent ambassadors made phone
about their current careers and life post
calls to prospective parents to discuss their
ICHS. We used this information for “Alumnae
personal experiences at ICHS and how their
Spotlights” in our newsletters and our website.
daughter excelled in many areas during their
Alumnae from the Class of 2018 participated
time as ICHS students.
in our Spring Virtual Open House 2021 to discuss their many achievements since their
A Student Advisory Program has been
time at ICHS, due to the foundation and
implemented since September of 2019.
growth they experienced here during their 4 years.
The title of the Student Advisory Program is “Time for Us Tuesdays,” which emphasizes not
Maximize the potential of Catholic feeder
only the students meeting with their advisory
parishes by building a strong identification
group and faculty advisor each Tuesday, but
with Immaculate Conception High School
the idea that we always have time for our
among families, religious education students,
students at ICHS - academically, socially,
and children in the parish starting at an early
emotionally, and mentally.
age.
Announcements regarding admissions events were placed in local Catholic parish bulletins.
Train select parents to serve as Parent Ambassadors. These parents will perform numerous duties, including hosting a gathering in their home for parents interested in learning about Immaculate Conception High School. Parent Ambassadors with a
This Student Advisory Program has been
connection to public elementary and middle
extremely beneficial to our students and has
schools, are encouraged to promote the
enhanced their social-emotional well being
advantages of Immaculate Conception High
and has provided them with the foundation to
School and bring prospective students and
be confident and competent young women.
their families to school activities and events.
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INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT UPDATE Major gift solicitation is the top priority
funding from three, and we are awaiting
of Immaculate Conception High School’s
response on the remaining three. Now that
advancement efforts. The Advancement Office
we have completed our audit, we will have
has been reorganized and a full-time Executive
become eligible to apply for larger outside
Director of Institutional Advancement was
grants.
hired who has experience in major gift solicitation, and an Institutional Advancement
The Executive Director of Institutional
and Enrollment Management Committee was
Advancement and Head of School have met
created.
with donors and will continue to work in tandem to identify, cultivate, solicit, and
The Institutional Advancement Office and
secure major gifts. Additionally, informational
members of the leadership team continue
documents have been produced highlighting
to share the importance of giving with our
and focusing on planned giving opportunities,
constituents, to increase our visibility, and
the Adopt a Scholar Program, and the creation
to build a stronger culture of philanthropy.
of a STEM Lab and have been featured
School leaders and all constituencies
prominently on the Advancement webpage.
understand their role and participate in the school’s development efforts.
Over the past eight years, the Alumnae Association Scholarship fund has been
ICHS raised nearly $40,000 for pandemic
instrumental in helping ICHS students finish
relief and awarded these funds to 15 families.
their studies and graduate as Blue Wolves.
Since the inception of the Strategic Plan, we
Due to the pandemic, many events had to be
have increased net proceeds from various
canceled resulting in this fund being depleted.
fundraising efforts. In FY21, we have a 17%
An Adopt a Scholar fundraising appeal was
increase in giving compared to FY20. In FY20
mailed to major donors in the Spring and
we had a 51% increase in giving compared to
yielded over $84,000 in current year and
FY 19.
future years donations.
The Finance Office has partnered with Institutional Advancement in applying for six outside grants; to date, we have received
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on a weekly basis, using best practices on donor outreach to build the donor Annual Fund and Major Gift pipeline; develop a special recognition program for major gift donors and supporters; and creating intentional virtual experiences such as quarterly Alumnae Networking events and a Planned Giving Tea event. The ICHS website Supporting the ICHS fund provides students
has also been updated and continues to be
with academic excellence, extracurricular
updated as necessary to keep content fresh
enrichment, and a variety of opportunities,
and new.
which are deeply rooted within the sisterhood of ICHS. Major donors have pledged to make
The Finance Office has led the school in
a commitment of over $200,000 to the Fund
conducting a formal outside audit of our
for ICHS to be paid over four years.
financial operations and has handled coordination with FSI Chicago on audit
Following the essence of our core values and
and other related operational issues. Now
mission, several donors wished to help our
that the audit has been completed, we will
extraordinary graduating seniors and have
be updating our procedures to enact the
graciously donated towards their college
auditor’s recommendations moving forward;
education. Three graduating students were
we will begin work on auditing 2019-2020
assisted through the generosity of the ICHS
and prepare to audit 2020-2021 once that is
extended community.
completed.
An ICHS Comprehensive Institutional
The Strategic Plan had noted that outside
Advancement Plan was created focusing
sources of tuition assistance were minimal; the
on the following components: increasing
Finance Office has researched and promoted
data quality, using proper stewardship, and
outside organizations that can assist our
management of all gifts and data in support of
families with tuition assistance. Notifications
ICHS’s academic and operational initiatives;
of these grants and their application
enhancing marketing communications, and
information has been shared with current
ensuring all constituents receive information
families as well as incoming students’ families.
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Early in the pandemic, the Finance Office
financial projections throughout the year
secured a Payroll Protection Loan for
to ensure responsible management of the
$385,000, which we received in April 2020.
expenses.
On June 22, we received confirmation that the full amount of the loan has been forgiven.
The Finance Office has actively pursued opportunities to provide professional
FINANCIAL UPDATE
development and training opportunities for the Administrative Team to further educate
The Finance Office has developed the
them on the budgeting process and the
application for and distribution of the
financial state of the school. More members
pandemic tuition relief funds. We continue to
of the management team have been involved
work with those families negatively impacted
in the Financial Assistance process than in the
by continuing economic difficulties, and have
past, raising awareness of ICHS dedication to
collaborated with the Advancement Office
students who are in need and/or marginalized.
in developing new solicitation campaigns to help these families. We have highlighted
The Finance Office has begun investigations
four specific students who were at risk of not
into the creation of an investment policy for
being able to return in September, and our
Endowment funds that we expect to put in
amazing donors have established scholarship
place in the upcoming year.
funds for all of them, as well as a continuing half scholarship for two incoming freshmen, to follow them throughout their four years at ICHS.
Throughout the year, the Finance Office has made budgeting adjustments to compensate for the purchase of equipment, cleaning supplies, technologies, food services, and transportation upgrades necessitated by the pandemic. In addition, monthly updates on actual to budget numbers are shared with management and board members, along with
Thank You! The loyalty of our current families, alumnae, faculty, staff, and friends is a testament to their belief in our mission. Thank you all again for your continued support and collaboration. Please follow us on any or all of our social media accounts for even more ICHS news and updates! Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/ICHS.Lodi
https://www.tiktok.com/@ichslodi_nj?
https://www.instagram.com/ichslodi_nj/
https://twitter.com/ICHS_Lodi_NJ
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