Bishop Timon announces its plans for the future

SOUTH BUFFALO - As part of a day-long celebration of their patron, St. Francis of Assisi, the Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School community announced its strategic vision and proposed capital improvement projects.

The school community of faculty, staff and students, as well as newly installed Bishop Richard Malone, community leaders and strategic partners gathered to celebrate the momentous occasion.

James Tilley, trustee and chair of the Celebrating Our Mission…Partnering for the Future ,announced the capital campaign to raise funds to implement the strategic vision.

The Celebrating Our Mission…Partnering for the Future campaign is designed to advance Timon into the future and provide the resources and support necessary for the school to reach new levels of excellence in every aspect of school life. Celebrating Our Mission…Partnering for the Future will address the following needs: New and improved athletics facilities; building improvements; tuition assistance and scholarships; and curriculum integrated technology upgrades, which has already been implemented with the issuance of laptop computers for each student at the commencement of the current school year.

In his presentation to the Timon community and honored guests, Tilley explained: “The athletic program at Timon has a strong history of success through every generation of Timon students. Timon’s athletic program provides students with the opportunity to compete at a championship level, while learning the essential life lessons of teamwork and persistence. The planned improvements include: new fitness center, which will include a state-of-the-art weight room, locker rooms, coaches’ offices and film room; an on-site turf field which will allow for year-round training opportunities for the entire Timon community; and improved lockers and common areas for students. Construction of the new facility is planned for 2013.”

Celebrating Our Mission…Partnering for the Future will also address the following improvements to the physical plant: renovated restroom facilities; upgrade mechanical equipment; renovated lobby; and provide handicapped access to the building.

The Celebrating Our Mission…Partnering for the Future campaign seeks to make funds available for tuition assistance and scholarships, which will assist Timon’s families and create new opportunities to attract students and increase enrollment. Plans for these funds include: the establishment of the Franciscan Discretionary fund, which will be reserved for families who have a history of meeting their tuition obligation but, because of a change in their financial obligation – such as loss of a job, are unable pay their tuition; and expanding the scholarship opportunities available to the most promising students in Western New York.

Two years ago Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School and Canisius College entered into a unique partnership which will change the educational landscape of high school education offered at Timon through the integration of technology across the curriculum. The primary outcomes of this partnership will: allow for on-going professional development opportunities for all teachers, especially in the area of writing across the curriculum; provide every student at Timon with a laptop computer; allow for all student work to be completed online and make Timon paperless within five years; provide the resources necessary to start a Learning Lab at Timon; and insert graduate level students at Timon to assist teachers in creating technology rich lessons.

Thomas Sullivan, principal, added “This is a defining moment in Timon’s rich tradition. Today’s announcement represents the diligent work of a number of key partners: our board of trustees, faculty, staff and strategic partners within the Western New York community. Timon is committed to sustaining our mission and ministry by providing an affordable Catholic education to the community.”