Office of Catholic Schools




Archdiocese of Hartford
September 2, 2014
Office of Catholic Schools e-Newsletter
Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Operational Vitality

Calendar of Events

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"The Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus" (1).

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At the beginning of each school year the Executive Report is published so that stakeholders have an understanding of the central services offered by the Office of Catholic Schools. We invite you to read this report.

   

Superintendent's Message

Making A Difference

The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop Emeritus

Dale R. Hoyt, Ed.D.

 

Archbishop Blair is pleased to support and honor The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop Emeritus, as recipient of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. This distinguished honor is bestowed for providing significant personal and professional influence in advancing the mission of Catholic school education. The NCEA recognizes the valuable contributions that Archbishop Emeritus Mansell has made while serving in the (arch)dioceses of New York, Buffalo, and Hartford.  

 

As Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, Archbishop Emeritus Mansell served as a founding member of the Archdiocesan School Board.  In the Diocese of Buffalo he instituted a foundation to fund Catholic education and a diocesan volunteer program for young people to serve the social and educational needs of the diocese.

 

We know of his tremendous work in the Archdiocese of Hartford by creating a tuition assistance component for elementary school students as part of the Archbishop's Annual Appeal. His philanthropic efforts provided great financial support to many of the schools in need of assistance. He engaged himself in legislative issues that would benefit Catholic school children and advocated for more resources to assist schools in fulfilling their mission. He frequently visited Catholic schools giving whole-hearted support and encouragement.

 

The 2014 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Awards will be presented on Monday, October 6, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.  We congratulate Archbishop Emeritus Mansell on this prestigious award, and recognize that this earnest, sincere man who dedicated himself to the Church and Catholic school education has truly made a difference.

 

Announcements

 
Transitions:
Sr. Mary Kolbe Heffern, F.S.E. has been hired as Director of Faith Formation for Catholic schools at the Office of Catholic Schools.

Marie Dussault has been hired as FACS Coordinator, replacing Shirley Ziolkowski who retired from the position on August 29.

 

Congratulations to
Maria Testa, Principal of St. Stephen School in Hamden, who has been named the 2014-2015 Archdiocesan Distinguished Catholic School Administrator.   Mrs. Testa will also be nominated for national recognition as a potential Distinguished Elementary School Principal (Region 1), an award given by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).

Father Jeffery V. Romans, Pastor of St. Bridget Parish and School in Cheshire for securing a grant to purchase iPads for the students of the school.


Bony Gome
s, Volunteer Intern at the Office of Catholic Schools, for helping his team win the Bangali American Christian Community Association (BACCA) Soccer Tournament on Saturday, August 16.

 

Please pray for

the soul of Noel Lambert, the husband of Susan Lambert, the fifth grade teacher at St. Francis & St. Rose of Lima School, New Haven, who entered into eternal life on Thursday, August 7, 2014.  May the soul of Noel Lambert rest in peace! 

 

the soul of Elizabeth M. Lovett, the mother of Gail Kingston, Ed.D., Principal of St. Gabriel School in Milford, who entered into eternal life on Saturday, August 9, 2014. May the soul of Elizabeth Lovett rest in peace.
  
the soul of Maria Duarte, the mother-in-law of Susan Duarte, the office manager at St. Lawrence School in West Haven, who entered into eternal life on Sunday, August 24, 2014.  May the soul of Maria Duarte rest in peace.
 
MissionFormationMission Formation and Evangelization

 

A message from Archbishop Leonard P. Blair:  "It is wonderful to see how people respond creatively and enthusiastically on behalf of causes like medical research to combat ALS.  At the same time, we also have to be attentive to the fact that not all forms of research are morally sound. For that reason, the Archdiocese of Hartford, like some other Catholic dioceses, would like to encourage Catholics who participate in the "ice bucket challenge" to send their donations to the John Paul II Medical Research Institute in Iowa which, in its ALS research, adheres to Catholic teaching regarding the respect that is due to human embryos."  

  

A letter to parents/guardians from Dr. Dale R . Hoyt:   English version or Spanish version

  

Back to
  School Mass:  Please join Archbishop Leonard P. Blair for a Back to School Mass celebrating the start of the new school year on September 7, 2014, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, at 2:00 p.m.  We look forward to the commissioning of various school constituents.  Please return RSVP to Maria Maynard via Diane Newell at [email protected]

 

Catholic Youth Spectacular:  Alexis Torres Fleming (keynote speaker) and Sean Patrick Malloy (musician) will be headlining the ninth annual Youth Spectacular on Sunday, September 21, 2014, at the Archdiocesan Center in Bloomfield, from 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Activities include prayer, a picnic, scavenger hunt, and service project -  Hope at the Crossroads, workshops, reconciliation, and a closing liturgy with Archbishop Leonard P. Blair.  The deadline to register is September 5; contact Shawnee Baldwin at [email protected] or call 860.242.5573.  
    
    
Family Day Dinner:  Dinner time is the perfect time to connect with your children. Once again, the Archdiocese of  Hartford is participating in the national campaign, Family Day launched by CASAColombia in 2001. Plan a family dinner together on Monday, September 22 and join families across the nation in celebrating Family Day.  Research has consistently found that the more often children eat dinner with their families the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs. To learn more about Family Day, visit: www.CASAFamilyDay.org or www.archdioceseofhartford.org.  Remember that what your children really want at the dinner table is YOU!


Adult Faith Formation:  Catholic educators are invited to choose from the Archdiocese of Hartford's partnerships with the University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community, the University  of Dayton site-based courses or the  University of Notre Dame's STEP to continue their faith formation.  Click here for the 2014-2015 course offerings.  

 

 

"The Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus," (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 1)Our Holy Father offers his pastoral vision for a joy-filled, fresh evangelization in his Apostolic Exhortation given at the close of the Year of Faith in 2013.  Pope Francis challenges all baptized Catholics to be "missionary disciples," to carry the good news of our salvation out into a world thirsting for the love of Jesus. The document is filled with images and concrete examples that lend themselves to discussion and application in every faith community.

 

The school's leadership team is encouraged to consider how The Joy of the Gospel can become part of the faith formation of faculty members. Suggestions include discussing a chapter a month at faculty meetings, inviting different departments or teams of members of different departments to lead a discussion on each of the chapters, or taking time to view and discuss the series  Insights into Evangelii Gaudium by the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Sr. Mary Kolbe Heffern, F.S.E., Director of Faith Formation  at the Office of Catholic Schools, is available to assist with the inclusion of this document in faculty faith formation. School staff, parents/guardians, and volunteers may also consider prayerfully reading and reflecting on Pope Francis' message. The full text is available free online at the Vatican website.  Copies with study guides are available from the Word among us Press.  

        


Respect Life Mass
:  You are invited to attend the Annual Archdiocesan Respect Life Mass on Sunday, October 5, at th
e Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford at 11:00 a.m.  The students from St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol will be recognized for their participation in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.  For more information contact Sr. Mary Kolbe Heffern, F.S.E. in the Office of Catholic Schools.      

 

 

Pilgrimage:  The Order of Malta, Archdiocese of Hartford/Diocese of Norwich is sponsoring a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA  on Saturday, September 13, 2014.  There is no cost for the event.  Reverend Robert Dunn from the Bronx will be the Celebrant.  Buses are available from West Hartford at 8:00 a.m. for those preferring not to drive themselves.  Events include Reconciliation, Mass with Anointing of the Sick, lunch, talks with those suffering from various maladies and their caregivers, and a closing benediction at approximately 4:00 p.m.  For more information, contact Mark Sullivan at 860.523.1405 or [email protected].   
 
 
LeadershipLeadership and Governance

Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Contest:  In conjunction with National Fire Prevention Month, the 31st  Annual Connecticut Fire Prevention Poster Contest will begin in October.  Schools will be provided an information packet by the contest committee in September for distribution to fourth and fifth grade teachers for use during Fire Prevention Week in October.  County awards have been increased to $150 and the statewide winner will receive an additional $750.  In addition, there will be a matching grant to the state winner's school for $500.  Winning students, their parents, teachers, and principals will be honored at a luncheon, and the winning poster will be reproduced and distributed as Connecticut's 2015 Fire Prevention Poster. 
 


The DEADLINE for Non-Public Schools to apply for a 
School Security Grant under the School Security Grant Program is September 15, 2014. This is the second round of competitive state grants for improving security infrastructure in schools. 

  • 10% of the funds available will be awarded to eligible Non-Public Schools.
  • The grant program is a reimbursable program.
  • Eligible expenses are clearly delineated in the application packet. 
  • Priority shall be given to the schools with the greatest need for security infrastructure.
  • Eligible expenses can be incurred on or after January 1, 2013.
  • A uniform security assessment of school security must be submitted by each school that receives funding.
  • Each school must have a School Safety Plan.
  • The DEADLINE for submission of the entire application and supporting materials, which include the Budget Tool and the National Clearinghouse Safe School Facilities Survey (NCEF) - Reporting Tool (listed on page 2 of the application packet) is September 15, 2014.
  • Please contact Laura McCaffrey at [email protected] with any questions.
     

Archbishop's Annual Columbus Day Breakfast 2014: The Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Archbishop of Hartford, and the Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools (FACS) invite you to attend the Archbishop's Annual Columbus Day Breakfast on Friday, October 10, 2014 at Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven, at 7:30 a.m.  Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit students attending the Catholic elementary schools in the greater New Haven area.

 

For information on how to participate in and support this event, by purchasing a sponsorship, table or individual ticket, or by placing an ad in the program book, please contact: Marie Dussault, Coordinator, at [email protected], or the FACS Executive Director, Cynthia Basil Howard, at [email protected]; visit the FACS' website  at facshartford.org or call 860.761.7498. 

 

 

Click image for details.

School Board Conference: School Board chairs and members, principals and pastors are invited to this first-time conference to be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary from  9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. You will experience outstanding board members speak about:

  • Qualities of board leaders
  • Mission Value and Leadership
  • Structure and Authority

Please return the registration form to Maria Maynard via Diane Newell, [email protected], by September 26, 2014.

 

 
ExcellenceExcellence in Teaching and Learning

New England CACE Professional Development Day for Catholic School Administrators:  Grant Wiggins,  Ed.D., President of Authentic Education, will be the keynote speaker on the topic,
Teaching and Learning: From Good to Great, on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at the
 Doubletree Hotel Boston/Milford,  Register online at bit.ly/fallcaceregistration.  Cost of the event is $50 per person made payable to the Diocese of Fall River-NE CACE.  Contact Valerie Mara at [email protected], Assistant Superintendent of Academics, Office of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Hartford, for special room rates, should accommodations be needed.

The Elementary Catholic Educators Curriculum Conference
will be held in vicariate groups this year on the dates indicated below.  The topic at each conference will be Putting the Pieces Together.


         September 29, 2014:  Waterbury Vicariate, SS. Peter & Paul School, Waterbury, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.         

October 3, 2014:         New Haven Vicariate, St. Thomas School, Southington, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

October 6, 2014:         Hartford Vicariate, St. Bernard School, Enfield, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.    

     

The Secondary Catholic Educators Curriculum Conference will be held on October 20, 2014 at Northwest Catholic High School, from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  The topic of the conference will be There be Dragons.  The keynote speaker is Greg Dhyretter, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Orange, California, who will present on the topic, Sailing off the Map into a New World.

 
OperationalOperational Vitality

The Importance of Retention: We are grateful that so many families have registered their children in our Catholic schools, and it is never too early to work towards maintaining enrollment.  Retention-focused initiatives should be a major part of the enrollment management plan and must be steadily monitored.  Aim for 98.6 retention rate - and build retention fever!

 

A few best practices to consider:

  • Form an enrollment management team including administrators, teachers, and Parent Ambassadors to plan and monitor retention efforts.
  • Engage students, families, and teachers in retention. A teacher's relationship with students and their parents has a huge impact on retention!
  • Keep a "retention log" for each family. Teachers and Parent Ambassadors should listen for warning signs so concerns can be addressed early.
  • Review retention patterns. (Are students leaving after fifth grade or after receiving the sacraments?) Identify trends in retention, then create and implement an appropriate action plan.
  • Maintain a high level of communication with families, including weekly newsletters, online postings, and as many personal interactions with parents as possible.
  • Assess family satisfaction regularly with satisfaction surveys. Address the concerns that surface, make the changes that are feasible, and communicate all this to parents.
  • Reinforce your school's value proposition. Parents need to be reminded of the benefits that a Catholic school education offers to their children.

Remember, along with prospective families, current families must also be recruited and their interest in remaining at the school steadily cultivated!


EventsCalendar of Events
  
SEPTEMBER 

1           Labor Day (Office of Catholic Schools Closed) 

7           Back to School Mass, Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford, 2:00 p.m.  

9           Local School Board In-Service, New Haven Vicariate, St. Stephen School, Hamden,
             5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

9           Archdiocesan School Board Meeting, Office of Catholic Schools, 6:30 p.m.  

10         Local School Board In-Service, Waterbury Vicariate, St. Bridget School, Cheshire, 

             5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

11         Local School Board In-Service, Hartford Vicariate, St. Thomas the Apostle, West Hartford,
             5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

21         Catholic Youth Spectacular, Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, 11:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.  

22         Family Day Dinner, National Campaign by CASAColumbia and endorsed by the Archdiocese of Hartford 

25         Secondary Administrators Meeting,  Office of Catholic Schools, 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

27-28    HOPES Collection, All Parishes in the Archdiocese of Hartford 

28         HOPES Dinner, Aqua Turf Club, Southington, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  

29         Elementary Catholic Educators Curriculum Conference, Waterbury Vicariate, SS. Peter & Paul,
             School, Waterbury, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  

 

OCTOBER
3
          Elementary Catholic Educators Curriculum Conference, New Haven Vicariate, St. Thomas School,
            Southington,  8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

5          Respect Life Mass, Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford, 11:00 a.m.        

6          Elementary Catholic Educators Curriculum Conference, Hartford Vicariate, St. Bernard School,
            Enfield, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

6          St.  Elizabeth Ann Seton Gala, Mayflower Renissance Hotel, Washington, D.C. honoring
            The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop Emeritus

8          New Administrators Meeting, Elementary Schools, Office of Catholic Schools, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

10        Columbus Day Breakfast (Sponsored by the Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools),
            Anthony's Ocean View, New Haven, 7:30 a.m.

13        Columbus Day Observed (Office of Catholic Schools Closed)

18        School Board Conference, Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield,  

            9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Saturday)

20        Secondary Catholic Educators Curriculum Conference, Northwest Catholic High School,
            8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

23        Principals' Advisory Council for Elementary (PACE) Schools, Office of Catholic Schools, 9:30 a.m.

            (Please note the change in time for the meeting.)

28        Increasing Latino Enrollment, Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

 

Office of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Hartford | (860) 242-5573 | catholicschoolshartford.org
Questions and comments can be directed to the Editor, Gayle Keene.




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