Attachment - Initiative 2010 Mission, Vision, Goals
DIOCESE
OF
PRINCIPALS’
BULLETIN
JANUARY
25, 2008
Cyss.org
~ Calendar
~ Principals’ Web Page
~ Forms Due Web Page
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT…
HAPPY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK!
The theme “Catholic Schools Light the Way!” is certainly appropriate. Many thanks go to you as leaders in your school! Your dedication and hard work every day keeps the light of Catholic education burning brightly in your school community. The role you play in vitally important. Please know that all of us at CYSS appreciate all that you do!
REGIONAL PRINCIPALS’
MEETINGS – FOLLOW UP:
After the regional principals’ meetings, I sent information to Bishop Blair for his review The following is a summary: (Note: the Mission, Vision, Goals and a summary of the original Summit held in 2005 was a part of a handout distributed at the Regional Meetings. The Bishop was given that handout as well. It is attached if you need a copy.)
DIOCESE OF
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS INITIATIVE 2010
Since the original Summit in 2005,
many of the efforts centered on collaboration efforts involving two or more
schools working together to chart their common future. At the present, we have a number of new
configurations with new governing structures as well. Efforts in
However, I believe it is now time
to focus on some of the other goals that came out of the original Summit that
call for work “inside the walls” of the classroom. The Mission Statement that was developed at
the
The regional meetings of Bishop Blair with the priests of the diocese
clearly emphasized the importance of the Catholic identity of our schools. It is clear that the “Catholicity” of our
schools is of primary importance to priests.
Schools need to demonstrate their effectiveness of passing on the faith
to students. This seems to be calling us
to focus on specifically what is happening in the classroom with the students.
In addition, the CYSS “Innovative Educators” effort is being
re-evaluated. Innovative Educators has
been an initiative of our office for the past ten years. It is led by two of our CYSS staff – Ann
Sardeson and Kathy Tarashke. They both do considerable work directly with
teachers. Their efforts are based on the
latest research on how students learn best.
Innovative Educators has been very successful, but we feel it is time to
look at its future. We feel it can be
important to our focus “inside the classroom walls” of our Catholic schools.
Our logo and our Credo are shown below. Both are key elements as well.
CREDO:
As
We believe our
We believe those entrusted to us are not only students, but children of God;
We believe we are not only educators, but Ministers of the Gospel;
We believe the values we teach are not only character development, but a call to Holiness;
We believe our courses of study are not only academic pursuits, but a search for Truth;
We believe the purpose of education is not only for personal gain and the development of society, but for the Transformation of the world.
Recently, our CYSS staff met with
all of our principals across the diocese.
I presented the above to them and challenged them to renew their focus
on what is happening inside the classroom to provide both excellent academics
and to pass on the faith to our students.
To emphasize how the Credo and our logo can “come alive” in our schools,
we concluded with a video. This video
was put together by nine “model teachers” who have been key participants in our
Innovative Educators efforts. The video
provides a starting point for the next step.
After showing them the video, I told the principals that I do not
envision another
Specifically, I see a need for another two-day gathering with the following elements:
· We will focus on “inside the walls”, not “outside the walls”
· It will involve both elementary and high schools.
· It is not necessary for all schools to meet in the same place at the same time. I suggested two two-day summer meetings during this coming summer and two more during the summer of 2009. Schools can choose either of the 2008 meetings or either of the 2009 meetings.
· Because the focus will be on what happens in the classroom, schools will be asked to send teams made up of administrators and teachers.
· Our working title is: “Catholic Educators’ Academy”
· I asked Principals to give all this some thought. We will plan on more discussion and planning at our Spring Principals’ Meeting this coming April.
I expect that this work will have direct impact on professional development offerings to be planned by CYSS for Principals and for K-12 teachers. It will also impact our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year principals program, our “New Teacher Minister Orientation” program, the diocesan Catholic Educators’ Conference, etc.
I also expect partnerships with Catholic colleges and universities can be developed to provide college courses, programs, expertise, resources, etc.
In addition, there is direct correlation with our Ohio Catholic Schools Accreditation – especially the Catholic Identity goal required of all schools.
PRAYER SERVICE
FOLLOW-UP:
Many of you asked for information about the music used in the opening prayer service for the Regional Principal Meetings last week. The opening song was called, “The Deer’s Cry” and it was sung by Rita Connolly. It is from The Pilgrim, a CD by Shaun Davey. The closing song was “Hallelujah,” sung by Kathy Trocolli from her Sounds of Heaven CD. The website for the video “A Good Day,” was www.gratefulness.org
The Religious Education Department has school performance
data on the NCEA ACRE tests from 2002 to 2007.
Principals can request these reports for their schools by contacting
LICENSURE SURVEY
FOR STAKEHOLDER FOCUS:
The following is a communication that we have received from ODE’s Center for Teaching Profession.
Dear Colleagues,
Between Monday, January 14, 2008, and Monday, February 4, 2008, you can
tell the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) what you think about two
licensure grade band proposals from Birth through Grade 12 by taking our brief
survey
on the ODE Web site. Click here to access details and the survey - http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=283
The two proposals are the result of key stakeholder feedback (Including
representatives from institutions of higher education, state agencies,
public schools, private schools, teacher unions, professional educational
organizations, and early childhood organizations) to re-examine Ohio's teacher
licensing system. It is important that a diverse set of stakeholders have a
voice in this work. The process to
re-examine
21st
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ISTE's recently refreshed National Educational Standards for Students, focuses on 21st Century skills for students. Used comprehensively, technology helps students develop these skills. These standards and additional resources can be found at:
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/For_Students/NETS_S.htm
FREE PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT WEBINARS:
Free professional development without leaving the comfort of your office! Educational Testing Services is offering free one hour webinars with well-known educators on a variety of topics that may be of interest to you and your teachers. Registration is easy and there are choices of dates available. Registration information and other details will be sent in a separate e-mail along with this Bulletin.