Volume 8, Issue 12
January 25, 2010

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle

Paul’s entire life can be explained in terms of one experience—his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus. In an instant, he saw that all the zeal of his dynamic personality was being wasted, like the strength of a boxer swinging wildly. Now he himself was “entered,” possessed, all his energy harnessed to one goal—being a slave of Christ in the ministry of reconciliation, an instrument to help others experience the one Savior. One sentence determined his theology: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5b). Jesus was mysteriously identified with people—the loving group of people Saul had been running down like criminals. From then on, his only work was to present everyone perfect in Christ. For this “I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me” (Colossians 1:28b-29).

So Paul’s great message to the world was: You are saved entirely by God, not by anything you can do. Saving faith is the gift of total, free, personal and loving commitment to Christ, a commitment that then bears fruit in more “works” than the Law could ever contemplate.
(Excerpted from AmericanCATHOLIC.org)

We pray for the repose of the soul of Luis Pla, Principal of St. Mary School, Collinwood who is being buried today. Luis died on January 19. May Luis and all of the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
As we approach Catholic Schools Week, we are very excited about the marketing campaign we have initiated through the enthusiastic cooperation of Fox8 Cleveland TV and Fox8.com and the generous support of the Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union. Our Catholic schools have great stories to tell! Amid mergers and closings, our major concern remains the students and their ability to continue their Catholic education, and our faculties and staffs who will seek employment where possible. Catholic education in the Diocese of Cleveland continues to be a stabilizing force in the city and a rallying point for parishes. Catholic Schools are the Good News in Education, and Catholic Schools do provide Dividends for Life!

Haiti Relief
Thank you for all that you are doing to assist in relief for the Haitian people. It is unfathomable how widespread and severe the destruction is not to mention the loss of life and critical injuries that have yet to be counted. Let us continue to pray for the people of Haiti and help in any way that we can.

Pope Benedict XVI’s 2010 Message for the World Day of Peace
“If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation,” is the latest in a long tradition of Church teaching on our obligation to care for creation. Pope Benedict quotes both Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI throughout his message. Here are five ways you and your school can cultivate peace by protecting creation:

• Learn more about how climate change is related to global poverty at the Catholics Confront Global Poverty Web site: www.usccb.org/globalpoverty or www.crs.org/globalpoverty.
• Take the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor at the Catholic Climate Covenant Web site: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/.
• Take action to ensure that climate change policies protect poor and vulnerable people, and sign up to receive the most recent legislative updates/action alerts at www.usccb.org/sdwp/takeaction.shtml.
• Join with school staff to pray for solutions that care for creation and care for the poor! Access USCCB prayer resources at www.usccb.org/sdwp/ejp/climate/.
• Read Pope Benedict’s Message: www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/peace/index_en.htm 

Important Dates Pertaining to…
Diocesan Tuition Assistance*

*Note: PSAS forms, STAR forms and other DTA information can be found on the OCE Web site.

Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program*

*Note: All forms can be found on the ODE Web site or in your SAFE Account.  Other details outlined in Sue Cosmo’s e-mail dated 01-07-2010.

*Note: All forms can be found on the ODE Web site or in your SAFE Account. 

Cleveland Catholic Campaign for Human Development Grants
The Cleveland Diocese Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Office is soliciting applications for its 2010 Diocesan social justice grant cycle. These grants are generally $5,000 or less and the Youth CCHD Justice grants are $1,000 or less. The deadline for submittal of the Diocesan CCHD Community Organizing and the Youth CCHD Justice Grant applications is March 31, 2010. Allocation decisions are announced between June and July. Funding for the CCHD grants is made possible because of the generosity of our diocesan parishioners.

Application guidelines and criteria are available from Deacon Rocky Ortiz at 440-245-5043 or via email at jortiz@clevelandcatholiccharities.org Copies are also available electronically by visiting the Diocesan Social Action Office Web site at www.social-action.org.

ASGC FREE Autism Risk & Safety Management Training
The Autism Society of Greater Cleveland is proud to sponsor Autism Risk & Safety Management Training for all area Police, Fire, First Responders, Emergency Room, School Personnel, Bus Drivers, Security and Parents. The date is February 3, 2010.

Dennis Debbaudt, is a well known presenter throughout the United States. His training video "Autism & Law Enforcement" is in use by the Department of
Homeland Security, Pennsylvania State Police, NY/NJ Port Authority, Portland, Cincinnati, Nashville, Philadelphia, Houston, Toledo and Virginia Beach PD, Palm Beach County Sehriff's office and the MTA New York City Transit Police and hundreds of other agencies.

Dennis Debbaudt's training and conference sessions offer tips and options for communications and responses designed to successfully resolve a call involving a person with autism or Asperger’s syndrome.  Everyone will come away with a good practical understanding of the best approaches when they interact with children and adults who are affected by autism spectrum disorders.

The Conference that the ASGC is sponsoring on February 3, 2010, is at The City of Independence Civic Center 6363 Selig Drive, Independence, OH 44131. RSVP with preferred time by Jan. 27, 2010 at (216) 556-4937 or support@asgc.org. Admission is FREE. There are two sessions available 9:00 am till Noon and 1:00 pm till 4:00 pm. There is also a FREE Parent Session at 6:30 pm at The Brecksville Library.

Violence Prevention Course with Dr. Ellen Burts-Cooper
The purpose of this course is to provide educators of elementary and secondary
students with a curriculum that enables them to teach their students the skills necessary to deal with problems that arise from their relationships and the conditions that plague today’s society, such as drugs, gangs, and violence.

Dates:	March 9 and 10, 2010 (Tuesday and Wednesday) March 15 and 17, 2010 (Monday and Wednesday)
Time:	6 pm – 9 pm (each of four days)
Location:	Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Achievement Center) 4691 Windfall Road Medina, Ohio 44256
Cost:	$155.00 per participant (including book)
Graduate Credit:	1 semester hour of graduate credit will be provided. Available from Ashland University ($329.00)
CEUs:	Participants will be eligible to earn 12.5 CEUs
Contact:	Society for Prevention of Violence 4645 Richmond Road #103 Warrensville Heights, OH 44128 216-591-1876 or spvmail@att.net

Test your Catholic IQ in this contest from CATECHIST magazine
Correctly answer five questions about the sacraments and be entered in a drawing to win a classroom set of 25 Lent day-by-day books for 2010 – your selection of primary, intermediate, or junior high editions. There’s a new “What’s Your Catholic IQ? Contest” each month with a different theme and new prizes, so make sure you check CATECHIST’s Facebook page on February 15 for the next chance to enter!

Don’t Forget About the H1N1 Vaccine
While we have not experienced a major outbreak of H1N1 this year, it’s never too late to protect yourself and your school community. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), working with its local, state and federal partners, is encouraging those who have not received their H1N1 vaccination to do so. For more information on the H1N1 flu or to find a clinic in your neighborhood, visit http://www.flu.ohio.gov or call the ODH H1N1 information line at (866) 800-1404. The information line is open between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

New Immunization Requirements Announced For 2010-2011
Schools will have new immunization requirements for the 2010-2011 school year from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). As you may remember, the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3313.67 and 3313.671 indicate that schools are responsible for ensuring that students who enroll in school have immunizations required by ODH. The statute also states that schools are to keep records of the immunizations. The requirements do not include new immunizations; rather, the schedule for when students receive them has been changed. Please integrate the new requirements into your fall enrollment information and prepare to share this information with families. The changes in requirements are:

• addition of a diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (Tdap) booster for seventh-grade students;
• addition of a second dose of varicella (a progressive requirement starting with kindergarten for 2010); and
• fourth dose of polio being administered on or after the fourth birthday.

The most significant change is the Tdap booster for seventh-grade students, because currently only 30 percent of these students have received this inoculation. For more information, call the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Immunization Program hotline at 1.800.282.0546. Further information, including a summary of all required immunizations, can be found on the ODH Web site by clicking here http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/idc/immunize/imunchsc.aspx.

SPARK Physical Education Training Grants Expanded For Grades 3-6 Teachers
The Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) training programs, previously announced for middle school physical education teachers, have been expanded to include teachers of grades 3-6. SPARK offers a research-based curriculum that teaches movement knowledge, motor skills, healthy lifestyles, and social and personal skills. The elementary SPARK grant application is due February 15 and the middle school application process closed last Friday. The ODE Office for Safety, Health and Nutrition will award individual grants to 80 elementary and middle school teachers to cover two days of training on the SPARK curriculum. Teachers will receive program manuals, CDs and fitness software, and schools will receive $100 for each day of training to help cover the cost of substitute teachers. Additionally, grant recipients will receive technical support from the SPARK training staff and the ODE Healthy Schools program consultant. For more information and the grant application, click here http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1793&ContentID=77492 or visit education.ohio.gov http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDefaultPage.aspx?page=1 and select the “Physical Education Grant Applications Due” home page link.

Ohio Global Institute 2010 Accepting Applications
Applications are now available for the Ohio Global Institute, which will be held August 3-5 at The Ohio State University. Ohio teachers of English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, world languages, career programs or technology in grades K-12 may apply. One hundred teachers will be selected for the institute, with priority given to school teams. The application deadline is March 20. This three-day institute for teachers in grades K-12 is presented collaboratively by the Ohio Department of Education; the Ohio Geographic Alliance; the Gerald H. Read Center at Kent State University; and The Ohio State University’s Office of International Affairs, Wexner Center for the Arts and Area Studies Centers. Primarily funded by a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and contributions from partner organizations, this event will provide teachers opportunities to:

• Share best practices in international education;
• Obtain new resources and tools for incorporating international content across curricula;
• Develop action plans for their classrooms and schools.

Each selected participant will be charged a $100 registration fee. To register, click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=N8oMJ8Wk7pVg8s%2fc8mZ5KLITnLBUFUOarQz8CT%2fx85k%3d&amp. For more information, contact outreach@oia.osu.edu.

Nominate a Teacher for History Teacher of the Year Award
Nomination deadline: March 15, 2010
National winner receives $10,000
State winners each receive $1,000

The Preserve America History Teacher of the Year Award presents $10,000 to the best history teacher in America. The national winner is chosen from outstanding history teachers in each state, district, and U.S. territory. State winners receive $1,000 and an archive of books and other resources for their school. The award is co-sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute, Preserve America, and HISTORY™ (the History Channel).

Nominations for the award can be made by a department or division head, school director, social studies director, principal, superintendent, colleague, student or parent. In 2010, the Gilder Lehrman Institute will honor a middle or high school teacher of grades seven through 12. K-6 teachers are honored every other year. To nominate a teacher and learn more about the award, visit: www.gilderlehrman.org/htoy.html

You may also contact the Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year coordinator at htoy@gilderlehrman.org or via phone at 1.646.366.9666 ext. 28.

Internship in the Arts
Northeast Ohio high school students entering 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in the fall have an opportunity to apply for a summer internship program that specializes in arts. Students will earn pay to apprentice with local professional artists, musicians, dancers, and actors in a six-week stint, with opportunities to showcase finished work in public performances and exhibits. No arts experience is necessary. Interested students in the ArtWorks Internship must submit an application by 4 pm March 26, 2010 by going online to www.yaneo.org/what/artworks.php, the Young Audiences Web site, or call 1.216.561.5005. There are two six-week sessions available, one running June 16 to July 28 under tents in University Circle (Wade Oval) and one June 23 to August 5 at Cuyahoga Community College’s Metro Campus.

Play It Safe Family Event
Join The Heights Parent Center and National Council of Jewish Women on Sunday, February 7, 2010 from noon to 3 pm for a fun-filled family event called, “Play it Safe.” The event will be held at the Richmond Town Center mall located in Richmond Heights. DJ Terry Macklin will be there along with Hugene, the Natural History Museum’s giant dinosaur, woodworking projects from The Home Depot, and Tai Kwan Do courtesy of Asian Sun martial arts center. Decorate cookies provided by Heinen’s grocery store, plus many other activities and crafts. This event is supported by a generous grant from the Cleveland Clinic.

This event provides families with ideas for safe play versus destructive playthings. Many hands-on activities aimed at promoting creativity, design, and constructive play are offered, along with informational materials on the “I Will Ask” campaign concerning gun safety.

2010 Earned Income Credit Outreach Campaign
The 2010 campaign to inform low-income working people that they could qualify for tax refunds through the Earned Income Credit (EIC) and the Child Tax Credit has begun. There is a campaign kit that includes material in both English and Spanish. Contact the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities at 1.202.408.1080 or eickit@cbpp.org for a kit and more information. The 2010 Kits provide full-color posters, flyers, fact sheets, and a complete stock of outreach strategy ideas. Even more information can be found at the expanded Tax Credit Outreach Campaign Web site at www.cbpp.org/eic2010.

It is vital that schools help with this outreach. Please help disseminate this information. These tax credits, and the newly created Making Work Pay Credit, continue to be critical work supports for employees in low-wage jobs, helping many to afford transportation, child care, and other out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, a new American Opportunity Credit can help low-wage workers pay for college. As a result of recent legislation, more people will qualify, credits will be larger, and benefits will be tailored to better meet family need.

Working families need to know that help may be available when they file their tax returns in 2010. This year eligible families and individuals can receive as much as $5,657, and they may qualify for credits even if they did not earn enough in 2009 to owe income tax. Effective outreach is needed to prevent low- and moderate-income working families from missing out on opportunities they simply cannot afford to pass up.

The Education Innovator
This newsletter from the Office of Innovation & Improvement in the U.S. Department of Education is a veritable source of the latest trends and happenings in education across the country. You can google “The Education Innovator” to access the page. The next issue will be online on January 28, 2010. The U.S. Department of Education Web site has information from all of its offices that you also may find helpful.

The Ohio State University “Principal’s Office”
At the Web site www.osu.edu you will find “The Principal’s Office” with many great tips for your day-to-day work and a place to exchange great ideas with other principals. Here are the ideas for January from the Monthly Checklist:

• Family Communications: Make sure you start the New Year out with updated communications to your families. A newsletter with an updated calendar of upcoming events, testing dates, parent meetings, and pupil progress reports will help everyone get organized to participate for the second half of the school year.
• Team Building and Professional Development: Brighten up the year with planned team building staff activities and professional development. The long winter months can be dreary and uninspiring. Use community resources and plan your professional development off site.
• Student Interventions: January is a good time to take a fresh look at behavioral and academic student interventions to determine which ones are working and which ones are not. Look at individual students who are experiencing difficulty and make plans for new interventions.
• Budget for Next School Year: Involve your team and curriculum leaders as you identify needs in curriculum, instruction and assessment. Use a four- question test for purchases: (1) How will materials advance what students should know and be able to do? (2) How will we assess that? (3) What knowledge will teachers need to use materials effectively? (4) What do we want to purchase?
• Testing Materials: Make sure all materials are ordered for spring testing.
• Fire and Safety Plans: Review your fire and safety plans and update documentation of drills.

We Continue to Pray for Priests 
May our priests be guided by the example of St. John Vianney. May the light of God’s Truth shine through their lives and their good works. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please continue to pray for vocations to both the priesthood and religious life.