Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia,

For he whom you were worthy to bear, alleluia,

Has risen, as he foretold, alleluia;

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.

For the Lord has indeed risen, alleluia.

God our Father, you give joy to the world by the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the prayers of his mother, the Virgin Mary, bring us to the happiness of eternal life.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dear Catholic School Leaders,

We are quickly approaching the end of the school year. The last weeks of each school year are filled with emotions! There is so much to celebrate (May Crowning, First Holy Communions, Graduation, etc.), but it also means saying goodbye to some of the students, families, teachers, and staff. You are in our prayers during this time of busyness and excitement.

We will once again be holding an All School Rosary which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 3 at 9:00 AM. At that time all of our schools in the Diocese of Green Bay will be praying together

Since we were not able to have our end-of-the-year All Principal/President Meeting as planned, we are encouraging all of our DASA groups to have their final meeting of the school year in person. Each region may choose the time and place for the final gathering. Please let us know when and where your meeting will take place.

Finally, please be sure to review the school safety action item below and share with your school community.

May the Risen Lord be with you!

The Office of Catholic Schools

Next editions of the Office of Catholic Schools Newsletter:

Friday, May 5

Friday, May 19

Act Now for School Safety - Share with School Community

The Legislature has made improving K-12 education a priority in Wisconsin. Millions of dollars from the state’s record budget surplus may be distributed to public schools. It’s WCRIS’ goal that private schools are not forgotten.

Because private schools educate 10% of Wisconsin’s K-12 enrollment, WCRIS is proposing they receive 10% of the portion of the budget surplus allocated to public schools in the form of a one-time Private K-12 School Health and Safety Grant Program. The grants would fund needed efforts to:

• Address school safety;
• Enhance mental health services;
• Improve building air quality;
• Provide cleaner and safer water;
• Target learning loss;
• Upgrade internet connectivity and access.

These grants would be available to your school, free of federal strings.

Read WCRIS’ proposal here, which is already in the hands of legislators. But we need you to tell them just how much this grant program would impact your school.

Click the button below to electronically send a letter to your local legislators through WCRIS’ Advocacy Portal to support Health and Safety Grants for Private K-12 Schools. Instructions on how to identify your legislators and what to write in your message to effectively advocate for your school can be found on the webpage.

Watch a short tutorial on how to use our Advocacy Portal.

Encourage your school community to use the portal. Download a flier here to include in your school’s newsletter and send home with students.

Make sure your legislators don’t forget your school when they’re doling out state surplus funds. Take action today!

Lunch & Learn Webinars from WCRIS

IDEA; Tax-Exempt Financing

Mark your calendars for two more Lunch & Learn webinars this semester:

May 3, 1:30 p.m.: Serving Special Needs Students with the IDEA

Learn what you can expect from school district consultation meetings for the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and troubleshoot common issues our schools face when trying to tap the IDEA to help serve special needs students. Register here.

May 11, 1:30 p.m.: Save on Construction with Tax-Exempt Financing

Find out how to lower the cost of financing construction projects with the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority (WHEFA). WHEFA’s experts will explain how tax-exempt financing works, how it can save you thousands and what you can expect during the process.

Several of our members have worked with WHEFA. Pastors, treasurers, school board members and interested parties are welcome to attend. Register here.

Lt. Gov. Rodriguez Invites Wisconsin Schools to

Apply for National Lt. Governors’

STEM Education Scholarship Program

Lieutenant governor encourages pre-K through 12th grade public, private, and Tribal schools to apply for up to $1,000 to support STEM-related activities for students

MADISON — Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez today announced that the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) has opened the application period for the annual Lt. Governors’ STEM Scholarship Program, which awards up to $1,000 to 12 schools nationally to support STEM-related activities for youth. Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2023, with award recipients being announced in August 2023.

“From our youngest learners to students getting ready to graduate from high school, quality STEM education plays a critical role in our kids’ ability to adapt to the changing world around them,” said Lt. Gov. Rodriguez. “We also know that STEM education helps equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st-century workforce. This scholarship program is a great way to help schools provide vital STEM-related activities and to get more students excited about the ever-expanding opportunities available to them in STEM fields.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to encourage innovative STEM projects in our schools, and I encourage Wisconsin schools to apply,” said Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly. “Teaching a computer applications class was part of my courseload at the beginning of my career. Seeing how much STEM education has grown since then has been inspiring, and I know providing robust STEM and computer science offerings will be critical to Wisconsin’s future success.”

NLGA will award 12 scholarships worth $10,000 total to 12 schools in 12 different states and territories. The Scholarship Program is administered by NLGA, the nonpartisan, nonprofit association for the nation’s lieutenant governors, and sponsored by ACT, the education and career readiness nonprofit.

“ACT is proud to once again sponsor this program and help ensure that every student can access a high-quality STEM education,” said ACT Chief Executive Officer Janet Godwin. “Our country and our communities need young people who are globally competitive in STEM careers, yet many students face systemic barriers to accessing rigorous education opportunities. It is essential that all students have the support and resources to fulfill their potential.”

All public, private, and Tribal schools in the 50 states and five U.S. territories are invited to apply at nlga.awardsplatform.com. Funding will be awarded to schools to support STEM-related activities, programming, curriculum, equipment, and other expenses.

“The need for increased educational opportunities in STEM is non-partisan and an area of consensus for the nation’s lieutenant governors,” said NLGA Executive Director Julia Brossart. “NLGA has adopted STEM Education as a pillar of work for the association on behalf of Members, who know the importance of educating students in STEM to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.”

Applications will be reviewed in Spring/Summer 2023 with award winners announced at the NLGA Annual Meeting in August 2023. Additional information on the STEM Scholarship Program, including instructions for applying, can be found at https://nlga.us/strategies/nlga-state-strategies-in-stem/.

This announcement builds on the groundbreaking investments in Gov. Tony Evers’ 2023-25 biennial budget proposal to support Wisconsin kids and K-12 schools across the state, including important investments to bolster Wisconsin’s financial literacy, mathematics, and computer science education. The governor’s plan includes:

• Introducing a new “Do the Math” personal finance initiative, allocating $2.5 million per year to help schools start or improve programs around financial literacy curriculum and innovative instruction practices; 
• Providing $10 million in fiscal year 2024-25 to the Milwaukee Math Partnership, a collaboration among the Milwaukee Public Schools district, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Area Technical College focused on the implementation of mathematics curriculum and professional development for current and aspiring Milwaukee teachers;  
• Funding a statewide computer science education coordinator through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, allocating $20,000 for a computer science education task force and providing $5 million annually for grants to school districts to access computer science curriculum, particularly around programming concepts and professional development; and    
• Creating a statutory requirement that each Wisconsin high school provide at least one computer science course.

In total, the 2023-25 biennial budget proposal will provide an increase of more than $2.6 billion for public schools, including the second largest proposed direct investment in state general aids since the 1995-97 biennium, the largest per pupil adjustments since revenue limits were imposed, and a historic investment in special education. Additional information regarding Gov. Evers’ proposed budget plan to support Wisconsin kids and K-12 schools is available here. 

An online version of this release is available here.

Media Relations 101 from WCRIS

WCRIS schools have recently received an influx of media inquiries as K-12 education is a headlining topic this legislative session. Some of these questions have challenged our schools’ beliefs and values.

In response, WCRIS created a one-page “Media Relations 101” guide to help members confidently navigate media inquiries.

You can find it in our website’s Membership Portal. If you don’t have an account, click “Sign Up Here,” and WCRIS staff will approve your registration. Contact WCRIS for assistance.

It’s important to note that your oversight association, diocese or synod should always be your first call when contacted by the media. Then, loop in WCRIS.

NWEA MAP Update

The spring MAP testing window will be extended through Friday, May 5. All MAP testing must be completed by then.

"Sophia Institute for teachers was founded in 2013 to renew and rebuild Catholic culture through serve to Catholic education." Sophia Institute for Teachers

Each summer, the Diocese of Green Bay hosts a 2-day event for Catholic school teachers and parish catechists to attend. This is FREE to all who particpate. We are excited for the line up planned for this year.

• The Catholic Faith and Science
• Tuesday, August 1
• Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help
• Source and Summit: The Most Holy Eucharist
• Wednesday, August 2
• Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help

Seating is limited, so Sign Up NOW!

Eastern Wisconsin Instruction Technology Consortium

Diocese of Green Bay

Superintendent Job Posting

The Diocese of Green Bay is accepting applications for the next Superintendent. We are seeking someone who:

• Is a devout, practicing Catholic who has an in-depth familiarity with the Church’s structure and reflects official Catholic teachings and values in his or her personal and professional life.
• Has a master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in Education, Business or Public Administration with a minimum of five years’ experience in Catholic school administration and three years teaching experience. A valid driver’s license is required.
• Has knowledge of school law/educational law, legal codes, precedents, government regulations (i.e. Title programs).
• Possesses excellent oral, written communications, and organizational skills,
• Has leadership - willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Has the ability to make administrative decisions in accordance with federal and state laws, Diocesan regulations, and school system policies and procedures.

PREFERRED:

• Degree/Certificate from Catholic Schools Leadership program desired.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish desired.
• Wisconsin School Administrator’s and/or Superintendent’s license desired.

If interested in this position, please apply at: https://www.gbdioc.org/front-page/careers

School Choice Information

NEW TO THE CHOICE PROGRAM(S) WORKING GROUP

We at School Choice Wisconsin understand that being new to the choice program or a new choice administrator can be confusing and daunting at times. To help alleviate some of those issues, we are creating a working group that will be meeting on the third Wednesday of each month via Zoom, March thru July, and will be held from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM on those dates. (These sessions will supplement, but do not take the place of the DPI trainings.)

General format of the sessions:

•  Important upcoming dates and what is expected of the school
•  General updates about what is going on with the choice programs
• Tips and Tricks from experts
•  Informal Q&A time

Why you should register for the working group:

•  Your school is new to the program
• You are a new choice administrator
• Succession planning (Never a bad idea for more people to understand duties and requirements)
• Networking with other choice schools and administrators
• Access to advice/guidance from experts about the program(s)

If you or someone at your school would be interested in this opportunity, click on the dates below to register for the Zoom session.

• 
  
• To register for Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM click here
• To register for Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM click here
• To register for Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM click here

Dates to Remember:

March7-April 20, 2023

• Choice schools administer the ACT with writing for grade 11:
• Paper and pencil format: March 7, March 21, and April 11.
• Online format: March 7 - April 20. 

March 20-April 28, 2023

FORWARD Exam Window: Choice schools are required to administer the following standardized tests:

• Wisconsin Forward Exam for English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3-8
•  Wisconsin Forward Exam for Science for grades 4 and 8.
• Wisconsin Forward Exam for Social Studies for grades 4, 8, and 10.

PreACT Secure: Choice schools are required to administer the PreACT Secure for grades 9 and 10. 

Dear WPCP Choice Administrators, Designees, and Interested Parties,

This is a reminder that the open application period for parents to apply to the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) for the 2023-24 school year ends Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. 

If your school also participates in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) or the Racine Parental Choice Program (RPCP), please note that the end date for the April open application period for the MPCP and RPCP is also Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Each year, all students that would like to participate in the Choice program must apply using the Online Parent Application, available on the https://dpi.wi.gov/choice webpage.

• All students includes both new students and students that participated in the Choice program in the prior year.
• Parents must also provide the school(s) to which they apply proof of student eligibility including residency documentation and income documentation (if applicable). This documentation must be received by the school prior to the close of the application period in which the application is submitted via the Online Parent Application.

As a reminder, schools may check if their continuing students have applied for the Choice program for the school for the 2023-24 school year and follow up with families of continuing students that have not applied.

• Schools may view student application information for both current and prior school year(s) via the “Export to Excel” function in the Online Application System (OAS).
• Schools may compare 2022-23 and 2023-24 school year application information to determine if students that participated in the Choice program in the 2022-23 school year have applied for the 2023-24 school year.
• See the question “How can schools see in OAS if a student participated in the Choice program in the prior school year?” on pages 18-19 of the Student Eligibility and the Application Grade or Prior Year Requirement Bulletin, available on the Choice Programs: School Application Processing webpage, for additional information.
• Schools may assist parents during the application process, but schools may not submit applications on behalf of parents in the Online Parent Application. Schools may answer questions and have computers available for parents to use.

For additional Application Processing Resources, go to the Choice Programs: School Application Processing page to see the following:

• Application Process Bulletin
• Residency Documentation Bulletin
• Income Documentation Bulletin
• Application Verification and Corrections FAQ
• Student Eligibility and the Application Grade or Prior Year Requirement Bulletin

Thank you,

Private School Choice Programs for

Milwaukee (MPCP), Racine (RPCP), and Statewide (WPCP)

Department of Public Instruction (DPI)

Web site: https://dpi.wi.gov/parental-education-options/choice-programs/oas

Email: [email protected]

Toll-free Phone Number: 888-245-2732, ext. 3 

NCEA Newsletter Link

Click on icon below to read the latest issue of Catholic School Matters Newsletter from NCEA and Dr. Tim Uhl. (updated link)

Office of Catholic Schools

Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or (920) 272-8273.

www.gbdioc.org/catholicschools