2021 VCHS Terrier Blueprint

BLUEPRINT 2021

Dedication This publication is dedicated to Mr. David Boudreaux, preceding president and former teacher/administrator of Vandebilt Catholic and original architect of the Terrier Blueprint.

Mr. Boudreaux served the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for nearly 40 years before retiring in May of 2020. We thank him for his dedication to Vandebilt Catholic throughout the years.

“A vision without a plan is just a hallucination.”

- Will Rogers

Editor’s Notes: This publication was produced March 2021. Some photos were taken pre-Covid 19.

Introduction Dear Supporters, The mission of Vandebilt Catholic High School (VCHS) is to provide students with a holistic education that is rooted in religious values, structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention, and committed to academic excellence. In order to make this mission a reality we must continue to grow and evolve with the ever-changing needs of our community. In 2016, Vandebilt Catholic, under the guidance of Mr. David Boudreaux, created the first Terrier Blueprint. That document, along with the generosity of the VCHS community in the form of prayers, donations, and time and talent has resulted in great improvements across all areas of our school.

This year, as we celebrate 150 years of Catholic education in Houma it is important that we look towards the next 150 years and what the future of Vandebilt Catholic High School will become. Together we can continue to build upon the great traditions of VCHS and ensure success for future generation of terriers!

This document is the result of input from all members of our community. Students, teachers, parents, alumni, and community members were all given the opportunity to provide their perspective and help cultivate a shared vision. As we work to make this Terrier Blueprint a reality for our community, I encourage each of you to remain involved in this process. While donations will certainly help us see our dreams imagined, so will prayer, volunteering, and teamwork. If we are to continue to build upon the great legacy of Vandebilt Catholic, we must do so together!

I encourage all members of our community to get involved in an area of the school that you are passionate about. Together we will see our hopes and dreams become a reality, and we will continue to see our mission lived out through our Vandebilt Catholic community.

Terriers Together,

Jeremy Gueldner, President Vandebilt Catholic High School

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Recent Highlights: Annually, students and faculty attend March for Life in Washington, D.C. The chapel has been completely renovated.

The chapel has been dedicated to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the Marianites of Holy Cross.

Four classrooms have been named in honor of a Brother of the Sacred Heart or Marianite Sister.

(One classroom will be named for the Blessed Virgin Mary.)

Mass is offered each week to student body.

An interactive prayer board was installed outside of the library.

(Plans to move the board outside the Chapel.)

Emblems representing the Brothers and Sisters and those who have chosen religious life have been placed in display cases outside of the chapel.

A Coindre cross was constructed in the center of the circular driveway near the back of the school.

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Religious Values

Develop a scholarship program to support student mission trips (ex. St. Anne Navajo Mission in Klagetoh, AZ; March for Life in Washington, D.C.)

Recommended Improvements: Send selected staff for spiritual enrichment in the Charisms of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart through Pilgrimage Lyon: André Coindre Experience (PLACE), located in Lyon, France.

Continue analyzing Assessment of Child/Youth Religious Education (ACRE) results for continued improvement of curriculum and formation of students and faculty.

Include a spiritual component to each consultative board meeting relating to the Charism of André Coindre.

Develop a scholarship program to support student mission trips (ex. St. Anne Navajo Mission in Klagetoh, AZ; March for Life in Washington, D.C.) Offer opportunities to extend our campus ministry to the community through Bible studies, liturgies, and worship nights.

Develop an 8th grade curriculum to teach about the Charisms of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

Foster a school environment that is welcoming of all regardless of race, gender, socio-economic status, ethnicity, or faith through the work of campus ministry, diversity education, and student-centered organizations.

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Recent Highlights: 80% of graduates qualify for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (T.O.P.S.) The class of 2020 was offered $8.4 million in scholarships from colleges, universities, and the T.O.P.S. program.

Chromebooks were introduced to the class of 2025.

The Sacred Heart Scholar award was introduced as recognition for students with a 30+ ACT score, as well as the Marianite Scholar award for students with an ACT score of 27-29.

Academic Signing Day was added to honor student’s post high school educational opportunities.

A faculty equity committee was created.

Students attend Literary Rally and consistently place in the district and state competitions.

One or more students are recognized as a National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist or Semi Finalist each year.

English and Math Dual Enrollment classes were added to curriculum.

Advanced computer application classes including Coding and Video Game Creation were added to curriculum.

3D printers and drones were purchased to be used as part of the STREAM curriculum.

The Academic Excellence Program was started for any student who may seek remediation or tutoring on campus.

Recommended Improvements: Improve student progress monitoring and feedback using current best practices.

Increase use of standardized testing data to drive instructional practices.

Evaluate current practices to ensure alignment with the latest research-based educational strategies.

Increase frequency of applied lab work into the science, arts and religion curriculum.

Provide leadership development for department team leaders.

Provide technology professional development for all faculty and staff on current International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards.

Research and implement more options for the Higher Options for People with Exceptionalities (HOPE) students transitioning to college or the workforce.

Explore and implement more technology-based accommodations for the students in the Savoie Original Academic Resource (SOAR) program.

Restructure current technology related courses into a Mass Communications Department focused on career readiness utilizing state-of-the-art equipment. Classes to include: - CAD Design

- Computer Applications - Print and Video Media

- Graphic Design - Business and Technical Writing

- Drone Technologies

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academics Diversify the Visual Art curriculum to include three-dimensional art capabilities such as pottery.

Restructure current technology related courses into a Mass Communications Department focused on career readiness utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.

Diversify the visual arts curriculum to include 3D art capabilities such as pottery.

Expand English Language Arts course offerings to include:

- English I to 8th grade Level I students

- Increased dual enrollment offerings in British and American Literature

- Elective courses such as creative and technical writing Expand dual enrollment course offerings to include: - History

- CAD Technologies - Psychology

- Drone FAA Certification

- Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Pre-Engineering - Fine Arts Survey - Biology II

- Calculus

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Vandebilt Catholic

Small Changes make a Big Difference.

BEFORE

SU PPO RT A C L ASSR O O M

BUI LD A FUTU RE!

AFTER

Technology and teaching curriculum has drastically evolved over the years, and today’s students are learning through more advanced methods than ever before. The current infrastructure of Vandebilt Catholic High School’s original classroom does not support these changes. Eleven classrooms have been renovated since the summer of 2020 to enhance the learning environment for students and teachers. The goal is to continue to revitalize each classroom to offer a high-quality space where students will thrive.

High School ...a CLASS of its own!

We are looking for sponsors to help fund the renovation of each classroom.

The total cost to renovate a classroom is $12,000. The updates include:

New Floors • LED Lighting and Updated Ceiling Tiles Window Treatments • Electrical Upgrades Modern Paint Color • New Technology Each sponsor receives a plaque mounted outside of the classroom for 10 years.

A photograph from a ribbon cutting ceremony and acknowledgment on social media and in school publications as space is available.

If you are interested in partnering with VCHS on this project, please contact the advancement department at 985-876-2551.

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Recent Highlights: Each year a balanced budget is adopted.

The school’s total endowment is $1,076,013.

Teachers currently earn 79% - 87% of their public-school counterparts.

The school currently has $830,000 in reserve. $200,000 in tuition assistance is budgeted for the 21-22 school year for families.

In the last 5 years,

$3.5 M

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of dedicated donations from private donors and capital improvement fees was used for facility improvements on campus.

Finance Ensure that a Vandebilt Catholic education is accessible to all interested families, regardless of socioeconomic status, through the expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program and the development of a work-study program.

*The tuition assistance allocation depicted does not include private donations directed towards tuition assistance or outside tuition assistance scholarship programs such as Ace, Arete, or LA Scholars. FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment conducts the need analysis for Vandebilt Catholic.

Families must complete this online process to qualify for tuition assistance and determine needs.

Recommended Improvements: Utilize strategic partnerships with the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana and the V Foundation of South Louisiana to maximize donations to Vandebilt Catholic.

Develop a comprehensive advertising plan to maximize community partnerships on campus.

Create a comprehensive database of alumni, parents, grandparents and other members of the extended Vandebilt Catholic community.

Create a salary schedule that reflects the average salaries of the civil parishes that reside within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. (Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary) Grow capital reserves to an amount which meets all insurance deductibles. (Current amount to meet the deductibles is $1.1M, but will grow as capital improvements are added to the campus.)

Ensure that a Vandebilt Catholic education is accessible to all interested families, regardless of socioeconomic status, through the expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program and the development of a work-study program.

Utilize the Vandebilt Catholic Retention Committee to assess trends in enrollment data in order to develop a plan to maintain and grow the student population.

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r o n o D SPOTLIGHT The Ledet Family Dane and Louise “Lou” Ledet, Sr. have been a part of the Vandebilt Catholic family for over 40 years. They have supported and watched their 2 children, niece, and now grandchildren grow while attending VCHS. The entire family has built life-long relationships with teachers, administration, and especially the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, who served and taught at Vandebilt Catholic. Contributions from the Ledet family have helped to complete multiple largescale projects on campus including the construction of the elevator in 2018.

The school partnership began in 1979, when their oldest son, Dane “Peanut” Jr. began 8th grade at VCHS after the family made the switch from the public to the Catholic school system. Peanut attended St. Gregory for one year before starting Vandebilt Catholic. Mrs. Lou recalled, “As a child I stood outside of St. Francis.

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I wanted to go to St. Francis so bad. We couldn’t afford it. So, I was determined that my children would have a better education than I got. I got a pretty good one, but I wanted them to have better.”

Peanut failed 8th grade that first year at VCHS and had to repeat. After sacrificing to pay for the Catholic education, Dane Sr. and Lou refused to pay for his tuition if he wasn’t serious about his education. So, Peanut applied for “in-house” reduced tuition on his own, which he recalled was $65 a month. After just two years in the Catholic school system, he knew he wanted the education and appreciated its value. Dane Sr. and Lou supported his efforts to continue at VCHS. Brother Eldon Crifasi, who was principal of VCHS from 1980-1988, personally made sure Peanut was successful and as Peanut stated, “still calls him for every birthday.” Dane Sr. and Lou’s daughter Becky ‘86 and niece, Wendie ‘96 who was raised as their own, would also attend Catholic elementary schools (St. Gregory and St. Francis de Sales) and graduate from Vandebilt Catholic.

Throughout the years, Mr. and Mrs. Ledet began to form great relationships with Brother Carl Evans and Brother Eldon Crifasi. Brother Carl Evans, who worked at VCHS from 1990-2009, became a special part of the Ledet family and would share ideas of what some of the school’s needs were. In the early 1990s he even began joining the Ledet family for lunch on Tuesdays and still calls Lou a few times a week. The family also mentioned fond memories of Coach Luigi Vegas, Mrs. Patrice Monier, and Mrs. Jean Donegan, all of which had impacted their lives in a positive way while attending VCHS. Becky recollected that the first project that the family financially supported was awnings between school buildings. But “awnings just didn’t seem like enough, we wanted more!” added Lou. As the Ledet children grew up and started families of their own, donations were discussed as a family and they all agreed that they wanted to contribute to projects that improved the school

environment, not only for their children and grandchildren, but for future generations that attended VCHS. As the families’ relationship with Vandebilt Catholic and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart progressed, they decided to give back in a big way. In 2008, the Ledets funded the complete remodeling of the art room and an addition of a graphics lab. They wanted, as a family, to make an impact and give back to a program in which they all loved. During this time, Dane Sr. and Lou were now experiencing VCHS in a new light as grandparents. The family worked closely with Laurie Robichaux, VCHS alum, art teacher and department head, and ensured that the redesign would create the perfect environment for any art student. Becky stated, “Vandebilt has lots of artistic kids who may not be as book smart, and we felt that there was a need to create a place for those students with talent and an ‘art brain’.”

In 2018, the Ledets were also a major donor for the construction of the elevator, a much needed addition to the 50+ year old school. When the family was first introduced to the project, they realized quickly that it was such a NEED for the school and were on board. Before the elevator, students who were injured and on crutches, would need an adaptive schedule to keep their classes downstairs, which in turn, changed schedules for everyone in that student’s class schedule. It would also be a great addition for visitors on campus such as grandparents on grandparents day and disabled guests of basketball games in the upstairs gym. Again, the Ledets felt that this project fit their family ideals of investing in something that could benefit all students and future generations.

When asked what she most enjoyed about choosing VCHS as her ongoing philanthropy, Lou said, “It’s simple!

We’re paying it forward.”

Over the past 40 years in addition to their financial contributions to VCHS, the Ledets are also a huge part of the school’s volunteer network. Lou recollected that she helped Melba Gill, VCHS secretary who worked in the late 1980s, count raffle ticket money when her kids were students at VCHS. Peanut and Becky reminisced about “the Vandebilt fair” and “working in the art booth with Mrs. Donegan as students.” Peanut also spent many Friday nights icing down drinks for the band, when his daughters attended VCHS in the mid-2000s. Becky and Wendie are currently active members of the Mothers Club, where they commit their time to volunteering at events on campus.

When asked about giving advice to future VCHS donors, the family was all in agreement.

“Do it if it comes from your heart. You have to feel it. You can’t donate for something in return. You have to do it cause you want to do it for the kids.” It is evident that the impact of teachers, brothers and sisters, and administrators have had on the Ledet family is why they are so generous to the future of VCHS. They continue to build those relationships and watch their children and grandchildren experience the same education that they received years ago.

Wendie shared, “As a family, we have a connection with Vandebilt through teachers and experiences such as the same classrooms that we’ve learned in, or a past teacher that now teaches our children and it’s something that we can continue to share with our children and one day, grandchildren.”

Without donors, such as the Ledet family, Vandebilt Catholic could not complete many of the much needed projects on campus. The school is committed to constant improvement and developing strong donor partnerships is a perfect way to realize visions of an ever-improving environment for our students and future generations of terriers.

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RECENT Highlights: Champions’ Park was created.

The track was resurfaced.

New fencing was installed around Harold Haydel Park and Buddy Marcello Stadium.

All track and field events were relocated.

New softball batting cage lights were installed.

New Buddy Marcello Stadium scoreboard was installed.

Weight room was renovated and expanded.

New baseball stadium stands, new hitting facility and baseball locker room were built.

New baseball/visitors’ side restrooms and concession stand were built.

Branded windscreens on fencing was installed.

Completely renovated eleven classrooms.

Athletic training room was created in Kolb.

New Basketball Scoreboard was installed.

Terrier Memorial Quad was redesigned.

Elevator and a second-floor walkway were installed.

Student restrooms in main building were renovated.

Chapel was completely renovated.

A 2-acre practice field with irrigation was created.

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Facilities

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Rendering by Duplantis Design Group

Recommended Improvements: Create a facilities portfolio to ensure continuity and consistency of material selection.

Design and construct an updated Digital Media Center to enhance the student experience in courses from the Mass Communication Department such as Graphic Design, Publications, Interactive Media, TV and Film Production, Music Technology, Coding, and Game Design.

Design and construct an updated science lab to enhance the student experience in the areas of Physics and Anatomy/Physiology.

Renovate the following facilities:

- Brothers Hall

- All academic classrooms - Softball complex including lights, dugouts,

- Front of school administrative office complex

stadium stands and locker room

- Basketball locker rooms

- Resource center

- Volleyball/P.E. locker rooms in Kolb

- Annex building

- Staff common areas Redesign the library to include common areas for students including conference rooms, huddle rooms, study areas, and coffee shop.

Facilities

continued

Redesign the cafeteria to create a more collegiate environment with flexible seating options for dining and gatherings.

Rendering by Duplantis Design Group

Redesign the library to include common areas for students including conference rooms, huddle rooms, study areas, and coffee shop.

Rendering by Duplantis Design Group

Both the Cafeteria and Library redesigns are intended to support the Academic Excellence Program and further enhance the student experience.

Redesign the cafeteria to create a more collegiate environment with flexible seating options for dining and gatherings.

Replace all current flooring with new vinyl plank flooring to ensure continuity throughout the facility.

Complete an energy efficiency study to develop a plan to address the following:

- HVAC systems, door and window replacement, electrical systems Develop a comprehensive Campus Beautification Plan with updated branding to include the following:

- Landscaping

- Hallways and student common areas

- Fencing

- Driveways and parking lots

- Signage on buildings and campus entrances Expand campus security system to include key cards and cameras throughout athletic facilities.

Conduct a feasibility study including conceptual drawings and cost estimates for a new athletic facility to house athletic department offices, weight room, indoor practice facility, and locker rooms.

Finalize Champions’ Park renovations by adding lighting, seating areas, state championships “wall”, and monuments.

Update the band practice field.

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Photo by Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Terrier Success Story Mrs. Ginny Medina-Hamilton ‘91 VCHS Principal

“Vandebilt Catholic High School was integral in paving my future. Not only did the academic foundation set me up for success in post-secondary studies, but the personal attention and spiritual guidance helped make me who I am today. Teachers and administrators truly showed how much they cared for me as a person, a student, and a child of God. My career as a music educator and a performer was nurtured and encouraged by the faculty and staff at Vandebilt Catholic.

While in school, I knew that my family was struggling financially and that having to change to public school was a conversation in my home. However, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the school helped my parents navigate the tuition assistance program and did what they could to make sure I could finish my high school education at Vandebilt Catholic without missing out on ANYTHING! I was a highly involved student, and the help I received allowed for me to stay at Vandebilt through graduation. Without tuition assistance, I would not have been able to benefit from a Vandebilt Catholic High School education and experience.”

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moving forward In closing, please pray that these dreams become a reality for the Vandebilt Catholic community. Pray that many hear the call to help continue quality Catholic education in the Terrebonne Parish area that was begun in 1870 by the Marianites of Holy Cross. For 150 years time, talent, and treasure have been generously given to continue this legacy of bringing the good news of Christ to young people through the ministry of Catholic education.

Moving forward into the next 150 years it is hard to imagine what our school and our community will look like.

While I would imagine that how we accomplish our mission might change some over the years, I am confident that the mission of Vandebilt Catholic will be stronger than ever. Hopefully, future generations will look back on us and see that we answered the call to continue spreading the gospel message of Jesus Christ through the ministry of Catholic education and built upon the great legacy of Father Vandebilt.

You are invited to follow in the footsteps of Fr. Vandebilt and give spiritually, mentally, and financially to help build the Church through the ministry of Catholic education at Vandebilt Catholic.

There is no plan to begin a multi-million-dollar capital campaign at this time or to borrow money for these projects and place the school in debt. Now is the time to share this plan with everyone who cares about VCHS and ask for input and suggestions on how to improve it. It is also a time to assess the willingness of people to help financially. Each project will move forward when the money is available and has been approved by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Dollars from the capital improvement fee that are paid by every current family will be used on projects that affect all students such as the improvements to the main classroom buildings, cafeteria, and air conditioning.

If you are interested in learning more about this plan or want to help in any way, please contact the school’s advancement office to schedule an appointment.

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Va n de bil t Ca tholic Hi gh Sc ho ol Adva nce me n t D epa r tme n t 209 S. H oll ywo o d Rd. H o uma, L A 70360 985-876-2551 www.va n de bil tca tholic.o r g