Volume 6, Issue 18
April 14, 2008
Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
Please pray for a successful and safe visit to America for our Holy Father. I am excited about the visit and will share with you over the coming month and next school year the experiences I had and how we can implement the message the Holy Father will share with the Superintendents and other educators who have been invited. This is a graced moment in time for our country and for all of us who share in the mission of Catholic education, and I am privileged to participate and to carry you in prayer to Washington , D.C.
NOVENA FOR THE APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
TO THE UNITED STATES APRIL 15-20, 2008
Heavenly Father, Look with love upon Benedict our Pope,
Your appointed successor to Saint Peter
on whom You built Your Church.
May his apostolic journey to the United States
be a source of hope for Your people
and inspire within us a lively faith.
Father, instill in your people a greater love for Your Church.
May this visit of our Holy Father
fill us with grace and transform our lives.
May it lead us ever closer to the new life
You give us and to the reward of Heavenly Life
promised in the Gospel.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
1. For The Papal Visit
The website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops contains numerous articles and resources on the Papal Visit. These can be accessed at www.uspapalvisit.org http://www.uspapalvisit.org/. Please be sure to note the left hand column that contains a link to Teaching Resources developed by the Archdiocese of Washington. These contain resource guides for teachers, catechists, and youth ministers that focus on different age levels and are printed in both English and Spanish. If you wish to go directly to these guides, you may do so at http://www.adw.org/papalvisit/parish_lesson.asp.
Other resources from the Archdiocese of Washington can be found at http://www.adw.org/papalvisit/index.asp.
The Archdiocese of New York also has information that may be helpful. This can be accessed at http://www.archny.org/papalvisit.
Catechesis on the papacy is an integral part of planning for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States in April. The Archdiocese of Washington, in collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis, has created resource guides to support the work of teachers, catechists and youth ministers. These materials offer direction and referenced suggestions for the development of two to five hours of grade appropriate and parish/school appropriate lessons focused on the papacy and the papal visit. They also include material suitable for adults.
We encourage teachers to utilize these resource guides to create lesson plans designed to address the learning needs of each individual class or group, with attention to age, ability, culture, religion, current religion curriculum and prior knowledge regarding the papacy. Teachers and catechists will establish the goals and learning outcomes for each lesson with the approval of their principal or catechetical leader. Unlike more comprehensive lesson plans and study guides, these resource guides are for use in the development of lessons by catechists, teachers and youth ministers. All are encouraged to browse materials beyond the particular age level they serve.
The first and primary resource is the document titled “Core Theology on the Papacy.” This provides, in a question-and-answer format, the core theological realities under three sections: The Ministry of the Pope, The Present Pontiff and The Pope as Bishop. This material serves as theological background for each of the resource guides and should be read first. It is particularly useful for adults seeking to learn more about the papacy.
Catechetical Materials – Available at http://www.uspapalvisit.org/catechetical/index.htm
Core Theology on the Papacy
Resources (Grades K-2)
Resources (Grades 3-5)
Resources (Grades 6-8)
Resources (Grades 9-12)
Resources (RCIA, Teens)
Within each level are materials on topics such as:
• Who is Peter?
• Who is Pope Benedict XVI?
• What is the Mission of the Pope?
• Why is this Visit Important?
PowerPoint Presentations
Universality of the Papacy
Pope Benedict XVI
Saint Peter - Recommended for grades 9-12.
2. National Environmental Education Week (EE WEEK)
The largest organized environmental education event in the United States will take place from April 13 to 19, 2008 . Encourage your school to increase the educational impact of Earth Day by hosting environmentally themed lessons and activities during EE Week. Last year, nearly 1,500 schools, nature centers, zoos, and museums nationwide participated and served over 3.5 million students. By participating in EE Week, you encourage your students to make a difference in their schools, homes, and communities! Log on to www.EEWeek.org to register. Email Karen Schultz at EEWeek@neefusa.org or call (202) 261-6484 with any questions.
3. Vatican Splendors Exhibit
Experience 2,000 years of Vatican art and history, Michelangelo items and works by Bernini, Giotto, and others. Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Swiss Guard features approximately 200 works of art and historically significant objects, many of which have never left the Vatican . The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections that illustrate the evolution of the Church and its papacy beginning with Saint Peter through the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, with special emphasis on the founding 500 years ago of the Renaissance (current) Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Papal Swiss Guard and the Vatican Museums. The objects are presented in galleries and recreated environments that enhance the visitor's understanding of their historical and artistic significance.
Exhibition designers want visitors to feel transported to the Vatican , from the underground catacombs where the remains of Saint Peter were discovered to the magnificent papal chambers found above ground. From the sights and sounds of the grand Basilica to a touchable cast of John Paul II’s hand, the exhibition is a multi-sensory experience.
The Vatican Splendors exhibition will be on display at the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland , Ohio beginning May 31, 2008 until Labor Day 2008. Check the WRHS website for announcements on availability of advance purchase tickets.
http://www.wrhs.org is the website, an excellent way to prepare for a visit to the exhibits! For advance group discount information and reservations, contact sales@TicketsForGroups.com or call 800-840-1157. The Western Reserve Historical Society is located at 10825 East Boulevard , Cleveland , OH 44106 . http://www.vaticansplendors.com/about/(Tour of the Planned Exhibit)
http://www.vaticansplendors.com/en/cms/?67 (Teacher Guide in pdf and word form)
4. Volunteers Needed for Vatican Exhibit!
The Western Reserve Historical Society is anticipating over 150,000 visitors to this exhibit. High school students, preferably 16 or older, can earn service hours and other interested individuals can participate in a once in a lifetime experience. A one-day a week commitment can make a great difference in the success of the exhibit. In addition, we can show the great hospitality Cleveland has to offer! If you, your students or parents are interested, please contact Becky Carlino at bcarlino@wrhs.org or call her at 216.721.5722 extension 274 directly.
5. Director, Ohio Catholic Schools Accrediting Association
The Catholic Conference of Ohio seeks qualified applicants for the position of Director of the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association (OCSAA). The director plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the Ohio OCSAA. The director is accountable to the Executive Director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio and the OCSAA Commission. Applicants should have: a minimum of three (3) years administrative experience in Catholic schools; a graduate degree in education or related field; knowledge of school improvement planning; strong organizational skills; demonstrated ability in communication, financial management and reporting, and public relations. The position also requires computer skills, including working knowledge of Word, Excel, etc. The position is based at the Catholic Conference Office in Columbus and will begin no later than July 1, 2008 .
Submit letter of interest, resume, three references, and salary history by May 1 via e-mail to cjurkowitz@ohiocathconf.org, or mail to: Carolyn Jurkowitz, Catholic Conference of Ohio, 9 East Long St. , #201, Columbus , OH 43215
6. Safe Environment Compliance Form
Please keep track of all offerings you provide your parents and students on the topic of child safety and abuse prevention. These dates and programs will need to be documented on the annual Safe Environment Compliance Form due at the OCE by May 30, 2008 for the annual program audit.
7. Protecting God’s Children Reminders
Implementation of the policy Protecting God’s Children requires that all staff be trained in the identification and referral of any child who is suspected of having been abused. As you know, the Virtus training and BCI check fulfills this mandate. However, the policy also stipulates that abuse prevention training be included in our curriculum and programming for students pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. To insure that staff remains vigilant in protecting children, we recommend the following actions:
- Complete BCI checks on all staff and volunteers.
- Insure all staff compliance with Virtus training requirements.
- Publish in your faculty and staff handbooks the school’s guidelines for making referrals.
- Publish in your student handbooks a procedure for students to follow to alert an adult about abuse.
- Commemorate the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention month with parent, teacher and student activities.
- Insure staff teaches safety training in the Health curriculum.
8. Round 1 Diocesan Tuition Process
Round 1 of the DTA Award process is underway. PSAS processed 7,566 Round-1 applications from the eight counties within our Diocese for DTA. There are 968 more applications in Round 1 than last year. The total assistance need for Round 1 is about $26 million.
Enrollment verification and awards lists will be faxed to your schools in the next few weeks. Letters to families will be sent after we receive your verification forms back at the OCE.
A Reminder that the deadline for PSAS forms for Round 2 is June 1, 2008 .
9. Reminder About the EdChoice Scholarship Application Period
The EdChoice Scholarship application deadline is Friday, April 18, 2008 .
10. Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program
The legislated amount of $3,450 for the CSTP scholarship has not changed. Families continue to receive either 90% or 75% of this legislated amount.
CSTP amount may come up for discussion in the legislature; however, IF there is an increase it would not apply to 2008-2009 school year.
11. Our BEST Source of Information About School Choice!
If you enroll students with EdChoice Scholarships and/or Cleveland vouchers/CSTP, your best and most accurate sources of information are the EdChoice Office (614-466-5677) and the CSTP Office (216-787-5680).
Independent “school choice” groups—although very well-intentioned-- sometimes publish misinformation to parents about Catholic Schools and the EdChoice program. It is critical that parents realize the school choice groups are not the same operation as the EdChoice Program and that they do not speak for Catholic schools.
Should you or your parents receive a waver to sign from a school choice group, the Catholic Conference of Ohio strongly advises that you/they not sign it.
12. August Reflection Day for Teachers
The Jesuit Retreat House will be offering a Day for Teachers on Wednesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 21, 2008 . Each day will begin at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and pastry and end with Liturgy by 2:00 p.m. The cost is $20 per person. Fr. Tom Ryan, SJ will use as his theme, “The Ministry of Teaching.” Join other teachers for lunch and conversation, some quiet time, a walk in the woods and prayer before beginning another busy school year. You can register on-line at www.jrh-cleveland.org or call 440-884-9300. JRH is located at 5629 State Rd. , Cleveland , OH 44134 .
Fr. Ryan is a veteran theology teacher and has been a Campus Minister at 3 Jesuit high schools. He is currently teaching and doing university ministry at Regis University in Denver . Fr. Ryan will be joining the JRH retreat team in August.
13. Spring Workshop for Librarians
TheNorthern Ohio Chapter of the Catholic Library Associationinvites librarians and social studies teachers to a Spring Workshop on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at:
The Western Reserve Historical Society
Registration: 12:30 – 1:00
Workshop: 1:00 until 4:00
Children and young adult librarians will give talks on the latest historical fiction and non-fiction books for library collections and social studies classes. The Western Reserve Historical Society staff will preview their offerings. There will also be an opportunity to share with colleagues and tour the museum that houses a nationally renowned collection of antique automobiles. Join the Northern Ohio Chapter of the CLA for an historical afternoon. For more information or to register contact bkelly@magnificaths.org
14. Toyota International High School Teacher Program
– Galapagos Islands Study Tour
The 2008 Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands will take place November 22- December 6, 2008 . This includes travel time, two-night pre-departure orientation, and 12 nights in Ecuador . Direct costs of participation (transportation, lodging, meals and all program activities) will be paid by Toyota . While on the Galapagos Islands , program participants will have the unique opportunity to work in groups with Galapagueño teachers on the design of interdisciplinary environmental lessons. These lessons will be shared with the education community.
The Galapagos Islands , a designated World Heritage site, are located 1000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean . This isolated island chain is home to some of the world’s most unique animals and ecosystems. With a population of over 28,000 people living on 3% of the land, and host to more than 60,000 visitors per year, the islands are at the forefront of the study of environmental sustainability, stewardship and the delicate balance of humans and nature.
After an oil spill in 2001, World Wildlife Fund, in partnership with Toyota , developed the Galapagos Energy Blueprint. This blueprint aims to transform all energy systems to sustainable, renewable energy sources and clean technologies. Toyota has also funded renewable energy workshops for teachers in the Galapagos and is proud to offer American educators an opportunity to study this remarkable ecosystem.
Past participants have been able to integrate this experience into their classrooms in a variety of ways. Thirty secondary school teachers of all subjects and teacher-librarians will be selected to participate this year. Teachers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are encouraged to apply.
Go to: http://www.iie.org/programs/toyota/galapagos/galapagos_main_w_links.html and click on the application and other information titles. The paper portion and online portion of the application are due to IIE no later than May 9, 2008. All applicants will be notified of their status by the middle of June. Please allow time for delivery.
15. “Catholic Past” Workshop at JCU-Middle and High School Teachers
John Carroll University Institute of Humanities and Institute of Catholic Studies is jointly sponsoring the “Catholic Past” Workshop for middle and high school teachers this summer, July 7-11. The purpose of the Workshop is to bring teachers and college faculty together to examine topics of Catholic history that are often misunderstood and misinterpreted. There are two major features of the workshop.
1) This study of the past is not to encourage a “return” to any past. Topics will be discussed with historical honesty and fidelity to cultural contexts, without other agenda or unscholarly emphasis on low or high points, and with proper emphasis on continuities and adaptations of past traditions to modern times.
2) The Workshop’s format is based on the premise that teachers at all levels––middle, high school, and university––are colleagues. Following presentations by university scholars, discussions will emphasize the equality of all participants and the common mission we share––to understand and teach the Catholic past with accuracy and integrity. Catholic schoolteachers’ cost is $350 (without graduate credits) that will include continental breakfast, lunch, and readings. For more information contact: W.F. Ryan, 216.397.4780 or humanities@jcu.edu
Sessions: Monday-Friday, 9:30 am and 1:30 pm
Coffee & rolls daily at 8:30 am , lunch 12:00-1:30 pm .
Schedule:
July 7 Christians & Heretics: Paul to Augustine
July 8 Medieval Views on Muslims & Jews
July 9 Women & the Church: Not Merely ‘others’
Evening: St. Andrew’s Benedictine Abbey
July 10 Papists or Real Americans? 1800-2008
July 11 Roundtable: “Teaching the Catholic Past”
16. Science is Fun! Family Day, May 3, 2008 ,
The Center for Science and Mathematics Education invites you to join them for Science is Fun! Family Day, Saturday, May 3, 2008, 10:00am-4:00pm, Nord Hall 310, Case Western Reserve University.Introducing Immersion Presents: Expedition to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary http://www.immersionpresents.org. View broadcasts from the largest California national marine sanctuary. Come for hands-on science fun, friendly competitions, and cool science demonstrations throughout the day! Please call to make reservations: 216.368.5075 or email: kmk21@case.edu. This event is free and open to people of all ages!!
17. Brain POP
Last year schools were given the opportunity to collaborate in a group buying effort and purchase a subscription to BrainPOP at a reduced rate. We are offering this service again. The cost for BrainPOP Jr. is $1.10 per student for an annual subscription, and BrainPOP is $1.79 per student. BrainPOP Jr. is geared towards students in K-2, and BrainPOP is geared towards grades 3-8.
All orders and payment must be received by Wednesday April 16th. Download an order form at www.oce-ocs.org/oce/teachers/edtech.
18. Curriculum Mapping Date Change
Due to a change in Vendor Day, 2008, please note the following calendar updates:
-Curriculum Mapping to Improve Instruction, Eastern Area - October 9, 2008(originally scheduled for October 16th)
-Curriculum Mapping to Improve Instruction, Southern Area - October 10, 2008 (originally scheduled for October 17th)
The Curriculum Mapping to Improve Instruction events for the Western Area and Cleveland Area schools, scheduled for October 23rd and 24th, remain unaffected.
Please be sure to reference these date changes when developing your own school calendar.
19.Curriculum Mapping, April 2008
The next Curriculum Mapping Sessions are April 17 and 18. The topic is School-Wide Action Planning for Continuance of Curriculum Mapping. Each school is asked to bring a copy of the most recent School Improvement Plan. Also, in order for these sessions to be most effective, we are requesting that at least one school administrator attend the session with your teachers.
For more information on mapping and for Curriculum Mapping resources, please visit www.oce-ocs.org/oce/teachers/curr_mapping
20. Free U.S. Department of Education Publications
The U.S. Department of Education’s web site has undergone an extensive redesign. It combines bold colors, strong lines and a greater amount of “white space” to give it an eye-catching, modern look. The shopping process has been improved. Please visit the web site at: http://edpubs.ed.gov to see for yourself. If you have any problems or questions, please feel free to call 877.4ED.PUBS. Assistance is available from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm . Or, you may send an email to edpubs@edpubs.ed.gov.
21. COSI’s Girls Explore…Archaeology! Program
This program is a chance for girls in grades 6-8 who like science, math, history and solving problems to discover that archaeology can be an exciting career for women. It is a day of hands-on activities and interactive sessions led by women from a variety of archaeological disciplines. The featured speaker will be Dr. Melinda Zeder, Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s Archaeobiology Program.
Where: COSI in Columbus , OH
When: Saturday, April 19, 2008
8:30 am to 3:15 pm
Cost: $15.00 that includes lunch, a souvenir T-shirt, take-home materials and admission to COSI’s exhibits after the program.
There is also a special concurrent session that day just for parents, mentors, and teachers on encouraging middle-school girls to stay involved with math, science, and technology! This special session includes an informal discussion of how we shortchange girls’ learning experiences, a chance to observe informal learning in action, and more. For information, or to register, please visit www.cosi.org/educators/mentoring/.
22. One Classroom: The Digital Resource Library Project
WVIZ/PBS ideastream® is providing the professional development for The Digital Resource Library, which is funded by The Cleveland Clinic and provided by OneCommunity. This online tool will enable educators to perform a simultaneous search on educational learning materials throughout multiple online databases and be given the results in a single view. Educators will be given the ability to search, share and manage all of their school’s digital subscriptions (including United Streaming), along with access to content from other educational institutions in Northeast Ohio and beyond. WVIZ/PBS ideastream® will provide training for the OneClassroom project to teachers at 1,500 public and private school buildings across 18 counties. To learn more about the features and benefits of this resource and how your building can be part of this project, visit www.onecommunity.org.
23. Tabor Fund Grant Awards
Applications for Tabor Fund Grant Awards are not available for the 2008a cycle. Awards are intended to provide an opportunity for ministers (administrators/teachers) to refresh and/or re-energize their spirituality, faith, mind and/or physical well being, as part of fostering personal development and improving their ministry. Awards will be made in the following categories: Education and Formation, Sabbaticals and Retreats.
Eligibility for this award program includes any bona fide employee (paid or volunteer), deacons and religious who work in any recognized ministry within the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland; this includes parishes, religious orders, recognized ministries and offices of the Diocese. While priests cannot receive individual awards, they may participate in Education and Formation initiatives.
Tabor Event Calendar (TEC) awards are also available. These awards allow bona fide ministers to access programs at local retreat centers throughout the year. Applications can be obtained at the web site noted in the following paragraph.
The application deadline for the Tabor Fund Grant Awards Program is May 9. You may access the application and guidelines for both Tabor Fund Grant Awards and TEC Grants by visiting www.cdcf.org under the menu option: Grant Programs. If you have any questions, please contact Laren Gannon at 216.696.6525, ext. 4200 or lgannon@dioceseofcleveland.org.
24. Cleveland Indians 2008 WKYC Weather Education Days
Calling all Science Teachers!
Enhance your curriculum with a field trip to the ultimate classroom - Progressive Field! May 15 - 12:05 p.m. - Indians vs. A's orMay 28 - 12:05 p.m. - Indians vs. White Sox. Pre-game presentation begins at 10 a .m.
WEATHER EDUCATION DAY INCLUDES:
- A pre-game presentation hosted by the Channel 3 WKYC Weather Team and experts from the National Weather Service featuring an appearance by a Cleveland Indians Player.
- A complimentary educational workbook for all students and teachers
- Incredible lunch options including an all-you-can-eat picnic for just $8.95 for kids 14 and under ($15.95 for adults). (Brown bag lunches are permitted in the ballpark.)
- A Major League baseball game! Students can see first-hand how weather impacts the game
- 50% off tickets for groups of 25 or more. Prices range from $5 - $12
- Two FREE tickets for groups of 25 or more and four FREE tickets for groups of 100 or more.
Please call Dominic Polito with the Cleveland Indians @ 216-420-4518 or dpolito@indians.com to purchase tickets.
25. Summer Volunteer Opportunities
The Sisters of Notre Dame invite single women, ages 18-40 to participate in a five-day program of summer service with the Sisters. Experiences include:
- Working with children in a crisis care center in Cleveland
- Assisting with a summer bible camp for inner-city children in Los Angeles
- Assisting with migrant ministry in Dayton and Toledo
For more information, visit the Sisters of Notre Dame web sites at www.sndchardon.org or www.snd1.org. You may also contact Sister Kathleen Hine at khine@ndec.org or by phone at 440.279.1194.
26. Catholic Parent-Teacher League May Conference
The Catholic Parent-Teacher League is pleased to invite you to the:
79 th Annual May Conference and Founders’ Day Celebration
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Knights of Columbus Hall
10808 Granger Road
Garfield Heights , OH
The schedule begins at 10:15 am with registration. At 10:30 am join the meeting and hear about the “Future CPTL.” The Founders’ Day ceremony and luncheon takes place at 11:30 am . The guest speaker at the luncheon this year is Channel 3 weekend news anchor, Lydia Esparra whose topic is: Faith and the Media. In addition, enjoy and take a chance on the Pot O’ Gold Raffle, Split the Pot Raffle, and Great Basket Raffle. Invite guests, colleagues and your pastor.
The CPTL has been working hard to develop an agenda that meets the needs of the 21 st century parent and a 21 st Century Parent-Teacher Organization to support local Parent Teacher Units. We encourage you to attend and hear all about it.
RSVP by May 5, 2008 to Judy Waszkowski 330.467.8371 or wasz@roadrunner.com. Cost is $17.00 per person.
27. Ohio BoyChoir
The Ohio Boychoir spring concert series invites all Catholics from across the Diocese to explore our stewardship over God’s earth with its “Sing the Earth Green” concert series. The program will feature primarily sacred music in an environmental theme and will include a new work commissioned by Cleveland composer Anne C. Wilson. Concerts are free although a free will offering is encouraged. For more information call 216.556.2222 or email www.ohioboychoir.org.
Performances:
- Sunday, April 27, 2:00 pm, Baldwin-Wallace College, Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Musical Arts Building, 96 Front Street, Berea
- Friday, May 2, 7:30 pm , Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Boulevard , Cleveland Heights
- Sunday, May 4, 4:00 pm , First Congregational Church of Hudson , 47 Aurora Street , Hudson
- Friday, May 9, 7:30 pm , St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12700 Pearl Road , Strongsville
- Saturday, May 10, 7:00 pm , First United Methodist Church , 263 Mill Street , Akron