Archdiocese of Hartford
Office of Catholic Schools e-Newsletter
February 2, 2016
Superintendent's Message
February

Dr. Dale R. Hoyt
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
During the month of January we celebrated Catholic Schools Month. From January 31 to February 6, the National Catholic Educational Association recognizes Catholic Schools Week. This week is another occasion for us to share the good news of Catholic school education with constituent groups and media outlets. In addition, the Office of Catholic Schools is delighted to release the 2015 Annual Report that highlights the successes of our Catholic schools. The 2015 Annual Report takes a closer look at how the network of Catholic schools and the Office of Catholic Schools forge ahead in fulfilling the ministerial plan, 20/20 Vision: An Eye on our Future. 

In reviewing the 2015 report, we extend our sincere thanks to all those who support the Archbishop's Annual Appeal and the Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools. Both funding sources provide tuition scholarships to families in need of assistance who choose a Catholic school education. Your support of and encouragement for these two organizations only strengthens the assistance that local schools receive.

The Office of Catholic Schools takes great pride in fostering collaboration of resources among other central service offices in the Archdiocese. Catholic schools also share in these resources ranging from the offices of Group Benefits, Fiscal, Social Justice, Safe Environment, Catholic Charities, Family Life, Religious Education and Evangelization, etc.  We are grateful for the many personnel in the central service offices that offer their assistance in support service of Catholic school education.

Let us be mindful that in February the liturgical season of Lent will begin on February 10. Schools will be providing several opportunities for various spiritual exercises that should include an invitation to parents/guardians.  During this holy season consider focusing on the virtue of Mercy, especially corporal and spiritual works of mercy.  In a recent Wednesday Audience (27 January) Pope Francis said: "And as we are Children of God and have the opportunity to receive this legacy - that of goodness and mercy - in comparison to others, let us ask the Lord that in this Year of Mercy we too may do merciful things; let us open our heart in order to reach everyone with the works of mercy, to work the merciful legacy that God the Father showed toward us."
Announcements
Transitions:
 
the office of Lesli Anderson, Group Benefits Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Hartford, has been relocated to the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, 467 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield and may be reached at [email protected]; 860.242.5573 ext. 7442; fax - 860.242.1783.   

Congratulations to:

The following Catholic high school seniors have been selected as candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program.
  • Angus H. Li,  Canterbury High School in New Milford
  • Eric S. Weinstein, East Catholic High School in Manchester
  • Jessica Eskander, Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford
  • Timothy R. O'Donnell, Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford
This prestigious program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating seniors.  Annually, up to 161 students are chosen from among outstanding graduating seniors to become U. S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students. 

Please pray for:

The Deceased:
    
Edward Dziedzic, the uncle of Reverend Gerald H. Dziedzic, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish and School in Meriden, who unexpectedly entered into eternal life on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.   

Margaret "Peggy" Sitarz, a devoted member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in West Hartford, having served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and as a board member and counselor of Birthright of Greater Hartford, who entered into eternal life on Wednesday, January 27, 2016. The Sitarz family are long-standing friends of the Archdiocese of Hartford.  

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.    
Mission Formation and Evangelization
News and Resources

Ash Wednesday is February 10, 2016, which marks the beginning of Lent. 
Pope Francis's 2016 Lenten Message: "The mercy of God is a proclamation made to the world, a proclamation which each Christian is called to experience at first hand" (Pope Francis, 2016 Lenten Message).

Office of Religious Education and Evangelization: 2016 Spring Spectacular "Abundant Mercy", Sunday, April 24, 2016, at High Meadow in Granby, 11:30 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.  Registration available 
Leadership and Governance
  
News and Resources

Catholic School Leaders Can Change the World

The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms.
(The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis)

Catholic school leadership is a distinct type of leadership built on a desire for positive transformation. The belief system of Catholic school leaders is deeply rooted in gospel truths and church teaching. Their energetic communication of the value of service, their commitment to excellence, which is a result of intentional strategic planning, their trust that all children can succeed, and their deeply imbued belief that leadership is not a one man show, but rather a cooperative sharing of collaboration among a leadership team, result in the transformation of waning Catholic schools to environments of academic excellence, sound viability and vitality, and teachers and students firmly formed in our faith.

This type of leadership necessitates appropriate training. Faith leadership, teacher supervision, the consistent use of academic best practices, school governance, finances, enrollment management, and advancement are the varied duties of the leader. This type of leadership necessitates risk taking - not wild abandon risks, but those based on careful research, collaboration, strategic planning, and profound faith. These become possibilities for positive change when fueled by zealous leadership that creates a transformative culture of knowledge about our faith, love for Jesus, and service to the underserved.

This is a tall order for future leaders in Catholic schools. Many failed school leaders are a result of the I am the chief syndrome.  Success rests in the ability to seek out a leadership team of varying talents and strengths. When the school leader communicates a vision to his/her leadership team, and trusts that each is working so that the vision becomes a successful reality, you have a process that produces successful Catholic school leadership and Catholic school education.

The fruits of the transformation are clearly highlighted in The Purpose and Vision for Catholic School Education in the Archdiocese of Hartford:
                      
  • Leaders, faculty, students encounter the transforming love and truth of Jesus.
  • Leaders and faculty partner with parents to support students in their search for knowledge, meaning, and truth.
  • A Catholic climate contributes to formation of students as active parishioners in their parish.
  • A culture of educational excellence, global perspective, an emphasis on moral education, community and service is fostered.
  • Students are prepared to become productive virtuous citizens and leaders.
Only a fiery sense of zeal for leadership can set ablaze the journey to transform a Catholic school from an institution of learning and acceptable social order to one of human engagement, faith-filled community, and virtuous purpose - all of which lead to a Christ-centered life.

For more information on Catholic school leadership, please contact Maria Maynard, Deputy Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Hartford.
 
Archbishop's St. Patrick's Day Breakfast:  Please join Archbishop Blair and the Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools at the Archbishop's St. Patrick's Day Breakfast on Thursday, March 17, 2016, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
 
The guest speaker is Reverend Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., President of Fairfield University. Father von Arx is the author of several publications and brings a zest for life and a broad, integrated view of learning.
 
Proceeds from this event provide support for the Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools to provide scholarships and fund special projects at Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford. This lively event has become a favorite way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and support Catholic education at the same time. The breakfast features great food and Irish-themed entertainment by students from our Catholic schools.
 
For information on sponsorship opportunities, advertising in the breakfast program, or to purchase tickets, please email Marie Dussault at [email protected] or call 860.761.7499.  Let your friends and family know about the event, too.  We look forward to seeing you.

Principalship Openings in the Archdiocese of Hartford:
  • St. Christopher School in East Hartford
  • St. Matthew School in Forestville
  • St. Francis & St. Rose of Lima School in New Haven
  • St. Mary Magdalen School in Oakville
  • St. Mary School in Simsbury
  • Southington Catholic School in Southington
  • Blessed Sacrament School in Waterbury
Openings in the Diocese of Bridgeport:
Excellence in Teaching and Learning
News and Resources
 
Data Revolution: Transforming Math Culture and Achievement: "General education is useful not because we remember everything or because we can apply it, but because it helps us think, feel, and imagine."1  Herbert Spencer's essay written in 1859 was entitled and asked the question, What Knowledge Is Of Most Worth? That question is still most relevant today! It brought about a framework that identifies and prioritized essential knowledge for learning.2   

Today we have better data, greater understanding of brain-based research, and better cultures of learning to support this  framework. The 21st century paradigm shift encompasses Spencer's original question and two additional questions:
  • What knowledge is worth most?
  • What data is worth most?
  • Are you asking the right questions?



At any grade level, proper and efficient use of data, asking the right questions about student achievement, engaging students in questions and dialogue, can result in high achievement at the school level not only in math, but across all content areas. Building on a strong foundation of common language, best practices, technology-based support programs, and frequent use of formative assessments, schools have demonstrated an increase in math proficiency from 33 percent to 89 percent over the course of three years.  
 


In Anson County, North Carolina, through the consistent use of data to rethink and drive instruction, focused and deliberate use of formative assessments, 8th graders' proficiency on high school Algebra End-of-Course assessment increased from 11% to 97%.
 
Are you asking the right questions: How is data being used? How are formative assessments being used? How is online learning software being evaluated and used to support learning? The original question from 1859 is still relevant today: What knowledge is of most use?
 

Source: A New Math Classroom: Creating a Data-Driven Culture. Article can be found on OCS website, Curriculum Resources.


1Spencer, H. (1860). What Knowledge Is Of Most Worth? Accessed from: http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine /23356
2Daggett, E. D. (2011). The Daggett System for Effective Instruction: Where Research and Best Practices Meet.  Accessed from:
http://leadered.com/pdf/Daggett_System_for_Effective_Instruction_2014.pdf
Operational Vitality
News and Resources 

Involve the Faculty, Staff, and Students in Recruitment Efforts
 
The entire school community participates in the marketing effort and each member can play a part in a prospective family's decision to enroll their child in the school. First and foremost, prospective Catholic school families want to learn about the value and benefits of the school from the perspective of current students, parents, faculty and staff. Keeping that in mind, remember that students can play a very important role in helping to recruit new families, and they definitely impact their parent's decision to re-enroll each year, since parents generally respond to what their children want. Happy students generate satisfied parents! When it comes to enrollment management, let students participate in the delivery of the marketing message - they are living examples of the school's mission as well as the school's best representatives. Teachers also play a critical role, particularly when it comes to retention at specific grades. They can act as an "early warning system" if they hear that a student may be leaving the school and can share that information with the school administrator so preventative action can be taken.

The following is a list of action steps to consider when involving the faculty and staff in school recruitment efforts:
  • Regularly communicate the importance of enrollment management to faculty and emphasize the key role they play in those efforts. At each faculty and staff meeting, principals should take five minutes to share an updated enrollment report.
  • Request that all faculty members be present for any open house events, ready to showcase their class activities to visiting families in a creative, appealing way.
  • Have faculty members compose letters to be sent to prospective families detailing the exciting things that happen in their classroom and inviting families to consider the school for their children.
  • Ask faculty members to represent the school in a positive light at all times - internally during the school day and externally in the community.
  • Encourage teachers to send welcome cards to new students and call incoming parents to foster a partnership. Urge them to award special certificates and send home emails celebrating student accomplishments and to recognize the birthdays of their students.
  • Solicit information and photos from faculty members that capture creative classroom projects and exciting student accomplishments, then post them on the school's social media pages.
  • Maintain effective faculty-parent communication, since it is critical to the retention process. Updating the website, sending classroom newsletters, and making good news phone calls will help build a positive relationship between teachers and parents.
  • Insist that classrooms always look attractive and inviting, so prospective parents see their children in that setting.
Here are some action steps to consider when involving students in recruitment efforts:
  • Ensure that every student has a ready answer to the statement: "I love ______ School because..." and is encouraged to share that statement internally and externally.
  • Celebrate student accomplishments, inside and outside the school: share praiseworthy efforts with parents, on social media, etc. This creates positive PR and supports word-of-mouth marketing.
  • Encourage parents and students to schedule play dates with prospective students so friends are made and bonds are established before the school year begins.
  • Encourage students (in uniform) to participate in community events and local service projects.
  • Ask students to serve as hosts to visitors, greeting Open House attendees, conducting tours, distributing information, etc. Students may be asked to speak at Masses throughout the year regarding what the school means to them. Dependable, mature students may be asked to help at an after-school program or in the pre-school.
  • Ask students to write follow-up notes to Open House attendees and to those they conducted on tour in order to encourage additional visits.
There are wonderful resources in every school to support recruitment and retention, beginning with students and faculty. Their love for and belief in the school should be shared whenever possible!
Calendar of Events
February 2016

  2
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
  4
Principals' Advisory Council for Elementary (PACE) Schools Meeting, Office of Catholic Schools, 10:00 a.m. (lunch follows) 
  5
Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
  6
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
10
Ash Wednesday
15
Presidents' Birthday Observed (Office of Catholic Schools Closed)
17
Archdiocesan High School Annual Corporation Meetings,
Chancery, 9:00 a.m.  Please note change in meeting date.
22
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
25
Elementary Administrators Meeting, St. Bridget School, Cheshire,
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Please note change in meeting location.
March 2016

4-6
Archdiocesan Basketball Tournament (1 of 2), Location to be announced
11-
13
Archdiocesan Basketball Tournament, Semi Finals and Finals,
(2 of 2), St. Paul Catholic High School, Bristol
14
Archdiocesan School Board Meeting, Archdiocesan Center, Catholic Education Board Room, 2nd Floor, 6:30 p.m.
15
Catholic Educators Faith Conference, South Area (Elementary and Secondary Schools, St. Paul Catholic High School, Bristol,
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
16
Catholic Educators Faith Conference, North Area (Elementary and Secondary Schools, St. Paul Catholic High School, Bristol,
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
17
St. Patrick Day's Breakfast (FACS Sponsored), Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
19
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

20
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
24
Holy Thursday - (Office of Catholic Schools Closed)
25
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion - (Office of Catholic Schools Closed)
26
Holy Saturday
27
Easter Sunday, The Resurrection of the Lord
28
Easter Monday - (Office of Catholic School Open)
29-
31
NCEA Convention:  San Diego, CA

 
Thought for the Month

Being free always to choose goodness is demanding, but it will make you into people with backbone who can face life, people with courage and patience.  
Stay Connected  
and Informed

Office of Catholic Schools Mission
Rooted in Gospel truths and guided by the Purpose and Vision for Catholic School Education, the Office of Catholic Schools serves and supports the Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Hartford as they cultivate excellence, transformational growth, and continued viability. 
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