Office of
Catholic Schools
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". . . as we prepare for the start of a new academic year." |
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August: Immaculate Heart of Mary |
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially as we prepare for the start of a new academic year.
We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever. Amen.
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Prayer: Immaculate Heart Novena Prayer; EWTN.com | Image: Catholic News Agency |
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Next editions of the Office of Catholic Schools Newsletter:
September 4
September 18
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Look for topics in previous editions: |
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2020-2021 School Year Calendar |
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The 2020-2021 Master Calendar for the Office of Catholic Schools is now available. Please remember that dates may change as needed. Download below. |
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Please keep in prayer the family of Andrew Thorson. Andrew was the Board of Trustee President for Lourdes Academy. He died unexpectedly leaving a young family. His wife, Heather is the admissions director for Lourdes Academy. |
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We would like to welcome Melissa Wojcik, new principal at St. Mary, Luxemburg and Holy Trinity, Casco to our schools team. We look forward to working together in the ministry of our Catholic schools. |
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Messages from Bishop Ricken |
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Here are two back to school video messages from Bishop Ricken. Please share with staff, families and students!
Teachers, staff and administrators:
Students:
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Back to school at St. Mary Catholic Schools, Neenah |
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Local 5 Live stopped by a school in the valley to find out what safety measures are in place at St. Mary Middle School for back to school in the fall. |
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Mental and Behavioral Health Screening |
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The goal of screening is to generate new and useful information so that students can be better served in interventions that prevent or mitigate mental health challenges and promote resiliency. Thoughtful selection and implementation of a screening measure is critical to meeting this goal.
Regardless of the chosen measure, all screening should be:
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School Safety Grant Training Requirement |
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Schools that received a round 2 state school safety grant must train 10% of their staff on adolescent mental health by Dec. 31. The deadline had been August but the state moved it because of the pandemic. Go to this DOJ page and scroll down to "Round 1+ 2 required Trainings" for an explanation.
The DOJ has a free training next week with 35 slots open. So, if a school has not yet complied, this would be a good opportunity.
The DOJ says "a lot" of the private school grant recipients haven’t fulfilled this requirement yet, and many of them only need to send one or two staff to be in compliance.
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NWEA MAP: Remote Testing Webinars
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Remote Testing Webinars message from NWEA.
We hope you are gearing up well for fall! Remote testing is an important consideration for all of you as you plan assessments to determine how to best drive instruction in these unprecedented times.
Our comprehensive Remote Testing Resources are located on our NWEA Community site. We are eager to support you in leveraging these resources to fit your unique needs. To do so, we are scheduling MAP Growth NWEA Remote Testing Information Sessions. Join NWEA Account Managers and an NWEA Tech Consultant to learn best practices in preparing for and administering MAP Growth in a remote setting for students across all grade levels. Bring your tech directors!
Please complete this QUICK SURVEY no later than Thursday, August 20, 2020 to join us. Select your first and second choice of date/time options. Please note these sessions fill quickly. Once we have this information, we will send you a Ring Central calendar invitation. We will be hosting three sessions.
Please know that if you have questions about remote testing and use for MAP Reading Fluency and, or MAP Accelerator, we can support you! Reach out to me, your Account Manager, for more information and to schedule time separately.
Many thanks!
Jessica Knierim, Executive Account Manager, Catholic Education
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The test window for Fall is September 7-October 4. I would recommend not testing before September 14 in order to give the students a chance to get comfortable and to practice with any that are new.
Please be sure to send the names of teachers who are no longer associated with the school to your MAP coordinator in order that their account can be inactivated.
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This is a resource that was put together and shared from the CESA Instructional Technology Services Committee. Feel free to pass the resource along to teachers. Return to Learn Playbook
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Accreditation Annual Report |
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We understand how busy you are with getting ready for the school year in the midst of COVID 19 and appreciate all your efforts. Although the annual report is not due until October 1, there are parts that you can do well before that. Here are some guides to help you know what you need to do for the report. Hopefully, your Administrative Assistant would be able to assist with the demographic information and update the teacher information. Just a reminder, if you have any new hires you need to include a copy of their license. For teachers who have to have a plan or exemption because they are not teaching in a licensed area, those also need to be included. Feel free to visit the website for more information. If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our office.
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Principals/Administrators:
Please close your WECAN vacancies once you hire for a position. If you need to extend the posting because you have not hired, please change the date that you want the posting to close, otherwise it will not show up on WECAN. Remember you must ask applicants to apply through WECAN while posting through WECAN. Do not direct them to apply directly to you. If you have questions or need help, contact Lisa Gruber lgruber@gbdioc.org.
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Earlier today, August 19, the Department of Public Instruction’s Deputy State Superintendent, Mike Thompson, shared the information below related to new DHS Guidance, DCF Resources, and digital equity.
This email provides updates on new guidance from the Department of Health Services (DHS) on COVID-19 outbreaks in schools, new information from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as you work with child care providers, and information to support digital equity.
DHS Guidance on COVID-19 Outbreaks in Schools (DPI 8/19/20)
- · physical distancing,
- · wearing face coverings,
- · absence policies,
- · information on how to identify cases and close contact among students,
- · information on when to exclude students from in-person instruction,
- · how to best isolate and quarantine,
- · effective cleaning and disinfecting practices, and
- · template letters for schools to use in the situation of confirmed cases or close contact.
This guidance builds on existing guidance provided by the Department of Public Instruction in Education Forward.
DCF Guidance on Working with Child Care Providers
DCF has produced a series of guidance documents to help child care providers and local educational agencies as families, schools, and child care providers navigate the reopening of school this fall. Two new documents you may find of interest include:
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Digital Equity WEBINAR TODAY!!! |
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The webinar covers the playbook and action plan for Digital Equity Outreach Month including:
· Tips and best practices for organizing, resourcing, and conducting an outreach campaign to your families,
· Useful tools to support your outreach, and
· Home Digital Access Mapping Tool that enables districts to visualize student connectivity data and overlay available Internet service and LTE provider options.
As a reminder, Wisconsin DPI recently shared internet access at home survey tools to help school districts identify gaps in digital equity. In order to provide continuity of learning online due to COVID-19, it will be important to ensure access to an Internet connection and a dedicated learning device for students at home. This webinar will be recorded and sent out to those who register.
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Changes in Required Immunization Reports |
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A back to school immunization webinar will be held August 26, 2020 at 1:00 pm-2:30 pm for school personnel on submitting their school report. Nonpublic schools are required to file reports.
The webinar is sponsored by the Wisconsin departments of Health Services (DHS) and Public Instruction (DPI) and will discuss changes in the reports and the report process in more detail.
You do not need to preregister. Just click on this link at the specified date and time.
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FREE Refrigerator Magnets |
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The Office of Children’s Mental Health has launched an emoji illustrated “Feelings Thermometer” to help families cope during this time.
It’s a visual tool to post on the refrigerator that helps everyone — from kids to adults— measure how they are doing emotionally and provides tips on how to shift your mood from angry to calm. Research shows that just identifying a calming activity can reduce anxiety, First Lady, Kathy Evers said in her announcement.
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Throughout this school year, the Choice team will be offering virtual meetings for all schools and/or staff new to the Choice program for the 2020-21 school year. The first meeting will take place on August 26, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, and will be covering the Preliminary Enrollment Report as well as a few more ins and outs of the program. These meetings are intended to remind schools of upcoming due dates and requirements and to provide support for schools and/or staff new to the Choice program. We strongly encourage schools to join the virtual meetings and engage with members of the Choice team to learn more about the program and have a successful school year. The meetings will be delivered using Microsoft Teams. For information about joining a Microsoft Teams meeting, please see the attached PDF. The link for the August meeting is below.
+1 608-620-9781 United States, Madison (Toll)
Conference ID: 164 437 253#
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September 1 – School Directory Application Opens – allows schools to update their contact information.
September 18 (Third Friday in September) – All schools participating in the Choice Program take the third Friday in September count of Choice students enrolled in their school and complete the report in Third Friday in September Count Report in OAS.
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Chemical Free Disinfectants |
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Several schools have inquired about chemical free disinfectants for their school. Building and Grounds at the Diocese recommends Sani-Q2. A flyer and list of vendors is included if you would like more information or would like to order. (Click on the buttons below.)
For those schools/parishes who had ordered equipment and/or sanitizing solution through the Diocese, it was ordered through Rae-Cor Distributing. This could be another place for schools/parishes to order supplies.
Rae-Cor Distributing
920 Klaus St.
Green Bay, WI 564302
920-499-1794
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DISINFECTANT MACHINES AVAILABLE |
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When ordering the disinfectant sprayer machines through the diocese, two extra machines were ordered. They are available at $950 each if your school or parish would like to purchase one. They can be picked up at the diocesan offices. First come first served. Contact Debbie Linnane if interested, dlinnane@gbdioc.org or 920-272-8303.
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Virtual Learning Considerations from DPI
Many of the schools are looking at accommodating families who would like to begin the school year virtually. DPI has provided guidance on this at this LINK. As a school, there are two main things to consider when looking at Virtual Learning:
1. Do you have the technical capabilities in place at the school for virtual learning? Example - can you put a webcam into the classroom of those students who are going to be at home so that they can tune in at a designated time? Do you have enough Chromebooks to give to students learning from home?
2. Do the families have the bandwidth in their house to be able to tune into 2-3 different classrooms at the same time?
If so, then you can move forward with a plan. Please contact Lori for more assistance or with additional questions.
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Protocol to Send-Home: COVID 19 Symptoms |
DPI has devised a chart depicting the protocol to send home children who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19. |
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Weekly Principal & Administrator Meetings |
We will continue to meet on a weekly basis every Monday at 3:00 pm. Please note the later time as many of the DASA groups are already meeting on Monday afternoons prior to the principal meeting. Notices will be sent out the Friday prior to each meeting.
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All employees (regardless of position/job title) and all adult volunteers who have contact with minors as part of their duties are required to:
- Have a Diocese of Green Bay-approved background check
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Complete a VIRTUS "Protecting God's Children" Adult Awareness session. Online VIRTUS training is now available.
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Review and sign either the Our Promise to Protect (employees) or Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Volunteers.
Instructions on how to complete each step can be found:
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For more information please contact Deb Knaus at the Office of Safe Environment.
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If a Student or Staff Member Has Been Exposed to the CoronaVirus . . . |
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For your consideration, these guidelines have been provided by several health organizations. Please make sure to check with your local health agency to determine what they are recommending.
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If someone has been exposed and tested positive - Schools will notify public health and public health will begin contact tracing starting from 2 days before illness onset or asymptomatic (no symptoms) patients. They will instruct the confirmed person on quarantine. If you are not contacted by public health there would be no reason to quarantine/isolate. Public health will not contact the school unless there are more than 2+ cases in a close time frame.
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If someone has been exposed and tested negative - Public health will contact the employee/student and inform them when they can return to school. It will be the responsibility of the employee/student to inform the school of a return to school date. Public health will not contact the school.
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Many schools have been installing plastic protectors around the student desks. There are several companies that currently produce these items that our schools are working with. They are:
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Laird Plastics (Kris Walker); approx $20 each
- Key Industrial Plastics (Logan Engebose at 920-746-1362)) Approx. $50-70 each
- Amazon (DIY Partition Baffle Desk Dividers, Office Partition, Desktop Privacy Panel for Student, Call Center/Office/Library/Classroom Cough Protective Guard (Brand: YUTK) Approx. $20 each
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The Digicopy portal has been updated with:
- New signage (English & Spanish) on proper hand-washing techniques, wearing a mask and cleaning/disinfection
- Refrigerator magnet (English & Spanish) reminding families of the symptoms of COVID 19 and when to stay home
- Customizable template you can edit and send to parents on what your school will be doing in regards to academics, health precautions, etc.
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Use the link above to view & order. Username/password can be reset if necessary by contacting Sheryl Biersteker.
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If your Parish/School Purchased a
64 Millennium Q Disinfection Cleaner . . .
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Safety Data sheets (SDS) were disbritubed when the cleaners were picked up at the Diocese. A copy of the SDS can be found by using the link below. It includes the Hazard Identification; Information on Ingredients; First-Aid Measures; Handling & Storage;Disposal Considerations and more. |
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NCEA Newlsetter Link
Click on icon below to read the latest issue of Catholic School Matters Newsletter from NCEA and Dr. Tim Uhl.
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Office of Catholic Schools
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