Office of
Catholic Schools
September 27, 2019
Serenity Prayer
O God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can, 
And the wisdom to know the difference.  
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.
We ask your blessing on each moment and each day, Amen

Real Quick:
As you requested: Prayer shared on

  • Aug 23 by Mother Mary Catherine from St. Mother Teresa.
Dates at a Glance (articles below or *in previous edition*):


  • Sept 30: SNSP 3rd Friday Count Report Due
  • Sept 30: WRISA Annual Reports Due to Office of Catholic Schools
  • October: Extraordinary Missions Month
  • Oct 1: Choice 3rd Friday Count Due
  • Oct 1: Catholic Foundation Grant Application Process Opens
  • Oct 3-4: WI Assoc for Talented & Gifted Conference, WI Dells
  • Oct 4*: MAP Window Closes
  • Oct 7-8*: Blended Learning Conference, Milwaukee
  • Oct 8: Kohl Fellowship Nomination Window closes
  • Oct 7-9*: Mustard Seed Project
  • Oct 9: Scrip Webinar
  • Oct 15: Deadline for Whatsoever You Do Writing project.
  • Oct 18: Deadline for Background Check (Safe Environment)
  • Oct. 22 Diocesan offices will be closed for Diocesan Discipleship Day at the KI Center
  • Dec 8: Green Bay Youth Conference
Welcome!


We are blessed to welcome Lisa Gruber to the Office of Catholic Schools team. She is looking forward to supporting the Families and Schools of Discipleship Team. Lisa brings a wealth of experience as she has been a part of the Diocese as a teacher and principal and strongly supports Catholic Education.  

She lives in Suamico with her husband, Gene. They have three children all of whom live in the Howard-Suamico area. They are members of St. John the Baptist in Howard and are second generation alumni of St. John the Baptist School.

In her spare time, Lisa likes to lounge in her pool and read! She and her family like to spend time at her in-laws-cottage in Oconto in the summer months.
There will be a Powerschool training on October 3 from 1:00-3:00 at Bona Hall Room 39 for all NEW ADMINISTRATIVE users . Bring your computer and questions as we go through the basic tasks that need to be completed. Please email Lori at lpaul@gbdioc.org if you will be attending.
Principal Meeting
There will be a virtual principal meeting on Friday, October 4th. There will be two sessions but you only need to attend one . The times are 9:00-11:00 or 1:00-3:00. We will be discussing various topics such as Choice Audits, Safe Environment Issues, new policies on the horizon, etc. To attend please sign up here:
Once you have registered you will receive a calendar event/invitation with instructions on how to join the meeting as well as a link to the slide deck.
Some of you may have seen the video from the Sandy Hook Promise Organization. The video is a short minute clip that some have found to be shocking and disturbing. They are releasing some follow up video that claim to offer signs of a school shooter. The FBI refutes the videos as spreading some myths. The FBI has a 29 minute video they feel is more useful and constructive for administrators and principals. The Wisconsin Department of Justice is recommending it as a useful tool. You can view the FBI video here:
What is E-Rate?
Some of our schools are not familiar with E-Rate. This is a federal program that provides discounts to schools for purchases of telecommunication services and network equipment and services. The program is governed by the FCC and administered by USAC, (the Universal Services Corporation)

Eligible equipment and services are broadband circuits; internet service or access; voice services (which are being phased out); network infrastructure such as routers, switches, and access points; and network services such as maintenance and management. In general, expenses required to connect devices within a school to the Internet are eligible for discounts. End-user devices such as tablets, laptops, and tablets, however, are not eligible.

Discount rates range from 20% - 90% and are based on poverty and rural or urban status. High-poverty rural schools receive largest discounts, and low-poverty urban schools receive the smallest discounts. The USAC Discount Matrix shows how discount rates are calculated.

The Diocese works with Diocese Advocates on this program. Please contact John Johnston at johnjohnston@diocesanadvocates.com or 713-254-9655 for assistance.  
Webinar:
Using Scrip to Increase Revenue & Enrollment
Presented by Great Lakes ShopWithScrip
Plan to join the conversation by logging onto this webinar October 9, 1:30 pm-3 pm, to find out how to effectively use Scrip in your school. While all schools use Scrip, not each school is getting the full financial benefits! This webinar will provide useful tips to help you grow your Scrip sales!
Annie's Gardens
Do you have a space for a school garden? Annie’s is offering a grant to get started. The grant application is relatively easy but it is due November 1. 
Catholic School Enrollment Grows for Second Consecutive Year!
For the second year in a row, our Catholic Schools have had a positive growth in student enrollment, bringing our two year increase to 3.5%. Congratulations to St. Thomas Aquinas Academy in Marinette/Peshtigo, Divine Savior in Kiel, Holy Family in Brillion, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Greenville, St. Mary-St.Michael in Clarks Mills, All Saints Catholic School in Antigo, St. Mary Elementary in Menasha, St. John Paul II in Green Bay and St. Thomas More in Green Bay for each having at least a 15% growth from last year!  
Five Guidelines for Increasing Enrollment
If your school is looking to increase enrollment, there are 5 key elements that should be happening by you and your team!

1. As Administrators - Be Intentional
  • Have realistic goals for the next year supported by the parish priest.
  • Include enrollment updates in EVERY staff meeting.
  • Share enrollment goals with parents, school board, the parish and community.
2. Drive Every Decision By Enrollment
  • You can grow enrollment if you can answer the following:
  • Will our parents appreciate the decision?
  • Can we promote it?
  • Does it set us apart from other schools?
3.Foster and Promote Discipleship
  • Share how Faith is being developed in students and how it positively impacts the parish and community.
4.Communicate Everything
  • Remind people of the good things happening in your school - CONSTANTLY!
  • Tell the truth.
  • Stay on top of social media buzz.
5.Give Constant Personal Attention to Retention
  • Have conversations with families you think may be leaving. Don’t be afraid to ask “How’s the Year Going” to staff, parents and students.
Click here now to register (25 FREE for each religious education and school programs):

Ways you can use Compass in the Classroom :
1.        Teacher Worksheets | Each month, a worksheet is posted to our website for you to click, print and share in your classroom – therefore, no teacher prep time! The worksheets can be found here:
2.        As many of you know, many families are not attending weekly Mass. Feel free to send The Compass home with different classrooms each week so families receive Catholic news in their homes.
Advertising Opportunity
To help promote Discover Catholic Schools Week in November, the Office of Catholic Schools will be creating a special insert that will list all our schools. The Compass has created a special advertising opportunity for schools. Click to see the PDF to learn more.
Hurricane Relief: How Can Your Catholic School Help?
These suggestions are offered by NCEA:
  • Catholic Relief Services—along with local partners—is working quickly to assess immediate needs, like food, shelter and safe water to affected families.
  • Fundraising/awareness ideas include: non-uniform days, car washes, jeans days, bake sales and good old-fashioned donation "jars" that helped drive donations.
  • Share ideas and connect with NCEA on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Kohl Principal Leadership, Teacher Fellowship & Student Scholarship
The window for nominating Wisconsin teachers and principals for 2020 Herb Kohl teacher fellowships and principal leadership awards is open through Tuesday, October 8, 2019 .

If your nominee chooses to apply, he or she will be considered for a $6,000 personal grant and a $6,000 matching grant for his or her school. The Herb Kohl Foundation annually selects 100 teachers and 16 principals to receive awards.
Koh's Foundation
2020 Excellence Scholarship Application Available Now

Wisconsin high school seniors can apply for the $10,000 Herb Kohl Excellence scholarship through November 26, 2019 for private and homeschool applicants. The Herb Kohl Foundation annually selects 100 students to receive $10,000 Excellence scholarships.
Grant Application Process Opens October 1st
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The Catholic Foundation Grant Application Process will be available from October 1 to December 1, 2019 for Advancing the Mission - Evangelization, Leadership Development and Lifelong Catechesis; Lumen Christi and the Catholic Foundation Areas of Interest . To apply, see the Catholic Foundation website after October 1, 2019.
School Choice Updates/Deadlines
:

  • All schools complete the third Friday in September count of Choice students enrolled in their school. Schools use this information to start preparing in OAS the third Friday September Count Report.  The report is due October 1, 2019!
  • WISEdata requires schools to verify that all Choice students are properly flagged in the school's SIS for the third Friday of September Count Date. For a student to be included in the third Friday of September Count in the SIS, the student must be enrolled in the school by the count date and the student must be assigned to a valid grade for his or her school. The student must also have been marked as Present or Absent for Receiving Services.
  • By the End of September - The DPI processes the September state aid payments to eligible schools by direct deposit, based on each school's eligible applications and corresponding class list submitted to the DPI in the Preliminary Enrollment Report.

SNSP Update:

The deadline for schools to submit the 3rd Friday in September Pupil Count Report is September 30, 2019.
SNSP Agreement of Services Form
WCRIS' Modifications to DPI's Example
Under the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP), private schools are required to develop with a student’s parent an agreement of services that will be provided by the school. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has developed a services agreement form that it uses as an example during SNSP training. Schools are not required to use this form although it may be tempting to simply copy it.
WCRIS has developed a fillable template for principals and special education teachers to use when completing the SNSP parent/school agreement. The WCRIS template has been reviewed and approved by legal counsel and clarifies the school’s obligations.

The WCRIS template includes language that may help protect your school from issues that could arise when services for SNSP students are over-promised, and under-delivered, as may occur with the DPI example form.
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State Student Immunization Law Webinars
The Department of Health Services released recordings of the August 27 webinar that addressed school immunization requirements. Feel free to review the webinar for the start of the school year. Information about immunizations and private schools can be found on page 43 of the WCRIS 2018 – 19 Legal Handbook.
Is Your School Up to Date in PowerSchool?
Please make sure you have everything set in Powerschool for the start of the new year. There is a detailed checklist on the Diocese website with everything you need to have done. Click here for a copy!
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Just a reminder that if you need to use the IT help desk, submit a request on-line at gbhelpdesk@gbdioc.org . The tickets are tracked and a report given to Deacon Conrad, IT Director, each week on what issues schools and parishes are having. If you email a staff person, Deacon Conrad will not see that and cannot track frequency of issues.
ATTENTION--ALL SCHOOLS--
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Whether your school is a part of choice program or not, you will need to provide the following to Deb Knaus, Office of Safe Environment, no Later than October 18th, 2019.  This will cover your reporting for the third quarter.  
THIS IS A HARD DEADLINE
1) A copy of your most Current Payroll that was the closest to October 15th. Included on the report should be name and address of all paid individuals that are in contact with children at your school, this includes paid coaches.
2) If there are any employees that are for some reason are not included on this latest payroll but were paid from July 1, 2019 forward at some point we must have those names and addresses as well.
3) If you had any employees under the age of 18 that have not had a background check please contact Deb on the process to get this complete as they are required to have a check as well.
4) For those in the Choice Program, these lists will be used for your fall agreed procedures list if you are a part of the Diocese Audit contract. 
5) The Auditors will verify the accuracy of the lists with our background checks at the Diocese so you will not have to provide the auditors with any information on background checks.
6) If there is an issue with any background checks or missing names we will contact you direct.
 
Should you have any questions please contact Dean at dgerondale@gbdioc.org
FYI: WRISA Annual Report Webinars Recordings
Dear 4th-7th Grade Religion & English Teachers,
Here's an invitation and opportunity for student writing to be considered for publication by 23rd Publications.
 

For more information contact Tony Pichler whatsoeveryoudogb@gmail.com
WI Association for Talented & Gifted Conference
The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted (WATG) annual conference brings together parents, teachers, gifted/talented coordinators, school administrators and university faculty working on behalf of gifted and talented youth across the state. This year, the conference is October 3-4 in the Wisconsin Dells. For more information or to register please click here .
The Results Are In . . . Schools & Social Media
Schneider Media, recently conducted a survey to see how schools use social media. A complete copy of the report can be found here .
October: Extraordinary Mission Month
NCEA Catholic Schools Week:
November 17-23
NCEA will be launching Discover Catholic Schools Week November 17 - 23! The Diocese will be sponsoring a full page ad in the Compass listing all our schools. But now is the time to get a team together and to start planning the event. Here are the themes and some ideas for each day!

Start with Sunday, Nov. 17: Celebrating Your Parish

Then . . .
What Does Alpha (or CES, or Discipleship Formation) Have to Do with Catechetical Certification? Read on. . .

In order to encourage full participation and in support of the Diocesan mission of becoming missionary disciples, the attendance of a complete ALPHA series (all sessions plus the Alpha day-away), or Catholic Evangelization Studies course (all sessions) or a full-day Discipleship Formation seminar will count as Enrichment, and participants will be allowed to defer the usual FCC requirements to the following year. 

In other words, if a catechist/school teacher/administrator participates in one of the above listed courses in 2020, they have met the requirement for catechetical certification for that year but will still need to fulfill their usual FCC requirements the following year. If completed individually (as opposed to a school-wide attendance), a Completion Form must be submitted to the Office of Families & Schools after the completion of the course as verification. Completion forms can be found online or at through the course instructor.
Vocations in Your School
If you are having a special mass or would like to have Father Mark Mleziva or Father Adam Bradley talk to your students about vocations, please contact Jennie Huettl at 920-272-8316 or jhuettl@gbdioc.org . She can help schedule based on their availability.
Green Bay Youth Conference (GBYC) : Save the Date!
DATE: Sunday, December 8, 2019
TIME: 8:30am - 5:45pm
PLACE: National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, Champion, WI

SCHEDULED SPEAKERS:
Patrick Reis, Director of Encounter Ministries
Sr. Ann Immaculee, Sisters of Life
Music by Sonar
Haven't Had Enough Yet?
There's More!
NCEA webinars cover trending and need-to-know topics relevant to your career in Catholic education. All participants will receive the recorded webinar and presentation files for reference and inclusion among other professional learning resources. 
And more . . .
Click on icon below to read the latest issue of Catholic School Matters Newsletter from NCEA and Dr. Tim Uhl.

Office of Catholic Schools

Questions? Contact us at education@gbdioc.org or (920) 272-8273.
Diocese of Green Bay
The Compass