CONGRATULATIONS! CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE (CSPJ)
This network of 21 Catholic High Schools in the Diocese of Cleveland began making plans for the 2011-2012 academic year. The group of like-minded, socially conscious, young and energetic people grounded in their faith and driven by Catholic Social Teaching, want to make opportunities to work for justice available to their students.
Tim Evans, a social studies teacher at St. Ignatius High School and CSPJ Co-chair with Augie Pacetti, the Campus Minister from St. Ignatius and Sister Kathleen Ryan, SND from the Commission on Catholic Community Action opened the year with a summary of last year. With a real sense of cooperation and collegiality, 40 students and teachers met at St. Ignatius in early September to breathe new life into the program. CSPJ will initiate three major and some smaller events to raise awareness about the life issues and the
forces of poverty in our cities.
One new activity will be a Film Study Club, similar to a book club, where the students view film dealing with social justice and then come together at a high school for discussion.
Each year CSPJ supports the Right to Life Rally and hosts guest speakers on the topics of peace, nonviolence, the situation of the refugees from the Sudan and genocide in Darfur.
Thirty-five students and teachers from five area schools went to Hinckley, OH for a Student Leadership Retreat. Each school selected 4-6 students for this retreat in the hopes that we can build a core group of leaders at individual schools as well as in our collaborative work for justice. The students had a breakout session to brainstorm about what they wanted from this leadership retreat. They agreed to lead the Respect for Life Liturgy in early October and to plan events for the year around the death penalty and fair trade. CSPJ is off to another fine start!
We congratulate Tim, Augie, and Sister Kathleen for their commitment to this project!
State Scholarship Programs for Students in Non-public Schools
Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program Application Period
Application and renewal period begins February 1, 2012
Application period ends May 31, 2012.
ODE website re: CSTP: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/ SCHOOL OPTIONS pull down.
Ohio EdChoice Scholarship Program Application Period
EdChoice eligible public school list is set to be updated on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. Check
the ODE website: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/ SCHOOL OPTIONS pull down.
Application Period begins February 1, 2012.
Application Period ends April 13, 2012.
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CONGRATULATIONS! Blue Ribbon Schools 2011
St Angela Merici School
20830 Lorain Road
Fairview Park, OH 44126-2096
St Barnabas School
9200 Olde Eight Road
Northfield, OH 44067-2014
St Francis Xavier School
612 East Washington Street
Medina, OH 44256-2125
St Joan of Arc School
498 East Washington Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022-2959
Of the six Ohio schools and 49 private schools over all who will be receiving the Award this year,
four are from our diocese! Last year we also had four schools with the Award! We encourage you
to consider working toward a Blue Ribbon for your school. You may want to congratulate these
schools and ask them for tips on applying.
On September 15, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the names of 304
schools identified by the U.S. Department of Education as the National Blue Ribbon Schools for
2011. Schools were selected either because their standardized test scores in reading and math placed
them among the top-performing schools in the nation or state, or because they served disadvantaged students and improved performance to high levels.
Each state's commissioner of education nominates public schools for the award, and CAPE nominates private schools. CAPE may nominate 50 schools. All winning schools will be honored at an awards ceremony November 14-15, 2011 in Washington, D.C.
"America's long-term economic prosperity and civic engagement depends on our children
receiving a world-class education," Duncan said. "National Blue Ribbon Schools are committed to
accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers.
Their success is an example for others to follow!"
Ohio Catholic Education Association Convention
The 2011 OCEA Convention was a great event. The variety and depth of the
presentations were excellent. Bishop Campbell, the host Bishop gave an inspiring
presentation on the importance of the influence of Catholic culture and education on the
values our country so sorely needs. Congratulations to all involved in any way with the
convention and thank you for attending.
I congratulate and thank all of the Office of Catholic Education Staff and administrators
and teachers of our diocese who presented at the convention. (Message from Margaret Lyons, Secretary for Education/Superintendent) |
