Office of
Catholic Schools

February 3, 2023

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Prayer of Thanksgiving for Our Catholic Schools


Almighty Father,


You sent forth your Son as a beacon of hope for all people.

As Teacher, he has given us the prime example of the importance of education.

As disciples, we look to him for inspiration and strength.


Thank you for the many sisters, brothers, priests, and laypeople who have dedicated their lives in service to our Catholic schools.


Thank you for the teachers and administrators who sustain our schools today.


Thank you for the parents who have given support and witness to the importance of Catholic education in their daily lives.


Thank you for the students who work hard to further their education.


Bless our Catholic schools and the many people who advance our mission.

May our buildings be homes for those who seek to grow in faith, knowledge, and service of others. May our communities always support one another and exhibit hospitality to newcomers.


Fill our minds with knowledge and wisdom.

May our understanding of the world help us to grow in appreciation for it.


Fill our hearts with gladness.

May we always turn to you in times of need.


Fill our hands with the tools we need to serve others.

May we show them your unceasing love through our actions.


Amen.


– adapted from http://www.thereligionteacher.com

5 ways to give thoughtful thanks to your team
Resources

Next editions of the Office of Catholic Schools Newsletter:


February 17

March 3

Archive of Superintendent’s emails:
Archived emails
Calendar Items
(See details in articles below)


Feb. 1: School Choice Portal opens for parents

Feb. 6: DASA Central Meeting 1:30

Feb. 13: DASA North & Northeast Meeting 1:30

Feb. 16: DASA Southeast Meeting 1:30

Feb. 20: Two Eagles Grant Deadline

Feb. 22: Ash Wednesday / Lent begins

Feb. 22: DASA Executive Meeting 1:00

Feb. 23: All Principal Meeting (Virtual)

  • Option 1: 9:00 - 11:00
  • Option 2: 1:00 - 3:00

Mar 28: E-Rate Application Deadline



Link to: OCS 2023-2024 Calendar

2022-23 Schools Calendar
Important Dates for Private School Choice Programs
New Items



CANCELLED: Mental Health Webinar


The Mental Health Webinar that was scheduled for February 7 has been cancelled.


Wisconsin Parental Choice

Program Application Portal

is Now Open!



The WPCP application portal for the 23-24 school opened on Feb 1st.


The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has posted a number of resources for Choice schools and parents for the upcoming 2023-24 student application process.


Resources For Parents: https://dpi.wi.gov/choice

  • Link to Online Parent Application
  • Application Process Presentation
  • Overview of Private School Choice Programs in Wisconsin Handout (available in English and Spanish)
  • Application Guidelines for Parents Handout (available in English and Spanish)
  • Frequently Asked Questions for Parents (available in English and Spanish)
  • Online Parent Application Print Screens
  • School Lists and Contact Information (will be posted by January 31)
  • Allowed Residency Documents
  • Alternative Residency Documentation Form
  • 2023-24 Income Limits


These resources may be helpful in answering questions parents have when applying and schools assisting parents with the application process. 


"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.



Seating is limited, so Sign Up NOW!

If you are not receiving them already,

be sure to sign up to get updates from WCRIS.



WCRIS updates: https://www.wcris.org/

  • Tuition Tax Deduction
  • Compliance Requirements
  • SNSP Professional Development
  • School Choice Information
  • Legislative Updates
  • and more.

E-Rate Reminder


The E-rate application window is now open for filing requests for the 2023-2024 school year. Please take this opportunity to receive substantial discounts on a wide range of advanced telecommunications services, including broadband internet access, distance learning and videoconferencing service, high speed data connections and internal wiring and wireless network equipment for your school classrooms. More information about the E-rate program is available here on the NCEA website. The link to the forms on the application site is here.



NCEA Webinar about E-Rate

Pro-Life Wisconsin Prayer Card

Art Contest


Love painting, drawing, photography, or graphic design? Submit your artwork and have a chance to win the 2023 PLW Art Contest for your grade. Winning entries will be printed as a prayer card and distributed in your church and through PLW. Pictured is the 2021 grand prize winning art.



Grade Winners: 

- Their design featured on a prayer card 

- 500 prayer cards for their church 

- 3 tickets to the 2023 PLW Love for Life Gala 

ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will receive all of the above plus $100 cash.


Download the flyer and registration form here.

Calling All Juniors and Seniors

for the USCCB Religious Liberty Essay Contest!


The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Catholic Education and Our Sunday Visitor Institute, is hosting a religious liberty essay contest.

 

The competition is open to high school juniors and seniors. The essay prompt and submission information is available online. Essays are due March 24, and winners will be announced in May.


USCCB suggests teachers incorporate this competition into their classroom activities, choose the top five submissions and send entries to the USCCB. Teachers can print flyers to post in classrooms.


If you have any questions, please contact Aaron Weldon at aweldon@usccb.org.



Curriculum Corner

NWEA Map and Lifesite News


Dear Presidents and Principals,

On Wednesday, January 18, 2022 Lifesite News picked up a story from The Lepanto Institute entitled 84 Catholic dioceses partner with student evaluation firm pushing drag queen books, LGBT ideology. This article covered Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) who we use for our Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. In the article the author encouraged readers to contact the dioceses and their local Catholic schools to see if NWEA is being used and to demand that they withdraw from partnering with NWEA.

On Friday NWEA held a listening session facilitated by NCEA. At this webinar they released the following statement:

NWEA Statement to Catholic Partners

The Diocese of Green Bay Office of Catholic Schools, along with 84 other diocese throughout the country, have been utilizing the NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment tool for a number of years. The Office of Catholic Schools has engaged in dialogue with NWEA. At this time the Office of Catholic Schools has been assured by NWEA the student and teacher evaluation tools and resources do not connect to or utilize the referenced blog posts brought forward by this news article.

However, in consultation with Bishop Ricken, the Office of Catholic Schools is scrutinizing our use of this assessment. In fact, this past fall, prior to any published information on the NWEA promotion of LGBTQ ideology, evaluation of the MAP assessment tool began with the thought of changing to a tool that better aligns to our needs. As we work through this review, the Office of Catholic Schools will see the feedback and counsel of the DASA Executive Committee and strive to keep you all informed.

Thank you for your assistance in this request and Thank you for all you do for our students!

Sincerely,

Todd A. Blahnik

Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Click the button below to check out resources available

from Ahrens Education Group.

Ahrens Education Resource Guide
Worth Repeating

We still need volunteers

to serve on the following WRISA Visits:


  • ABVM, Pulaski, March 27-29 (2 needed)
  • Roncalli High School, March 29-31 (5 needed)
  • Roncalli Elementary School, April 12-14 (3 needed)
  • Roncalli Middle School, April 24-26 (3 needed)
  • Notre Dame Academy, April 26-31 (5 needed)


Please share this option with your school faculty. You can sign up via the google form https://forms.gle/Jf3uvYSbpzQ1gDRE6

IMPORTANT Reminders from the

Office of Safe Environment


Notification Guidelines for abuse of a minor:

It is consistent with the law and Diocesan policy that any mandated reporter who is aware of any of these situations that must be reported to civil authorities, follow these notification guidelines:


1.   Call Child Protective Services (business hours) or Law Enforcement(non-business hours or in immediate danger) and make the report to the appropriate county (the department with jurisdiction for the location where the suspected abuse is taking place).


2.   Once civil authorities have been notified then notify your formal leader and then the Office of Safe Environment.


3.   Civil authorities need to hear directly from the person who has observed or suspects the abuse. Please feel free to contact the Office of Safe Environment if you have any questions about reporting.


Internal Assessments for Red Flag Behaviors:

Whenever a Diocesan employee or volunteer is accused of sexual abuse, boundary issues or any inappropriate behavior that falls under the realm of the Our Promise Protect or the Code of Conduct, the Office of Safe Environment in coordination with appropriate Curia personnel, are responsible for conducting an internal assessment to determine if the pertinent facts can be corroborated. The internal assessment is never a substitute for a proper investigation by civil authorities. The internal assessment does help provide information that is useful for Diocesan personnel who need to determine appropriate action by the Diocese.

time_for_taxes.jpg

Tax Deduction Message from WCRIS


Tax season is quickly approaching. And a simple form can help your families deduct up to $4,000 for K-8 grade tuition and $10,000 for 9-12 grade tuition on their state income taxes.


This state tax deduction has been available since 2014, thanks to WCRIS advocacy and your support. The deduction saves private school families nearly $8 million per year. The state budgets for around $12 million per year so there is room for more families to use the deduction.


School principals should send the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Schedule PS form home with students. Give parents a head start by filling in your school’s name in the first column, school address in the second column and school/church Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) in the third column.


Please share this form with your families. Feel free to contact WCRIS with any questions. Learn more about the tuition tax deduction here.



Operation Rice Bowl Information for Lent

Rice Bowl Letter
Letter to Schools

School Choice Training


The Choice Team will again be offering virtual training sessions geared towards new schools to the Choice Program for the 2022-23 school year. As we did last year, we would like to extend this opportunity to existing schools in the Choice Program who are interested in a refresher related to program requirements (see topics below). New Choice Administrators and Designees may find these training sessions particularly helpful. The dates and topics covered can be found below. The trainings will be offered via Microsoft Teams; the link to each training can be found below as well. Please note these trainings are not mandatory but encouraged.  


All times are 3:30 - 4:30 on the dates listed below:

 


More . . .

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)

Full Education Policy Manual for SY 2022-2023


Office of Catholic Schools


Questions? Contact us at education@gbdioc.org or (920) 272-8273.

www.gbdioc.org/catholicschools

Diocese of Green Bay
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