E-NEWS
NCEA Secondary Schools Department
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Kindly distribute E-News to others in your school community.
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Dear Catholic Secondary School Educator:
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Welcome to the September edition of E-News! |
This edition of E-News features:
NCEA Updates
• Improving Outcomes and Containing Costs, November 12-14, Chicago
• NCEA Department Newsletters Now Available
• National Marketing Campaign for Catholic Schools
• Back to School Publications & Resources
• Award Nominations for Outstanding Catholic Secondary School Educators Now Avialable
Public Policy Updates
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) information from the U.S. Department of Education
• College and Career Readiness Standards Becomes Official
• Programs on best practices for including students with disabilities in Catholic schools
• H1N1 Preparedness
• The School Located Vaccination program (SLV)
• Federal Program Requests for Private School Participation, NAEP 2009:
• Private School Universe Survey (PSS)
Professional Development Opportunities
• Business Management of Catholic Schools Conference: Retention, Recruitment, Numbers and Advancement, October 15, College of Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
• Proclaiming Christ 2009, an annual online conference, begins October 19-23
• Maximizing Wireless Applications in High Schools Webinar, November 5
• The National Writing Project for Instruction on Teaching Writing Effectively
• Interested in Teaching Abroad? Apply for a Fullbright.
Curriculum & Learning Opportunities
• Webinar on Integrating CST Across the High School Curriculum
• 2009-2010 Respect Life Program Packet is now available
• Updated Resources from Education for Justice
• Discover How to Go and Make Disciples…On the Internet!, October 8
• iEARN (International Education and Resource Network), Connecting Youth and Making a Difference in the World
• Posadas Project: Linking Faith, Justice and Immigration
• Google Lit Trips to bring students to places they read and learn about
Awards, Grants and Student/School Contests
• Maryknoll 2009 Essay Contest
• Win recognition for your character education initiative, apply for a National and State Schools of Character award.
• 2010 CCHD Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest
In Other News
• Timely Information from the Student Youth Travel Association
• NCEA congratulates the Catholic Blue Ribbon School Awardees
Improving Outcomes and Containing Costs, the 5th annual instructional leadership conference - November 12 to 14, 2009, Chicago: The continued challenge for Catholic Schools is “to do more with less” while continuing to maintain excellent educational programs in the context of mission. Join K-12 Catholic Educators from around the country to explore ideas and strategies on how to “think outside the box” to achieve more learning with the same or fewer resources. Teams of at least two people from a school are encouraged to register: presidents, principals, assistant principals, department chairs, lead teachers, superintendents and assistant superintendents. This year’s conference will be held in Chicago. This conference qualifies for federal funds. Registration information available here.
Newsletters from Other NCEA Departments:
• Boards Department
• Elementary Department
• CACE Department
• Religious Education Department
National Marketing Campaign for Catholic Schools: A Joint Project of NCEA and USCCB, the National Marketing Campaign for Catholic Schools is the only authorized campaign and uses funds raised for Catholic school advocacy, research and leadership development. Shop now at http://shop.klinemarketing.org/Marketing-CATHOLIC-SCHOOLS-WEEK-Material_c2.htm and get your school community ready for Catholic Schools Week.Orders already placed are being fulfilled now by a new vendor, Brown and Bigelow. (We apologize for the delay during this transition and thank you for your support and cooperation.) Please call the NEW toll-free number – (877) 772-2289 – to order Catholic Schools Week items. Or use our Web site: www.catholicschoolsweek.org. The CSW Marketing Kit is now available for only $25 plus S&H. It is the only place you will find the Marketing Handbook and the Liturgy Guide. It also includes a button, CSW poster and artwork disk with the CSW logo and, new this year, four free posters. In an effort to be good stewards of the earth and to reduce costs, the CSW catalog is online-only this year. There will be no printed catalog. The Web site has descriptions and prices – but you may order online or over the phone. If you have any questions, please call NCEA at: (800) 711-6232 and ask for Kathy Schmitt or Barbara Keebler.
NCEA Secondary Schools Department Awards: Every year at the NCEA Convention & Exposition, the Secondary Schools Department honors a select group of outstanding Catholic secondary school educators who are worthy of national recognition and reflect the richness and diversity of American Catholic education. This year’s awards will be presented on April 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, MN. You are encouraged to consider nominating a member of your school community who has made significant contributions in the area of Catholic secondary education.
Click here to nominate and an outstanding Catholic educator from your community for our 2010 awards.
Additional ARRA Guidance, Title I, Part A: The U.S. Department of Education has released additional guidance on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Using Title I, Part A ARRA Funds. This guidance is intended to assist State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs), and schools in determining how to identify, create, and structure opportunities and strategies to strengthen education, drive school reform, and improve the academic achievement of at-risk students. An overview of ARRA, including links to related guidance documents is located here. [To view the latest guidance, scroll down to Title I, Part A Recovery Funds for Grants to Local Educational Agencies.] The most recent guidance is a forty-three page document that also addresses the use of Title I funds for providing equitable services to eligible private school students, their teachers and their families. Specifically, it includes two questions related to equitable services under Title I, Part A.
Some important questions to consider:
• B-6. May an LEA take all of most of its Title I, Part A ARRA money “off the top” of its Title I, Part A allocation for specific district priorities?
This question addresses “off the top” reservations, an LEA’s obligation to provide equitable Title I services to eligible private school students, their teachers and their families, as well as the requirement for LEAs to engage in consultation with private school officials regarding any off the top costs the LEA is considering.
• G-10. Given that Title I, Part A ARRA funds constitute a significant increase in the amount of funds available for an LEA to provide equitable services to eligible private school students, what are some additional activities that an LEA might implement to meet the equitable service requirements?
The response to this question provides a list of activities for LEAs and private school officials to consider in implementing Title I services for eligible private school students. From extending Title I instructional time to Saturday classes or summer school, to serving more eligible children and providing online learning for middle and high school students, the list of suggested activities includes new ways of meeting the needs of academically at-risk students in private schools.
The full text of the newest guidance as well as additional guidance about ARRA is available on the Department’s website.
Two programs in the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) series to focus on best practices for including students with disabilities in Catholic schools: Individual schools are encouraged to have faculty members participate in this upcoming webinar series. The first webinar is on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and directed towards persons working in Catholic elementary schools. The program on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 focuses on best practices at the high school level. See the brochure for more information.
College and Career Readiness Standards Becomes Official: The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a joint effort by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) in partnership with Achieve, ACT and the College Board. Governors and state commissioners of education from across the country committed to joining a state-led process to develop a common core of state standards in English-language arts and mathematics for grades K-12. These standards will be research and evidence-based, internationally benchmarked, aligned with college and work expectations and include rigorous content and skills. The NGA Center and CCSSO are coordinating the process to develop these standards and have created an expert validation committee to provide an independent review of the common core state standards, as well as the grade-by-grade standards. Information available at http://www.corestandards.org/.
H1N1 Preparedness: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is issuing on-going guidance documents pertaining to containment of the H1N1 “swine flu” epidemic that is expected to intensify as the winter approaches. Catholic schools should inform the local public health department and public school district office that they want their school to be included in any emergency planning and alert systems that are available for public schools in their areas.
The School Located Vaccination program (SLV): The CDC will supply the vaccine, syringes, needles, syringe containers, etc and the public schools will use their own nursing personnel to administer the vaccines. Some state and local health agencies are indicating that they will NOT supply personnel to administer the vaccines on site at private schools; others will do so. The CDC is suggesting that public health agencies not exclude private schools from their planning efforts – but they cannot mandate that they include private schools. If collaboration with the local public officials is not forthcoming, private schools are advised to hire or recruit volunteer personnel to administer vaccines if they choose to be a vaccination site. Check with the local health agencies about alternatives and/or liability issues if the Catholic school is a vaccination site.
Federal Program Requests for Private School Participation, NAEP 2009: Many secondary schools have been contacted by NAEP to request their participation in the NAEP testing. NCEA has provided letters of endorsement and urges all schools so contacted to participate. Since private schools account for 24% of all schools in the nation and educate almost 11% of all American school children, it is important that they be included in all data that describes the condition of American education. Catholic school data make an important contribution to the picture of American education and to future policy decisions.
Private School Universe Survey (PSS): The National Center for Education Statistics will be conducting the biennial data collection via a self-administered survey that will be mailed to all private schools in early October. An Internet response option will also be available. The data gathered provide valuable resources that complement the data that NCEA is not financially able to gather on its own.
The information gathered from these respected research instruments helps NCEA and your schools demonstrate the effectiveness of Catholic education. Please encourage all school principals to complete the PSS survey and to participate in the NAEP program if they are selected.
Professional Development Opportunities
Business Management of Catholic Schools Conference: Retention, Recruitment, Numbers and Advancement, October 15, College of Holy Cross, Worcester, MA: If you are in the area, consider attending this excellent line up of speakers (20 workshops total) and the keynote by Dr. Alfred Shannon, Headmaster at St. John’s Preparatory School, Danvers, MA. The conference is hosted by the Association of Catholic Admissions and Advancement Professionals of New England. More information is available at http://www.acaap.net/news.php, or check out the conference brochure.
Proclaiming Christ 2009, an annual online conference, October 19 to 23:
The Proclaiming Christ 2009 conference is on the internet and requires zero travel plans. If you have not registered yet, what are you waiting for? Register today! Click here. You can pay by check or credit card. The early bird discount ends Wednesday, September 30, 2009. Partial scholarships are available by contacting Sr. Susan Wolf at swolf@pncea.mmsend.com. Imagine yourself surrounded by ministry experts and your peers sharing:
• the best ways to bring the message of Christ alive in your parish
• how to re-awaken the faith of inactive members
• the tools that work
• the resources you need
That's what Proclaiming Christ 2009 is all about! And it will happen at your computer October 19-23 or until November 2, if you need the time! This special group is gathering only once this year. Be part of it, don't miss out! What is the time commitment? That is up to you! You decide your schedule and your time commitment. Depending on what you are looking for--you can gain a lot from spending just a few hours to a few days at the website. It is up to you.
Maximizing the Potential of Wireless Applications in High School Webinar, Thursday, November 5, 2009: Hosted by Cellular Specialties, Inc., this webinar is designed specifically for parochial and private schools to address how technology has radically changed education. The webinar will focus on the beneficial role wireless networks will play and the potential funding sources to help pay for them. The Webinar will open on Thursday, November 5, 2009, 2PM – 3PM EDT (11AM-12PM PDT) with a presentation entitled, Maximizing the Potential of Wireless Applications In High School, and features Arthur James Nelson, President of New Technology Associates. The onset of the Internet, high-speed wireless connectivity and voice-over-IP has launched a revolution that leverages the traditional brick and mortar learning environment. Cellular Specialties’ webinar will address these disruptive changes and underscore the significant role wireless networks will play in delivering education. Register at: http://www.cellularspecialties.com/seminar-registration.aspx?eventID=36. Contact Crista LaCross at (866) 670-2205, clacross@csiwireless.com, with any questions.
The National Writing Project for Instruction on Teaching Writing Effectively: The National Writing Project consists of a national network of sites through which teachers in every region of the United States gain access to effective practices and research findings about the teaching of writing. Through NWP's professional development programs, teachers in all subject areas and all grade levels learn new strategies to help their students become accomplished writers and learners. Federal funds support 50 percent of the costs of these programs and recipients must contribute an equal amount. A National Advisory Board regularly provides advice and support and reviews the Project's programs and activities. The Project serves more than 100,000 teachers at approximately 175 sites, and has served over 2 million teachers and administrators since its inception in 1974. Look for a nearby location and get involved: http://www.nwp.org/
Interested in teaching or researching abroad? Apply for a Fullbright: In partnership with the Academy for Educational Development and the U.S. State Department, iEARN-USA is offering two exciting opportunities for educators interested in spending a semester or a year abroad: the 2010-2011 Fulbright Teacher Classroom Exchange and the Distinguished Awards in Teaching programs. The Fulbright Teacher Exchange program provides opportunities for K-12 teachers to participate in direct one-to-one classroom exchanges with peers from other countries for a semester or an academic year. This year's participating countries include: Czech Republic, France, Ghana, Hungary, India, Mexico, Slovak REpublic, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Exchange teachers provide students with new perspectives while gaining an understanding for different cultures and educational models. Deadline for applying to the Fulbright Teacher Classroom Exchange program is October 15, 2009.
The Distinguished Awards program offers fellowships to highly accomplished U.S. and international teachers to receive a grant to study at a university, conduct research, teach classes and workshops, and develop a capstone project pertaining to their field of educational inquiry during a semester overseas. This year's participating countries include: Argentina, Finland, India, Israel, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States. Deadline for applying to the Distinguished Awards program is January 15, 2010. *Additional countries may be added prior to the January 15th deadline.
For application forms and more information on both programs, please visit www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org.
Curriculum & Learning Opportunities
Webinar on Integrating Catholic Social Teaching Across the High School Curriculum: Hosted by NCEA, Education for Justice and Catholic Relief Services, this webinar will enhance instruction, improve learning and affirm Catholic social values in our schools. High school teachers from all academic disciplines and administrators are invited to engage around this important topic. Research points to increased learning when students see concepts threaded through several disciplines at once, and greater connection across disciplines leads to greater knowledge retention and wider application of content. Instruction that integrates CST across the high school curriculum offers greater depth and breath in learning and imparts better appreciation of the significance of the whole.
Date: Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Time: 4 pm, EST
Length: 45 minutes
Registration: http://www.educationforjustice.org/Webinar.
Who: Instructors from all academic disciplines and administrators are encouraged to participate to maximize the formation of new ideas, projects, templates and resources to move cross-curricular integration from theory to practice in schools.
In addition, we have prepared a brief survey to help us design the webinar. Please forward this link to your faculty and encourage their participation: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB229MUKRLTPG. ontact Christiane Connors, cconnors@ncea.org, with any questions.
2009-2010 Respect Life Program Packet is now available: This year’s theme is Every Child Brings Us God’s Smile, and will kick off this year on October 4. The program includes resources in English and Spanish that address diverse topic of current interest. Copies are available to download here, or by calling Susan Wills at 866.582.0943.
Updated Resources from Education for Justice: Education for Justice has been upgrading it's web site and designing a new and improved interface for members, including features like a login memory, more online workshops or 'webinars,' and an always exciting line-up of new resources. If you are a member, check out the site today. If your school is not a member, then what are you waiting for? For an extremely low fee, your faculty will have outstanding resources at their fingertips that address core subject areas with attention to Catholic Social Teaching and justice-related issues. Sign up now and see what you are missing at http://www.educationforjustice.org/.
Webinar on Discover How to Go and Make Disciples…On the Internet!, October 8, 3 pm EST by the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association: Attend for free over the internet! Click here to Sign-up Today! How can we reach the young people who rely more and more on social media (digital natives) in a way that will appeal to them? The next session in the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association's Catholic Speakers Online (CSO) series will provide some answers to that question. Dr. Tom Curran, Director of www.MyCatholicFaith.org, will speak on Go and Make Disciples... On the Internet! Evangelizing Digital Natives and Forming Catholics on the Internet on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at 3:00 pm EDT. Tom will share principles and practices for effectively utilizing the internet as a means of forming Catholics in the faith and also to reach out to "digital natives" – the younger generation who spend increasing amounts of time getting information and interacting on the internet. The entire event is free, but registration is required. To register, click here.
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iEARN (International Education and Resource Network), Connecting Youth and Making a Difference in the World: Check the group out at http://us.iearn.org/ and discover the projects, activities and resources available to schools. Bring Shanghai, Ireland, South Africa and the rest of the world to your classroom by entering a contest, joining an online conference, and encouraging your students to collaborate with students worldwide. Additionally, take part in its professional development webinar will get you familiar with the Collaboration Centre including how to use project descriptions, forums and albums to help you to decide what projects to use with your students. Register here.
Posadas Project: Linking Faith, Justice and Immigration: The Catholic Church has steadfastly continued its important legacy of moral and spiritual leadership in America. Posada, an award-winning film about young immigrants, and the Posadas Project are part of a new initiative for every Catholic high school to foster a compassionate understanding about immigrants. The Posadas Project focuses faith and justice through Las Posadas, the traditional Advent procession from Mexico, and through the stories of unaccompanied immigrant children, as told in the film Posada. Every NCEA high school will receive a Posada DVD and other project resources that would go well with Religious Education, Social Studies, Spanish classes and community service experiences. Look for the resources in the mail and check out the website at www.posadas-project.com.
Google Lit Trips to bring students to places they read and learn about. This exciting educational experiment uses Google Earth to teach students about great literature and timeless travel adventures and road trip stories. Although the project is still in test drive, it captures what many educators are already doing by bringing the world and global perspectives into the classroom. Visit http://www.googlelittrips.org/ and get hooked.
Awards, Grants & Student/School Contests
Maryknoll 2009 Essay Contest: Every year, Maryknoll distributes nearly $3,000 in scholarship money related to the annual essay contest as well as coverage in its magazine. This year’s theme is "It's all about me" is a popular slogan for many young people today. But Jesus tells us, "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:28)
ASSIGNMENT: Explain how you can follow Jesus' words in today's self-centered culture.
RULES: Students in grades 6–8 (Division I) and grades 9–12 (Division II) qualify. Entries must be written in English. Only one entry per student. Please specify the division to which the entry is being submitted. Children of Maryknoll employees, Associates and Affiliates are not eligible.
LENGTH: 500–750 words. Pages should be typed and double-spaced or neatly handwritten in ink and stapled.
DEADLINE: Entries must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, December 1, 2009. Winning entries will be published in the May/June 2010 MARYKNOLL magazine and online at www.maryknoll.org/winners. For more information, click here, or call 1•888•627•9566, and ask for Student Essay Contest, ext. 2368.
Win recognition for your character education initiative by applying for a National and State Schools of Character award. National winners receive a grant from the Character Education Partnership to share their expertise with others. State winners become state-level models. K–12 public and private schools are eligible. Go to www.character.org/nsoc.
2010 Catholic Campaign for Human Development Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest: The Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest is an annual contest organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). The 2010 contest theme is: “Empowering Communities, Uprooting Poverty.” Lesson plans and activities, contest information, and rules can be found here. Please note that all art forms are welcome! Entries are due by March 31, 2010. Please contact Jill Rauh, the CCHD Youth and Young Adult Coordinator, at jrauh@usccb.org for any questions about the contest.
Timely Information from the Student Youth Travel Association: As a NCEA member, you benefit from NCEA’s partnership with Student Youth Travel Association and receive free access to their magazines, newsletters and online resources. Click here for their September Issue and learn what is happening in the world of student youth travel. Additionally, participate in their contests and scholarship programs to save money the next time your school travels. Bon voyage!
NCEA congratulates the 42 Catholic elementary and secondary schools that received Blue Ribbon School Awards: The National Blue Ribbon School Awards were announced September 15, 2009. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan named 314 schools as recipients of the award – 264 public schools and 50 private schools. Of the 50 private schools receiving this national recognition, 42 were Catholic schools. Congratulations to these outstanding schools! Read more here.
Sr. Mary Frances Taymans, SND, Executive Director
Christiane Connors, Director of Special Projects
Michael Conroy, Administrative Assistant
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