DCS Administrative Bulletin
November, 2016
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.
THANKSGIVING DAY PRAYER
Father All-Powerful,
Your gifts of love are countless and Your goodness infinite.
On Thanksgiving Day we come before You with gratitude for Your kindness: open our hearts to concern for our fellow men and women, so that we may share Your gifts in loving service.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
What to say about Thanksgiving this year without sounding maudlin or just plain cranky. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, even in the midst of dwindling family, and those at the table who cannot remember faces. All that set aside, I know I share with you a creative and dynamic community of Catholic schools with partners and colleagues, who for the most part give hope and courage to each of us to go further. So I, as one of many, want to acknowledge the gifts I have been given from each of you, and say out loud, like the pilgrims who started these schools some hundred and fifty years ago, we will prevail. We will grow, and more importantly, change as the needs and demographics drive us, holding firm in the power of education, service to the poor and less fortunate we find in every socio economic metric. Truly, we have the grace of God within our school families. Imagine going through this time of upheaval and disconnect without them. There is much to be thankful for this year.
Nina Russo
DCS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
THINGS TO READ AND WATCH
Why Read Fiction? - Article by John M. Sweeney from the November 7, 2016 issue of America Magazine on what defines a Catholic novel?
Principal Self-Reflection
Click here to view a short YouTube video from ASCD on educator self-reflection. Baruti Kafele explains, and helps educators understand the importance of reflecting on their practice.
Virtuous Leadership
An Agenda for Personal Excellence
by Alexandre Havard
Drawing on the lives of some of the greatest political, intellectual and religious leaders of modern times, and the author's personal experience, Virtuous Leadership demonstrates that leadership and virtue are not only compatible, they are actually synonymous.
RELIGION
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.
Students in Grades 1-8 are to write an original essay, no longer than one page, discussing the reflections & questions provided. Essays may be hand-written or typed. For grades 1-2, drawings may be included. High School students' essays should be no longer than two pages and should be typed if possible.
Essays will be judged on the student’s ability to articulate his or her understanding of the issues, the message of the Catholic Church in relation to those issues, his or her own personal commitment to implementing the Church’s message, and creativity.
Each school, religious education class or youth group is to choose the three best essays in each class. To avoid disqualification, please submit only three essays per class to:
Archdiocese of San Francisco, Respect Life Program
Office of Human Life & Dignity
One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109
Essays should be postmarked by Monday, December 5, 2016.
WALK FOR LIFE
All Catholic High School Students are invited to participate in the 13th Annual Walk For Life on Saturday, January 21, 2017!
Participating schools will be walking together, with their schools, at the front of the Walk and we encourage you to bring your School Banners. What began as a grassroots movement twelve years ago by a small group of San Franciscans, is now the 2nd largest Pro-Life event in the country after the March For Life in Washington DC. You will be contacted by Kathleen Bruno, WFL High School Coordinator with more information shortly. Kathleen's contact information is kathleenbruno@gmail.com and phone 415-302-6400. For more information visit the Walk for Life website at www.walkforlifewc.com.
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.
Winter Basic Certification Classes
The next Basic Certification Workshops will take place on January 19, 2017 from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Our Lady of Mercy Church Hall. Basic Topics offered are:
Moral Formation (Morality) from 8:30 A.M. to 11:30 P.M.
Missionary Spirit (Scripture & Revelation) from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.
Morning hospitality and lunch will be provided. Registration is now available at www.crtis.org. Registration fee is $45.00 per person per Basic Topic session. No registrations will be accepted after January 11, 2017.
Thursday, Jan 19, 2017, 08:30 PM
Our Lady of Mercy School, Elmwood Drive, Daly City, CA, United States
ADMINISTRATION
The Principal Christmas Brunch that was originally scheduled for December 9, 2017 had been cancelled. Due to depleted staff in the DCS we are unable to host this event. We apologize!
NEW CRITERIA TO DETERMINE EXEMPT STATUS OF PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS
This link will provide resource data for the hiring and determining the compensation level of your teachers. This comes from our legislative partner, CAPSO. (NR)
http://www.capso.org/legislation/ab2230/
FOUR YEAR INTEGRATED CREDENTIAL PROGRAM
FACULTY AND STAFF
FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM
Thank you to all who nominated teachers and Vice-Principals for our Future Leaders Program. We held our first meeting on Monday, November 14, with the following fourteen future San Francisco Archdiocese potential leaders: Leticia Abeyta, Danielle Boland, Mary Boland, Jennifer Bruzzone, Jillian Cirigliano, David Gallagher, Alexandra Iwasciewicz, Malia Peterson, Theresa Poon, Katlyn Roobian, Stephanie Santy, Jessica Schaukowitch, Christine Schleyer and Gustavo Torres
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
As discussed at our October PAC Meeting, an additional screening window has been added in both STAR Math and STAR Reading for the 8th Grade. All 8th grade students should take both STAR Reading and STAR Math between November 28 and December 16. This is a three week window. The results of these assessments will be the scores that will be sent to the High Schools.
We are asking that all 8th grade students take this additional assessment regardless of whether they are applying to Catholic High School or not. It will provide us with an additional point of data for the Archdiocese.
ACCREDITATION
WCEA Visiting Team Member In-Service
Just a reminder to WCEA Team members serving on 2017 teams . . .
There is a required WCEA/WASC Team member In-service on Thursday, December 1
Thursday, Dec 1, 2016, 03:30 PM
St Cecilia School, Vicente Street, San Francisco, CA, United States
SAFETY
REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
A reminder about the policies and procedures for reporting suspected child abuse from the Archdiocesan Protecting Children from Abuse Website. These procedures must be followed every time there is suspected child abuse, and a reminder that all educators and administrators are mandated reporters under law.
How to Report Suspected Abuse
Anyone who has reason to believe, or might suspect, that a child has been abused, or is being abused, should report their suspicions first to civil authorities and then to the Archdiocese via its assigned Victim Assistance Coordinator, Ms. Rocio Rodriguez.
Rocio Rodriguez, Victim Assistance Coordinator
Phone: (415) 614-5506
Email: rodriguezr@sfarchdiocese.org
Every allegation will be treated seriously and immediate steps taken to protect the alleged victim(s). These actions will be taken discretely so as to protect the confidentiality and the rights of both the victim and the alleged abuser.
State law requires people in certain positions to make such reports. These people are referred to as "Mandatory Reporters". All other adults, called "Ethical Reporters" should also report suspected abuse. Investigation following the report should be left to duly appointed professionals.
Instructions for Reporting:
Cases of alleged abuse in which the abuser and the victim are of the same household are to be reported to Child Protective Services (CPS), while cases in which the alleged victim and the accused do not share a household should be reported to law enforcement authorities (sheriff's department or local police).
Child Protective Services
(415) 499-7153
Sheriff’s Department
(415) 479-2311
San Francisco City/County:
Child Protective Services
(415) 558-2650
Police Department
(415) 553-0123
San Mateo County:
Child Protective Services
(650) 802-7922
Sheriff’s Department
(650) 363-4911