St. Columba School 2023 Annual Report

ST. COLUMBA CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2022-2023 ANNUAL REPORT

Teaching Gospel truth and moral value in an environment of academic excellence according to Catholic tradition.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear Friends, Everything we do at St. Columba is in fulfillment of our Mission of “Teaching Gospel truth and moral value in an environment of academic excellence according to Catholic tradition” – and as part of that teaching, we believe every child deserves access to a high-quality education grounded in faith in God and strong and supportive relationships with teachers and staff who understand how to meet their individual needs and support their ability to thrive in school and in life. With so many overlapping challenges in the world around us, our work has never been more important.

The past year has offered our community many opportunities to live and practice our mission and I am proud of our collective efforts to bring high-quality education to our children and community, both within the walls of St. Columba and beyond. The engagement that epitomized the past academic year is reflected in your overwhelming support of St. Columba. As you will see in the 2022-2023 Annual Report, our community came together as donors, volunteers, advocates, and sponsors to make our School’s work successful. St. Columba received more than $245,000 in donations, surpassing our fundraising goal. Your generosity of time, talent, and treasure helps make St. Columba’s vision a reality, empowering lifelong learners to go out into the world to become loving, serving, compassionate, and forgiving people. We are profoundly grateful for the trust you put in our school and for your continued partnership and generosity.

Here are some of the highlights we were able to accomplish this year: We have made it a goal to strengthen efforts toward faculty professional development. We began by seeking an expert in curriculum design, instructional strategy innovation, and special education.

Wendy Quick will provide differentiated instructional tools and strategies and professional development for our entire faculty for a minimum of one year and perform exit strategies to measure success. She will also offer grade-level group and individualized support to teachers–as well as support us in serving students with individualized needs. Wendy has 22 years of experience and is currently an adjunct professor at Fort Lewis College, specializing in systematically teaching structured literacy and methods for students across all learning abilities. Our goal is this will be a multi-year endeavor.

In our children’s programs, we continue our efforts to make self-awareness and social-emotional intelligence a priority through our daily Friendzy curriculum. Friendzy is a social-emotional character development program designed for schools and is a proven solution to tackle the friendship challenges every student faces. This school-wide program offers students engaging daily instruction for pre-k through 8th grade.

We have also purchased a new science curriculum for both the elementary school and middle school: Elevate Science by Savaas Learning Company. The series comes with multiple tools to assist the teachers, including diagnostic, formative, summative, and performance tasks to engage student interest and learning. This is a proven program with multiple support platforms for the teachers and the students. Each classroom set has a variety of hands-on experiments to enrich learning with activities and assignment production to come home throughout the year.

In the middle school, we have added a new STEAM Lab elective where students will learn to use the principles of engineering, design thinking, coding, robotics, and technology. The lab encourages experimenting, making, and sharing innovative ideas and solutions—integrating and extending the rich middle school social studies, science, math, creative writing, and arts curriculum. We are also excited to announce the first Lego Robotics League after-school program graciously coordinated and led by school parents Erin Cuthbertson and Mindy Potter. Students in grades 5-8 will build an autonomous robot using engineering concepts related to an annual theme and present their work at the Regional Tournament in Durango. We are also pleased to continue to partner with the Powerhouse to offer weekly after-school STEAM lab enrichment to students grades K-4.

I hope you are as optimistic as I am for the year ahead. I begin each day with renewed hope, prayer, and excitement about everything we are learning and building together, and I look forward to our continued collaboration as St. Columba works to strengthen and support our community in which all children grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally. Together, we will embrace our beloved traditions and create new ones, bringing forward St. Columba’s mission for current and future students.

With deep appreciation,

Kevin Chick

Class of 2024

our CORE VALUES

We believe If you have a faith base, a moral compass, and a disciplined approach to your life, however, you measure excellence and success, whether it be academics, business, trades, or quality of life, it will always take care of itself.

At St. Columba, we nurture our students pre-k through 8th to grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.

We offer and guide them in a full liberal arts education to develop the whole person to go out into the world to lead as loving, serving, compassionate, and forgiving people.

What makes St. Columba School different?

It’s simple and is built around these core values. These values guide us in all grades and all areas of our lives.

In a world that can surround us in the shallow and superficial, we know that when young people are exposed to God and taught to lead and serve, they respond with enthusiasm and generosity.

And we do this all inside of a small community. Achieving this consistently requires seeking the truth in balancing the roles of a Catholic school. A Catholic school must not ignore the religious aspect and become obsessed with academic excellence.

Nor can we ignore academic excellence and only focus on the spiritual.

We live in community and we recognize the responsibility each of us has to the greater good.

Our academic programs are infused with an insistence that we care for and engage our neighbors, both in and around our campus through our much-loved “Student Buddy” Program and community service projects.

The Buddy Program offers the opportunity for older students in 5th–8th grade to nurture meaningful connections and interactions with younger students in K-3rd grade. During this coordinated programming, students learn about community norms, engage in important lessons on social-emotional learning, meet with their buddy groups, and so much more.

Our curriculum is built from the ground up with hands-on, collaborative approaches.

We want our students not just to see, hear, and think, but to make, do and feel. St. Columba students forge connections and explore the outdoors on class trips.

Points of Pride We strive to have the highest standards in our region for excellence in education and whole-person formation. Our teachers earn 100% compensation as compared to peers in the region, so that we can attract and retain the best teachers and help them to advance their skills.

All employees receive full benefits funded completely by the school budget.

We have a fully funded liberal arts education program including Art, Spanish, STEM, Music, and Theatre.

Anyone who desires a Catholic education receives it, regardless of their ability to pay.

We are a full inclusionary school celebrating the gifts of all God’s children.

Students graduating from St. Columba enter leadership roles, honors, AP, and sophomore classes when enrolling in high school.

Our Finances

Overview of Revenue

Overview of Expenses

*

*The difference of 72,337 is a net asset to be used for future expenses.

St. Columba’s accomplishments are not possible without the generous support of our donors. Gifts to the Annual Campain are put to immediate use to support a myriad of needs including current and newer initiatives for enhanced academic and enrichment opportunities that ensure the vitality of our mission and its impact on the lives of our students. Every dollar matters because it directly supports our students, teachers, and staff, financial aid, special programs, and a variety of other essential functions. When the fiscal year ended on June 30, 2022, together we raised a collective $245,000.

1882 GIVING SOCIETY Named in honor of our founding year, the 1882 Giving Society will recognize the individuals, families, and businesses who make gifts (including matching gifts) for $1,882 or more. Membership is renewable annually. Members will be recognized in the school's upcoming Annual Report and will receive invitations to special events.

The society celebrates donors who represent every constituency, including parents, grandparents, alumni, parishioners, and our many friends of St. Columba School.

We thank each donor for their generosity and commitment to the students, teachers, and families that St. Columba serves.

THANK YOU TO OUR 1882 GIVING SOCIETY MEMBERS Bank of Colorado Paula Berg Mike and Julie Best Trevor and Catie Bird Paul and Monica Broderick Bank of Colorado Paul and Elizabeth Cahill Chad and Mandi Carpenter Kevin and Danielle Chick Classique Builders Tom Crowley Custom Built Durango Motor Company Willie Elmore Frank and Danielle Enea Joan Ems Dylan and Christina Foreman Jonathan and Mandie Frazier Jeffrey Fultz Brigid and Matt Gerber Michael and Jane Goessel Zach and Rebecca Green Greg and Candace Haroun Joan Heil Mimi Kleist Ed and Kay Kosnik Paul and Renee Kosnik Father James Koenigsfeld Cale and Lindsay Lafferty Tim & Sandra LaFrance Charitable Fund LaPlata Electric Association, Inc

Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty Sam and Diane Loughman Robert and Annie Lieb Edward Victor & Megan Longinotti Martin Family Fund Gordon and Jessica Matlock Don and Lynn May Peter and Mariah May-Ostendorp Doug and Kit McCrady Peter and Barbara McDonald Jason and Damiane McMillen Kyle and Marissa Montgomerey Zach and Aimee Morse John and Abbi Munn Michael Neeb Mark and Pat Norton Father Kevin Novack Brady and Michelina Paulek Paul and Dianne Peeples Jon and Kim Penny Hal and Janet Pierce Riverview Animal Hospital Leann Sigle-McGraw Shane Sigle and Dot Clemens Graham Smith and Shannon Mazur Paul and Moira Smith Joseph and Amy Roberston Justin and Ami Riggert Ryan and Kerry Siggins Walter and Carol Siggins Jeff Speicher and Thess Ekberg

SoCo Wood & Windows StoneAge Patrick and Amy Stiefel Swan Global Investments TL Roofing Exteriors Urban Market Brian and Karen Talley Charles and Betty Talley Joe and Robyn Vagneur Gil and Jacqui Van Lunsen Skip and Barbara Vaughn Zane and Vikki Wells Jeremy and Lily Wissing Robert Zmarzlak The Wells Group

THANK YOU DONORS $1881 - $1000

$999 - $500

$499 - $250

John and Erin Brach Wayne Bedor Greg Caton Rodney and Susan Cross David and Karen Green Glenn Gundrey Robert and Debra Egger Randy and Kristin Hays Peggy Holliday Raymond Hutton Julie Jaeger John and Peggy Kolb Paul and Amy LeRoux Steve Conklin and Lisa Mastny Lonnie and Dena Malouff Morgan and Elena Manulik Douglas O’Keefe Hal and Janey Pierce David and Amber Rushworth James Scheel Cameron and Linda Stevens Sheila Switzer John Tordoff Michael Tracy Ryan and Amber Tracy Kadrian Tucker-Whisenhunt Brett and Jenni Ziercher

Frank and Karen Anesi Paul and Jackie Beasley Chad and Sheryl Bidart Mary Ann Carroll Bruce Carter Matthew and Mary Lynn Clark Jordan and Charlotte Dimmick Durango Magazine Trevor and Joy Ehlers Dru English Robert Evans Feldman Law Firm Danny and Cara Flynt Reuben and Marlene Frazier Shelley Gundrey Susie Hopkins Corbet and Marianne Hoover Laura Jaquez Ben and Holly Jason Harlan and Jeana Kelley Johan and Julie Kleva L&C Konz Charitable Fund David and Cathrin Krebes Patty Mack Ryan and Michelle Martyn Tom and Nancy Mazur Dan and Erin McGuinness Leslie Meiering Mike and Sandy Mericle Erik and Kristen Mischker Joseph and Betsy Murphy Brigid O’Holleran Richard and Molly Patterson Mary Poillion Hillary Raab and Aaron Gebhard Leroy and Donna Rheault Timothy and Alice Rose Boyd and Heather Smith Scott and Gail Smith Tile & Light Art of Durango Peter and Joni Vanderbilt Kelli and Austin Wallace Kevin and Ali Wegrzyn Katherine Zaremba

Jim Byrd Steven and Renee Byrnes Thomas and Linda Charnock David and Erin Cuthberston Casey and Shea Dean Denny and Elaine Ehlers Brandon and Brittney England Kaira Haycock Kelly Hebbard Rodney and Kelsey Hocker Sherri Holmer Steven Jones Matt and Jo Lee Neil Lindenmeyer Tim and Sarah Mainzer Wendy Maley Kathleen Mambretti Gilbert and Heidi Martinez Sally McDermott John and Jeanne Moore Dale and Ruth Munn

YOUR GIFT MATTERS

Up To $250

Eileen Albrecht Cindy Aldrich Ray Archuleta Marie Archuleta Matt Andres and Lisa Noyes Ian and Katie Barrowclough Jennifer Barrowclough Tyler Bates Rosemary Becker Brooke Benton Jody Berger Kathy Bierly Lois Black Debra Bonnie Edward Bonnie Paul Bouffard Francis Boyd Kenneth Bowie David and Ann Brach Jacob Branch Boyle Kevin and Shanna Brennan Jessica Brooks Kris Buehler Valentina Casanova Susan Carpenter Terry and Gail Cartwright Amanda Cheripka Brian and Michelle Clemishire Susan Clemishire Lauren Clewley Dustin Crouse Edward and Karen Conklin Robin Cox Lindsey and James Crittenden Cathy Cray Kristy and Dave Cunningham Alison Cuppia Agnes Dale Betsy Davis Mr. and Mrs. Deluzio Maria Donnelly Mike and Stacey Douglas John and Paulette Dugas Catherine Eagen Miriam Easter Thomas and Diane Eckenrode Michael Eckstein Ute Eckstein Dorothy Eisenbraun Marilyn Ellis Carol Elston Frank and Marie Enea, Jr. Karla Erickson Bobbi Esancy Lake

Pete and Dixie Fagerlin Don Farrell Darlene Fincher Barbara Foreman Margaret Fretwell Melissa Forouhar Lacie Fuller Dennis Galeazzi Bill and DeVere Gamble John and Ulys Gardella Larry and Susan Gates Jacob Genualdi Angie and Michelle Gladson Susie Graff Carl and Nelida Gregg Lydia Gregg Elisa Guida David and Cathrin Krebes Heikki and Melissa Hall Molly Hamilton Robert Hargrove Rosemary Hargrove Tobias Hargrove Jeffrey Hart Dillon and Natarika Hartman Mary Hays Mike Hays John Herford Maria Hernandez Jared and Skye Hidden Krista Herman John and Lynn Hoffman Glenn and Tina Hood Lauren Hostiuck Kevin Hronich Marc and Tamara Huber Carol Lee Hughes Paul and Cheryl Inglat Rebecca Jacobson Lynn Johnson Keith and Amanda Johnston Robert Johnston Dan and Christina King John and Judy Kinn Don and Catherine Knaresboro Paul and Catherine Koehler Jermey and Julia Koschke Pete and Morgan Kraska Ivan Kubeldis Alexandra Kubin Casey and Margo Lafferty Paula Lafferty Jayne Lahey Timo Lahdekorpi

Mary Lasser Margaret Ledford Lucille Lobato Margaret Lopenske Diane Lyon Terri Machin Jennifer Macho-Seekins Ik and Arawyn Madu Billy Mansour Sarah Mares Jane Martin Ashley McArthur John and Susan McAward Cynthia McMahon Mike McCormick & Jennifer Hargrove Larry McMenimen Thomas Martinez Jessie McKinley Nancy McLees Diana McPheeters Janet Miller Martha Minot Amy Molloy Denise Montgomerey John and Rita Moore Steve and Kathy Morozowich Kameron Cundiff and Jenna Morrison Russ and Charlotte Nagel Roland Nakamoto Amy Neary Alex Nelsen Tim and Lyn O’Brien Craig Olsen Molly O’Holleran Jan Ostendorp Joe and Stephanie Pace Myriam Palmer Kelly Parker Ivey Patton Pam Peeples Andrew and Dana Peterson Mary Lou Peterson Paul and Patricia Peterson Mark and Shawn Poettgen Erik and Mindy Potter Matt Prusa Chris and Tiffany Quimby Larry and Rose Raab Peter Razma Dru Ray PJ and Sarah Robinson Connie Robb Patricia Roe Sheila Rosado

Robert Rose Amy Ross Patricia Ryan Alan Sabo George and Joyce Sabol Michael and Mary Salafia Nicole Salafia Enilda Santiago Jack and Steffanie Schreiber John and Cathy Schreiber Kerry and Lynn Scott Michelle Schwettman Jay Schrader Mario and Gail Schulz Christopher Schurk Bonnie Simons Chaitna Sinha Lori Slifka Jeppe Rusz and Alison Smith Carolyn Smith Martin and Pam Smith Sally and Jerry Smith Shelly Smith Robert and Nancy Softka Megan and David Solomon Linda Sorensen Mark and Jill Sotosky John and Anne Strainis Mac Stuard Robert and Patricia Stumpf Brad Talley Roger and Judith Theine Billie Thomas Erin Thomas Amber Timms Cindy Treffinger Lori Trimble Eddie Trinidad Dave and Mary Turcott Gabriel and Jayleen Vera Dillon and Jessica Washburn Eileen Wegrzyn Judy Wert Jim Word Travis Wilschau & Carrie Slifka Richard Wiltz Robert and Megan Wrona Paula Yochum Jean Anne Zaremba Jacquline & Donald Zirkelbach

OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS DIAMOND

PLATINUM GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE