Monday Mission Memo
March 4, 2019
Interim Superintendent's Update
School Leaders of the Diocese of Cleveland,
Happy March! This week we open the season of prayer, fasting and alms with Ash Wednesday (after some final Mardi Gras joy, no doubt) as we prepare our hearts for Lent. This time of year can bring its trials, not just the cold temperatures that accompany the slowly lengthening days, but also the challenges of predicting enrollment, setting budgets, securing staffing, and the like. These professional activities too are ones of preparation that, difficult as they can sometimes be, we can offer up for the sake of our mission and the communities we serve. I will keep you in prayer here, and I hope you do the same for us at the OCFE as we navigate these challenges and opportunities together.
Speaking of the season, I have learned a great deal these last months about one other right of spring, every odd numbered year in Ohio, which is the state budget season. I look forward to seeing many of our educators at the Heart of the Mission day Friday, but before that, I’ll be spending some time in Columbus talking to our lawmakers about the outstanding value of our Catholic schools. Here are some talking points about school choice in general and our schools in particular with which I hope to make them familiar:
Our educators are largely familiar with our sector, the faith-based education we provide, the results that we achieve, and that parents chose us in strong numbers. What we hope they will grow in understanding is the importance of our schools to their work of delivering opportunity for the state of Ohio. We wish to educate them about parental school choice, that it is an issue of social justice. We have always had school choice: anyone who considers local public schools a factor when choosing a home already makes this type of choice. Ohio’s voucher programs exist to provide options to those who lack power to choose–those who are disadvantaged by low income or location, who are otherwise trapped in an option they deem inadequate.
School choice places power where it belongs: in the hands of parents, the primary educators of their children. Students in all Ohio voucher programs participate in state-mandated testing, with results for Cleveland and EdChoice published online by school and grade level. There is perhaps no stronger accountability measure than the choices of families: parents are informed consumers, and those who are dissatisfied exit, along with their funding.
Furthermore, in addition to providing faith formation and academic excellence, our schools represent a tremendous value to taxpayers.
The Ohio Department of Education reports average spending of $9,353 per traditional public school pupil.
Edchoice and Cleveland scholarships expend a maximum $4,650 for elementary or $6,000 for secondary tuition.
Even excluding voucher students, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Cleveland alone provide more than $300 million in value to taxpayers in the form of education to citizens outside of Ohio’s education funding formula.
Nonpublic schools, especially Catholic schools, are a valuable asset to Ohioans. School choice is not the enemy of public schools; rather, it helps our lawmakers deliver on the promise of college and career readiness for every child. Ohio is strongest when parents are empowered with options: traditional public offerings alongside magnet and charter public schools, as well as nonpublic, especially Catholic schools.
That is my stump speech that I will repeat many times this week. I look forward to an inspiring and faith-filled day on Friday for those who will be there. I hope this message finds you well and starting off March like a lion! Please read on for upcoming events, good-news stories, and upcoming opportunities.
Frank
Upcoming Events:
March 8–The Heart of the Mission at Huntington Convention Center 8:30 a.m. –12:30 p.m.
March 14–STREAM Coordinators SATG 9:15 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
March 15–Secondary Math Rollout at St. Basil Family Center 12:30–3:00 p.m.
March 20–Elementary Principal Meeting at St. Barnabas School 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
March 22–Better Together Meeting at St. Francis of Assisi, Gates Mills 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
April 2–CLASS meeting at Jesuit Retreat House 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
April 6–X-STREAM Games at Holy Name High School 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
April 9–CAPP–Last meeting–School Visits
Elementary Principals who are successfully having PLC meetings - We need your help!
School Spotlight - St. Mary of the Falls
Balloon Powered Racers
Junior high students researched Newton’s Third Law of Motion and brainstormed ideas about designing a balloon-powered racers. They worked in teams to draw a diagram and construct their racer. Then the testing fun began. As they evaluated the motion, distance, and reaction of their designs, they did a bit of remodeling to perfect their racers before sharing their findings with the rest of the class.
Cheers to the Bride and Groom
Donuts with Dad and Dr. Seuss
The preschoolers shared time with their dads and grandpas at a Dr. Seuss themed gathering. They giggled their way through the green eggs relay, popped balloons at the Oh The Places We Go station, and found their way with a blindfold on to Pin the Hat on the Cat. It was a great way to make time during busy schedules. Better yet - the preschools reminded their dads about the joy of being a kid again.
School Spotlight - St. Leo the Great
Denise Burns, Principal of St. Leo the Great
Lenten Prayer Wall at St. Leo's
A focus on academics and faith at St. Leo the Great
St. Mark School Shops to Help Providence House
St. Mark School celebrates 11 years of community service with their annual project for the babies and children of Providence House. With the support of an anonymous parish donor, each 8th grader receives $50 to purchase items that will go to the crisis nursery located in Cleveland. The students are tasked with being educated consumers who watch for deals, clip coupons, and make their dollars stretch. With the $1900 donated this year, they hit the stores, compared prices, used their coupons, and purchased items valued at $6700.25, an overall increase of 253%! Students reported their experience with an essay and chart to show the dollars spent in comparison to the retail value, with some students having increases of over 550%. At an all school assembly, they shared the products, read some of their essays, and received abundant thanks from Providence House CEO, Natalie Leek-Nelson. Beyond making great deals, they learned valuable lessons of gratitude for the things they take for granted and shared their appreciation for the gifts they have each day.
P21 Announces Saint Ambrose Catholic School as a 21st Century Learning Exemplar for 2019!
Saint Ambrose School continues to lead in 21st Century Learning and education. In February, Saint Ambrose School was highlighted as one of 18 schools across the U.S. and the only elementary school in Ohio for their outstanding practices in education as 21st Century Learning Exemplars!
The Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21) has highlighted 18 early learning centers, K–12 schools, districts and beyond school programs in the U.S. as 21st Century Learning Exemplars for 2019. Saint Ambrose Catholic School earned this award for outstanding practices in equipping learners with the necessary skills and knowledge for success in high school, college, career and life.
As part of celebrating the best practices from these awardees, Battelle for Kids will develop a case study brief for each exemplar site and release it to the public for free download. There will be a recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C., in April 2019.
See this news for more information.
Professional Learning & Networking opportunity, evening of March 7
All educators are welcome to attend the first of regular gatherings for professional learning and networking. Inspired by the model of Theology on Tap, educators are invited to learn skills and connect with one another in a relaxed atmosphere on Thursday, March 7, from 5-7 p.m. at the Winking Lizard in Lakewood.
Presenter Anne Wilkinson of Elyria Catholic High School will share interactive technology for the classroom that can be adapted to many subjects and grade levels, including Screencastify, Edpuzzle, Pear Deck, more.
Attendees can receive 2 hours of professional development credit.
The event will begin with a general networking social with the presentation to follow.
Appetizers will be provided, and there is a cash bar.
Bring a device to try out new classroom technology skills!
RSVPs encouraged - Please RSVP to Anne Wilkinson at aewlknsn@gmail.com. All are welcome, please spread the word.
Sponsored by the Notre Dame Club of Cleveland, Cleveland ACE Advocates, and Notre Dame College.
Tabor Grants for Religious Instruction are now available. The flyer with more information is below.
Curriculum Reminders
Thank you to all elementary principals who submitted candidates for the preschool curriculum revision team. We have a solid team, thanks to your help.
Thank you to those secondary principals who submitted nominations for the social studies curriculum revision team. However, there are not yet enough secondary nominations to form a solid revision team. Secondary principals are asked to continue to submit nominations until March 8. Requirements and the nomination forms are in the secondary principal group on the Digital Academy in the resource folder for curriculum.
The Secondary Math Curriculum Rollout will take place on March 15 at St. Basil the Great Family Center from 12:30–3:00 p.m. Secondary principals are encouraged to send their math teachers, and elementary principals are encouraged to send any of their junior high teachers who teach Algebra I. Registration is currently available on the Digital Academy and will close three business days before the event.