Volume 9, Issue 6
October 11 , 2010

October, Month of the Holy Rosary

Today we honor St. Firminus about whom little is known except that he was a bishop at the age of 22 and died 15 years later. The month of October, however, is replete with some of our most well known saints. We celebrated St. Therese of Lisieux on October 1, a Doctor of the Church, Guardian Angels, October 2, St. Francis of Assisi, October 4, and Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. This week we celebrate the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, also a Doctor of the Church. Holy Mother Church offers us the stories of these great women, men, and angels to give us hope as well as to model holiness in persons of all sorts of temperaments whose one common characteristic is a deep love of God. Who is your favorite saint?

Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
This week when we gather at Bedford High School to pray together and listen to Bishop Pilla, we will hear about the sustaining power of the Word of God in Scripture. It might be a good time to practice Lectio Divina to begin a faculty meeting and experience the power of the Word. It doesn’t take long and it has a wonderfully calming effect. Simply google Lectio Divina and the Web site www.forMinistry.com will lead you through a simple way to engage in it.

On October 21, 22, and 23, 2010, we in the Diocese of Cleveland will have the opportunity to experience a 90-minute performance entitled Vianney, given by Leonardo Defilippis. Through the generosity of sponsors that include the Knights of Columbus, the Serra Club and the Diocesan Seminaries, tickets are free, but required. Obtain tickets by email only: clevelandvocationevents@gmail.com. All performances take place in McCafferty Center, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 29850 Euclid Avenue, Wickliffe, OH. Please make your request before October 15. 

Remember your priests on Priesthood Sunday, October 31, 2010 with a card, letter, or in some other way to let them know they are appreciated and that you are praying for them. You may order new prayer cards and seminarian photo posters free of charge from the Diocesan Vocation Office. Contact Mary Avenoso at mavenoso@dioceseofcleveland.org.

The End of an Era
On September 30th, the Catholic Parent-Teacher League of The Diocese of Cleveland gathered for a final meeting.  Having served the Catholic schools’ families for over 80 years, the Executive Board and General Membership reached the difficult decision to suspend all activities and dissolve the organization. 

CPTL has struggled over the past five years to sustain its membership. The fulfillment of the CPTL mission requires time, talent and financial resources. The significant declines in participation and school enrollments, and a dwindling volunteer base indicated a time of transition for the group. Recognizing the period of transition, the CPTL membership sadly announced its intentions to dissolve the entity.

We are truly grateful for the tremendous work and mission of the Catholic Parent-Teacher League over the past 80 years. Our gratitude and prayers journey with each of you.

Political Campaigns and Non-Profit Organizations
The Legal Office of the Diocese of Cleveland recently sent a letter to all parishes reminding them of the following:
“The law of the United States, as provided in the Internal Revenue Code, is that churches and non-profit organizations [our schools] cannot take any part in the political campaigns of candidates or do or say anything that could be construed as statements or hints favoring one candidate over another. There are restrictions in what parishes can do and allow in terms of: voter guides and campaign literature, renting facilities to candidates, allowing flyers to be placed on cars in parish parking lots, and allowing political signs to be placed on parish property, among other activities. If there are any questions, please call Brother Patrick Shea or Kevin Burke at the Diocesan Legal Office (216.696.6525, ext. 4370 or 4360. You may also reference www.usccb.org/ogc/guidelines.shtml for more information.

January Thaw
The thirteenth annual “January Thaw:  Fire Up” Conference is scheduled for Saturday, 29 January 2011, at Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron.  This catechetical conference is sponsored by the Southern Area Catechetical Leaders of the Diocese of Cleveland in association with the Diocesan Office of Catechetical Services. Val Limar Jansen, recording artist, leader of worship and prayer and national workshop presenter will keynote.  The conference offers over 20 sessions for Parish and School Catechetical Leaders, Youth Ministers, Catechists, Teachers, RCIA Teams, and interested adult Catholics, plus a 2-session retreat option.

A brochure with registration information will be included in the December Memorandum and online at www.oce-ocs.org/ocs.  Please note that registration is limited and will be processed on a first-come first-served basis.

For additional information, call the Southern Area Office of Catechetical Services at 330-773-7621 or contact pflaherty@dioceseofcleveland.org.

Sign Up Now for Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Newsletter
Make a friendship bracelet to give to a friend. Act out situations involving bragging and bullying with “Bragging Bag” puppets. Create a comic strip about the adventures of an outsider who is actually a superhero. These are just a few of the activities you will find in the October issue of the Gospel Weeklies Newsletter from Pflaum Publishing Group: www.pflaum.com/pgwnewsletter and click on October.

Share the Secret!
Join Vanity and OneRepublic to help Feeding America until October 16.  The goal is 100,000 meals. So far 22,162 meals have been donated. For every purchase of OneRepublic’s “Waking Up” CD, which features a Vanity-exclusive live version of the hit song “Secrets,” Vanity will donate $3.09 to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization. One CD=21 meals for those in need!

Stop into the closest Vanity store near you and bring in any non-perishable food item, which will be donated to your local community food bank. Help strengthen our communities by feeding those in need. Every dollar you give provides 7 meals for those who are struggling with hunger. Learn more about food insecurity at www.feedingamerica.org. You will receive 25% OFF one full priced item for EVERY CD purchased and every food item donated!

Face-to-Face Holocaust Education Program
Middle and high school history and English teachers are invited to bring their students on a Tuesday or Thursday morning to the Face-to-Face Holocaust Education Program at Congregation Shaarey Tikvah in Beachwood. Students will receive a full morning program where they learn about Judaism, the Holocaust, and tolerance, and have the opportunity to meet a rabbi or Jewish educator and to meet a Holocaust survivor or liberator. This unique, award-winning program is now in its 17th year and more than 30,000 students have attended since the program began in 1994. There are 11 sessions already scheduled for the fall. The six dates before winter break that are still available are October 19, November 2, November 4, November 9, November 11 and November 30. The student fee for those dates is discounted to $6/student. Schools coming after winter break pay $7.50/student. Student fees cover about ¼ of the cost of operating the program. There are still dates available in January, February, March and May. If you are interested in this moving experience for your students, contact Louise Freilich, Face-to-Face Director, Congregation Shaarey Tikvah, 26811 Fairmount Boulevard, Beachwood, OH 44122, 216.765.8300, ext.140 or email: face2face@shaareytikvah.org. You may also go online to www.shaareytikvah.org. 

National Day on Writing
Get Ready for the 2nd National Day on Writing, October 20, 2010! The National Gallery of Writing is collecting all kinds of writing from people from all walks of life—people just like you.  Submit stories, poems, recipes, emails, blogs, even audio, video, and artwork. Want more information on contributing to the National Gallery?  Learn more about submitting your writingFor those having trouble getting started, NCTE has created Tips for Writers and made some sample writings available.  For those needing inspiration, popular authors and celebrities, such as Sarah McCoy who tells us "a day without writing is like a day without food," talk about writing.
 
Established by NCTE, the National Gallery and the National Day:

• highlight the remarkable variety of writing we engage in today;
• provide a collection for research on whether writing today has risen to new highs or sunk to new lows; and
• help us help others to write better.

The National Gallery of Writing is a virtual space—a Web site—where people who perhaps have never thought of themselves as writers—mothers, bus drivers, fathers, veterans, nurses, firefighters, sanitation workers, stockbrokers—select and post writing that is important to them. The Gallery accommodates any composition format—from word processing to photography, audio/video recording to text messages—and all types of writing—from letters to lists, memoirs to memos. The National Gallery of Writing includes three types of display spaces where writing can be found:

1. The Gallery of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) represents a broad cross-section of writing hosted by the National Council of Teachers of English.
2. National Partner Galleries include writing that corresponds to a theme or purpose identified by National Partners participating in this initiative.
3. Local Partner Galleries include works from writers in a classroom, school, club, workplace, city, or other local entity.

The National Gallery of Writing is now accepting submissions. The Gallery will provide a lively reading experience and an opportunity for writers to share their craft and find a broad and diverse audience. And, all writers can find useful tips and guidelines from the National Council of Teachers of English Web site. 

Professional Learning Community for Assistant Principals
Richard DuFour, nationally recognized guru on Professional Learning Communities, states that “the constant collective inquiry into ‘What is it we want our students to learn?’ and ‘How will we know when each student has learned it?’ is a professional responsibility of every faculty member.” 

The administration at St. Barnabas is excited to offer another opportunity to extend Professional Learning Community efforts by creating a parallel networking group within our diocese.  We are asking all Assistant Principals to join together and form a monthly PLC.  Each person has knowledge and experiences that can be shared with others in order to grow in professional capacity.  

When we gather, we will…

• focus on improving student learning.
• share common goals.
• share what we already know that works – “best practices.”
• brainstorm new ideas and network with colleagues.
• share positive experiences and ideas that are effective with students.
• share constructive suggestions.
• maintain and massage friendships in the field of education.
• create an atmosphere where ideas can be shared.
• keep alert to current practices.
• share ~ reading materials, workshops and in-service opportunities, speaker sessions, etc…
• assist each other when consideration of alternate course of action may be beneficial.

Assistant Principals’ PLC Meeting
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
St.Barnabas School – Mrs. Kathy Friess’s Office
12:45 PM  – 1:45 PM
Please R.S.V.P – 330- 467-7921 or kfriess@barnbasohio.org
A light lunch will be provided.

The Cleveland Museum of Art October Events
October 20 – Latin Grammy-nominated Buika launches the new season of VIVA! & Gala. Buika’s unique blend of flamenco, jazz, soul, and blues has been described by the New York Times as “luminous…magnificent…superb!” London’s Sunday Times calls her “one of the most glorious voices to emerge on the international stage.”

The daughter of political refugees from Equatorial Guinea in Africa, Buika grew up on the Spanish Island of Mallorca. Known as the “Flamenco Queen,” she was named one of the world’s “50 Great Voices” by National Public Radio. The performance is at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the concert are $39 and $35 for the general public; $38 and $34 for museum members. 

Workshop With Timothy Rasinski, Ph.D. Author of The Fluent Reader
PSI is offering this workshop on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County, 5700 W. Canal Road, Bldg. B, Valley View, OH 44125. Registration is from 8-8:30 am and the training is from 8:30 am to 3:15 pm. There is a continental breakfast, and lunch is on your own. Several restaurants are nearby. Cost is $50 for Client Schools and $75 for others. You will receive 5.0 contact hours for full participation.

In this workshop, Dr. Rasinski will provide theoretical and research background and definition to phonics and fluency. He will share approaches to assessing and monitoring progress in these key aspects of reading. Finally, he will share effective and engaging strategies for teaching these all-important reading components that will move students toward better comprehension and greater proficiency in reading.

Crossroad offers Stop Bullying Now! Conference
When:   Friday, November 5, 2010, 8 am – 4:30 pm
Where:  Radisson Hotel and Suites – Cleveland Eastlake 35000 Curtis Blvd., Eastlake, OH 44095 (SR 91 & SR 2)
Cost:   $125 per person
            $100 for groups of 5 or more registering jointly
            $90 for students
Cost includes keynote address, continental breakfast, lunch and choice of 2 breakout sessions.

This is a one-day conference highlighting current research, awareness and prevention strategies for professionals and non-professionals alike on the issue of Bullying Prevention.

The day begins with registration/continental breakfast from 8:00 – 8:30 am in the Lobby.
Welcome, introductions and keynote by Stan Davis, author of two books on bullying are in the Main Ballroom from 8:30 – Noon.
Lunch is at noon with guest speakers: Kim Fraser and Carolyn J. Givens.
There are two tracks of breakout sessions in the afternoon.

For more information and/or to register call 440.255.1700.

Eleventh Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Breakfast Celebration
Students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in a contest celebrating the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The contest is a part of the Breakfast Celebration that is planned for Monday, January 17, 2011. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Scholarship Committee of Cleveland, Ohio sponsors both the breakfast and the contest that involves creating a birthday card in honor of the 82nd Birth Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Details of the contest and an opportunity for students to participate in a volunteer initiative called “Kids 4 KING” have been sent to all high schools. The volunteers will provide assistance to the guests and to the Committee at the Breakfast Celebration.

Ohio Middle Grade Teachers 2010 Conference
Back by popular demand, are the presenters Jim Grant and Jack Berckemeyer. You will learn:
• Strategies and activities that are geared specifically for young adolescents
• Differentiated Instruction techniques to boost success for ALL your students
• Easy-to-implement math strategies that are fun and an be implemented in your existing curriculum
• Classroom-tested management and positive discipline strategies that get results
• Technology and 21st Century skills to ensure future success

Principals attend free with the paid registration of a staff member for the same number of days.
When:               November 29-30, 2010 8:15 am to 3:50 pm each day
Where:              Hilton Columbus at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Drive, Columbus, OH 43219
Call by November 8, 2010 and tell the hotel staff you are attending the Conference for Ohio Middle Grade Teachers. They will offer their special overnight rate. For reservations and directions call: 614.414.5000. Special overnight rate is $159 single/double/triple/quad (plus tax; rates based on availability) Parking is free (subject to change)

Cost:  varies according to individual/team rates and number of days. Call 1.800.462.1478 or go online to www.SDE.com/REGISTER for more information and ask for a complete brochure for the Conference.

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage Event
The Nazi Olympics: Berlin 1936, October 19, 2010 – January 2011
The Maltz Museum is proud to present this event from the United States Holocaust Museum. The stunning look at how world politics, sports, and racism converged in Germany explores the issues surrounding the 1936 Games––the Nazis’ use of propaganda, the intense boycott debate, the history of the torch run, the historic performances of Jesse Owens and more. Admission is $12/$10 for seniors and students; $5 for children 5+. Members are always free. Includes the Permanent Collection, An American Story & The Temple – Tiffereth Israel Gallery. Go to www.MaltzMuseum.org for a complete roster of events.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum 2011 Summer Teacher Institute
The Summer Teacher Institute, Electrifying the Classroom, brings K-12 and post-secondary teachers together with arts education specialists, historians, community educators, curriculum designers, performers, and music therapists to learn how to use popular music effectively to teach across the disciplines. To learn more about this experience go to www.rockhall.com/teacher/summer-teacher-institute.

In the meantime, schedule your class for an educational program during the year and tour the museum. For a complete program of offerings and to discuss your trip, contact the Group Sales Department at 216.515.1228. Invite a fellow teacher to do a field trip and be entered into a contest for a free registration to the summer institute. Questions? Contact Stefanie Bitto, Sales Assistant: sbitto@rockhall.org, 216.515.1228.

Teacher Training/Re-Training Programs – Spanish & Mandarin
Every year, there is a greater need for more teachers of Spanish and Mandarin. Teachers of other languages might want to learn Spanish and Mandarin and how to teach it to prepare for the future. Very intensive training/re-training programs for both languages are available all year in Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Spain and China. The programs will be very intensive language learning classes as well as sessions on how to teach the language. Age appropriate materials will be introduced and there will be visits to schools.

The program is available all year, and there are extremely flexible schedules. College credit can be earned in foreign language, the humanities and education. This program is open to individuals as well as to pre-formed groups from schools. You may request information on dates, length of stay, costs, etc. at info@flsas.com. This is sponsored by the FLSAS/Foreign Language Study Abroad Service, Box 430903, South Miami, FL 33243. Fax: 1.888.725.5382. The costs are relative to the country you choose.

Resources for Teachers of Social Studies or World Religions
If your teachers are looking for excellent resources for teaching or answering questions about the major religions of the world, the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington has published two books that should fit the bill.

The first book, the IFC’s Notebook Project on Teaching About Religion contains responses from members of 11 different religions to questions about the religion’s founding, ethics and morality, types of worship, and other topics that provide an insight into the beliefs and practices of each religion.

Another book, just published by the IFC is Teaching About Religion: Symbols Supplement. This publication gives explanations about the main symbols used by different religions and reasons why some religions use no symbols at all.

As our experiences become more global and religion is unfortunately, used as an excuse by some to attack others both physically and verbally, it is more important than ever that persons understand not only the beliefs and practices of their own religion, but have an accurate understanding about core beliefs of others. One of the real contributions of these two books is that they have called on knowledgeable adherents of each religion to provide the descriptions.

These books are NOT catechetical documents and are not recommended as student textbooks. If you are interested in these books as resources for your teachers, you may order them from IFC, The Gatehouse, 201 Allison St. NW, Washington, DC 20011. Phone 1.202.234.6300 for prices and other information.

2011 NCEA Convention & Expo in New Orleans
Mark your calendars for April 26-April 28, 2011 and join the Catholic School community in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Register now and make hotel reservations now to take advantage of Early Bird Specials. Go to www.ncea.org.

October Checklist for Principals – Ideas for You

• Conduct discussions with staff members about what the data from standardized tests suggest and design diagnostic tests and interventions that align with learning outcomes.

• Lesson Plans: Continue reading weekly lesson plans and writing notes. Do this throughout the year. Check for inclusion of interventions based upon academic achievement data discussions.

• High Visibility Supervision: Put a student desk in each hallway for doing paperwork such as reading lesson plans. Students and teachers will appreciate your being visible and accessible. Start the day with “rounds” to every classroom asking if there is anything that you can do to help get the day started.

• October Count: Make sure parental excuses are turned in for any student absent during the week. Be thorough, as Average Daily Membership will determine your state funding.

• Parent Teacher Conferences: Alert teachers to the schedule for the conferences and discuss best practices for conferencing. All families should receive invitations from you and your staff. Make multiple opportunities available for parents to come to the school.

• Formal Observations: Conduct pre-observation conferences, formal classroom observations, post-observation conferences, and conference summaries. Design a schedule so you can pace yourself with these time intensive observations.

• Safety Plans: Work in conjunction with your fire department and district safety planning office to ensure that you are compliant with state laws, that you keep safety compliance documentation, and that you conduct routine safety plan drills.

Remember our Priests on Priesthood Sunday, October 31, 2010!