Volume 6, Issue 12
January 22, 2008

January 22: A Day of Prayer and Penance for Life
In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 is observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass “For Peace and Justice” is celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373)

Happy Catholic Schools Week, January 27 – February 2, 2008

Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
At the January principal meetings you received the Handbook for Catholic Schools Supplement. This compilation of information that has been updated for or added to your areas of responsibility highlights the importance of your role as leader in the school. I want to thank you again for your leadership and willingness to take on each new challenge as it comes. As you go so goes the school. As I read the new encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI that focuses on Christian Hope (Spe Salvi), I am grateful that we travel this journey together as educational leaders. An important aspect of our work is to give hope to others and perhaps, more importantly, to help them to maintain hope in the face of life’s many challenges. I’d like to share a few quotes from the Holy Father, who gives us hope as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2008:

“Redemption is offered to us in the sense that we have been given hope, trustworthy hope, by virtue of which we can face our present: the present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads toward a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey.”

““Hope,” in fact, is a key word in Biblical faith–so much so that in several passages [of the Bible] the words “faith” and “hope” seem interchangeable.”

“… a distinguishing mark of Christians [is] the fact that they have a future: it is not that they know the details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness. Only when the future is certain as a positive reality does it become possible to live the present well.”

“Life is not a simple product of laws and the randomness of matter, but within everything and at the same time above everything, there is a personal will, there is a Spirit who in Jesus has revealed himself as Love.”

“For the great majority of people–we may suppose–there remains in the depths of their being an ultimate interior openness to truth, to love, to God.”

“Our lives are involved with one another, through innumerable interactions they are linked together. No one lives alone. No one sins alone. No one is saved alone. The lives of others continually spill over into mine: in what I think, say, do, and achieve. And conversely, my life spills over into that of others: for better and for worse. So my prayer for another is not something extraneous to that person, something external, not even after death. In the interconnectedness of Being, my gratitude to the other–my prayer for him–can play a small part in his purification. And for that there is no need to convert earthly time into God’s time: in the communion of souls simple terrestrial time is superseded. It is never too late to touch the heart of another, nor is it ever in vain. In this way we further clarify an important element of the Christian concept of hope. Our hope is always essentially also hope for others; only thus is it truly hope for me too.”

This powerful document is well worth a reflective reading. Our Holy Father is a rare blend of intellectual and practical, a teacher and pastor of souls.

Youth Rally for Life January 23, 2008 at Noon
Lifeworks Ohio is sponsoring a Youth Rally for Life once again this year. Students are asked to meet at the Free Stamp (corner of Lakeside and East 9 th Street) at noon and walk to Public Square to express their convictions for Life! Or, students can go directly to Public Square to join the Rally.

Octave of Prayer for Church Unity
This octave that celebrates its 100 th year of observance began on January 18 and continues through January 25. Please remember to pray the prayer of Jesus, “Father that they all may be one.”

Barnes&Noble Booksellers-Crocker Park Honor Educators
From January 19-27, Pre K-12 educators save 25% on classroom and personal purchases, including 10% on DVDs and CDs. You will need an Educator Discount Card at time of purchase. For more information, contact Bobbie Werner at 440.250.9268.

January 30, 2008 is “National Appreciation Day For Catholic Schools”
We urge parents, principals, teachers and students to write letters to members of the 110 th Congress to spread the good news of Catholic schools and to support parental rights in education choice. Letters should be personal accounts about the value of Catholic education:

• Students might tell why they enjoy their classes and teachers
• Teachers might explain their choice to teach in a Catholic school
• Principals could discuss their commitment, parental involvement, test scores, and graduation rates
• Parents could explain their reasons for sending their children to Catholic schools, the importance of legislation that supports this choice

All letters should be mailed directly to the legislative office on Capitol Hillfor receipt by January 30, 2008. Here is the list of Ohio legislators.

Write your letters of support for Catholic education to our two senators and your district representative:

The Honorable George V. Voinovich and
The Honorable Sherrod Brown
Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Betty Sutton
The Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones
The Honorable Dennis Kucinich
The Honorable Steven C. LaTourette
The Honorable Ralph Regula
The Honorable Timothy Ryan
House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Bishop’s Gift to Students for Catholic Schools Week
In honor of Bishop’s gift to students of the Bookmark commemorating the 150 th Anniversary of the Apparitions at Lourdes, it would be an excellent opportunity to acquaint students with the story of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as to recite the Rosary with the students. The Catholic Faith is rich in traditions like the recitation of the Rosary. Reflection on its mysteries has a calming effect and teaches us the essential truths of our Faith. With the addition of the Mysteries of Light by Pope John Paul II the recitation of the Rosary is enriched even more.

Holy Name Society Offers Rosary Kits to Schools
The Holy Name Society has purchased Rosary Kits for students in our schools. You will receive them for your students at the February meetings. These kits should be sent home with students as an activity for the family. The kit consists of beads, string, a crucifix and medal with instructions on how to be put together into a Rosary.

Black History Month on WVIZ/PBS
On January 31, WVIZ/PBS ideastream sm is pleased to announce the launch of an ambitious, professional development initiative for educators to coincide with Black History Month and the upcoming sequel series’ AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES 2 that will be broadcast in February 2008.

On Thursday, January 31, WVIZ will host an all day Institute at the Idea Center. Educators will receive resources from local history-based organizations as well as door prizes and take-aways. Acclaimed historian and author, Dr. Bernard Powers will be the keynote speaker. A compelling panel of experts will discuss African History, African migration, genealogy and local genealogy resources. Also included in this event is a continental breakfast, a luncheon and parking. Following this Institute, hands-on workshops will be offered that teachers won’t want to miss. Space is limited. For questions regarding AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES II contact ericsiler@ideastream.org or call 216.916.6358.

The American Red Cross
We encourage you to continue to keep the American Red Cross in mind for its many good deeds in times of disaster. In our own area we have experienced flood damage. Every time a family is displaced because of a house fire, the Red Cross comes to its aid. January is Donate Blood Month, and many high schools and parishes support this event. March is American Red Cross Month during which we can all assist with donations and education of our students to the good works of the Red Cross.

Dress Red for Catholic Charities
All schools are invited to participate in the Annual Dress Red for Catholic Charities Dress Down Day. Ask for a donation and help our schools kick-off the 2008 Annual Appeal on Friday, February 15th! The Catholic Charities Annual In-Pew Appeal will take place in all parishes on February 16th & 17th. For more information or ideas, contact Celeste Cappotto of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation at 216-696-6525 ext. 1049.

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME + MUSEUM Educational Programs
This excellent resource is available to schools through in-person visits or via videoconferencing. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum exists to educate persons from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. One of the excellent interdisciplinary educational programs for K-12 is Rockin’ The Schools. This program combines topics in music, language arts, social studies, science, and technology in age appropriate lessons that are highly interesting and fun. The award-winning staff of highly qualified educators has designed the curriculum and is committed to offering the highest quality education to your students. The programs are related to the Ohio academic content standards in the arts and other core subject areas. Classes at the Museum last approximately one hour and take place in the Museum’s media equipped Fourth Floor Theater. Participating Northeast Ohio schools also receive free admission to the Museum and are permitted to explore related exhibits either before or after the scheduled class using special In The Museum maps or Student Activity Guides. These Museum visits must be supervised and are tailored to include appropriate materials for students.

Teachers may access a Pre-Visit Guide online. After the program, each teacher will receive Keep On Rockin’ In The Classroom post-visit lesson packets.

To make reservations for a Rockin The Schools educational program, contact the Group Sales Department at 216.515.1228. Susan Oehler, Ph.D., (pronounced ayler) is Education Programs Manager and would be happy to help you as well. Her number is 216.515.1510.

Health Update from PSI
It is difficult for schools when head lice persist. PSI has developed practical guidelines for the identification and control of this troublesome condition. Parent involvement is a strong and necessary component in winning the war on head lice. PSI’s Guidelines include parent fact sheets and pictures for easy identification of lice. Easy and effective interventions to help with the treatment and prevention of head lice are available by contacting PSI. Call 800.841.4774 extension 112.

Alert to Principals in the City of Cleveland
Parishes were sent a memo from Kevin Burke regarding Real Estate Tax Bills-Special Assessments. In case the information applies to you, here it is:

“It has come to our attention that the recent real estate tax bills mailed out by the Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office for the First Half of 2007 to parishes within the City of Cleveland may include Special Assessment Fees for “weed cutting.” Generally, Special Assessment Fees are included on tax bills for parcels that front major streets or intersections and are for street lighting, sewers, etc.

“We have noticed several bills with large Special Assessment amounts and, upon further investigation, have found that some of the fees were for “weed cutting” that was never actually performed by the City of Cleveland.

“Please review your recent tax bill(s) and if you notice Special Assessment Fee(s) listed on the bill(s) that seem higher than usual or that were not listed on your tax bill(s) before, please contact Sue Bartel at 216.696.6525 extension 1074 to research the possibility that the Special Assessment amount was generated by the City of Cleveland in error. Even if your office has already paid the bill(s), you may be able to receive a refund, if applicable. If you have any questions, please call.”

Office of Catholic Education Policy on Vendors
The Office of Catholic Education neither endorses nor withholds endorsements of vendors. We print information for schools in this Bulletin for your convenience. It is your choice whether or not you wish to contact a vendor should you decide his/her products or services meet your needs.

Debbie Ovitz of KidStuff has been calling parent groups to propose a fundraiser. She will display her company’s wares at the Vendor Day on October 10, 2008 at St. Peter Chanel High School. She apparently has represented herself as being endorsed by Margaret Lyons and/or the Office of Catholic Education. That, in fact, is not true. We are grateful to KidStuff and all of the vendors who support the Vendor Day, but whether or not you choose to engage them is your decision.

EARLY PREVENTION OF SCHOOL FAILURE
Preschool Workshop
February 26 & 27, 2008
St. Christopher School
Cost:  $45 per participant

REGISTRATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 15, 2008

For more information call Dr. Heintschel at 216-696-6525, Ext. 3240
or Anita Adams at 216-696-6525, Ext. 1059