Parents are a vital and active part of the Cretin-Derham Hall Community.The Parents' Association organizes many events during theyear and gives input and support to the administration.
The board of the Parents' Association includes a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and committee chairpersons. Parents are invited to share ideas and issues for discussion with members of the board so these concerns will be heard. A letter asking parents to volunteertheir time and talents is sent each summer.
All parents are invited to be involved -
that involvement is what makes Cretin-Derham Hall a lively and active community.
- The president (Maureen Lahr) is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Parents’ Association, planning the monthly Board meetings, preparing agendas, bringing to the Board ideas and concerns from the CDH parent comminity that are within the scope of the Parents’ Association, and communicating with the CDH Administration as necessary.
- The vice president (TBA) assists the president.
- The responsibility of the Treasurer (Mary Beth Dooher) is to monitor the deposits and withdrawls of the three different financial accounts of the CDH Parents’ Association. These accounts include: 1) General Fund; 2) Revenue Generating Fund; and 3) Target Program Account. Each month the Treasurer obtains financial information to present at the CDH Parents’ Association meeting, reports on the various activities expenses, and provides the balance for each of the accounts.
- The Secretary (Kristi Kampmeyer) is responsible for keeping accurate records of meetings.
- The Volunteer Coordinator (Cindy Wagner) coordinates volunteers for the various events.
Committees
- Father-Son Banquet (February 25, 2007)
All fathers and sons, grandfathers, uncles, godfathers and family friends are invited to attend the Father Son Banquet.
Chairs: Betsy Schneider & Kristi Kampmeyer
- Mother-Son Dinner Dance (March 3, 2007)
Mother/Son is a delightful night out for mothers and sons. The attire is semi-formal.
Chairs: Paula Winsor
- Mother-Daughter Dinner (October 28, 2007 - 2007 Event Photo Album)
Mother Daughter is a fall tradition at CDH. Upon arrival, during social hour, everyone has an opportunity to have pictures taken. Daughters enjoy having group pictures taken with their friends and classmates. Seniors and their mothers sit at Senior Tables so that they may be honored. Dress: Dressy casual
Chairs: Pam Kunkel & Annie Broos
- Father-Daughter Dinner Dance (January 12, 2008 - 2007 Event Photo Album)
Father-Daughter is a fun-filled evening taking place at the River Center in downtown St. Paul. The evening begins with a social hour followed by dinner and dancing. It's a dressy evening enjoyed by both fathers and daughters. Last year 770 guests attended.
Chairs: Kim Smith, Joelle Marcio and Betsy Jessen
- Refreshments
The Refreshment Committee provides coffee, cookies, juice, etc for various school events such as:- Parent/Teacher Conferences, three times per year
- Back to School Night
- Eighth grade open houses
- Freshman Parent Mass in the fall
- Teacher appreciation dinner
- Occasional Parent to Parent speakers
- Senior Lock-In (May 23, 2007)
The Senior Lock In is an event sponsored by the Parents’ Association with the administration and faculty. This event is planned and staffed by CDH parents. The idea of the lock-in is to give seniors a chance to be together as a class and celebrate their graduation in a safe and fun way.This event immediately follows the graduation ceremony. Parents are to drop students off at the front door on Albert Street before 9:00 p.m. Once students arrive, they are to remain in the school until 4:30 a.m. Parents are encouraged to provide transportation to and from school; this is a very long night and we are concerned that students will be too tired to drive home. There is plenty of food, entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy. Senior Lock-In meetings are held once a month.
Chairs: JoEllen DePalma & Peggy Schafer -
Parent-to-Parent
Parent-to-Parent is an organization created to promote open communication between parents so common concerns and challenges can be addressed in order to help guide our sons and daughters through their adolescent years. To keep parents informed we enroll parents in our program. By joining, parents agree to:- communicate by telephone regarding activities of their students
- always supervise their children’s parties
- allow only chemical-free activities for their children and friends
- support the CDH policies and laws regarding the use of chemicals
An asterisk* is put next to the members’ names in the CDH directory so that parents know who else agrees to these terms.
We have a welcoming committee who contact parents of incoming freshman and new students to welcome them to CDH and offer to be a “mentor parent” in the event these parents have questions during the freshman year.
At New Parent Night (in August) we are there to greet the new parents and give them a folder that contains practical information about such things as late-start, homecoming, etc. We are there to answer questions that may arise.
Members of our group are part of a CDH committee made up of teachers, parents, and administration that meets to find ways to support and help our kids at school so that they stay away from drugs and alcohol.
During the year we try to schedule speakers to come to CDH and speak to parents about pertinent issues such as drug and alcohol abuse.
Chairs: Jane Lewis, Melissa Vitek & Mary Olander - Baccalaureate Brunch (May 23, 2007)
The Baccalaureate Brunch is the event following the Baccalaureate Mass for our seniors. Mass is held at the Church of St. Leo and is a very special occasion for parents and their seniors (have a tissue handy). The brunch is typically hosted by junior parents immediately after Mass at CDH and parking is very limited. In the event of rain, bring an umbrella; you may have a hike to your car.Students are encouraged to wear appropriate dress clothes (boys - suit or shirt and tie, girls - modest dresses or slacks). Parents should dress accordingly. Cameras are a must. The Baccalaureate Mass and Brunch are a beautiful experience for students and their parents. It is an opportunity for them to enjoy one another while sharing a delicious catered brunch. This year the catering will be done by Tinucci's Restaurant.
The committee has invitations printed and mailed to all seniors and transforms the gym with beautifully decorated tables draped with linen, centerpieces, fresh flowers and balloons. Often this event is decorated to coordinate with the tem of graduation and Lock In. This is definitely an event you don't want to miss.
Chair: Molly Hottinger & Christina Urdangarin Flood - Teacher Recognition
The Staff Appreciation Committee tries to demonstrate parent appreciation to the entire CDH staff. The committee was formed during the 1997/98 school year and has expanded each year in ways in which to show appreciation.In November and April, families send in food to provide a breakfast/lunch buffet for all the staff and faculty at CDH.
The committee contacts volunteers, organizes and serves food sent in by the parents. Throughout the year the staff is remembered with notes, holiday items and small tokens of appreciation. Cards are sent for life events as well (births, deaths, weddings, etc.).
Chairs: Chris Boys, Nancy Schneider & Jill Fagan - Harvest Dinner (September 30, 2006)
The Harvest Dinner is the annual fall get together to welcome all CDH parents, old and new. It is a popular and well-attended casual fall fundraiser. It features a wonderful dinner and dance. It is a great way to see friends that you missed all summer long and meet new friends. The invitations usually go out in August in the CDH fall info packet.
Chairs: Mike & Ellen Kuenster
- Grandparents' Day Mass and Reception (May 10, 2007)
This event celebrates faith shared by students and grandparents. There is an 8:00 a.m. morning mass for students and grandparents followed by refreshments. This event is held in the CDH Field House in May of each school year. Families submit grandparents’ names and addresses, and formal invitations are sent in April. Grandparents meet their grandchildren in the lobby area before Mass. Valet parking will be provided for grandparents that choose to use it.
Chairs: Gina Kempe & Julie Pasell
- Spiritual Life
The mission of the Spiritual Life Committee is to: affirm, support, and enrich our vocation as Catholic parents, and as adults who seek to deepen our faith and that of our families. The committee plans faith-enriching events throughout the school year. Sometimes these events are geared specifically to parents and at other times it is for parents and their teens together. We seek to provide resources that are in keeping with the tenets of the Catholic faith. In addition to our monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, Eucharistic Adoration is available in the CDH chapel following the 7:15 Mass until 2:30pm on the first Friday of each month. Please refer to the CDH calendar for specific dates.