Volume 8, Issue 15
March 8, 2010
Feastday of St. John of God
From the time he was eight to the day he died, John followed every impulse of his heart. The challenge for him was to rush to follow the promptings that the Holy Spirit gave him, not his own human temptations. But unlike many who act impulsively, when John made a decision, no matter how quickly, he stuck with it, no matter what the hardship.
John of God is patron saint of booksellers, printers, heart patients, hospitals, nurses, the sick, and firefighters and is considered the founder of the Brothers Hospitallers.
In His Footsteps:
When you feel the urge to serve, help, or pray do you act on it or argue yourself out of it? Today if you feel an impulse to do good, do it immediately as John of God would have done without thinking of how practical or how embarrassing it might be.
Prayer:
Saint John of God, help us to act out of love as soon as we feel the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Help us learn to fight the little voices in our heads and hearts that give us all sorts of practical reasons to wait or delay in our service of God. Amen.
(You can read his full story at Catholic Online, Saint of the Day, March 8.)
Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
As we begin the third week in Lent, we reflect on how we’re doing. Soon we will be at the halfway mark of the penitential season. Perhaps it is a good time to take stock of how we are doing. Today’s Gospel finds people rejecting Jesus’ teaching and so angry with Him that they want to throw him out of the synagogue. Knowing him as a carpenter’s son, for the people seems to lessen His authority to teach. How often do we find ourselves in a similar situation being rejected by others because they reject our message? Do we fail to see the truth of what others say if those others are not in authority? God speaks to us through every situation and every person we encounter. Let us try to continue this Lent looking for the truth in all that we experience.
ACTION ALERT!
Please support the bi-partisan Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act so that the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program can continue to provide more educational opportunities for low-income children in the District of Columbia. Do not force families to have students in separate schools because no new students can be added to the program.
I hope you have already formed your e-network of parents and teachers so that you can pass the above message on to them to contact our Senators with this appeal. Please make a point of thanking Senator Voinovich for his efforts to reauthorize the D.C. Scholarship Program. Please contact Senator Voinovich and Senator Sherrod Brown.
Congratulations Summit County Student Contest Winners
The following students placed in the Summit County Children’s Services Abuse Awareness Contest:
Seton Catholic School
Alexandria Mehelic Poster/Slogan Honorable Mention
Jacob Russo Poster/Slogan Honorable Mention
Lilly Joyce Poster/Slogan Honorable Mention
St. Hilary School
Lexi Talmage Poster/Slogan Honorable Mention
St. Joseph School, Cuyahoga Falls
Shea O’Brien Public Service Announcement First Place
Joey Gironda Public Service Announcement Second Place
Archbishop Hoban High School
Vincent Burns Essay Third Place
Julie Kohut Poetry First Place
Alex Keppler Poetry Third Place
Congratulations to the students and their teachers for excellence in their work. The Summit County Children Services sponsors Child & Family Awareness Month each year in April. This year’s theme is “A Family is the Frosting on the Cupcake of Life.” A variety of events and activities, including the popular Summit Mall & Western Reserve PBS Family Expo and Zoorific! at the Akron Zoo, will take place in April. Contact SCCS Community Relations Department for various brochures and supporting materials, free of charge. Email: sdeluca@summitkids.org. For additional information, please call 1.330.379.1994.
Two-Day Asbestos Training
EPA requires schools to designate a person to be responsible for their asbestos program, and ensure that the "Designated Person" receives adequate training to perform that duty. There must be at least one person at every school that has had this training.
If you or one of your employees requires a Two-Day asbestos awareness training, the next Two-Day training will be held:
Date: April 8th & 9th, 2010
(Employees must attend both days)
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Place: Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Cathedral Square Plaza Building
1404 East 9 th Street.
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Attn: Daniel R. Brodnik
Phone (216) 696-6525 ext. 3790
Cell (216) 218-3289
“Rumor Control” From ODE Regarding the Ohio Achievement Assessment Tests pertaining to EdChoice and CSTP students
Rumor: “There are no read-aloud accommodations for the OTELA.”
Ohio Response: A student who has an IEP, 504 Plan or has been identified as an LEP student may have the read-aloud accommodation for the Reading and Writing tests if this accommodation occurs during the year in the classroom. The reading passage may not be read aloud and the read-aloud accommodation must be in English.
Rumor: “A student may read aloud to herself or himself during the test administration.”
Ohio Response: Yes, this accommodation may occur but the student must have this listed on the IEP, 504 Plan or be identified as LEP and have the accommodation occurring during the year in the classroom.
Rumor: “Students requiring an accommodation may be scheduled on another day from the general education students.”
Ohio Response: No. The guideline is to test one grade level in the same subject area within the same day (e.g., all third-grade reading on Monday). It is allowable to schedule students who have an IEP or 504 Plan to test in the morning, then some in the afternoon of the same day. If there is not enough staff to cover all necessary accommodations on the same day, the testing of those students may be given on the next day. Allowing students to test on another day becomes a security issue.
For other Testing info, see this ODE link:
http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=9&ContentID=4343&Content=82312 < http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=9&ContentID=4343&Content=82312>
Reminder to CSTP Schools from Sue Cosmo-Director (ODE)
Please continue to enter any new scholarship applications you may have. New scholarships are awarded on the basis of first come-first awarded criteria. If there are still awards available for applications entered after the last day of February, the system is set up to continue to award applications until there are no awards remaining, provided the application meets eligibility criteria. As of February 28th there were 764 new applications entered into the system. Cleveland Office staff is working to complete the eligibility review of those applications as well as the entry of income information. The income documentation received in the office prior to the end of February will be completed prior to the awards being made. This work is completed prior to designating the first batch of awards.
As a reminder, you have until the end of May to complete your renewals. All renewing families were mailed the income verification form and all are expected to complete the process on an annual basis. We are keeping track of mail returned to our office, as it will be expected these families must have their address updated on the renewal application. If a family tells you they did not receive their renewal/income letter in the mail, let them know an address update must be supplied to you.
As always, I am here to assist you with successful implementation of your program. Your comments, suggestions and questions are appreciated!
Diocesan Tuition Assistance
The Round-1 application period for DTA ended March 1. Those applications are currently being processed at PSAS. The data comes back to OCE later in March and the DTA team makes awards that are then approved by Margaret Lyons. NOTIFICATION LETTERS TO FAMILIES AND ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION LISTS FOR SCHOOLS ARE SENT IN EARLY MAY.
Please remind parents that the Round-2 deadline is June 1, 2010.
PSAS forms can be completed and printed from the OCE Web site.
http://www.oce-ocs.org/oce/parents/diocesan_tuition.shtml
Bishops’ Scholarship for Excellence
We remind you to send your Bishops’ Scholarship applications to the CEET office by March 15. Any questions, please contact Jan Ravas at ext. 2830 or jravas@dioceseofcleveland.org.
Certification/Licensure Reminders
Administrators, Teachers, and Educational Aides must use the most current application when renewing. Outdated applications will not be accepted by the Ohio Department of Education.
Effective January 2010 the following changes in BCI/FBI requirements have been added to the license/permit application:
RENEWALS AND ADDITIONAL LICENSES, CERTIFICATES OR PERMITS
Have you lived continuously in Ohio for the past 5 years? You must check one: YES or NO.
YES
An FBI background check is required if the report on file with ODE is more than 5 years old at the date the application is received. A BCI background check is required if you do not have one on file with ODE.
NO
Both BCI and FBI background checks are required if the reports on file with the ODE are more than five years old on the date the application is received.
- The link to download current applications can be found on the LPDC page: http://oce-ocs.org/oce/teachers/lpdc_home.shtml
- Directions on how to apply for a license, certificate or permit are found under the Certification/Licensure section.
Ohio Resident Educator Transition Program (Formerly known as the Entry Year Program) Reminders
- Regional meetings for the beginning teacher are set for March 16th, 18th and 24th. Please remind your beginning teacher to register for this meeting by going to the following link: http://oce-ocs.org/oce/register/index.php
- Mentors do not need to attend this meeting.
The Resident Educator Transition Program will be in effect for the 2010-2011 school year. Please keep this in mind as you fill any vacancies. There will be trainings for mentors offered this spring, summer and fall. It is mandatory that mentors receive the training, if they did not have the opportunity to do so this fall.
From The Plain Dealer 3/3/10
“John Carroll, UA to offer fellowships for teaching”
John Carroll University and the University of Akron are two of four schools chosen by the state to offer $30,000 fellowships for prospective teachers who agree to teach in urban districts. The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships, announced Tuesday by Governor Ted Strickland are aimed at putting more science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers in schools that have trouble attracting such specialized staff. JCU will serve as a training site for prospective teachers in the Cleveland schools, The University of Akron will help staff the Akron schools. Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati also were chosen to provide the fellowships.
The program, expected to begin in the fall, is aimed at recent college graduates and those looking to make a career change. Each prospective teacher would receive a stipend of $30,000 if he or she agrees to spend three years working in the partner school districts.
For more information or to reach Janet Okoben, the Plain Dealer reporter go to: jokoben@plaind.com or call 1.216.999.4535.
Earth Day Coalition Presents the 40 th Anniversary of Earth Day
Volunteers are needed Sunday, April 18, 2010 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Volunteer Orientation Dates:
Saturday, January 9 from 10:00 – 11:30 am
Windows on the World Room, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way
Saturday, February 20 from 10:00 – 11:30 am
Carnegie West Library, 1900 Fulton Road
Monday, March 15 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Carnegie West Library, 1900 Fulton Road
Saturday, April 3 from 10:00 – 11:30 am
Carnegie West Library, 1900 Fulton Road
Call Earth Day Coalition to sign up: 1.216.281.6468.
Earth Day Coalition’s Art, Poetry and Essay Contest 2010
The theme this year is Climate Change Solutions. There are three categories of entry.
Category 1: Grades K-3
Make a drawing to show how you and your family can save energy and slow the effects of climate change.
Category 2: Grades 4-6
Create a work that illustrates or explains the importance of local and organic foods for healthy bodies and a healthy planet.
Category 3: Grades 7-12
Cleveland has approximately 30,000 vacant and undeveloped properties. Show or explain your vision for transforming this empty space into a solution for a Climate Change Solution.
For contest rules about entries and more information go to: www.earthdaycoalition.org or call 1.216.281.6468.
Deadline for all entries is March 26, 2010.
Greening the Community: Green economy, organic environments, and healthy people. April 9-10 at CWRU
This event is Beyond Pesticides' 28th National Forum co-convened by Beyond Pesticides Ohio and CWRUMedicalSchool's SwetlandCenter for Environmental Health. This fabulous Forum includes a free tour of the Cleveland Botanical Garden, two evening receptions, breakfast and lunch catered by the Mustard Seed and a tour de force of national speakers with local speakers, too. Topics include cutting edge health science, lawn pesticide bans, protecting pollinators, thinking beyond your plate, organic gardening and farming.
All of this for the new $25.00 "recession rate."
For a full list of speakers, panels, schedule and registration visit www.beyondpesticides.org/forum http://www.beyondpesticides.org/forum.
For more info contact Barry Zucker, Executive Director, Beyond Pesticides Ohio 1.216.291.3424 or bzucker@beyondpesticidesohio.org.
Green Fundraiser
You can raise money and help protect the environment with Recycling Fundraiser’s™ (formerly EcoPhones) Consumer Electronics Metal Jewelry Recycling Fundraiser. Items include:
Jewelry
Cell phones
Ink jet printer cartridges
Laptop computers
Apple iPods; MP3 Players
Digital cameras
Digital video cameras
GPS devices
Radar detectors
Kindle Sony Book Readers
Handheld game systems
They even pay for damaged, non-working and non-listed models. They provide free marketing materials and free shipping from anywhere in the U.S. For more information, register at http://www.GreenSchoolFundraiser.org or call 1.888.326.7466. Download and customize your own promotional materials right from the Web site including a guide to running a successful recycling fundraiser, posters, price lists, pre-paid shipping labels and everything else you will need to get started. You may call Jennifer Parra at 1.888.326.7466 for more information as well.
Volunteer at Cleveland Clinic through the Junior Ambassador Program
Teens ages 15-17 with a minimum high school grade point average of 3.0 can experience something better this summer through the Junior Ambassador Program. Junior Ambassadors serve others and at the same time, make new friends, learn new skills and enjoy a fulfilling, meaningful and unforgettable summer. Their enthusiasm and generosity enrich the lives of the patients, visitors and employees of Cleveland Clinic.
Junior Ambassadors serve others in many ways:
- Greeting and escorting patients and families from all over the world
- Delivering flowers, magazines and mail to hospitalized patients
- Assisting with wheelchair transport
- Entering computerized data
- Visiting or reading to patients
- Volunteering with special projects or at special events
Requirements
- Ages 15-17
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0
- Complete an application
- Recommendation from a high school teacher or guidance counselor
- Complete a successful interview
- Be accepted into the program
- Attend orientation and other training sessions
- Commit to a regular weekly schedule and a minimum of 75 hours during the summer months.
Information needed: Name (printed legibly), Address, City/State/Zip, Telephone (with area code), High School/Grade, Cell phone(with area code), E-mail address
Send the information to:
Volunteer Services Department/ P66
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44197-9905
Women & Spirit Exhibit Coming to the Maltz Museum
Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America is coming to Northern Ohio to be exhibited at the Maltz Museum in Beachwood, Ohio. The exhibit runs from May 9 through August 28, 2010. This exhibit is a natural complement to two of the Museum’s permanent collections: An American Story that tells of immigrants coming to America through the lens of the Jewish settlers of Cleveland-their accomplishments in business, medicine, education, and culture, and their trials and triumphs balancing life in a strange, new country with maintaining heritage and traditions. The Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery displays world-class priceless objects from across continents and generations, reminding us of the continuing inspiration of faith and the interplay of cultures.
This exhibit was on display in Washington, DC, at a gallery of the Smithsonian. It is an honor to be the second site in Ohio for the exhibit, the first being Cincinnati. Hosting the exhibition at a Jewish museum adds a dimension distinctive to Northeast Ohio, sending a message of collaboration and shared values in the Abrahamic tradition. Like Catholic Sisters, Jewish women in the 1800’s responded to their faith calling to serve those in need, with orphanages, infirmaries, and schools. Their leadership led to familiar institutions like Bellefaire-JCB and Mt. Sinai Medical Center.
This is a great opportunity to engage students to continue to learn about prejudice, diversity and understanding among people, helping fulfill the Museum’s mission to reach out to people of all backgrounds, races, religions and cultures.
Schools should have received information on scheduling visits for students from grades six through 12. Sister Cheryl Keehner, CSA, (Sister of Charity of St. Augustine) is Assistant for Outreach to Groups who can assist you in planning and possibly financing trips for your students. Her email is chk@srsofcharity.org.
Bearing Witness™
The Anti-Defamation League’s Bearing Witness™ program, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Washington, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Catholic Educational Association, provides Catholic schoolteachers with the training and resources necessary to teach their students about anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, and prejudice in today’s world.
Through Bearing Witness™, participants explore the history of anti-Semitism, from biblical times to modern day, including the role of the Church during the Holocaust, recent changes in Catholic teachings on Jews and Judaism, issues of prejudice in contemporary society, and strategies for teaching students about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. Since its inception, the program has trained over 1000 Catholic school educators across the country through this unique and exciting information.
2010 Bearing Witness™ Dates
- Atlanta: June 7-9, 2010
- San Diego June 28-30, 2010
- Washington, DC July 18-23, 2010
- Philadelphia July 26-29, 2010
- Florida September 14-16, 2010
- Los Angeles November 2010 (TBD)
- New York Specific dates TBD
For more information and to apply, contact Sophie Dornstreich at the Anti-Defamation League: 1.202.452.8310 or sdornstreich@adl.org.
The Cleveland Museum of Art March Event
In conjunction with two other University Circle institutions, CMA will kick off the first of three events to examine American Indian art and culture. Saturday, March 27 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm you can learn more about the Art of the American Indians: The Thaw Collection and discover the Art Cart with touchable art objects. The April and May events will take place at The Western Reserve Historical Society and The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, respectively. The cost is $60 for all three events; members, $50. Space is limited. Tickets available in person at the box office, by calling 1.216.421.7350 or online at www.ClevelandArt.org.
NABT: Vernier Software & Technology Ecology/Environmental Teaching Award for Secondary School Teachers
The National Association of Biology Teachers Vernier Software & Technology Ecology/Environmental Teaching Award will be given to a secondary school teacher who has successfully developed and demonstrated an innovative approach in the teaching of ecology/environmental science and has carried his/her commitment to the environment into the community. Maximum award: $1,000 toward travel to the Professional Development Conference, and $500 of Vernier equipment. The recipient also receives a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and a one-year complimentary NABT membership. Eligibility: secondary school teachers. Deadline: May 7, 2010. http://www.nabt.org/websites/institution/index.php?p=132#award2.
Mustard Seed…Finding the Spirit in Everyday Life – Young Adult Formation
Principals, please share this with your teachers.
Join with other young adults for timely discussion of real life issues with mainstream movies, prayer, conversation, and hands-on service events. Most sessions will meet on Monday evenings from April 12-May 17 at St. Noel in Willoughby Hills. Optional dinner begins at 6:00 pm and evenings conclude by 8:45pm. Two of the weekly sessions will involve off-site service events nearby. This is sure to be a compelling 6-week encounter with the Spirit at work in our lives! For more information or to register online visit www.clevelandcyo.org.
Raising the Tide, One Day Symposium, Saturday, April 24
Principals, please share this with your teachers.
The Coalition with Young Adults is sponsoring this gathering of Catholic leaders and Catholics aged 18-40 to share their ideas, knowledge, experiences, and excitement about their faith with one another. Join them to discover how to best harness the strength of collaboration to meet emerging needs of Catholics in their 20’s and 30’s while living the mission of Christ.
Location:
Notre Dame Education Center
13000 Auburn Road
Chardon, OH 44024
Date & Time:
Saturday, April 24
9:30am – Registration and morning hospitality
10:00am – 4pm – Symposium Schedule, lunch included
4:00pm – Vigil Mass
Cost:
$5.00 – Thanks to a grant from the Sisters of Charity this high-quality day is offered at minimal cost.
Register online or print a registration form at www.clevelandcyo.org.
Need a lift or can offer one? Email cyacarpools@gmail.com.
Donations to Schools Available
A retired teacher, Dorothy Rzepka has several items that she would like to donate to schools. If you are interested in any of the items listed below, please email Dorothy at Off_2_Oz@hotmail.com.
1 box bulletin board materials – religious themes
1 box
labels blank flashcards: 3” X 9”
Multi-colored papers and designed papers in paper holder
Spreadsheet protectors: 11” X 8.5”
Laminated inspirational posters
Jesse Tree Ornaments – laminated ( to be cut ) with Scripture
References and explanations
Folder with PowerPoint Instructions
Program: Crossword Companion ( makes crossword puzzles)
And Catholic Religious Clip Art CDs
3 boxes
Catholic based topics: young adult & adult books, CDs, DVDs, videos, and CDs
4 boxes
religious staues, plaques and mobiles
Varied
5 framed religious pictures, 1 laminated religious picture
and glass block: Wise Men Still Seek Him with picture of Magi
1 box
free standing paper holder for next to a computer
blank CDRs – all purpose
file folder holder – 8 tiers stagnated
HP inkjet 45 cartridge
Tape dispenser and stapler
Teacher mug
Please continue to pray for our priests:
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that your priests may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will. O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son. Intercede for our priests that, offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us continue to pray for the people of Haiti and Chile in their time of distress:
Lord, Merciful God, relieve the people of Haiti and Chile with the care they need to rebuild their bodies, minds and spirits. Help the relief workers to lead them in establishing proper shelter, adequate food supplies and clean water. Keep them in your care, Loving Father. This we ask through Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit. Amen.