Volume 6, Issue 16
March 17, 2008

Monday of Holy Week
Welcome to Holy Week! Let us take this opportunity to make the liturgical connection for our students. Teach the Triduum liturgies to them. The beauty and pageantry of these holy days are exquisite teachable moments. The rituals of the Catholic Church are meaningful, ancient and filled with signs and symbols of the sacred. Whatever you can do to introduce your students to the rites of the Church will increase their understanding of the faith whether they are Catholic or not. One of the primary missions of a parish catechetical program is to walk the students out of the classroom and into the church. Holy Week is an excellent time to begin that walk. (Paraphrased from Faith Formation Update, St. Anthony Messenger Press.)

Happy St. Paddy's Day, Too!

Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
In this holiest week of the Church Year, we can pause with gratitude for the wonderful gift of being a Catholic. Our Church, rich in tradition, reminds of us the reason we believe. When Holy Saturday arrives we can relive our commitment to our Faith in the evening vigil. Easter Sunday, early as it is this year, will be the more joyful for having experienced the Triduum with Jesus. May your Easter celebration be blessed with the graces of the season! The promise of spring with its new life is ever more near. Easter Greetings to all!

Calamity Days
It has come to our attention that the traditional public schools (as opposed to community schools) in the state of Ohio have been given 10 calamity days for the 2007-2008 year before they are required to seek a waiver from the state for days missed due to emergencies, weather, etc.

After an inquiry to the state, we have been told that the rule does not apply to non-public schools. In keeping with the spirit of the law, however, and because our schools in large part depend upon public school buses to transport students, we have decided upon this procedure:

Rather than contacting the state directly, by May 10th all principals are asked to send your current, 2007-2008 school calendars to me with the number of calamity days used (1 to 10) and the reasons for closing. The Office of Catholic Education will keep a copy of these forms on file.
For any days beyond the 10 calamity days, please provide a make up plan and forward it to me. I will sign and return it to you. Please use the form faxed to you on Friday, March 14, 2008.

Bishop Lennon to Address Educators at Vendor Day 2008
The Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon has graciously agreed to be the featured speaker at the bi-annual Vendor Day, October 17, 2008. As you know, the sessions with Bishop will take place at Bedford High School and the vendor exhibits and refreshments will be available at St. Peter Chanel High School. Please plan to bring your staff to the Vendor Day and meet Bishop Lennon.

NCEA Honors Tim Luckhaupt
The Leonard F. DeFiore Parental Choice Advocate Award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting full and fair parental choice in education. The 2008 NCEA Leonard F. DeFiore Award goes to Tim Luckhaupt recently retired Executive Director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio for his untiring, unselfish service to Catholic schools and his advocacy on behalf of the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program as well as the EdChoice Program. For those attending the NCEA this year in Indianapolis , Indiana , you may want to extend your best wishes to Tim when you see him. The award will be presented on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the 9:00 a.m. general session of the 105 th Convention.

Jarod's Law Presentations
This is just a reminder that there will be two in-services on Jarod's Law (School Safety and Health Inspections) on March 26, 2008 and May 6, 2008 for maintenance personnel and interested Pastors and Principals. You may choose one of these to attend. The in-services will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St Michael's Woodside, 5025 Mill Road , Cleveland , OH 44147 . Lunch will be provided. For additional information, contact Daniel Brodnik at 216.696.6525, extension 3790.

In case you missed this memo from Dan Brodnik sent 3/12/08 . . .
Jarod's Law requires schools to have a written Integrated Pest Management Plan (IMP). We recently learned that the Mayfield Heights City Schools and the Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides is sponsoring a FREE workshop on IPM. There will be two sessions on Thursday April 3, 2008 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 3:30PM.
 
The in-service will be held at Millridge Elementary School 962 Millridge Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Take I-271 to Wilson Mills travel west on Wilson Mills turn left on Millridge just before Brainard Rd. This training will help your maintenance staff understand the concept of IMP and we encourage them to attend one of the two sessions.

To register call Barb Eaton at 330-297-8741 or Emily Muttillo at 216-287-3309.

Tax News
For any school that offers their teachers or other employees a choice of being paid over the 10 month school year or a full 12 month year, an election form needs to be completed in order to comply with IRS regulations. If there is no choice, no form is needed. You can find an electronic copy, and instructions, at http://www.oce-ocs.org/oce/administrators/downloadable_docs_elem.shtml.

Great Web Site to Explore
http://www.catholicscomehome.org
Mission : Catholics Come Home, Inc. is an independent non-profit Catholic apostolate that creates effective and compassionate media messages and broadcasts them nationally and internationally, in order to inspire, educate and evangelize inactive Catholics and others, and invite them to live a deeper faith in Jesus Christ, in accord with the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. This web site may help when you come across an individual who wonders about the Catholic Faith, a parent, student, or one who has fallen away.

Use of "Echoes of Faith" toward Religion Catechist Certification
In order for local in-services to be acceptable for required diocesan courses, they must be fully implemented; using diocesan course outlines and convened for the appropriate amount of time.

If using the "Echoes of Faith" video-assisted materials to complete diocesan course requirements, please refer to the specifics of implementing this series toward diocesan certification by selecting the "Echoes of Faith" download at http://www.oce-ocs.org/ocs/certification/index.shtml . To receive credit for completing diocesan courses using "Echoes of Faith", completion of these sessions requires reflection and discussion of materials while gathered with other participants and a qualified facilitator, as well as the full use of participant booklets and supplemental materials from the Office of Catechetical Services. "Echoes of Faith" is not acceptable toward certification if implemented in any other manner. To order the required supplemental materials, contact Elaine Pekarek at 1-800-869-6525 x 3260 or email Elaine at epekarek@dioceseofcleveland.org.

Reminder to Use Revised Application Forms for Catechist Certification
Please remind your teachers and catechists to use only the most recent application forms when applying for their religion certificates. Mail is no longer being forwarded to our “new” address on East Ninth Street , and applications sent to the Superior Avenue address may not reach us for processing. Current forms may be found at:

http://www.oce-ocs.org/ocs/certification/applications.shtml

Two Coming Events from the CDCF!
Alleluia Ball 2008
Please mark your calendars now for the bi-annual Alleluia! Gala. It will be held on Saturday evening, 15 November 2008, at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland . Maryellen Fedeli is the chair of this year's event. In 2006, the Alleluia! Gala raised $1.3 million dollars for financial aid scholarships to children attending inner-city Catholic schools in the Cleveland , Lorain and Akron areas. Consider the benefits of Catholic education in the lives of children across northeast Ohio and help us send them a message of hope and high expectations with your support.

For questions or further information, contact Richard Day at the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation at 216-696-6525 ext. 1042 or rday@dioceseofcleveland.org .

Bishop's Golf Classic 2008
The 2008 Bishop's Golf Classic returns to Firestone Country Club in September.

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation will sponsor the 18th annual Bishop's Golf Classic at Firestone Country Club in Akron , Ohio on Monday, September 8th, 2008.

Save the date for this first-class event that benefits children with documented financial need who attend Catholic schools around the Diocese of Cleveland. A special rate is being considered for parish teams. If you would like further information or have questions about this event, contact Mary Lou Toler at 216-696-6525 ext. 2140 or via email at mltoler@dioceseofcleveland.org .

Dancing Classrooms Program
Pierre Dulaine, (played by Antonio Banderas in the movie, Take the Lead ) and Jo Jo Graham, a native Ohioan and senior teaching artist for American Ballroom Theater's Dancing Classrooms organization will hold a community meeting from 1:00 – 3:00 pm on April 18, 2008 at the Middleburg Heights Recreation Center. They will present the Dancing Classrooms program to those in attendance. Principals and/or physical education teachers who may incorporate dancing into their classes are welcome. A light lunch will be served.

The Dancing Classrooms Program is a non-profit, Arts in Education program that serves as a social development program for 5 th grade children utilizing the art of ballroom dancing to change the lives of the children and those in support of them. The program (10 weeks – 20 classes) is part of the educational curriculum, and classes take place during the school day. More information will be given as it becomes available.

McGrath Training Systems
Programs designed by nationally recognized legal expert to educators, Mary Jo McGrath can assist you to supplement the Virtus Training you have received and to help you:

•  Avoid harm and liability through using practical tools that are legally based and educationally sound

•  Create positive change with accountability and collegiality

The programs provide:

Awareness - of legal requirements and human dynamics

Prevention - through learning techniques, methods, and skills related to the effective handling of challenging issues

Resolution - by using easy verbal and written communication templates for consistent results

Ethical Principles - at the core of every program that inspire the participants' to accept and initiate change

http://www.mcgrathinc.com/# is the web site that will give you the information if you are seeking additional information on defending students against sexual predators or dealing with cultural diversity.

Tri-C Health Careers and Nursing Summer Exploration
This is a partnership of CCC, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Employment Connection.

This is a two-week discovery experience for students who want to explore their interest in a health career in the healthcare environment. Summer Exploration consists of seminars and field trips and also includes:

• Viewing of live medical procedures
• Hands-on patient simulation activities
• Discussions with real healthcare professionals
• FUN!

WHEN and FOR WHOM?

For Students Entering 10 th and 11 th Grades: June 16-27, 2008

For Students Entering 7 th , 8 th , and 9 th Grades: July 7-18, 2008

Hours are 9am-4pm Monday thru Thursday, and 9am-12pm on Friday. There are 40 slots. CMSD students get priority, but any Cuyahoga County student may apply. A REQUIREMENTS: GPA of at least 2.5, good attendance history, good attitude/behavior record, recommendation from the Principal or Guidance Counselor or Teacher, parental consent and an interest in a healthcare career.

There is no cost and lunch is provided.

Transportation to and from each session is not provided. Participants will meet daily at the Metro Campus. Applications are due no later than April 4, 2008.

Students should call 216.987.EXPLORE (216.987.3975) or visit HCI online at www.healthy-careers.org .

Sunday, April 13, 2008 World Day of Prayer for Vocations
On this Good Shepherd Sunday, we pray that we remain faithful to the particular vocation God has called us. Please join others from the diocese at Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral for a special holy hour with benediction at 4:00 pm. There will be witness talks by young people at 5:00 followed by the 5:30 pm Sunday Mass.

Smartboard Workshops ­ Integration of Technology for Religion Instruction

Dates:   April 4-5, 2008; April 18-19, 2008

Times:  4:00 p.m to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 8:00a.m to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday

Location:  Archbishop Hoban High School , 1 Holy Cross Blvd.   Akron , Ohio 44306

Credit options:  13 hours of credit toward the renewal of Catechist Certificate or 13 hours of LPDC credit

Costs:  $96.00 per person for Catechist renewal or LPDC credit

Attendance is mandatory on both Friday and Saturday to receive credit.
Participants are asked to bring a flash drive to class. Participants can choose either session, classes are limited to 20 participants. People may register by e-mailing Susan Cox at coxh@hoban.org , please include name, type of credit requested, and date of session they will attend.