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Dear Parents!
I trust you and your families are doing well. For those of you that are football fans, I am sure you are happy that the season is under way. My family are Broncos fans; we've had season tickets since 1963! We love our Broncos!
As a school community, we have settled into the school year; children, parents, and teachers have gotten to know one another. Children know what the academic expectations are and are embracing the challenges that these expectations bring. Teachers are working tirelessly to provide a first-class education to their students. The BSCS administration and faculty engage in several activities that ensure lessons are first-class. We do this in several ways: 1) following the Archdiocese of Denver content standards which are reviewed on a rotation basis every five years by a group of teachers from around the Archdiocese; 2) each spring we conduct a curriculum audit ensuring that we are following the standards and adjusting lessons if needed; 3) teachers generate unit lessons following the BSCS unit lesson plan template which ensures grade-level teams plan and collaborate on lessons and activities within the unit; 4) daily plans are followed accordingly.
The above general description of how we view content areas is part of what we do as Catholic School teachers. We believe we have been called to the profession and called to teaching in a Catholic School. Recently, Reverend John F. Meyers, President of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) wrote,
"'GO, Teach!' Christ charged His first disciples. Since the beginning of Christianity, education has been one of the most important missions of the Church. Its success depends upon the professional competence, quality, and above all, the commitment of the teacher to Christ. This Code of Ethics for the Catholic School Teacher is a concise description of the person who is growing in faith, hope and love of Christ. It specifies the attitude and the practice of the Catholic School teacher in relation to the student, the parent, the community, and to the profession. This code offers a guide by which to live, a goal toward which to strive and a promise of lasting success."
Fr. Meyers' code of ethics describes four principles that guide the Catholic educator:
Principle I:
COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENT
As Catholic School educators we believe that students, like ourselves, are pilgrim people, making their journey through this life with a constant focus on the next. As Christian Catholic educators, we have a special responsibility to encourage each student to achieve his/her maximum potential. We work to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals.
Principle II: C
OMMITMENT TO PARENTS
As Catholic School educators we believe children are influenced by home, community, and a society in which attitudes toward Christian values are often challenged. Parents, the source from whom children and youth derive their values, entrust their children to the Catholic School to instruct, complement and intensify the education and formation begun in the home. We are called to assist these parents in fulfilling their obligation for the Christian formation and education of their child.
Principle III: COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
As Catholic School educators, we believe the school community is both an agent of appropriate change and a preserver of basic tradition. We consider the school community an integral part of the parish whose people it serves, and a vital force for preparing future civic and Church leaders.
Principle IV: COMMITMENT TO THE PROFESSION
As Catholic School educators we believe that professional excellence in Catholic Schools directly influences our Church, country and world. We strive to create a Christian environment which promotes sound moral and professional judgment. Through our spirit of joy and enthusiasm, we encourage others to join us in our apostolate of teaching in a Catholic School.
As the school year progresses, I hope you can see these principles at work in our classrooms. Our faculty is a collection of wonderfully talented individuals that have been called to the teaching profession. Please keep them in your prayers.
God bless you and your children,
Carla
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