Campaign Accomplishments - Partial List
Renovated and Modernized our Classroom Building and Hurley Hall
A top campaign priority is to complete the renovation and modernization of O’Dowd’s academic facilities by August of 2010 focusing on the heart of the school’s work: curriculum and instruction. While our classroom building was state-of-the-art in the ‘50s, the 21st Century requires much more to optimize student achievement of the skills essential for success in a global, collaborative, high-tech world. The school leadership recognizes that great teachers and superb curriculum are more important than beautiful and functional classrooms, but it is clear that O’Dowd owes it to the community to complete the important project begun in 2006 to remodel the academic buildings and all 45 classrooms and science and computer laboratories.
To date we have remodeled 26 of our 45 classrooms. The renovation of these academic facilities included new windows, radiators, and window coverings, paint, exterior doors, new desks, floor-to-ceiling tack boards, and built-in bookcases and cabinets.
Constructed and Equipped our AP Chemistry Laboratory and Classroom
The centerpiece of the academic facilities rebuild is the development of a new chemistry laboratory/classroom with state-of the-art equipment, furnishings and technology, along with the creation of new curriculum to maximize the utilization of the new room.
The recently completed conversion and upgrade of two adjacent standard classrooms into a large fully equipped chemistry laboratory/classroom has increased efficiency, ensured that all of our chemistry students now have appropriate space to do the lab work, and enabled us to accommodate at least one additional chemistry section so that even more students can take chemistry. Finally, our Advance Placement Chemistry program now has a state-of-the-art facility. With its extensive lab-based experiments and experiences, AP Chemistry permits O’Dowd students to specialize in this lab science by taking two or three years of it, giving them a distinct advantage when entering UC or any other college or university.
Installed Field Lights on all our Outdoor Athletics Facilities
Originally inaugurated by the
Friends of the Dragon, the “Light the Night” project was aimed at significantly increasing the time the school’s practice facilities would be available to the approximately 500 students who practice and compete in sports on our outdoor fields. By installing eight light towers that now provide lighting to both the upper and lower playing fields, team practices on weekdays and on weekends from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. when sunlight is not adequate, are now possible.
Supported Crucial Curricular and Co-curricular programs
Ongoing gifts to the Bishop O’Dowd High School Annual Fund have strengthened and improved school-wide programs through increased operational support. Our goal has been to assure maximum immersion in the intellectual, cultural, physical, and spiritual life of the region as a means of developing our students’ and graduates’ capacity for leadership and service to the community. Annual Fund gifts have underwritten a variety of people and programs at the school. They have assisted in attracting and retaining accomplished faculty members, as well as aiding their professional development; operating full schedules of athletics, performing and visual arts, forensics, service, and student club activities; and conducting a vibrant campus ministry effort. Finally, the Annual Fund is integral to supplying needed scholarship assistance to deserving students at O’Dowd.
The fact that tuition does not pay the total cost of a comprehensive and well-rounded O’Dowd education emphasizes the need for generous operations support to realize O’Dowd’s full potential and promise and the achievement of its vision for each and every student.
For information on
"Ways to Give"
to the Renaissance Campaign.