Office of
Catholic Schools
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A Prayer for Vocations
O God, Father of all Mercies,
Provider of a bountiful Harvest,
send Your Graces upon those
You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor;
preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.
Open the hearts of Your children
that they may discern Your Holy Will;
inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves
to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ.
Teach all Your faithful to follow their respective paths in life
guided by Your Divine Word and Truth.
Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary,
all the Angels, and Saints, humbly hear our prayers
and grant Your Church's needs, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated November 7-13, 2021, is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. Invite your families to pray for vocations and to pray for all those who have answered a call to a vocation in our church.
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Next edition of the Office of Catholic Schools Newsletter:
November 19, 2021
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Look for topics in previous editions:
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Archive of Superintendent’s emails:
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Calendar Items
(See details in articles below)
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November 9 Powerschool Meeting (see below)
November 16 Kohl Scholarship student applications due
November 7-13 National Vocations Awareness Week
November 17 DPI Webinar: School Registration (ITP)
November 24-25 Thanksgiving (Diocesan Offices Closed)
December 1 Catholic Foundation grant applications due
December 2 Mental Health Series for Educators workshop
December 3 Deadline for 'Just for Kids' Essay/Art Contest
December 8 Meeting with Bishop (Registration now open)
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Catholic Schools Mass: Thank you!
Special thanks to DASA North and Sara Mangold as well as the Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Community for hosting the Catholic Schools Mass on Wednesday. The mass was beautiful and a powerful reminder of the strength our Catholic schools joined together. What a gift of joy and hope our schools are to our communities. We would also like to recognize Cindy Ludtke and the choir for sharing their gift of music. Bishop Ricken was presented with a spiritual bouquet as we keep him in our prayers. If you were not able to attend the mass, and would like to send Bishop Ricken your prayers, feel free to send them to the Office of Catholic Schools.
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Grades & Grading: Partnering with an Expert |
CESA 7 has partnered with expert Thomas Guskey on grades and grading. He will be at CESA 7 in person on November 9 and have virtual follow up meetings throughout the year.
We have a team of people, John Ravizza, Kay Franz, Laura Blichardz and Jane Schueller. If you are interested in someone from your staff joining the team, please register HERE. The cost is $199.
It would be great to add people to our team.
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Grant Funding Available: Deadline to Apply: December 1
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The Catholic Foundation is pleased to announce it is accepting grant applications.
Each year, the Catholic Foundation awards grants to assist in education, service and ministry within the Curia, parishes and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Green Bay. These include the Advancing the Mission grants in Evangelization, Leadership Development and Lifelong Catechesis. The Catholic Foundation also has grants available through Lumen Christi, Monica Meyer Respect Life, Denis and Marie Garot Fund and Catholic Foundation area-of-interest funds.
Grant applications need to be submitted prior to December 1 to be considered.
Last year more than $5 million was approved for distribution. To learn more about Catholic Foundation grants or to apply, please click here, call Tracy Granius at (920) 272-8292 or email cfgrants@gbdioc.org
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Powerschool's Newest Feature: Address Validation
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Our Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 9th 2021 at 8:30 am. At this meeting we will be showing the newest feature from Powerschool - Address Validation!
This will allow you to print out the location of Choice students to verify that they are in the appropriate area. Please plan on joining!
Microsoft Teams meeting: Join on your computer or mobile app.
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Here are the links to the sessions with Powerschool and Infinite Campus Q&A:
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Enrollment Numbers Just In . . .
Popularity of School Choice is in the Numbers
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On Friday, the Department of Public Instruction released 2021 enrollment numbers for all education sectors in Wisconsin. The popularity of School Choice is obvious in the numbers! Here is the data from the DPI press release:
The state’s four private school parental choice programs(4) reported a combined third Friday of September 2021 headcount of 48,919. This was an increase of 6.6 percent over 2020. 4K headcount in the private school parental choice programs increased by 10.7 percent, kindergarten increased by 5.1 percent, and grades 1-12 were up by 6.5 percent.
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Parental Choice Program
Wisconsin
Special Needs Scholarship
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2021 Enrollment
14,452
1,757
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Conversely, the public district headcount decreased by 0.5% across the state. "Parents have spoken. The freedom to choose the best educational environment for their child has never been valued more," says SCW President Nicholas Kelly. |
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The DPI’s Choice Program Team will be hosting webinars covering various areas of the program.
The trainings are open to new schools to the program or schools already in the program.
Schools can prepare now by ordering a WCRIS Choice Handbook. This Handbook covers all the topics below as well as an appendix of important dates and resources. You can order a handbook here. The following trainings are at 3:30 pm:
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November 17
School Registration (ITP)
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January 19
Choice Student Application Requirements (Residency, Income, etc) Application Process, January Count Report
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March 2
FAQ's during Open Application
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April 27
Summer School, Application Verifications, Choice Administrator Changes, School Information Update Forms, Designee/Admin Trainings
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Also from DPI: Clarification regarding EANS
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The U.S. Department of Education recently updated EANS guidance, with implications for Wisconsin’s program. The Department clarified that, while states may establish an allocated amount of funds to support services and assistance for schools in the EANS program, that amount may not “artificially limit services or assistance to non-public schools”. What this means is that if there are schools that will not spend the funds currently allocated, we have created an artificial limitation for schools that have used their funds and still have needs due to COVID-19. Here’s how we plan to address this situation:
- Schools in the EANS program will have until May 13th, 2022 to use or encumber their allocated funds for future reimbursement and/or direct service.
- Any funds not encumbered or used by May 13th, 2022 will be pooled into a state-level fund source to support schools with continued need due to COVID-19.
- Schools may continue to submit claims for future reimbursement or direct service to CESA 6 after May 13, 2021; those claims will be reviewed on a monthly basis and approved based upon the extent of need in the school and availability of funds.
This solution provides more than six months for schools to plan how to use their remaining funds while also ensuring that schools with continued needs are not necessarily limited in the services and assistance available to them by the allocations provided back in the end of May.
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Great Family Resource: In Partnership w/Archdiocese of Detroit
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Archdiocese of Detroit with Liturgical Publications has published a book, 52 Sundays, to help families and individuals pray through and reflect on the Mass, Mass readings, etc. and pray as a family together. It even has recipes for families to cook together! Archbishop Vigneron invited Bishop Ricken to write a cover letter for the book, which he did.
The book is available in both English and Spanish. Pre-order pricing ends December 1, 2021, and books will begin shipping in mid-November.
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Thank you to all the principals that attended the Discipleship Seminar on Thursday, October 21st at the Resch. While the program was designed for the parishes, we hope that the ability to spend time with your priest, parish staff and other principals was beneficial. |
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How many positive reviews does your school have on your Google Business page? If your page is lacking, consider asking parents to take a moment to leave a review. You can start with influential parents you know would be willing to share their love for your school. Get more tips to increase the number of reviews your page has to boost consumer confidence in your school!
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Catholic Schools Week
January 30-February 5, 2022
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Know a Hero? NCEA Award Information
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The 2022 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award nominations are open. This year’s theme for the award is heroes, answering the question: “How is this Catholic school educator a hero in your community?” This award highlights the outstanding work being done in Catholic education communities across the country.
A hero can be a person who performed heroic acts – perhaps keeping school open safely throughout the pandemic or finding tuition funding to help families or making sure the Friday all-school Mass stayed a priority. And a hero can be the person who inspires others – teachers, staff, administrators, students.
The 90-second video nominations are due by February 5, 2022 for principals, presidents, heads of school, pastors, teachers and diocesan leaders who are currently employed and have served in Catholic school education for at least five years.
For more information on nominating your school’s “hero” please click here.
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How Children Cope in a Crisis:
Catholic Charities Mental Health Series Continues
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Catholic Charities will be holding 3 more webinars on topics affecting educators.
December 2 - 9-10 AM - How Children Cope in A Crisis
February 10 – 9-10 AM - TBD
April 21 – 9-10 AM - TBD
More information, including online registration details will follow in the newsletters.
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21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Grant Program
Funding for Before- & After- School programs
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Public school districts, private schools, charter schools, and community-based organizations (including faith-based organizations) targeting students enrolled in schools eligible for Title I, schoolwide programs are invited to apply.
Applications will be due on or before January 28, 2022. More information and application materials will be made available on the DPI’s 21st CCLC website soon.
The DPI will host three virtual workshops to walk through the application process and address common questions. All three presentations will cover the same content; it is not necessary to participate in more than one. Dates and access information for the workshops are as follows:
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Principal Luncheon with Bishop Ricken |
December 8, 2021 at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality, De Pere.
As we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, you are invited to come together with your fellow principals and special guest Bishop David L. Ricken to celebrate the success of our Catholic Schools. There will also be an update on sexual orientation policies, the need for Catholic HSs in our rural areas, and current parish initiatives to re-engage with parishioners. 11:45am-2:30pm. Link to Flier with Details.
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Kohl Teacher Fellowship and Student Scholarship Applications |
Applications are open for Kohl Foundation Teacher Fellowship awards. Over the past several years our Diocese has had several teachers receive the award. Award winners receive $6000 and each fellow’s school also receives a $6000 grant. Educators are chosen for the superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, ability to motivate others and for their leadership and service within and outside the classroom.
High School Seniors - Applications are open for the Kohl Foundation Student Excellence Scholarships. Excellence Scholarships are for $10,000 awarded to graduating high school students. Scholarships recipients are chosen for their demonstration of outstanding leadership, citizenship, community service, integrity and other special talents. Go to www.kohleducation.org for more information. Use the link for Private Schools.
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World Mission Services Projects
New Booklet Just Released!
The World Mission Services Projects Booklet is made up of 24 short-term global mission projects, each with a connection to the Diocese of Green Bay. These projects foster global awareness and encourage Catholics in their baptismal call to missionary activity, the work of evangelization, and charitable works throughout the world. 100% of contributions go directly to the projects.
The booklet can be used for classrooms, youth groups, communities, or parishes, so if you’re a teacher, catechist, parent, teen, faith sharing group, ministry, or someone who has a heart for serving others, check out these incredible projects and find out how you can become a part of their story!
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Catholic School Facebook Page |
Don’t forget that the Diocese has a public Facebook page! You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/341988603953749. Please feel free to join and encourage your families to join and share the great things that are happening in our schools!
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Battle of the Books for Catholic Schools |
A group of schools is interested in doing a Battle of the Books for our Diocese. A group of six schools has met and is working on compiling the list of books. The plan is to gear the books and questions to fifth-eighth graders. The “battle” for two teams from each school is tentatively scheduled for May 16.
The details for that day are to be determined. The planning group is going to meet again via Zoom on December 8 at 3:30. If you are interested in more information or getting involved, please contact Jane Schueller.
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Curriculum review and connections: |
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Please fill out the form in order that as schools/systems are looking at reviewing curriculum resources, they might be able to collaborate with other schools/systems. You could also use this resource to connect with other schools using different resources at which you might be looking.
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Please pass this link for MAP Resources to your teachers. There is a lot of information available to them for using the data to drive instruction and do goal setting with students.
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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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