•  The AMDCS Consultative Board has been formed with 16 members and had its initial retreat and training on January 26-27, 2007.  Regular meetings are in progress and  committee tasks assigned and also in progress.

•  A No Child Left Behind Coordinator was hired through collaborative funding of the six schools. The coordinator has doubled the student eligibility list for the academic year 2007-2008 (which doubles the funding available for services to our students), all schools have adopted “Catapult Learning” as their service provider. Because the NCLB coordinator was able to write one site plan for the AMDCS schools, our entitlement money has been pooled and will become more effective, particularly for staff development.

•  In November 2006, the AMDCS Executive Director and Superintendent of DCS, SF, presented a proposal for funding AMDCS staff (Finance Director, Development Director, Executive Director) and subsidy for deficit operating budget needs of AMDCS schools for a window of 3-5 years to the Archbishop, the Archbishop’s Cabinet, and the Archdiocesan Finance Committee. A decision is pending.

•  Foundation Grants have been solicited and received from Wilsey Foundation, Crescent Porter Hale Foundation, Gellert Foundation and the Sisters of Notre Dame.

•  In addition to the NCLB Beyond Diversity Training in-services for faculty  (four in all from August 2006-April 2007) and staff, the AMDCS faculties participated in a Peaceful Playground in-service in order to implement the Peaceful Playground/ Conflict Resolution program purchased through grant monies.

•  A task force on enrollment has been formed at each AMDCS school and trained by CECS. A parent/staff group forms the “task force on enrollment” and their goals are to increase enrollment at each school for 2007-08 and to create with the guidance of CECS a marketing plan for the school.

•  April 2006 - AMDCS was honored at the Catholic Charities Loaves and Fishes Gala for outstanding service to children in the Mission District for over 150 years.

•  CECS is currently working with principals and AMDCS Consultative Board members to begin a strategic plan for the AMDCS and are planning a stakeholder’s strategic planning day for September or early October 2007.

•  AMDCS schools are working together on a plan for collaboratively purchasing Math textbooks at a bulk rate (after an in-depth study and a AMDCS combined faculty task force for selection) for academic year 2008.

•  AMDCS school principals are attending an all day retreat May 8, 2007 to discuss the initiation of a “Professional Learning Communities” model for enhancing student achievement; University of San Francisco professors are partnering with the AMDCS to guide this process and funding will come through NCLB professional development funds. USF students will also connect with AMDCS faculty to provide students with additional help through service learning projects embedded as part of their university course work.

•  Archbishop Niederauer called two new members, St. Philip School and St. Charles Borromeo School, into the AMDCS Spring 2007.

•  AMDCS Strategic Planning Stakeholders meet 9/21/07 and 10/26/07.

•  Julie Clemens was hired as the AMDCS Advancement Director January 9, 2008.