E-NEWS
NCEA Secondary Schools Department

Two million hours reached for the Papal Birthday Blessings Campaign

The Secondary Schools Department thanks all the high schools that participated in the Papal Birthday Blessings Campaign. The extraordinary effort on behalf of Catholic high school students across the country gives testimony to the overwhelming sense of commitment to service and attention to duty our schools pursue. With over two million service hours pledged, our schools have something to celebrate together!

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Summer reading recommendations

For anyone expecting to travel this summer, there is one guarantee: unavoidable long waits either in airports, on highways, at amusement parks, or under beach umbrellas.

Make these waits enjoyable with an NCEA publication. This year, the Department has published five books that will help you gather great ideas for the year ahead in whatever queue you find yourself!

The Care Team Approach By Mary Fitzgibbons, PhD., Michael Mahon, and Amy Maus

Today's societal and familial issues affect the classroom in profound ways and increasingly, educators are called to respond. This book delivers pragmatic and workable solutions to the myriad challenges that schools encounter. Care Teams are school-based groups composed of administrators, teachers and support staff who collaborate in finding solutions to problems at-risk students and/or families might encounter. Written by psychologists specializing in school consultation services, this book offers systematic instruction on effectively addressing students’ social-emotional needs. Member price $33

Building Community through School Success Teams By Mary McCullough, PhD., Victoria Graf, Ph.D., and others

One reviewer called it "a must have book for all Catholic school administrators," while another described it as "the missing piece" for schools striving to meet students' needs in a Catholic tradition. This book, designed particularly for Catholic schools, guides educators interested in developing teams of professionals who can explore options and suggest strategies for teachers and students experiencing classroom or learning challenges. Member price $27

Engaging Faith in the World: Exploring Catholic Social Teaching and Global Solidarity By Sr. Katherine Feely, SND

The result of extensive research, consultation with participants in the Frontiers of Justice program, and inquiry into the meaning of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), this resource provides religious educators and instructors in other disciplines with a strong framework to analyze CST in the high school classroom. Perhaps the most thorough resource the Department has ever published on CST, this resource frames current CST instruction in high schools alongside an interdisciplinary pedagogy for global solidarity. Additionally, numerous lesson plans and suggested activities developed by former Frontiers of Justice participants are included to make this resource useful for educators and administrators alike. Member price $20

Creating a Successful Auction: Maximizing Revenue and Building Relationships By Katie Thiemann

This how-to guide provides detailed instructions on hosting a financially successful and spirit-building dinner and live auction at a Catholic school, both elementary and secondary. Author and fund-raising practitioner Katie Thiemann shares her experience at improving donor relations, auction packages, and net revenue and demonstrates innovative ways of maximizing revenue at the tried and true school auction. Member price $15

To purchase these publications, please call NCEA's Member Services Department at 202.337.6232

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U.S. Department of Education Releases Condition of Education 2008

Reported by the Office of Non-Public Education, U.S. Department of Education, May 29, 2008.

The U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released the Condition of Education 2008, a report that summarizes important development and trends in education. The Condition of Education includes information about public, private, and homeschool students in the United States.

Trends in Private School Enrollment

From 1989 to 2005, the percentage of students enrolled in private elementary and secondary schools declined from 11 to 9 percent. The number of private school children enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 increased from 1989 to 2001 and then declined through 2005. In 2005, 5.1 million students attended private elementary and secondary schools in the United States.

Roman Catholic schools maintain the largest share of total private school enrollment. Between 1989 and 2005, enrollment in Catholic schools decreased from 55 to 44 percent of all private schools. (It is important to note that these figures reflect the combination of secondary and elementary schools and that enrollment is significantly down at Catholic elementary schools whereas enrollment has remained steady at Catholic secondary schools. According to the Annual U.S. Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools Statistical Report, 2007 to 2008, available for purchase from NCEA’s online publication catalogue, Catholic secondary school enrollment for the current academic year holds steady at 637,378 in contrast to the 2000 academic year when enrollment was at 639,954.)

Homeschooled Students

In the spring of 2003, about 1.1 million (or 2 percent) of all students were homeschooled in the United States. This was an increase from 1999 when there were 850,000 homeschooled students. (Note: NCES conducted a survey on homeschooling in 2007 and expects to release the report this summer.)

Visit http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/index.asp, the Condition of Education at NCES online for additional information on public and private education in the United States. Hard copies of the report will be available soon.

Reported by the Office of Non-Public Education, U.S. Department of Education, May 29, 2008.

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A report on new teachers' attitudes about their professions reveals surprising data

The National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality and Public Agenda released Lessons Learned: New Teachers Talk About Their Jobs, Challenges and Long-Range Plans, a report that explores new teachers attitudes toward their profession and how their experiences will affect their long term career plans. The report is based on a survey that covers issues related to teacher training, recruitment, professional development and retention. The study questions new teacher motivation to teach, their expectations, and the forces that drive them to either stay or leave the profession. New teacher attitudes toward policy issues, training and support, and classroom diversity are also covered. A surprising finding suggests that many new teachers feel inadequately prepared to teach ethnically diverse student bodies and work with special needs students. The report is concise and may benefit schools seeking to expand new teacher support services. The report is available at http://www.tqsource.org/publications/LessonsLearned3.pdf.

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Scholarships to students who cannot afford the cost of group travel program

The SYTA Youth Foundation (SYF) is the non-profit, philanthropic sister organization of the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA®). The SYF established the SYF "Road" Scholarship program in 2002 to award funds to youth who, for various reasons, are unable to afford the cost of their group's travel. Based on the belief that travel is essential to a complete education, it is the SYF's goal to make a positive difference, through travel, in the young lives of our global citizens. Each year the SYF awards 30 or more scholarships to deserving youth. Scholarships are awarded based on circumstances and need as documented in the completed application form.

The application must be submitted by an adult group leader, i.e. teacher, music director, coach, counselor, program director, youth advisor, etc. Only one SYF "Road" Scholarship will be awarded to each group. Scholarship will not exceed $1,000.00 (U.S.D. or equivalent) per recipient. Applications will be reviewed five times per year. Deadlines are December 15, February 15, April 15, August 15 and October 15. Applications should be submitted at least 45 days prior to the first day of departure of their trip. Reviews will be conducted in January, March, May, September and November. More information is available at http://sytayouthfoundation.org/grants.php?mode=road

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Achievements from the Field

Students build a fuel-efficient prototype vehicle and win $10,000

Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Indiana took home first place at the 2008 Shell Eco-marathon, a challenge to design, build and test fuel efficient prototype vehicles that travel the farthest distance using the least amount of fuel. The students were competing against high school and university students from the U.S, Canada and Mexico. The Mater Dei High School team captain, Justin Stute remarked, "When we first arrived, I wasn’t sure a small high school like Mater Dei could compete with all these elite colleges. But our first run broke the record and then our secondary car did even better. That really motivated both of our teams to go all the way."

Participants in this competition are "the brains of the future," according to the Shell Eco-marathon's project manager.

Articles are available at http://www.materdeisupermileage.com/shell_eco_marathon.html and http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-9918198-54.html.

For more information about the challenge and how your school might enter, visit http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/responsible_energy/ecomarathon_americas/eco_marathon_americas.html.

Students win second and third place in the annual Maryknoll Student Essay Contest

Senior Kelsea Linderman from Reicher Catholic High School in Waco, Texas received second place and junior Emily Boudreaux from Archbishop Chapelle High School in Metairie, LA received third place in the annual Maryknoll Student Essay Contest. Every year the Maryknoll Student Essay Contest challenges elementary and secondary school students to reflect on how they integrate Jesus' teachings in their Christian faith.

This year's theme came from the Gospel of John (18:1-11) when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus unjustly and Peter drew his sword to defend him, Jesus told Peter, "Put away your sword." Students were asked to describe a situation in the world today or in their own lives in which Jesus would say, "Put away your sword," and to explain what they would do to follow Jesus' command to promote peace instead of violence. Linderman described her "sword" of anger over her parents' recent divorce while Boudreaux wrote about the discovery of community by New Orleans' residents after Hurricane Katrina. Boudreaux wrote that putting away the sword "means much more than just being non-violent. It means helping those who turn to violence as a last resort to get back on their feet." Look out for announcements related to the essay contest next fall.

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Professional Development Opportunities:*

PBS TeacherLine's Online Facilitator Training Program

The PBS TeacherLine Team is offering an innovative training opportunity, exclusively available through PBS TeacherLine: Online Facilitator Training I: Mastering the Skills of Online Teaching.

This 45-hour, graduate-level course offers a professional learning option for K-12 teachers, university faculty, and pre-service teachers who are either already teaching online but have never had formal facilitator training, or are interested in becoming an online teacher. Check out the course syllabus to see how theory and real-world practice are blended, what skills are developed, and the continuing education units, graduate credits, or recertification points offered. The summer session runs June 25 - August 5, 2008. Enrollment information is available at http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/catalog/.

Mathematical Sciences Summer Institute, New Orleans, LA

The Mathematical Sciences Institute hosted from July 21 to 23, 2008 is intended for Mathematics and Science Educators in Grades 6 to 12. The 4th annual Mathematical Sciences Institute (MSI) will be held on the campus of St. Martin's Episcopal School in Metairie, LA just minutes from downtown New Orleans. The institute provides a forum where local math and science teachers share ideas, learn from others, and build their school"s educational technology curriculums.

Please visit http://msi.promotinglearning.com for more information.

University of Dayton Online Adult Religious Education and Certification Classes

The University of Dayton now offers convenient, flexible and challenging adult religious education and certification classes via the internet, anytime and anywhere. Online courses run throughout the year for approximately four weeks per session. Course topics include Catechesis, Catholic Doctrine, Church History, Communication, Ecclesiology, Liturgy, Sacraments and Prayer, Marianist Studies, Scripture and Social Justice. Learn more about the program and enroll in a class at http://vlc.udayton.edu/.

Summer Opportunity for Parish and School Choir Conductors

Voices of the Future: a Conductors Seminar for Directors of Catholic School and Parish Choirs is designed for conductors of school and parish youth choirs to learn from the nation's top authorities on young voices. The American Federation Pueri Cantores (AFPC) believes in the importance of Catholic schools including great Catholic liturgical music as a part of the curriculum. The festivals and Conductor Seminar represent the most distinguished offerings in the United States for conductors in Catholic schools. Topics covered include recruitment, promotion, management, repertoire and voice building. The seminar will provide time for networking among participants from around the United States. Mount St. Mary's College is a popular movie set location, offering a 360-degree view of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Mountains and City of Los Angeles. For more information, contact Jan Schmidt, Executive Director of American Federation Pueri Cantores at 714.396.0860, or Janschmidt3@aol.com  

Youth ministry resource for Latino youth leadership

RESPECTO: Latino Youth Rooted in Culture,
Growing in Christ, Empowered to Serve

RESPECTO is a bilingual program that offers creative resources to encourage spiritual growth and leadership development among Latino youth. RESPECTO offers weekend training sessions for adult youth ministers to learn about the program and how to offer it in their diocese and parishes. Participants from “mission dioceses” are eligible for travel assistance scholarships. Workshops will take place July 10 to 13 and July 24 to 27. Register today by calling Edna Cardona at 210.732.2156, ext 7102, or for more information, email Arturo Chavez at achavez@maccsa.org. Information is also available online at http://www.maccsa.org/.

*The listed professional development opportunities and learning resources are for your consideration and do not represent any endorsement by NCEA.

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Service Learning and Curriculum Opportunities

Picturing America from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is accepting applications to participate

Picturing America, the NEH’s most ambitious initiative, brings masterpieces of American art into classrooms and libraries nationwide. Through this interdisciplinary program, students and citizens gain a deeper appreciation of the United States’ history and character through the study and understanding of its art. From August 4-October 31, 2008, the NEH is accepting new applicants. Interested school may apply at: http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/about.php?subPage=about_apply. (Please select the line that reads Click here to receive a reminder when the next application window opens, then complete the Sign Up screen that appears).

The demand has been extremely strong for Picturing America, but this second opportunity to apply may be the last. For more information about this project, view an informational video at http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/index.php?sec=home, or read the Teachers Resource Book and view the forty images that comprise the essence of the project.

The Jumpstart Read for the Record Campaign and Operation Rice Bowl

"Read for the Record," a nationally recognized day to build awareness around the importance of reading to young children, will take place on October 2, 2008. "Read for the Record" addresses the fact that America's kindergarteners increasingly arrive to school on their first day without the learning skills necessary to succeed in school. Read more about how your school community can participate in this excellent service learning opportunity at http://www.readfortherecord.com/.

For over 33 years, Operation Rice Bowl has brought national attention to issues of human dignity, the international food crisis, and the community shattering affect of poverty. Operation Rice Bowl provides a tangible means for Americans to connect in solidarity with international brothers and sisters struggling to survive. Preparations for Operation Rice Bowl 2009 are underway. More information on how your school might get involved is available at http://orb.crs.org/.

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