Office of
Catholic Schools
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"Immaculate Mary, your praises, we sing . . . " |
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August: Immaculate Heart of Mary |
The Church dedicates the month of August to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is a dogma of the Catholic faith that Mary is the Immaculate Conception; that is, in preparation for the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity in her womb, she was conceived without the corruption of sin through the foreseen and infinite merits of her Son, Jesus Christ. In the 17th century, St. John Eudes promoted it alongside the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The devotion rose to a new level after the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima, when Mary revealed an image of her Immaculate Heart to Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco.
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Image and text from The Catholic Company, Charlotte, NC and Trinity Road LLC |
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Next editions of the Office of Catholic Schools Newsletter:
August 21
September 4
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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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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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Tell Congress: Support the School
Choice Act Now
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As the Senate prepares its next aid bill, the USCCB is asking that the next COVID relief package include immediate assistance to families through federally-funded scholarships.
The Alexander-Scott “School Choice Now Act” provides one-time, emergency funding for scholarship-granting organizations in each state; and provides permanent dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits for contributions to scholarship granting organizations.
Please contact your Senators today to request support of the Alexander-Scott “School Choice Now Act” in the base bill.
Catholic schools urgently need help in this time of uncertainty. Please contact your Senators today!
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Group Pricing:
Reply by Aug. 14
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Some schools are looking at ordering the Sadlier Phonics Books. If you are considering ordering these as well, please contact Lori by August 14th so that we can place a larger order for better pricing.
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Catholic Brain: 30 Days Free Access |
Catholic Brain is the #1 Catholic Faith Formation Platform for Students, Parents, Catechists & Teachers. Access over 5000 video lessons, ebooks, interactive games & quizzes. Right now they are giving all schools free 30 day access to the site. You can register HERE.
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Guidelines for Travel in Regards to COVID
After you return from travel we ask you to:
- Check yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days. You should check for symptoms even if you followed recommendations.
- Stay home as much as possible to stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.
- Check your symptoms
- Check your temperature twice daily
- Write down your symptoms
If you develop symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, call your doctor.
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Using Facial Coverings during In-Person Instruction |
DPI has released the following considerations for selecting the type of facial covering when working with any student with a health plan, a 504 plan or an IEP (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 2020). These considerations may be appropriate for any student, with or without an IEP, to support learning and improve their ability to access instruction and educational environments. |
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Guidance for School Transportation |
DPI has released guidance for school bus companies:
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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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Choice Updates
(See more dates in bottom half of this newsletter)
By the First Day of School
• Private schools participating in the Choice Program must complete background checks and VIRTUS training prior to employing any individual at the school and every 5 years after the date of the previous background check
• Schools must ensure all administrators, teachers, and teacher aides have appropriate credentials.
August 17 - PSCP
• Schools new to the PSCP in the 2020-21 school year submit the Auditor Authorization form identifying the external audit firm that will perform the required PSCP Financial Audit, Fiscal and Internal Control Practices Report, and the Enrollment Audits. Schools should be receiving the form from the auditing firm.
August 21 - SNSP
• Schools that have continuing SNSP pupils must obtain residency documentation dated between August 21, 2020 and September 30, 2020 for these pupils. Residency changes must be reported to the DPI in the 3rd Friday in September Pupil Count Report due by September 30.
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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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Reminder: Heartland Business Systems
As your school is implementing various technology for virtual learning, please remember that we have contracted with Heartland Business Systems for the best pricing. The contact for orders is:
Joanna Thoms
1700 Stephen Street
Little Chute, WI 54140
920-687-4126
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Several Training Opportunities in August |
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Powerschool User Group; August 11; 8:30-10am
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E-Collect Forms for Returning Students; August 11; 10:30am-Noon
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Powerschool for Administrators/Assistants/IT/Counselors: How to use Powerschool more effectively. GOOD FOR FIRST-TIME USERS. August 12; 1-3pm, repeated on August 13; 1-3pm
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Powerschool for new Choice Administrators and Designees; August 18; 11am-Noon
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Powerschool 20; August 18; 1pm-3pm
Register for any/all training sessions below:
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Powerschool 2020-2021 is open. Please be sure you are adding new students and removing those not coming back for the 2020-2021 school year at least once a week. We use the numbers your school is reporting to determine where we may have some challenges so that we can be proactive in providing support
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This training is designed for any teachers who will be teaching in a Catholic school within the Diocese of Green Bay. Two options to 'attend' (virtually): |
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Option #1 - Wednesday, August 12, 2020 - 9:00 AM-Noon - Register for this meeting below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Option #2 - Thursday,August 13, 2020 - 9:00 AM to Noon - Register for this meeting below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the 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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This training is for anyone who will be serving on a Total Board of Education, a School Board, or a Board of Trustees. Current board members who would like a refresher course, are welcome! Two opportunities to attend: |
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Option #1 - Thursday; August 13, 2020 - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM - Register for this meeting below.
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. |
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Option #2 - Saturday; August 15, 2020-9:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Register for this meeting below.
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. |
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COVID: What Does My County Look Like? |
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Many schools have been wondering how their county looks in terms of COVID cases. We have created a spreadsheet that breaks out the counties, the schools in the county, the positive and negative cases, the number of deaths and the positive infection rate. We will be updating the data weekly and will be including it in the newsletter. |
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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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2020-2021 School Choice Dates
See more dates in top half of this newsletter!
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DPI has released all the dates and deadlines for the School Choice program for the 2020-2021 school year. |
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Choice Schools must do this
before the start of school:
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Annually, Choice schools must provide to the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in or attending the school a copy of the educational options available to children who reside in the pupil’s resident school district.
We have spoken to School Choice Wisconsin and the following can be placed on your website or school social media to satisfy this requirement:
Pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 115.28 (54m), our school is required to notify and provide the educational options available to all students who are at least three years old, but not yet 18 years old. Please go to https://dpi.wi.gov/ed-options to see the educational options represented for Wisconsin students.
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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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