Atrium - We are the Good Soil Donor Display

³Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

- Matthew 13:3-8

It is an ambitious campaign to be sure, but as Pope Francis exhorts us: “Don’t be scared – dare to have fabulous plans. I encourage you to not be afraid to dream, to have great ideals, to be builders of hope.” We have fabulous plans and they revolve around two objectives – the construction of an atrium with a 160-seat chapel and an enhancement of student opportunities funded through our Endowment. These objectives, which include the first dedicated chapel in Roger Bacon’s history, reflect the importance of our Franciscan charism and our Catholic faith.

Statistics tell us that when high school students graduate, many will fall away from their faith. These young men and women are the “seed.” As young adults, many will seek out their faith again once their circle of responsibility grows with work, marriage, and children. This is where their experiences at Roger Bacon become so important.

The lessons learned here…the values and morals taught and demonstrated…seeing value in themselves and others…service to their community – these are vital pieces of the “good soil” that is Roger Bacon. We do not know when the seed will be planted, but we strive to provide the good soil to give the seed every opportunity to flourish and bloom when the opportunity occurs.

“We are the Good Soil Capital Campaign.”

Goal: $ 10 million

Objective 1: Build an Atrium

$8 million
160-seat Dedicated Chapel
Increase Student Safety
Support Expansion Opportunities
Increase Student Support Services
Enhance STEM Programs
Consolidate Administrative Support

Objective 2: Endow Student Opportunities

Increase Endowment by $2 million
Generate $100,000 annually
Expand Assisi Scholar Program
Increase San Juan Bautista Pilgrimage Participation
Expand Student Enrichment Opportunities
(St. Clare Society)
Increase Endowed Scholarships
Enhance Student Leadership Development
Endow Mission Trip Experiences
Increase Community Outreach Opportunities
Establish and Endow School Chaplain Position

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How will the atrium addition increase student safety?

Answer: Safety will be increased in a variety of ways:

The vestibule allows student ingress and egress before and after school.
The visitor entrance during school hours will be via the atrium – allows the school to remain locked down during the day.
Limits visitor access to student areas.
Permits use off the atrium spaces independent of school functions/activities.
Increases handicap access.

Question: What are some of the key features of the chapel?

Answer: Key features include the following:

It is a dedicated chapel with a permanent alter – not a “swing” space.
Seating capacity is between 160 -180 persons.
Stained glass windows from Our Lady of the Angels High School are used in design of back wall.
A reliquary is incorporated into the Tau Cross.
The “stained glass” windows reflect our Franciscan heritage
- St. Francis of Assisi at the Cross
- St. Clare of Assisi
- St. Anthony of Padua
- St. Bonaventure
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary
- Our Lady of Guadalupe

Question: What is meant by expansion?

Answer: The project will allow Roger Bacon to reclaim 5 classrooms. This allows for either an expansion of the student population from 520 to 560 students and/or an expansion of course offerings. This includes a classroom specifically designed to support STEM programs (i.e., engineering and robotics).

Question: What about parking?

Answer: Staff parking will be in the rear parking lot. Students will park at the Fitness Center and the stadium. Crosswalk and sidewalk improvements have already been made to facilitate this change. We continue to work with the Village of St. Bernard and the City of Cincinnati to improve safety for our school community.

OBJECTIVE 1: BUILD AN ATRIUM

Chapel

Dedicated chapel – permanent alter. Not a “swing” space
160 – 180 seats
Alter based on St. Clement
3D San Damiano cross on background similar to FAC
Stained glass windows from Our Lady of the Angels used in design of back wall
Reliquary incorporated into the Tau Cross
14 Stations of the Cross from the OLA Chapel
Stained glass skylight is designed similar to the rose window at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy
“Stained glass” windows reflect our Franciscan heritage
- St. Francis of Assisi at the Cross
- St. Clare of Assisi
- St. Anthony of Padua
- St. Bonaventure
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary
- Our Lady of Guadalupe

Student Safety

Vestibule allows student ingress and egress before and after school
Visitor entrance during school hours via the atrium – allows school to remain locked down during the day
Limits visitor access to student areas
Permits use off the atrium spaces independent of school functions/activities
Increased handicap access

Supports Expansion Opportunities

Reclaims 5 classrooms
Allows for either expansion of student population (i.e., 520 to 560) and/or expansion of course offerings

Student Support Services

Redesigned Student Services offices and Intervention Specialists enhances student access
Provides more useful spaces for intervention services and counseling.

Enhance STEM Programs

Creates a classroom specifically designed to support engineering and robotics

Consolidate Administrative Support

Contains offices for the following:
- President
- Principal and administrative staff
- Admissions
- Support staff (i.e., secretaries, etc.)

OBJECTIVE 2: ENDOW STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

General

Use only interest generated to fund opportunities
Allows “gift” to be given in perpetuity

Expand Assisi Scholar Program

Premier honors program in the city
Increase mentoring opportunities in the medical, business, financial and government fields
Reinforces our Franciscan charism

Increase San Juan Bautista Pilgrimage

Opportunity for juniors who are not Assisi Scholars
Franciscan missions in California
Reinforces our Franciscan charism

Expand Student Enrichment Opportunities (St. Clare Society)

College visit programs -counselor-led college bus tours
Summer/leadership opportunities
Create technology partnerships with local businesses and universities

Increase Endowed Scholarships

30% of students live at poverty or below levels
Admit students regardless of ability to pay

Enhance Student Leadership Development

Provide Community Outreach Board and Student Leadership Organizations (i.e, Senate, Senior Leaders, etc.) with:
- team building activities (i.e., Camp Campbell Guard)
- theological reflection
- organizational skills
- communication skills
- inspiring/motivational activities
- endowed retreats

Endow Mission Trip Experiences

International and domestic

Increase Community Outreach Opportunities

Develop partnerships with families in Catholic parishes
Partner with other Franciscan schools (i.e., Oldenburg Academy; Padua)
Grow mentoring programs with elementary schools
Expand class-wide service opportunities within the framework of the school day

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER,

we thank You for all the

blessing You have bestowed

on our school family.

May our lives reflect Your faithfulness

and witness to Your unfailing love.

Guide us in our work together,

that all we may do be for Your glory.

Send Your Holy Spirit upon us

and open our hearts to generously

respond to Your call.

Keep us ever mindful of the

mission and purpose of our school.

Our Lady of the Angels and

Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi,

pray for us.

Amen.