Monday Mission Memo
May 28, 2019
Superintendent's Update
Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
School Leaders of the Diocese of Cleveland,
For this final note of the month of May, and one of the last of the year, I wish to comment on our fourth root belief, that collaboration is a force multiplier.
St. Paul famously invoked the image of one body in Christ with its many parts. As leaders, we may at times be called upon to be the head, or sometimes the heart, or sometimes the hands or the feet. But we are always challenged to be that central nervous system - coordinating the movements of our body’s parts. Our individual strengths may serve a situation, but we need to be good stewards of our community - of the talents of our faculty, staff, volunteers, parents and other supporters. So much good happens in our organizations when we empower people with high expectations and support them working together to meet them, whether it be teachers in a grade level or subject PLC meeting or staff and volunteers launching a parent ambassador program. Sometimes our best purpose as leaders is to set the right people on a course of action and remove the barriers that prevent them from doing what they do best together. This firm belief that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts is a very Christian idea, reflecting the call to community that is a tenet of Catholic Social Teaching. And so it is that we, as leaders in Catholic schools, should spend some of our time together sharing how best to energize that body for the good of our mission.
You will no doubt hear much more about these root beliefs as the next school year unfolds. Once again, these are the four that make up our working draft for the Office of Catholic Education’s School Leadership Team:
Every person is a gift from God.
Leadership matters.
Excellence happens on purpose.
Collaboration is a force multiplier.
You’ll notice that cleanliness (and organization) are not on the list, but over the long weekend I did a little house cleaning, and I discovered, in a conference bag from Kalahari, the long lost paper feedback you provided on the Catholic School Leader Profile. So in addition to knowing with certainty that I was the one who misplaced them (again, my apologies), we also have the ability to compare your written thoughts with this revised version. The school leadership team and I will take that opportunity over the summer weeks ahead then share with you as the new school year approaches.
I hope you will take a moment to read on below for many updates, including to religious education certification for elementary schools as well as reminders of upcoming opportunities.
I’ll be spending time in Columbus tomorrow advocating for our school choice programs before being out of the office Thursday and Friday for personal time away. Continued blessings to you this busy, sometimes challenging, but always memorable time of the year!
Yours in Christ,
Frank
Elementary Administrators and Teachers Religion Certification Update
With the new certification process and the work done by the OCFE to update and clean up the database, the OCSAA fines that were established last year will be in effect starting with the first AVS in the fall. On the spreadsheet handed out to you in May, any compliance issues were listed and what must be completed in order to take care of those issues BEFORE the start of the 2019-2020 school year were marked. If teachers or administrators are out of compliance at AVS time, fines will occur.
School Spotlight - St. Christopher School, Rocky River
Scott Raiff: Principal and Tennis Coach of St. Christopher School!
Scott Raiff is "all in" at St. Christopher School. He started a tennis club this year, in addition to the over 20 clubs and after school activities. There are traditional clubs( e.g. Brain Brawl, Power of the Pen, School Newspaper.) They also offer more unique offerings like Entrepreneurs Club, Tennis Club, Knitting Club, and Robotics Club. Next year they are starting a Drone Building Club and a Fitness Club. Also, a new preschool program will add to St. Christopher School.
School Theme 2019-20: Magnify the Greatness of the Lord!
Strong Academics Are a Hallmark of St. Christopher School!
St. Christopher is one of the top academic schools in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. They work hard to achieve at this level. In this picture, the "Order of Aleks" honors those who excel at the Aleks personalized learning program. Growth in MAP is celebrated and publicized. Students at St. Christopher School are encouraged to excel academically.
School Spotlight - Sts. Joseph & John, Strongsville
Visioning in the Works!
Hands-On Science
Who Am I?
SAVE THE DATE FOR SCHOOL SAFETY!
All elementary and high school leaders, along with school safety managers, are invited to attend a NaviGate Prepared Threat Assessment Training being offered to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland on August 8th at St. Thomas More School. This FREE training will feature two half day sessions. The morning session will focus on the new Threat Assessment tool that has been created in partnership between NaviGate and SIGMA. Lunch will be provided by NaviGate followed by an afternoon session for all new school leaders who need to learn more about the functions of NaviGate or for anyone who has been a NaviGate client but never really understood or implemented all the functions of this software. Topics will include: safety plans, drill, scenario training, flip charts, reunification.
Take advantage of this safety training before the students return. Registration will open soon on the Digital Academy. In the meantime, mark your calendar for August 8th from 9am to 2:30pm at St. Thomas More School, 4180 North Amber Drive ,Brooklyn, OH 44144.
SAVE THE DATE!! Bishop's Convocation
Inclusive Education Professional Development Opportunities
Third Annual Your Voice Matters Youth Summit - Save the Date: 9/13/2019
The Your Voice Matters Youth Summit brings Cuyahoga County high school students together for a FREE day of learning and inspiration. Students will hear first-hand stories and experiences from elected officials and prominent community leaders.
Students will create an action plan to implement at their schools and realize the power they have to become civically engaged. They will leave motivated to be active voters, leaders, thinkers, and change agents in their schools and communities. This year's summit emphasizes the importance of local elections and the U.S. Census, encouraging students to use their voice to be counted. More details to come.
RSVP to Jeane Holley at jholley@cuyahogacounty.us or (216) 263-2544.
September 13, 2019, 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Tri-C Metro Campus