Volume 8, Issue 7
October 28, 2009
St. Alfred the Great
St. Alfred was King of Wessex, scholar, and renowned Christian monarch. Alfred was born in 849, the fifth son of the Wessex king. During a journey to Rome in 853, he was accepted as a godson by Pope Leo IV . He was a great schola r, translating classics for his people, and early on seemed destined for a career in the Church. Instead, he became king and was forced to spend most of his reign in conflict with the Danes who were then threatening England. His work as a patron of the arts, literature, and especially the Church made him a beloved figure in England.
Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
Congress declared October 2009 National Principals Month. So, with Congress we praise and honor you as the key to the success of your schools and Catholic leaders whose spirituality, professionalism, academic excellence, and administrative abilities make it possible for your staff and students to flourish. We appreciate all that you do for Catholic education and, even though October is almost over, we pray for you and wish you continued success in the ministry of administration.
Representative Susan Davis, Democrat from California, formally introduced a resolution Wednesday, October 7 that marks October 2009 as National Principals Month to honor principals nationwide for your contributions to student success. The resolution has six co-sponsors and was introduced in large part due to the efforts of the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. During National Principals Month, NASSP will honor 2009 state principals of the year, the 2010 MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year, Sheila Kahrs, and the 2010 MetLife/NASSP National High School Principal of the Year, Lucy Beckham.
Action on Pending Legislation Needed from Parents
The Catholic Conference of Ohio is in the process of sending the October E-Focus newsletter to parishes, schools and community publications. We have already emailed it to you. The newsletter contains both the Ohio Bishops’ recommendation regarding state ballot issues and an updated action alert relating to school budget cuts.
Please note that information pertaining to school budget cuts contains a form for Catholic school parents to sign. We are asking that schools do the following:
- Provide the form to students to deliver to their parents;
- Request that parents sign the form and list their address, email and child’s school;
- Request that parents either forward the form to their state elected representative, or return the forms to school;
- Request that the school place all returned forms in one or more large envelopes and forward them via mail to Larry Keough’s attention at the Catholic Conference of Ohio, 9 East Long Street, Suite 201, Columbus, OH 43215.
The Catholic Conference is proceeding with this action alert as a second step stemming from providing the attendees at the OCEA convention with an action alert. In addition, the Legislature is expected to consider revenue-related issues in the immediate weeks ahead and two legislative bills, HB 269 and SB 177, have been introduced and will be debated in the near future.
NCEA Principals Forum
This year, the Principals Forum will be held from 12-14 November 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront (Jacksonville FL). The special conference rate is: $145.00/night (single or double occupancy). The registration fee is: $285.00 (member) $500.00 (non-member) For more information or to download the brochure, please go to: http://www.ncea.org/departments/elementary/ EleventhAnnualCatholicSchoolPrincipalsForum.asp.
Cyberbullying: A Shared Discussion for Educators and Parents
Presented by John Carroll University – The IER Network
What do you need to know about cyberbullying to keep your children safe and encourage responsible behavior? The guest panel includes Attorney John Chambers, Lt. David Novinc of the University Heights Police Department, Avon Middle School Principal Dr. Craig Koehler, and Todd Walts of Campus Impact.
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: Dolan Center, John Carroll University
Sponsored by: The Institute for Educational Renewal (IER) at JCU
Please RSVP by November 12th to 1.216.397.3073. Registration is free!
To learn more about the Network or about IER programming, please contact Carol Paull at 216.397.4690 or cpaull@jcu.edu.
Clarification on Observation and Evaluation Components of the Catechetical Process Course
In order to complete the requirements for the diocesan Catechetical Process course, the parish or Catholic school catechist must be observed and evaluated by a Master Catechist. This remains the requirement for completing this course. The Parish or School Catechetical Leader Certificate is not equivalent to a Master Catechist Certificate. While principals or parish catechetical leaders may observe their teachers and catechists for a variety of reasons, if the observation is for the completion of the Catechetical Process course, a Master Catechist is needed. The observation form and evaluation form are available from Elaine Pekarek at epekarek@dioceseofcleveland.org or call 1.800.869.6525 x 3260. Thank you for your attention to this requirement.
Celebrate the Seasons
CATECHIST Magazine has available the liturgical calendar. It is a beautiful and effective overview of the liturgical year for teachers, parents, and children. The calendar includes classroom guide and tips for use in the home. Illustrations depict Gospel events in the cycle. The guide includes easy reference to Gospel readings for all 52 Sundays. The calendar is 16” x 22” and bilingual English on one side and Spanish on the other at a cost of $9.95. To order, call 1.800.543.4383.
Books Available from Parmadale
Parmadale School would like to offer a large quantity of school and library books to anyone for the asking. There are elementary and high schooltexts that have been donated over the years as well as textbooks and workbooks that the teachers no longer use. Please contact Tom Prosinski at 440-843-5560 for more information.
From the Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction, Deborah Delisle
Background check revisions take effect January 1
House Bill 1 requires changes to background check requirements for licensed educators in Ohio beginning January 1, 2010. 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. Currently, they must complete both BCI and FBI checks whenever they renew. 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.
Further, 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. Initial applicants for a license must complete both BCI and FBI criminal background checks. These checks need to be less than 365 days old to be considered valid for licensing purposes. For details, click here http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDefaultPage.aspx?page=1 and search keywords: background check FAQ. Remember to use the school closure reporting system for flu-related closings As a reminder, both public and nonpublic schools that decide to close due to influenza are asked to complete the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH’s) online report as soon as possible and no later than 9 a .m. on the first day of closure. Local health departments want to work closely with you as these decisions are made. To access the reporting system, see www.education.ohio.gov. http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDefaultPage.aspx?page=1, keyword search: flu
Additional Information on Background Check Revision from Carolyn Jurkowitz, Catholic Conference of Ohio
(1) BACKGROUND CHECK REVISION
The requirements for persons holding non-tax certificates are the same as those for persons holding permanent certificates. [I.e., Educators who hold non-tax certificates are required to submit background checks every five years. Non-tax certificate holders who have lived continuously in Ohio for those 5 years, however, need only submit FBI background checks]. (Note: This information previously appeared in our summary of HB1 as #5 in the separate piece on Educator Licensure).
Social Studies standards revision moves forward
H.B. 1 requires revision of Ohio ’s academic content standards in social studies and other subjects by June 30, 2010 . Proposed revisions include reduced breadth, increased depth and the combination of process and content standards. The number of standards will decrease to four: government, economics, geography and history. Benchmarks and grade-level indicators are being replaced with themes, topics and content statements.
Strong instruction in the social studies throughout grades K-12 will ensure a sound transition from one set of standards to the next and prepare students for future state assessments. More importantly, a strong social studies background will help prepare today’s students for success in the global workforce. For more information about the standards revision process for social studies, English language arts, mathematics and science, visit ODE’s Web site at www.education.ohio.gov < http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDefaultPage.aspx?page=1>, keyword search: revision.
One-day mentor training now available for Resident Educator Program Sixteen one-day Instructional Mentoring Training Sessions are now available in STARS for the Resident Educator Program. Individuals who have had previous mentor training or were certified Praxis assessors and have mentored a beginning teacher within the past three years are eligible to complete the training during a one-day program. Two-day mentoring training sessions are also offered in for educators who do not meet these qualifications. ODE asks that mentors who signed up for the 2-day session, and now switch to the 1-day session, "un-register" for the 2-day session in STARS in order to save the cost of lunches and make room in 2-day sessions for folks who need them. The same holds true for mentors who were on the waiting list for 2-day sessions, and who no longer want to be on the waiting list.
Additional one- and two-day training sessions will be scheduled until all mentors are trained. For complete program details and a list of current one-day sessions, click here < http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDefaultPage.aspx?page=1> and search keywords: resident educator.
Physical education content standards workshops to be held in November
To help educators learn how to structure local curriculum using the new physical education standards adopted by the State Board in June, ODE will hold the following free workshops:
- Tuesday, Nov 3, Painesville;
- Thursday, Nov. 19, Athens; and
- Friday, Nov. 20, Cincinnati.
Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Individuals must register through STARS by visiting www.education.ohio.gov. < http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDefaultPage.aspx?page=1> and clicking the SAFE Account link at the top of the page. Additional workshops will be scheduled throughout the school year. For more information, see the Events link on the ODE home page or contact Lisa Lyle Henry at lisa.henry@ode.state.oh.us < mailto:lisa.henry@ode.state.oh.us>.
Register for Ohio Prevention and Education Conference (OPEC) by Nov. 10
Educators who are interested in preventing and reducing substance abuse and related risky behaviors among students will benefit from the 2009 Ohio Prevention and Education Conference, Nov. 18- 19 in Columbus. ODE and the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services are co-sponsoring the event, which is titled Prevention in the 21st Century: A Journey Within Reach.
The conference will provide professional development in three tracks: research and evidence-based prevention strategies; cultural and linguistic competency; and coordination across multiple systems and disciplines. Register by Nov. 10 by clicking here <http://www.odadas.state.oh.us/public/ContentPage.aspx?ContentID=91af5c50-00b8-4249-a50f-48053c5fb65c>. For more information, contact Jill Jackson or Christine Kane in the ODE Office of Safety, Health and Nutrition at (800) 808-6325.
From Carolyn Jurkowitz, Catholic Conference of Ohio
PRINCIPAL LICENSURE
At last week's meeting at ODE, Lori Lofton reported that at its October meeting, the State Board of Education approved a new plan for obtaining a Principals License. Formal notice should appear in the next edition of EdConnection. Here is the text:
"House Bill 1 has created a new system of teacher licensure, replacing the two year provisional teaching license with a four year resident educator license. In the past Ohio has issued a two-year provisional principal license as a parallel license to the two year provisional teaching license, and required both groups of license holders to complete an entry year program. ODE has collaborated successfully with the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, and the Ohio Middle Level Association to provide the principal entry year program.
Since the two year provisional teaching license will soon no longer be issued, and ODE is not presently able to provide a state funded principal entry year program, we have determined that beginning January 1, 2010 we will stop issuing provisional principal licenses and allow all holders of two year provisional principal licenses to apply for and receive a five-year professional principal license. We will also issue the professional principal license to candidates who have recently completed principal licensure programs.
Most states already issue full professional principal licensure as the initial principal license, and this approach will ensure that Ohio principal license holders are not required to remain on a provisional license indefinitely, with no clear indication of what would be required to earn a professional license in the future.
Ohio remains committed to the concept of providing a program of induction and support for beginning principals, and we hope that we will be able to restore such a program in the future, with the difference that it would not be linked to obtaining a higher level of principal licensure.
In the coming months ODE will develop a web page of information, links and resources for beginning principals and their employing school districts to use if they wish. It is anticipated and strongly encouraged that school districts will continue to provide mentoring and support to beginning principals, independent of a formal program offered by ODE.
The Ohio Standards for Principals, developed by the Educator Standards Board and adopted by the State Board of Education in fall 2005, constitute a strong foundation and will serve as an important tool to guide the development of principals at all stages of their careers. The Ohio Standards for Principals may be accessed on the Ohio Department of Education website (education.ohio.gov, search keywords Ohio Standards for Principals)."
Common Sense Precautions for Dealing with the H1N1 Virus
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand washing (well highlighted in all official communications)
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach: Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that they also have zinc to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
These are common things that you can do and maybe stay alive because you did them.