Attachments: Prayer Resource

DIOCESE OF TOLEDO

PRINCIPALS’ BULLETIN

NOVEMBER 2, 2007

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FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT…

Some follow-up items from our Principals’ Institute at Sawmill Creek:

• Principals’ Handbook:  Please review Section 1000 of the Principals’ Handbook.  Your feedback will be appreciated.
• Immediate Communications System:  Schools that are interested in subscribing to the “Instant Alert” System presented by Duane Dickey of Honeywell need to email him indicating your interest and the number of students and staff in your school.  Please also copy Mike Beier at CYSS on your email so that CYSS will also have an idea of how many schools are interested.  Duane’s email address is duane.dickey@honeywell.com
• School Marketing:  Principals received a folder with marketing information in it.  Please take the time to look it over.  If you see any errors regarding your school information, or in general, please notify Carolyn Schmidbauer at CYSS or Colleen Buckman from the Communications Department.  CYSS will be getting back to you in the near future regarding pricing of the folders and the insert material.
• On-Line Content Management Tool: CYSS’ Moodle As discussed at the Principals’ Institute, we have been promoting the use of online tools beginning with Blackboard in the spring of 2004 to our current Open Source program, Moodle.  A number of schools are joining the effort to see how this online tool can support what happens in their classrooms (hybrid format), along with collaborating across the diocese and beyond! If you would like a practice Moodle course shell to explore with your teachers and/or setup a “how to” session with your staff, contact Shari Beier at CYSS.
• NIMS Compliance Tests:  Principals should go to the website that was listed in the training packet from Toledo Fire and Police Departments (pg. 7) for NIMS 700 and 100 Courses and take the tests.  When you have completed these online tests you can print out the certificate and add it to your Emergency Planning Folder.

BLACK CATHOLIC HISTORY MONTH:

November is Black Catholic History Month.  Since 1990, the National Black Catholic Congress, the USCCB and the African American Catholic Bishops have designated November as Black Catholic History Month with All Saints Day and the feast of St. Martin de Porres.   This month is a time to proclaim and celebrate the marvelous ways the Lord continues to work in and through people of African descent.  During this month and in February, take time to focus on the contributions and gifts of our African American Catholic Community.  Attached is a copy of a prayer resource that can be adapted for your group.  Check out some other resources on the website for the Secretariat for Pastoral Leadership at www.toledodiocese-spl.org.

If you need further assistance, contact Michael Youngblood at the Diocese of Toledo,

Black Catholic Ministry 419-244-6711 ext. 511/515, myoungblood@toledodiocese.org

TESTING:

Scantron:

All schools should be finished with testing students in the Scantron Performance Series.  If that is not the case, please email Carolyn Schmidbauer as to where you are with student testing.

Scantron In-service:

If you have not yet registered two people from your school to attend the Scantron Training the week of November 12-16, please call Mary Chalmers at 419-244-6711, ext. 621.  She will let you know which sites and times still have open slots for participants.

Earlier this week principals were sent the topics that were posted on the wall at Sawmill asking for input and questions as we finish preparation for this in-service.  Please share these topics with those in your building who might have additional questions/suggestions and send that back to Carolyn Schmidbauer or Shari Beier as soon as possible.

Writing Competency:  Completed tests should be sent to CYSS.  Please identify tests by grade level as well as school when sending them.  Schools should not send the “Master Code List” with students’ names and ID numbers with the tests.  This code list should be retained at your school.

ACRE Test:  Please 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.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION – EDUCATOR CONDUCT SEARCH:

Beginning Thursday, November 1, there is a new link on the Ohio Department of Education webpage called Educator Conduct Search.  The search form allows citizens to access a database of a small subset of educators subjected to disciplinary actions since the Office of Professional Conduct was created in 1999.  There is another link from that page which will take you to a page with further explanation of what is meant by “Office of Professional Conduct” and their procedures when denying an applicant a license or in dealing with reports of behavior unbecoming of a person in the teaching profession.  You will find the Educator Conduct Search link on ODE’s homepage under the heading at the bottom of the page entitle “Other Popular Links.”  http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=267

ENTRY YEAR TEACHER REGISTRATION:

Principals please make sure that all Entry Year Teachers have submitted their “Entry Year Profile” along with a copy of their two-year provisional license and their contract to Vicki Fitts at CYSS.  The deadline for Entry Year registration is approaching and we want to make sure that we have everyone registered who needs to be.  The only way CYSS knows that there is an entry year teacher in your building is through the “Entry Year Profile.”  If you or your Entry Year Teacher has any questions, please call Vicki Fitts as soon as possible.