From: Jack Altenburger
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 3:35 PM
To: Diocesan Schools -- All
Subject: Principals' Bulletin, 9-28-07

Attachments: Caution re. Alcopops.doc; Caution re. Inhalant.doc

 

 

DIOCESE OF TOLEDO

PRINCIPALS’ BULLETIN

SEPTEMBER 28, 2007

 

 

 

Cyss.org    ~    Calendar    ~    Principals’ Web Page    ~     Forms Due Web Page

 

 

 

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT…

 

 

Bishop’s Meeting with Priests:

Principals may have heard that Bishop Blair will be meeting with the Priests of the Diocese.  From time to time, he gathers the priests to discuss pertinent topics.  Our schools certainly are an appropriate topic!  In his letter to the priests (all of them, not just pastors with schools), the Bishop proposed the following topic “Guaranteeing the Viability and Vitality of our Schools.”  Seven meetings have been scheduled during October and November, one in each region.  (Because of its size, the metro-Toledo region will have two meetings.)  I will be a part of those meetings, but most of each meeting will consist of a conversation between the Bishop and his Priests.

 

 

Board Training:

Some principals will remember the workshop last February facilitated by two representatives from the N.C.E.A.  Dr. Regina Haney, the Executive Director of the National Association of Boards, Commissions & Councils of Catholic Education (part of the National Catholic Educational Association) is coming back to our diocese.

 

Dr. Haney is scheduled to facilitate a retreat for the board members of the Norwalk Catholic School on Saturday, October 20.  I asked her to come a day early to do another workshop.

 

This workshop will be focused on new models of governance in Catholic schools.  More and more of our schools now have governing boards as opposed to traditional parish school advisory councils.  Some are involved with K-12 schools, some are high school boards.  This workshop will be a training session for members of those types of boards.  It will be beneficial also for those schools considering this type of governing structure for the future.

 

This is short notification, but we just confirmed Dr. Haney’s availability.  Some additional details are below:

 

The workshop is scheduled for Friday, October 19 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Gathering Center, 510 Columbus Ave. in Sandusky.   I realize that is a work day.  But perhaps a 1:00 – 5:00 time period may allow some to work a half day and still get home after the workshop in time for Friday evening activities

 

Below is a tentative agenda for October 19:

  • Elements of a successful and effective Catholic School Governing Board
    • Purpose
    • Responsibilities
    • Authority
    • Setting goals
    • Committee structure
    • Membership
    • Functioning as a team
  • Discussion and sharing
  • Questions and answers

 

One other important item – This workshop is offered at NO COST to the participants.

 

As soon as you can, please let me know if you are interested in having some or all of your board members attend.  Certainly pastors, local superintendents/presidents, and principals are welcome as well.

 

 

LICENSE APPLICATIONS:

The Ohio Department of Education will no longer accept outdated applications from educators.  The most current applications will be available at the Diocesan Professional Development update meetings October 2 and 16, or they can be downloaded and photocopied from the ODE link below.

http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=513&ContentID=1026&Content=32131

 

 

ENTRY YEAR REGISTRATION:

If you have not registered your teacher for the Praxis III Entry Year Program, please do so via the “Educator Profile” which can be found on the CYSS web site Teacher’s Page at http://www.cyss.org/schools/EntryYrTeachProfile0708.doc  This paperwork, along with the educator’s two-year license and copy of the contract, must be sent to Vicki Fitts at the CYSS office.  The educator must also attend an Entry Year Orientation.  The dates of the orientation are available on the CYSS website at http://www.cyss.org/schools/PRAXIS3EntryYearOrientation0708.pdf

 

 

TESTING REMINDERS:

Good luck and few reminders as students begin tests next week:

 

Scantron:       

Schools will administer the Scantron Reading and Math Performance Tests to students in Grades 3-8.  Test administration window is Monday, October 1 – Friday, November 2.

           

ACRE:

Administer the ACRE Religion Tests (grades 5, 8, 12)  Test administration window is Monday, October 8 to Friday, October 19. (Make up week is October 22-26)  Schools will return the ACRE answer sheets to ACRE via UPS or Fed Ex.  DO NOT U.S. MAIL.  Invoices will be sent to schools from CYSS.  ACRE test results will be sent to the schools approximately two weeks after the receipt of the answer sheets by ACRE.

 

Writing Competency:

Teachers will administer the Writing Competency Test to students is Grades 4, 6, and 8 during the week of Monday, October 8 to Friday, October 19.  (Make up week is October 22-26.)  The testing Manuals for administering the test can be found on the Teachers’ Page on the CYSS website.  Please note:  The grade 4 manual states on page 3 under General Instructions:  “Students are to write a paragraph with a maximum of two pages.”  The use of the word “paragraph” was intentional.  We would prefer a well constructed paragraph or two rather than two pages of “and then and then…”  Teacher instructions can guide them to this end.

 

Student ID Labels for the writing test will be sent via next Wednesday’s school mail.  Please pass them on to the appropriate grade level teachers.  If you have questions, please email Tami Kwiatkowski at tkwiatkowski@toledodiocese.org.  Schools should send the completed Writing tests to CYSS by Friday, Nov. 2.

 

OGT:                                     

High School students in grades 11, 12 will take the OGT test October 22 to November 4.

 

 

MISLEADING ADVERTISING:

Attached are two articles regarding concerns about misleading advertising targeting youth:

  • Alcohol, Energy Drinks, and Youth:  A Dangerous Mix
  • NIPC Inhalant Action Alert: Wendy’s Recent Helium Huffing Ad

 

 

NCEA Data Bank School Summary:

The NCEA report is now available in an electronic spreadsheet form.  We have posted this form on the “Forms Due” webpage on cyss.org, along with instructions for processing.  Please download and email completed report to Shari Beier at CYSS by Friday, October 19th.  Questions, contact Shari Beier at CYSS.

 

 

Catholic Conference OF OHIO – Standard School Survey:

The on-line Standard School Survey is ready for data input.  This on-line survey and directions can be found on the “Forms Due” webpage on cyss.org.  Please complete by Friday, October 19th.  Questions, contact Shari Beier at CYSS.

 

 

“OLD NEWSBOYS” VOUCHERS (METRO-TOLEDO SCHOOLS):

As in past years, the “Old Newsboys Goodfellow Association” of Toledo will provide vouchers for coats and shoes for school children (K-12) of needy families in the metro-Toledo area.  Metro-Toledo principals will receive a cover letter and guideline in next Wednesday’s regular mail.  The contact person at CYSS will be Mary Chalmers, 419-244-6711, ext. 621.