DCS Administrative Bulletin
January, 2017
THE MONTHLY INFORMATION SOURCE FOR THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO
Dear Principals, Presidents, Administrators, and Teachers in the Archdiocese of San Francisco,
Please note that you must be logged into the password protected DCS Website in order to view the individual items included in this Administrative Bulletin.
PRAYER FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
O Christ, our Teacher,
You invite Your faithful people to make disciples in Your name and to announce good news to the poor. We thank You for the gift of Catholic schools, where
The message of Your life, death, and resurrection is proclaimed,
Service to our brothers and sisters is modeled,
And worship of You is cultivated.
Increase our zeal for ensuring that all children and families can benefit from a high quality Catholic education, and that Catholic schools grow in their ability to nurture the soul of our nation.
We ask this through the intercession of Our Lady, Mother of Catholic Schools.
Amen.
IN MEMORIAM
Please pray for the family of Mark Anthony Russo who passed away on January 16, 2017.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
PERSONAL NOTE OF THANKSGIVING
There are many gifts sent my way working with each of you. The first that comes to mind is the many prayers, notes, cards, and flowers I have received since the passing of my brother. I am grateful for this time in my life being part of what I call the “Catholic Way.” For me that is being part of a community that prays together, an abundance of healthy self-deprecation/humility, humor, and a huge dose of social justice, and what that means for our brothers and sisters. Thank you for that each day. The second is our generosity in coming together to find common ground in problem solving. Again my gratitude for the elemetary principals who have worked to create the salary scales for the next two years: Sharon McCarthy Allen, Lisa Harris, Maureen Grazioli, Marguerite Pini, Marie Fitzpatrick, Natalie Cirigliano, Andi Gualco, Barbara Moodie, and Mele Mortonson.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
This year’s theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2017 is, Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service.” The power of Catholic schools and Catholic teaching is seen in the preparation of our students to participate in their communities to be people of faith who serve others. It is interesting to note that prior to the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, six of the nine justices were products of Catholic education. Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden also attended Catholic schools, as well as former Speaker of the House, John Boehner. What is the essence of Catholic education that propels individuals into the area of public service? What inspires our students to work for the “common good”…also exemplified by the men and women I meet who are part of school Advisory Councils, Catholic Charities, their parishes, and the list goes on.
IMMIGRANT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES
Our immigrant students and their families are under particular stress at this time considering federal and state rhetoric concerning resident status. As always we want to provide a school environment based on compassion and understanding of the facts inherent in this divisive narrative. The Roman Catholic Church and the USCCB has repeatedly affirmed the rights and dignity of all persons. In that vein, please click here to read an English and Spanish response to this issue from Archdiocese, Office of Human Life and Dignity. Click here to view a brochure on non-profit immigration legal resources.
DCS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
THINGS TO READ AND WATCH
Click here to read a great article from CRUX about local actor and ex-seminarian Dakin Matthews.
RELIGION
Please remember that all teachers and administrators who choose to attend the LA Religious Education Conference on February 24, 25 & 26, may also receive Recertification Credit for workshops taken during the conference. Upon completion of the conference in February, participants should submit their conference registration/workshops attended information to Pam Lyons at lyonsp@sfarch.org. Pam will review the workshop description and determine what Recertification Topic was been covered.
Please click here for a complete list of winners for this year's Annual Archdiocesan Respect Life Essay Contest. Thank you to all who participated.
NOTRE DAME STEP THEOLOGY BASIC CERTIFICATION PILOT PROGRAM
In April it was announced that DCS is putting a pilot group of new teachers together to complete their Basic Religion Certification through the University of Notre Dame’s STEP Theology Online program. This online program would be taken in place of attending the eight three-hour classes that all new teachers currently attend.
For additional information about the STEP program please click here.
On Friday, February 3, 2017, the Department of Catholic Schools, in conjunction with the Department of Catholic Identity Assessment, will host a High School Faculty Convocation Day at Archbishop Riordan High School. Please click on the link below to view the details of this event.
Please be reminded that the ACRE Assessment 2013 Edition for religious education assessment is to be administered to grades five and eight during the month of February 2017. Please click on the link below to view the ACRE page on the DCS password protected website. Please note that this is the last year that we will be using the paper and pencil version of ACRE. Next school year all schools will be required to use the online version of the assessment.
SOPHIA INSTITUTE INSERVICE FOR ELEMENTARY RELIGION COORDINATORS
On March 31, 2017 from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., the Archdiocese is holding one of three catechetical inservices through the Sophia Institute for Teachers. This first class is on The Beatitudes: Living the Life of Christ. All Religion Coordinators are expected to attend. If your religion coordinator is not available, then another religion teacher from your school should attend. Registration is available on CRTIS. All teachers who attend will receive credit toward three recertification topics of their choice. For more information, please click here.
ADMINISTRATION
2017 – 2018 SCHOOL CALENDARS
The 2017 - 2018 Archdiocesan School Calendar (guide) & the Local Calendar (template) information was emailed to each school, and included a number of supporting documents for your planning. Additionally, these Calendars can be located on our password protected website by clicking here.
Please return your local School Calendar and Supplemental Information Form to
Alicia Weinman as soon as possible, but absolutely no later than May 1, 2017. You will notice that the Arch Calendar illustrated 184 days in total (4 extra optional days above the 180 minimum for you to use however you need) If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Alicia. 415 614-5666 or weinmana@sfarch.org.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR 2017 STATE MANDATED SUPERVISORY TRAINING
Please click here for instructions on completing the state mandated supervisory training.
ARCHDIOCESAN ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
To insure that Catholic High School education is accessible to children who live in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties, the Archdiocese of San Francisco has set up a Scholarship program. The program is a cooperative effort of Families, Catholic High Schools, Parishes of the Archdiocese, and The Department of Catholic Schools
How the Program Works
For school year 2016-17, we estimate that we will be able to award just slightly more than $1,000,000 in tuition assistance to our families on an as-needed basis. We will split the amount between high school awardees and elementary awardees. We continue to offer assistance on an as-needed basis.
High School Students have a deadline, specified by the individual schools, but not later than February 8th for submitting applications, including all documents supporting income, as requested to the third party need-evaluation company (TADS), and the Clergy Recommendation form. The Clergy Recommendation Form is part of the Archdiocesan Financial Aid / Scholarship application process, and can be downloaded during completion of the on-line forms. The applicant brings this form to his or her church. The Pastor or the Clergy returns the completed Recommendation Form to the applicant’s high school. The school will then submit the Scholarship Request Form and the Clergy Recommendation to the Archdiocese. Within the limit of available funds, the Archdiocese will then award additional financial aid to supplement the assistance granted by the high school.
Elementary School Students have a financial aid application deadline of April 15th. No Clergy form is needed for elementary applications, but please submit all documents supporting income as requested by the third party need-evaluation company (TADS). NO OTHER COMPANY IS ACCEPTABLE, IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO THE ARCHDIOCESAN GRANTS.
After the Student Aid Form has been processed, the school will make a financial aid award from its own resources. The Archdiocese’s Department of Catholic Schools reviews the completed applications, ranked on the basis of financial need.
Late applications will NOT be considered. Students must live in San Mateo, San Francisco or Marin Counties. High Schools will announce the Archdiocesan Scholarship awards to high school families at the same time the school acceptance letters are sent. The Archdiocese will announce Elementary Family Grants to elementary families and their schools in May.
Message to Our Donors The Archdiocese of San Francisco wishes to thank you for your continued generosity to our schools. It is because of generous donors like you that generations of students and their families have and will receive a Catholic school education. If you wish to find out more about contributing to the scholarship funds, or wish to inquire about a specific fund, please don’t hesitate to contact Gustavo Torres torresg@sfarch.org. Thank you.
We use TADS Service as our third party information data entry service and provider. To use the TADS Financial Aid online application go to www.mytads.com. You will be guided through the application. If you have any questions, you can phone TADS at 800-477-8237.
School Families
FEB 8th (or earlier) High School application due
APR Award Letters sent to high schools
APR 15th Elementary Applications due
MAY Elementary awards Letters sent to families
SEPT Confirmation of Attendance due to DCS
OCT Award checks sent directly to schools
The Archdiocese is unable to provide financial aid to all students who apply. If a family is notified that the Archdiocese cannot provide assistance, the family should contact the school for information about any additional assistance that may be available directly from the school.
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
On February 8, 9 & 10, 2017 we will be hosting Renaissance STAR training on Using STAR as a Summative Assessment. The training days will begin at 9:00 A.M. and run until 1:00 P.M. Those who wish to stay past 1:00 for individual questions are free to do so. Lunch will be served at 1:00 P.M.
Please note that the next window for STAR testing for grades 2 - 8 will be May 8 - 19, 2017.
TEACHERS & STAFF
PROFESSIONAL & SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Catholic Schools is excited to partner with ALL of you in the presentation of Friday February 3, at four school venue event with 1250 participants.
This day has been designed to inform, inspire, invigorate, and validate your mission of teaching in Catholic schools.
PreSchool Directors and Educators will gather at Our Lady of Mercy School for
Inclusion-Understanding and Supporting Diverse Learners
Elementary School Principals & Educators will gather at St. Cecilia School for
K8 Summit – The Whole Child: Healthy Teacher Healthy Classroom
High School Leadership & Educators will gather at Archbishop Riordan for
Convocation – Forming Men & Women of Christian Virtue; Understanding Challenges
& Opportunities of American Catholic Education Today
Technology Directors, Coordinators & Educators will gather at St. Gabriel School for
focus on STEM featuring workshops on Makerspace, coding, robotics and Google
Resources
**Please keep attune to forthcoming email information from our department as it relates tospecific school site PD being offered**
ARCHDIOCESAN EDUCATOR INCENTIVE GRANTS
To insure that Degree Completion is accessible to our Catholic School Teachers, the Archdiocese of San Francisco has set up a Scholarship program, the Educator Incentive Grant.
How the Program Works
For school year 2016-17, we are able to award $60,000 to our full-time teachers in semester increments of $750 for Doctoral; $700 for Masters and $650 for Credential. All courses must have units that would count toward those degrees, i.e. not CE courses.
The Educator submits an application, their Principal submits a recommendation and after the completion of the class is verified through (unofficial) transcripts, awards and checks are distributed until the fund is distributed for the year.
We apologize that notifications have been delayed, everyone will receive an answer of their status by Friday February 10, 2017. Unfortunately for this academic year, due to the high number of applicants, we will only be able to accommodate those who applied in the October round.
The Archdiocese is unable to provide financial aid to all teachers who apply.