Here are 7 ways to make Ordinary Time extraordinary!

Focus on prayer.

Read up on the lives of the Saints.

Try out Adoration.

Be intentional with reading Scripture.

Read spiritual books.

Turn ordinary tasks into times of prayer.

Start a morning prayer ritual.

https://www.catholicbrain.com/content/796344/1/make-ordinary-time-extraordinary

Reflection on Catholic Schools Week

Jamie Hahn, Associate Superintendent of Mission Effectiveness & Leadership Formation

Catholic Schools Week is almost upon us…Time to celebrate Catholic Schools…

Here are a Dozen reasons why:

1. We offer an education that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence.
2. We partner with parents in the faith formation of their children.
3. We set high standards for student achievement and help them succeed.
4. We provide a balanced academic curriculum that integrates faith, culture and life.
5. We use technology effectively to enhance education.
6. We instill in students the value of service to others.
7. We teach children respect of self and others.
8. We emphasize moral development and self-discipline
9. We prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders
10. We have a 99 percent high school graduation rate. 85 percent of our graduates go to college.
11. We cultivate a faculty and staff of people who are dedicated, caring and effective.
12. We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Green Bay are a community of parents, teachers, administrators, clergy and religious with values rooted in the Catholic faith, all working together to provide our students with a strong foundation to become missionary disciples. Our schools provide opportunities for students, families, faculty, staff and board members to grow in a commitment to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

Next editions of the Office of Catholic Schools Newsletter:

February 3

February 17

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.

We are looking for 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

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.

Two Eagles Tuition Grant

Every school should have received their annual application for the Two Eagles Tuition Grant. This grant is designed to assist in providing a Catholic Education to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it. The School Choice program offers the opportunity to those who meet a certain income level criteria, but we often have other families who don’t meet the Choice requirements but are in need of tuition assistance.

It is important to utilize the Two Eagles grant to be able to provide funds for families who may need tuition assistance. Fill out your Two Eagles grant application accordingly, with supporting documents, following all indicated directions on the application by the designated date.

For example, if you know that you have 10 families who will need approximately $23,000 in total assistance next school, indicate that on the form. Don’t forget to consider any incoming families for 2023-24, as well.

Also, if you have multiple schools in your system, make sure that each school applies for the grant for their school AND submits it according to the cover letter directions.

The deadline for submission of all materials is February 20, 2023 to the Two Eagles Foundation. Please send a copy of your school’s application materials to Jamie Hahn at [email protected], as well.

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

The Cardinal Newman Society just announced its seventh annual $5,000 Essay Scholarship Contest for high school seniors! Perhaps your students would like to participate?

To help you inform students about this great opportunity, we propose three easy ways to get the word out:

1. Download our FLYER to print and distribute;

2. Post our SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS on your school’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts;

3. Include a BLURB in your school’s newsletter to parents and students.

Link to download flyer and graphics: https://newmansoc.org/Dropbox

Blurb to include with social media graphics and in school newsletter:

The Cardinal Newman Society just announced its Essay Scholarship Contest for high school seniors! The winner will receive $5,000 towards the cost of attending one of the colleges recognized in The Newman Guide for the fall of 2023. Additionally, several colleges have agreed to supplement the scholarship, potentially increasing the award to $20,000 over the course of four years. Learn more here: NewmanSoc.org/EssayContest

School Choice Updates

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) encourages schools to view the following helpful resources to answer common questions for the ITP:

• Training 2-1: School Registration Process Overview and Training 2-2: Intent to Participate at On Demand Training
• Cover Letter and Application Process Bulletin at School Registration Information

If you are considering adding a grade level for next school year, this must be added in the ITP. The school must also be sure the grade is accredited by August 1, 2023.

Additional reminder:

JANUARY 31

Deadline for schools to submit in OAS the completed second Friday in January Count Report. (See Training 9-3: 3rd Friday in September & 2nd Friday in January Count Reports and Training 9-1: Payment Process, Pupil Count Report & Audit Overview on the On Demand Training webpage and the Choice Program Payments - Frequently Asked Questions webpage.) 

Please share this Hope & Healing Session

with your school families:

Fall MAP Data

Winter MAP Testing Window

Winter assessment is a nice way to benchmark the progress your students are making. It is not a required assessment, but we do encourage you to use it to gather more data and be able to address areas of concern. The Winter MAP Testing Window is open from January 3 through January 27.

Catholic Schools Week

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2023 is January 29 – February 4. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2023 is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.  

Please plan to share some of your CSW ideas with your DASA groups at upcoming meetings. Click the tab to get some great resources and marketing tools from NCEA.

Getting Ready for Enrollment Next Year: Tis the Season!

What should you be doing now to prepare for next years enrollment? Here are some things you'll want to focus on between now & Catholic Schools Week.

• Update your school's collateral & website with new tuition rates
• Refresh and prepare your lead tracking application to keep notes in order 
• Set target dates and numbers to strive for as a team
• Propose ideas for incentives to the principal and enrollment team
• Plan your visual wall displays that'll go up for Catholic Schools Week
• Schedule admission events such as financial aid nights, open houses, and shadow days

Remember, time management is crucial. Block off time on your calendar for critical tasks and lean on your fellow marketers, the Office of Catholic Schools staff, and volunteers for support and fresh ideas.

Mental Health Webinar

Operation Rice Bowl Information for Lent

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:

• March 8: Frequently asked questions during open application - Click here to join the meeting
• April 12: Summer School, Application Verifications, Choice Administrator Changes, School Information Update Forms, Designee/Admin Trainings - Click here to join the meeting

Office of Catholic Schools

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

www.gbdioc.org/catholicschools