Volume 8, Issue 18
April 26, 2010
April 25th was the feast day of St. Mark, Evangelist.

St. Mark is the author of the second Gospel of the New Testament. Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house served as a meeting place for Christians there. St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was Mark's cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus. Later he accompanied St. Barnabas alone. We know also that he was in Rome with St. Peter and St. Paul. Tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in Alexandria.
 
St. Mark wrote the second Gospel, probably in Rome sometime before the year 60 A.D.; he wrote it in Greek for the Gentile converts to Christianity. Tradition tells us that St. Mark was requested by the Romans to set down the teachings of St. Peter. This seems to be confirmed by the position that St. Peter has in this Gospel. In this way the second Gospel is a record of the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of the Prince of the Apostles. St. Mark is the patron saint of notaries. (Adapted from Catholic Online)

Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
Each year about this time, the Office of Catholic Education staff has a planning day to consider the goals that will best help us help you. This year we considered Digital Citizenship and “Schoology” as part of the overall technology planning; development of boards for newly merged schools; marketing our schools; streamlining our operation; and development of a new District Plan to reflect these considerations and updates to the current Plan. In addition, major thrusts of our office continue to be professional development opportunities that carry on our academic initiatives and the coming Religion Curriculum Revision. We are well into the planning of the Principals’ Leadership Conference as well. We look forward to receiving your School Calendars and hope that your planning for next year is well on its way, too.

Launch of “Called to Protect” Safe Environment Training Program
The Diocese of Cleveland announces the launch of “Called to Protect:” The most up-to-date and comprehensive safe-environment training program with content and teaching methods that use the latest research and multi-media training to ensure effectiveness. We are partnering with Praesidium, one of the national leaders in abuse risk management, to train parents, youth, young children and staff on how to prevent child sexual abuse.

The Office for the Protection of Children intends to utilize this engaging material as a supplement to the curriculum for children in the schools or parish schools of religion, and as a help especially to parents and families. We will continue to use VIRTUS with its unparalleled database management.

Please join us for a Training Session to learn how to implement “Called to Protect,” an exciting supplemental safe environment program!

When:         Thursday,      May 27, 2010           Save the Dates!!!

Friday,          May 28, 2010

Where:        Center for Pastoral Leadership (More details to follow)

Protecting God’s Children
Internet Crimes Against Children Presentation for All Counties
Paul Marnecheck from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), a division of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, will be contacting all schools in Cuyahoga County to provide resources for children for their protection while using the Internet.  Information will come through the mail. ICAC will also present to any school requesting information.  The presentation is excellent.  Some of you may have had Jeff Stutzman’s presentation on Internet safety. This presentation, however, is much different and uses real crimes perpetrated on actual children.  It discusses the involvement of the child the perpetrator and how the crimes were resolved.  It advises children what to do and how to handle actual solicitations online. For Cuyahoga County schools, you will need to call Paul Marnecheck to schedule a presentation for children, faculty and staff.  The number to call is 216-698-2499.  Other counties have similar outreach programs on the same topic. The contact information listed below was given to the OCE by Paul and lists who to contact to schedule a similar presentation for schools outside Cuyahoga County.  

Lake
Scott Stranahan in the Sheriffs Office
(440) 350-5533
 
Cuyahoga
Paul Marnecheck-216-698-2499
 
Geauga
Lt. Scott Niehus in the sheriff’s office
(440) 286-4031
 
Lorain
Capt. John Reiber-Lorain County Sheriffs Office
(440) 329-3793
 
Summit
County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan - Walsh
(330) 643-2800
 
Ashland
Lt. Scott Smart-Sheriffs Office
(419) 289-8362
 
Wayne
Jennifer Reynolds-County Prosecutors Office
(330) 287-5671
 
Medina
Det. Todd Hicks-Sheriffs Office
(330) 725-9116

Licensure Requirements Include Background Checks
Effective January 1, 2010, to comply with HB 1, the ODE requires initial applicants for any license or permit that it issues to complete both an Ohio criminal background check and an FBI criminal background check, conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII). These checks need to be less than 365 days old to be considered valid for licensing purposes.

Educators who are renewing a license or permit and have lived continuously in the state of Ohio for the previous five years, and have a BCI background check on file with ODE, will need to complete only an FBI criminal background check once every five years. Educators who have not lived continuously in the state for the past five years will need to complete both a BCI and FBI background check. Educators with multiple licenses only need to submit the required background checks when they are applying for the renewal of the license or permit that is of the longest duration. Educators who hold a permanent certificate are still required to submit the required background checks once every five years. Permanent certificate holders who have lived continuously in Ohio for those five years, however, will only need to submit FBI background checks.

Additional information on teacher licensure and background checks and a Frequently Asked Questions document can be found from the ODE Home page, www.education.ohio.gov, Keyword: FBI BCI.

EdChoice and Cleveland Scholarship Program Updates
There have been 14,696 EdChoice Scholarship applications entered into the system, statewide. 10,631 are renewal applications and 4,065 are new applicants. Public schools have until June 18 to complete their review of the information, request data corrections and enter the SSID.

The first round of new Cleveland Scholarship awards is complete. Award letters were mailed to 231 new recipients the week of April 12. The second round of new scholarship awards will be processed the week of April 19. Current scholarship students who are renewing for the 2010-11 school year must participate in the spring 2010 administration of the Ohio Achievement Assessment prior to their renewal scholarship being awarded. The scholarship office will have data from the testing vendor in June to verify student completion of all assessments for their grade level.

The final tuition payment for both EdChoice and Cleveland has been processed and mailed to the schools. Reconciliation letters will be mailed to the schools prior to the end of the school year, detailing any student who has been overpaid and the process for remittance of refund to the State of Ohio.

Diocesan Tuition Assistance
Round 1
Enrollment verification lists are being faxed out to principals the week of April 19, 2010.
Notification letters for Round-1 will go out in early May—dated May 5, 2010.
There were close to 9,000 applications in Round 1.  A little over 3,000 applicants qualified by NEED for DTA.
Round 2
Please remind parents who plan to apply for DTA that the next deadline is June 1, 2010. 

Welcome to the Principal’s Office! – Helpful Hints for Principals
http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/index.php There are many reasons why students drop out of school. Educators and parents need to work together to address factors that hinder achievement both early and late in the K-12 years. This month the Principal’s Office features a variety of information for dealing with these issues.

Dropout Prevention Summit: Resources associated with the summit are aimed at making graduation possible and fulfilling “America’s Promise.” http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/zone.4.10.dropout.php

Focus on Strengths, Not Failures, Helps Teens Succeed in School: The best way to help teenagers who are struggling in school is put aside their academic problems and focus on what they’re doing right. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/conversation.4.10.php

Family Meals, Adequate Sleep, and Limited TV May Lower Childhood Obesity: Sarah Anderson suggests ways to lower obesity risk in preschool-aged children.  http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/zone.4.10.anderson.php

Sticky Issues offers advice from an Extension educator on what to do when a child is being bullied. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/sticky.4.10.php

Check out the workshop on Bullying Prevention: Catalyst for Climate Change in Professional Opportunities.  http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/opportunities.php

This month’s Educational Minute tip sheet addresses teen risk behaviors that can have serious consequences for health, achievement, and relationships. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/edminute.4.10.php

The Toolbox includes additional resources on dropout prevention and school completion. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/toolbox.4.10.php

Joan Platz brings an update on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Race to the Top, and the March State Board of Education meeting among other state and national education news in Political Landscape. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/landscape.4.10.php

Read about "what teachers want" to help them help students in Develop Your Staff. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/staff.4.10.php     

Upcoming Events at the Maltz Museum: April/May 2010
Programs and events are Free with Museum Admission unless otherwise noted. 
The Maltz Museum is celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month this May!
Mark your calendars for May 1st and 2nd for Free Admission to the Museum all day!

WOMEN & SPIRIT: CATHOLIC SISTERS IN AMERICA
Opening May 9, 2010
For months, the excitement in the community has been building - and the debut of Women & Spirit is almost here! Mark your plans now to see this stunning chronicle of brave and innovative women who shaped American history. Tens of thousands have experienced the exhibit and rave about its meaningful and impactful stories, films, visuals and rare artifacts, including a personal letter from Thomas Jefferson. Along with historic first-person narratives and dramatic photographs, you'll leave intrigued and convinced that one person or group can make a difference! See the April 12 issue of the Superintendent’s Bulletin in the Archive for more information on access to free tours courtesy of Bishop Lennon.

APRIL OBJECT IN FOCUS
Every month we highlight a special artifact in the Museum. It will only be on view for a limited time so don't miss your chance to see these amazing and sometimes inspiring pieces.

WWII Document Indicating Hiding Place of Jews
Marc Balin (1918-2006), a noted Lake County physician and anesthesiologist, worked at a hospital in Warsaw during World War II. Balin survived the war in hiding. This fascinating document, written in German and preserved by Balin after the war, was posted by a Pole, indicating the hiding place of Balin and other Jews in Warsaw after the August 1944 Warsaw Uprising.

PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Our calendar is full of programs throughout the summer at the Museum and around town. Unless otherwise noted, programs are FREE with Museum Admission and held at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Reservations are recommended, some programs sell out

V-E DAY
Wednesday, May 5, 7-9pm
Free with Museum admission-Reservations are required.
In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month and the 65th anniversary of V-E Day, join us for a reading of Faye Sholiton's V-E Day, an award-winning play about love, loss, choices and consequences set against the backdrop of War II. A widow in Cleveland Heights receives a visitor who brings a box of newsletters that once circulated to local troops. And her grown daughter sees her mother young again, for one day. Don't miss this humorous, dramatic, and poignant evening.

PANEL DISCUSSION:
RECLAIMING HOLOCAUST ART: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Tuesday, May 11, 7pm
$10/$8 members
A fascinating and informative look at an important story that continues to unfold-securing the return of works of art looted by the Nazis from Jewish families. Join a panel of distinguished experts: Professor Patty Gerstenblith, Distinguished Research Professor of Law at DePaul University (Chicago); Steven Litt, Art and Architecture Critic for The Plain Dealer; and Howard Spiegler, Esq., plaintiffs' counsel in some of the most high-profile reparations cases worldwide. Moderated by Professor Brian Glassman, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Sponsored in part by Weston Hurd LLP.

ALWAYS AVAILABLE @ THE MALTZ
ADULT GUIDED TOUR
Groups of 10 or more will enjoy viewing An American Story or The Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery with an experienced volunteer guide. Reservations required. Tours last 45-60 minutes: $7/$5 seniors 60+ - special rates for groups with 15 or more.

DROP-IN TOURS & SELF-GUIDED "STAFF PICKS" TOUR
Every Wednesday and Sunday at 2pm - Free with admission
Meet your experienced volunteer tour guide in the lobby for a 30-minute tour of our collections featuring objects and stories that focus on Jewish Cleveland. Or pick up a map and guide yourself, at your own pace, with our "Staff Picks" tour.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 11 am - 9 pm
Saturday Noon - 5 pm 
Closed Mondays
Museum open for Group Tours and Private Events daily at 9am, including Mondays
www.MaltzMuseum.org
info@mmjh.org
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage | 2929 Richmond Road | Beachwood | OH | 44122

Peanut Allergies
Peanut allergies are increasing at an alarming rate among children in our country with the rate having doubled in the last five years.  Over three million children have now been diagnosed with a life-threatening peanut allergy. For these children, eating or coming into contact with a peanut will trigger an allergic reaction that could kill them in less than two minutes if injectable epinephrine is not administered.  Even if the child merely touches a surface with peanut residue, an allergic reaction can occur, although it may not be life threatening.  Faced with the influx of children who have peanut allergies, many school districts across the nation have implemented a nut-free or peanut-free strategy involving strict prohibition of nut or peanut products on school grounds.  While these efforts have succeeded in protecting some children from peanuts, the ultimate answer is to eliminate the allergic reaction in the child.

Request to Help Fund a Peanut Allergy Study
Studies have consistently demonstrated that desensitizing a child with peanut allergy greatly lessens the threat that they will experience severe reactions when accidentally exposed to the allergen.   Recent, groundbreaking clinical research has indicated that this is possible for children who participate in oral-immunotherapy (desensitization) studies.  By feeding the subjects extremely small quantities of peanuts daily and increasing the dosage over the course of months, the children become desensitized to peanuts, and their bodies begin to tolerate them.  Children for whom exposure to peanuts could have been lethal are now able to consume dozens of peanuts daily - essentially eliminating the risk of accidental exposure.

Dr. Marc E. Rothenberg, Director of Allergy and Immunology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, serves on the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Council of the National Institutes of Health and conducts basic and clinical research. He regards this research as promising and is enthusiastic about initiating a Peanut Allergy Desensitization Study in Cincinnati. Dr. Rothenberg estimates that it will cost approximately two million dollars to fund a peanut allergy study.  To help with this, Cincinnati Children's Hospital has created a Web page dedicated to raising money for this cause: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/peanut-allergy-trial. Please share this information with your parents and consider recommending donations to the trials.

Channel 3, WKYC Weather Education Days at Progressive Field
Once again this year, Channel 3 is sponsoring Weather Education Days at Progressive Field. Students and teachers will learn about the weather and enjoy an Indians game at 12:05 pm as well. Watch for more information on Channel 3 for Weather Education Days on May 20 and May 26.

Edsteps Seeks Student Work in Writing and Global Competence by June 30Through June 30, EdSteps is working to collect 5,000 work samples in Writing and Global Competence from students and adults of all ages from across the country and the world. EdSteps supports the high-quality teaching and assessment of college- and career-readiness skills in schools and seeks to give teachers, parents and students a Web-based resource for comparing student work to that of other students. For each skill area, student work will be presented in a continuum – a gradual progression – from emerging to accomplished work. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, EdSteps is being designed by the Council of Chief State School Officers <http://www.ccsso.org/>; The New York Times; and partners from state departments of education, school districts, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations and businesses. For information on how to participate, click here <http://iwww.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?Page=3&amp;TopicRelationID=1701&amp;ContentID=84373> or visit www.edsteps.org <http://www.edsteps.org/>.

Innovative Learning Environments Program Planned for August 2 to 5
While technology may be an essential element of an innovative learning environment, it is not the only factor that drives innovation. The Educational Service Center of Central Ohio and Hilliard City Schools will host a four-day conference (with two-day options available) for pre-K-16 educators, administrators and leadership teams. Learn from both national and local experts on innovative learning and leadership practices that support innovative learning environments. For more information, visit www.escco.org http://www.escco.org/ or contact Nancy Daly at nancy.daly@escco.org or (614) 542-4189.

Social Studies and Science Standards Revisions Meetings Scheduled for April 26 to May 3
ODE will host five regional meetings on the social studies and science content standards revision process. If you missed last week’s notice, please check the calendar Web page http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDedicatedPage.aspx?page=51 for more details or visit http://education.ohio.gov/ and click on Events. Registration is in STARS through SAFE https://safe.ode.state.oh.us/portal/default.asp accounts.

Reminder: Two Weeks Left to Help Chart Future of Arts Education in Ohio Americans are recognized for innovation and creativity – often nurtured through arts education. During the week of March 15, principals received individual e-mail messages with instructions and unique Web addresses to use in completing the 2010 Ohio Arts Education Survey. Help chart the future of arts education in Ohio by submitting your data by April 30. For more information, please contact Nancy Pistone, ODE, at (614) 466-7908, or Donna Collins, Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, at (614) 224-1060.

State Assessments:  Testing Dates, 2010/2011
The 2010-2011 testing dates are listed below. The Ohio Achievement Assessments will be administered in the fall and the spring. The Ohio Graduation Tests will be administered in the fall and the spring, with an optional administration in the summer. The Ohio Test of English Language Acquisition will be administered once in the spring. The Alternate Assessment for Students with Disabilities is a collection of evidence that begins in September and ends in March.

The dates for the test result data due to districts are best estimates. The actual dates of the test result data due to districts may vary from the estimates given.

Ohio Achievement Assessments
* Fall Administration – Monday, October 4 through Friday, October 8, 2010
(Data file ready for download on November 19, 2010, reports due November 19, 2010)
* Spring Administration – Monday, April 25 through Friday, May 13, 2011
(Data file ready for download on June 15, 2011, reports due June 30, 2011)
(Note: Statute calls for testing to begin the week containing April 24, which falls on a Sunday.)

Ohio Graduation Tests
* Fall Administration – Monday, October 25 through Sunday, November 7, 2010
* Spring Administration – Monday, March 14 through Sunday, March 27, 2011
* Summer Administration (Optional) – Monday, June 13 through Sunday, June 26,
   2011

Two Workshops for Pre-School Religion Teachers from RCL Benziger
When:           Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 9:00am to Noon
Where:          Holiday Inn – Westlake, OH
What:           “Stories of God’s Love” providing religion readiness for Pre-K age 3/4, Pre-K 4/5, and Kindergarten

When:           Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Where:          Holiday Inn – Westlake
What:           “Celebrating Holidays and Holy Days with Little Ones”

No fee charged, but registration is needed. Contact Robert Frank, RCL Benziger Sales
Representative at rfrank@rclbenziger.com or 1.330.277.7347

Can’t make this date – Join RCL/Benziger, Wednesday, April 28th at St. Paul Parish, 241 S. Main Street, North Canton, OH 44720.  (Directions upon request.)

FAST Cohort 3
Establish a team of FAST (Formative Assessment Support Team) specialists that help educators in your school use formative assessment strategies to gather evidence of learning in real-time and use that information to adjust instruction to keep student learning on course to the Academic Content Standards. A small team of 2 to 4 participants is best. Earn a CSU Assessment for Learning Certificate. Location: Cole Center at CSU – 8:15 am – 3:30 pm.

Cohort 3 Dates:   May 18, 19, and 20, 2010
                             August 10 & 11, 2010 (new dates)
                             October 12 & 13, 2010

Cost per workshop participant is $1,000. This includes all seven days of training, a paper and electronic binder full of ready to use materials, textbook, lunch and certificate. In addition, participants can purchase up to 4 hours of Advanced Formative Assessment graduate credit through CSU. The trainer is Donna Snodgrass, Ph.D. of the GCEDC. Dr. Snodgrass is also AERA’s national Program Chair for Assessment in Schools. Questions contact: Donna Snodgrass at d.snodgrass@csuohio.edu or 1.216.523.7108.

For registration form and more information call Nancy Carnes at the GCEDC: 1.216.523.7112.

Skill Building in Mathematics
Dates: August 16-17-18 and October 20-21
Time:  8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the GCEDC
For:     Teachers in grades 4-6

Cost per person is $750 for the five days, materials included. Questions contact: Donna Snodgrass at d.snodgrass@csuohio.edu or 1.216.523.7108.

For registration form and more information call Nancy Carnes at the GCEDC: 1.216.523.7112.

A Prayer for Priests

In this Year of the Priest, O God,
We ask Your blessing on those You have called to priestly ministry.
May they, above all, be faithful and passionate followers of Your beloved Son, Jesus. May they be compassionate, as Jesus was, toward all who seek spiritual comfort and forgiveness. May they open wide their hearts to all in need of Your merciful embrace.

May they be teachers, as Jesus was, steeped in Your Word and teaching, on fire with it, and breaking it open for all who are hungry for Your holy and transforming Word. May they be prophets, as Jesus was, speaking courageously for what is right and true, proclaiming Your kingdom to all in need of Your grace and giving voice to all Your children, especially the poor and marginalized.