Catholic School Matters
February 4, 2018
Turnaround Catholic Schools, Week 2
This is Week 2 of the Turnaround Catholic Schools series. Last week was so successful that I had two schools contact me to be included. So we now have 2 bonus episodes which were recorded last week! This week, we have a new set of turnaround schools—all with very different solutions to schools in jeopardy. How much jeopardy? Some of them had the lights turned off! When you can’t make payroll, you are in trouble.
The principal of St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chicago helped lead a renaissance of her school by committing to an innovative academic program. The president of Roncalli Catholic High School in Omaha got to work raising money to pay off debt and recruit students. The principal of rural St. Peter’s School committed to multi-age classrooms. The principal of St. Anthony’s Tri-Parish School set out to raise money for a new school, inspiring and rallying her community of Casper, Wyoming. St. Gertrude the Great’s (Los Angeles) principal turned first to Seton Fellow’s Blended Learning for direction and then to Fr. Joe Corpora’s Catholic School Advantage program to attract and retain Latino students. All Saints in Omaha embraced their immigrant population and worked to build partnerships. St. Jerome’s in Hyattsville adopted a classical curriculum and attracted more students. So there is no easy answer. But what you’ll find is leaders who are paying attention, who are willing to try something new, and commit to the hard work. Every day this week one of these 15-minute podcasts drop.
Link to St. Therese Chinese Catholic School (Chicago)
· Video about the school; another video here
· Article about Principal Phyllis Cavalone-Jurek’s Golden Apple award in 2017; article about her innovator award in 2012; article about her NAESP distinguished principal honor in 2017
· Article about a recent graduate which sheds light on the school
Link to Roncalli Catholic High School (Omaha)
· News story about their Benilde Program serving students with learning differences
· Thank you video for the school donors produced by students
Link to St. Peter’s Catholic School (Middleton, Wisconsin)
Link to St. Anthony’s Tri-Parish School (Casper, Wyoming)
· Video showing the dedication of the new school
· Link to the SAS Foundation
· Coverage of their new building in 2010
Link to St. Gertrude the Great School (Los Angeles)
· More information about the school from Seton Fellows
· More information from ACE
Link to All Saints Catholic School (Omaha)
· School video in English; School video in Arabic; School video in Spanish
· Article about technology donation
Link to St. Jerome’s Academy (Maryland)
· Article in Washington Post about their classical conversion
· Article about the enrollment growth
· Link to the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education
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Dr. Tim Uhl
What I'm Up To
The Church Documents podcast series has wrapped up. Here is the landing page for Church Documents resources and the podcasts which can serve as a PLC. Here is the link to the podcast on iTunes. Here are videos showing you how to download and subscribe to a podcast on iTunes and how to download and subscribe a podcast on Android.
Here's what I'm working on this week:
- Monday: Office (Helena); Podcast Episode 99: Turnaround: St. Therese Chinese Catholic School (Chicago)
- Tuesday: Virtual Admin Meetings at 9 am & 1 pm; Podcast Episode 100: Turnaround: Roncalli Catholic HS (Omaha)
- Wednesday: Travel to University of Dayton; Wed book blog: Glass House; Podcast Episode 101: Turnaround: St. Peter's (Wisconsin)
- Thursday: Presentation at University of Dayton; Podcast Episode 102: Turnaround: St. Anthony's Tri-Parish School (Casper, WY)
- Friday: Office (Helena); Podcast Episode 103: Turnaround: St. Gertrude the Great (LA) Podcast Bonus Episodes: Turnaround: All Saints Catholic School (Omaha), St. Jerome's Academy (MD), and Mt. St. Mary's HS (OK)
Miles this week: 25 driving miles; 4,163 air miles
Miles travelled in 2017-18: 16,913 road miles; 23,235 air miles
Catholic School Matters
Email: superintendent@montanacc.org
Website: www.montanacatholicschools.org
Location: PO Box 1708 Helena MT 59601
Phone: (406) 442-5761
Facebook: facebook.com/montanacatholicschools
Twitter: @mtcathschools
American Catholic News
Reading about 'The Benedict Option'
Catholic School News
- Closing of Jubilee Schools a Blow to City, Church, Children; however, New group files to take over schools
- The deadline for applications to the Emmaus Program at Boston College for principal formation is February 28th
- Cristo Rey Network bucks national enrollment trend
- Why many Catholic schools are reducing screen time
- Boston's City Connect program is leading to student success
- Jesuit prep school readies students to pursue social justice
Leadership Links
Teaching & Learning
Miscellany
NCEA News
Events
- VIsions for Excellence Soul of Youth Sports Conference Feb 21-23
- Convention, April 3-5 Cincinnati
Webinars
- Feb 6: Unlocking Student Talent
- Feb 7: STEM
February Parent Engagement Flyer
Winners of the Lead, Learn, Proclaim Awards 2018
What I'm Reading
- Glass House: The 1% Economy and the Shattering of the All-American Town (2017) by Brian Alexander
- Transforming School Culture: How to Overcome Staff Division by Anthony Muhammad
- Everyone Leads: How to Revitalize the Catholic Church (2017) by Chris Lowney
- Leadership on the Line Ronald Heifetz & Marty LInsky (1989) by Carl E. Larson & Frank M. J. LaFasto
- Building a Bridge (2017) by James Martin, SJ.
Click this link for a full list of my professional reading along with links to Wed Book Blogs
For Montana Administrators & Teachers
- Next Admin Virtual meeting is February 6th. Here is the slideshow. Please read Chapter 7 "Courage" of Redeeming Administration
- Stillwater Christian has extended an invitation to their Feb 26th Googlefest. Here is the link to the registration form
Past Issues of Catholic School Matters
January 28, 2018 "Turnaround Schools"
January 21, 2018 "Synthesizing Church Documents"
January 14, 2018 "What's Brewing in Milwaukee"
January 7, 2018 The 411 on 529's
December 17, 2017 Best of the Fall Issue
December 10, 2017 Serving Hispanic Catholics
December 3, 2017 Building Culture the ND Way
November 12, 2017 "How Are We Building Relationships?"
November 5, 2017 "Journal of Catholic Education"
October 29, 2017 Church Documents
October 22, 2017 Momentum Special Issue
October 15, 2017 "Anthem Protests"
October 8, 2017 Classroom Managment Special Issue
October 1, 2017 "The Un-Themed Issue"
September 24, 2017 "Joy of the Gospel"
September 17, 2017 "ESSA"
September 10, 2017 "On Leadership"
August 27, 2017 "American Catholic News"
August 20, 2017 Back to School Issue