• St. Monica Dads’ Club – Meeting Minutes

    Date: August 14, 2025

    Location: Sparkman Club Estates

    Total Dads: 171

    1. Opening

    - Meeting opened with prayer led by Father G.
    - Welcome remarks by Michael Singleton.
    - Purpose of the Dads’ Club reiterated: provide volunteer support (“sweat equity”) for school and parish activities, and foster community connections.

    2. Administrative Items

    - Minutes from the previous meeting were presented; motion to approve was made and seconded.
    - Safe Environment badges: available for pickup at the front desk; system updates in progress through the Diocese.
    - School calendar reminders:
      • August 29: No school
      • September 1: Labor Day
    - School celebrating 70 years on October 21.

    3. School Updates

    - New classroom furniture delivered for 1st and 2nd grades.
    - 4th grade candidate visit scheduled for August 15, 2025.
    - Teachers raised $500 to sponsor breakfast for St. Rita staff.

    4. Annual Bearcat Fund (Arno Family)

    - Goal: $200,000; campaign ends September 8.
    - Proceeds above goal will fund playground renovation.
    - Incentive: raffle for 2 Mavericks tickets for families who contribute $1,000 to close their gap.

    5. Treasurer’s Report (Phillip Ramos)

    - Events (e.g., Calcutta, Spaghetti Dinner) raised $103,000+.
    - Gala profit: $204,000.
    - Net Income: $173,000, exceeding budget by $69,000.
    - School commitment: $85,000 fulfilled.
    - Additional contributions: Christmas Purse ($13,000) and $2,000 in scholarships.
    - Current balance: $63,000 (with $6,300 liabilities).
    - Motion to approve report passed.

    6. Gala Update (Zach Henderson)

    - Focus on Autumn Fest as first priority.
    - Gala scheduled for April 18; venue booked and paid.

    7. Fundraising & Events

    - “Night Out with Friends” fundraiser planned.
    - Sip, Smoke, and Deal event: October 3 ($100 buy-in).
    - Day of Dads: volunteering for lunch duty and playground supervision; Safe Environment badge required. Sign-up available via school website.

    8. Athletics Report

    - All volunteers must present a driver’s license (Raptor screening required).
    - Participation:
      • Cross Country: 51 students
      • Football: 63 students (JV pads arriving; Varsity scrimmage vs. Good Shepherd scheduled)
      • Volleyball: tryouts underway; 6 alumni playing varsity at Ursuline.

    9. Other Announcements

    - Grade-level captains reinstated as communication liaisons.
    - Back-to-School volunteers needed.
    - Upcoming events:
      • Cornhole Tournament: September 11
      • Salute to Service (Veterans Day, with St. Rita): November 20

    10. Closing Items

    - “Pot of Gold” raffle held (50/50 split).
    - Introductions of new dads.
    - Motion to close meeting approved.

  • St. Monica Dads’ Club – Meeting Minutes

    Date: September 11, 2025

    Location: Sparkman Club

    Total Dads: 131

    1. Opening

    - Meeting opened by Mike Singleton.
    - Prayer and blessing led by Father G.
    - Brief college football update shared.
    - Purpose of the Dads’ Club reiterated: to support school and parish through volunteerism and community involvement.

    2. Principal & Security Update (Principal Garza)

    - Weekly mass now scheduled on Wednesdays at 9:15 AM.
    - Two designated egress locations; doors locked at 9:15 AM until mass concludes.
    - DPD to provide staff training on active shooter preparedness.
    - Discussion held on how Dads’ Club can best support school activities.

    3. Administrative Items

    - Minutes from the previous meeting approved.
    - Autumn Fest update by Mary and Jackie:
      • Sponsorship opportunities available (e.g., Adopt-a-Cop – $5,000; Teacher Sponsorship – $300).
      • Bands booked: Topanga (After Dark), School of Rock, and a Taylor Swift Cover Band.
      • Raffle: $10,000 grand prize, with multiple weekly winners.
      • Dads’ Club members to contact Martin for ticket information.

    4. Treasury Report

    - Current cash position: approximately $65,000 (Gala fund).

    5. Principal’s Report (Stephanie Garza)

    - Bearcat Annual Fund exceeded goal of $210,000; excess funds directed to playground improvements.
    - All parents asked to sign the school handbook.
    - Testing window currently in progress (two weeks).
    - Pre-K–2nd Grade celebrating Dot Day.
    - Saturday: JCUA Car Wash.
    - Parent Survey response rate: 47%. Feedback included:
      • Strengths: Strong community, school safety, high parent recommendation rate.
      • Areas for improvement: Math, Science, Spanish, Special Programs, Middle School Transition, and Consistency across grades.
      • Lunch Program: under review for potential changes.

    6. Athletics Report (Nev)

    - Cross Country season closed with 74 runners; Dads’ Club support requested for race assistance.
    - Next race scheduled for October 11.
    - Football: JV concluded practice (bye week); Varsity game Sunday at 1:00 PM.
    - Volleyball: games scheduled for this Saturday.

    7. Events & Fundraisers

    - Spaghetti Dinner & Float Race (Sam):
      • Major community event.
      • Sausage making Friday at 8:00 AM.
      • Football squares available to support cleanup fundraising.
    - Gala (Zach): planning progressing well; next meeting to establish committees.
    - Night Out with Friends – “Sip, Smoke, and Deal” on October 3 at Sparkman.
    - Day of Dads: 5 volunteers per session; next date October 3 for 5th grade.
    - Grade-Level Captains reintroduced to enhance communication within each grade.

    8. Upcoming Dates & Meetings

    - Next Dads’ Club Meeting: October 10.
    - Autumn Fest: October 18.
    - Salute to Service (Veterans Day event with St. Rita): November 20.

    9. Closing

    - Meeting attended by 131 dads.
    - Meeting adjourned with closing remarks from leadership.

  • St. Monica Dads’ Club – Meeting Minutes

    Date: October 9, 2025

    Location: Sparkman Club

    Total Dads - 71

    1. Opening

    - Meeting opened by Michael Singleton with welcome remarks.
    - Deacon Bob provided the opening blessing.
    - Scott from St. Rita attended to discuss the upcoming Salute to Service event.
    - Motion to approve previous meeting minutes made by Fred Trevino; seconded and unanimously approved.

    2. Mission & Engagement

    - Mission of the St. Monica Dads’ Club reviewed.
    - ‘Be One, Bring One’ initiative: each dad encouraged to invite a new member to participate.
    - Day of Dads program continues – next volunteer day for 7th grade on October 24 (sign-up via email).
    - Safe Environment process is active – all volunteers must register or renew their certification.

    3. Autumnfest PTO Update

    - Autumnfest scheduled for next week.
    - Raffle tickets: $20 each for a chance to win $10,000.
    - Incentive: bottle of tequila for drawing at end of the night.
    - Setup to begin Friday after 1 PM; volunteers needed for setup support.
    - Fundraising goal: $225,000.
    - Concert scheduled at the conclusion of the event.
    - Sponsorship information and volunteer sign-up links available in the Bearcat Byte newsletter.
    - Volunteers encouraged to sign up through Martin.

    4. Campus Security Update

    - Mass services running smoothly with current security procedures in place.
    - Enhanced police and security presence at recent football game events.
    - Roof access across the street secured; no external entry points.
    - Autumnfest will maintain a strong police and security presence.
    - Father G requested 10 dads to participate in the usher program to serve at Mass.

    5. Salute to Service (Scott – St. Rita)

    - Joint St. Monica / St. Rita event hosted at the Terry Center.
    - Guest Speaker: Clint Bruce – former Navy SEAL and NFL player.
    - Event supports One Tribe Foundation (Jake Ship) and St. Vincent de Paul.
    - Raised $60,000 last year.
    - Tickets $35; table sponsorships available.
    - Event includes catering and beverages.
    - Open to 11 invited schools; event now recognized within the Catholic Diocese.
    - Raffle prizes available; event link shared via Dads’ Club email.

    6. Treasurer’s Report

    - Financial update presented; motion to approve made, seconded, and passed.

    7. Principal’s Report (Principal Garza)

    - Report cards to be distributed October 16.
    - October 17 is a half day; parent-teacher conferences scheduled soon after.
    - Early release on Thursday, October 30.

    8. Athletics Report

    - Cheerleading: Varsity preparing for Little Paws with 143 participants.
    - Cross Country: first meet scheduled this weekend.
    - Football: upcoming game vs. St. Thomas this weekend.
    - Volleyball: nearing end of season and entering playoff phase.

    9. Events & Fundraising

    - Gala Update:
      • Sponsorship party scheduled for February 7.
      • Gala set for April 18.
    - Spaghetti Dinner and Sausage Making deemed successful.
    - Night Out with Friends – Sip, Smoke, and Deal: Nick MacDonald won; second event planned (Card Night Out).
    - New Dad Happy Hour scheduled for October 29.

    10. Upcoming Meetings & New Business

    - Next Dads’ Club Meeting: November 13.
    - Deacon Bob discussed upcoming Diaconate class beginning in January; interested members encouraged to reach out.
    - Program is at Master’s level; currently only three Deacons serving at St. Monica.
    - Father Bierschenk has officially retired.

    11. Closing

    - Meeting attendance: 71 dads.
    - Meeting adjourned with closing remarks.