CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2013 THEME FOCUSES
ON NEW NATIONAL STANDARDS INITIATIVE
Annual Celebration Set for January 27 to February 2
ARLINGTON, VA --"Catholic Schools Raise the Standards" is the theme for Catholic Schools Week 2013, the annual celebration of the high-quality, faith-based education the nation's Catholic schools provide. The observance is scheduled for January 27 to February 2, 2013.
The 2013 theme highlights the recent launch of a new initiative, the National Standards and Benchmarks for Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, to ensure consistent high standards at Catholic schools across the country. The logo designed for the week illustrates a chart of steady growth culminating in the highest achievement of all, a cross representing the faith that underscores all Catholic education.
"Catholic schools have always aimed for academic excellence while fostering spiritual growth, but our Catholic Schools Week theme for 2013 draws special attention to our new national standards," said Dr. Karen Ristau, president of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). "Making the standards initiative the focus of our theme for the week is a great way to demonstrate our commitment to revitalizing Catholic education across the country to provide the best for students and families."
The standards provide guidance on a range of practices that schools should include in their policies, including those related to mission and Catholic identity, governance and leadership, excellence and operational vitality. They were developed through a project led by the Center for Catholic School Effectiveness (CCSE) of Loyola University Chicago, Boston College and NCEA.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to underscore the long-standing leadership of Catholic schools in maintaining and striving for the highest standards in providing an excellent education steeped in the traditions of the Catholic faith," said Marie Powell, executive director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education of the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Resources to Celebrate the Week
A free Marketing Kit of resources for celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2013 will be distributed to dues-paying NCEA members. The kit contains a Marketing Handbook with a year-round guide to promoting Catholic schools, a Liturgy Guide with Sunday Mass homily and daily prayer services, and a CD with logos schools can use to produce their own Catholic Schools Week materials. Logo merchandise and gifts are also available from www.keylinesolutions.net.
To learn more about The National Marketing Campaign For Catholic Schools and Catholic Schools Week, a joint project of NCEA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, visit the NCEA Web site at www.ncea.org/news/CatholicSchoolsWeek.asp.
NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA’s 200,000 members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.
National Catholic Educational Association
Back