Face a new direction...

Good morning Kristin,


In a Lenten reflection today, Father Ron Rolheiser reflected on the phrase, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” He highlighted how we often misunderstand the word, “repent,” as “imply[ing] that we have already done something wrong, regret it, and now commit ourselves to live in a new way.” He instead emphasized the Greek word, metanoia, which is how it appears in Mark’s Gospel, sharing a definition that means to turn around and face in an entirely new direction.


Through this perspective, Catholic education becomes a journey towards seeing with spiritual eyes, listening with compassionate ears, and speaking words of love and unity, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and others in God's eyes. It underscores the call for each of us to transcend self-centeredness, embracing compassion, gratitude, and reconciliation, not because we have already done something wrong but because we are turning toward Christ, who proposed a new way of living.


With gratitude, 

NICHOLAS FORD | Superintendent

Office for Catholic Schools | Archdiocese of Seattle

 

OPERATIONS CALENDAR & MONTHLY TASK LIST

Click here & log into mycatholicschool.org

Principal Weekly Meetings

02/29/24- Serving Latino Families in our Schools- what you need to know! with Dr. Katy Lichon, Ph.D. & Dr. Jocelyn Smith, Ed.D., Alliance for Catholic Education, University of Notre Dame

03/07/24- Enrollment Management Insights & Budget Assumptions with Finalsite Team

03/14/24- No online meeting- All Principal Meeting-In Person- St. Thomas Parish, Tukwila

Upcoming Events

 
 

March 1, 2024

Progress Reports Due

Part I - Accreditation Goals and Part II - Catholic Identity Progress Due (these are live google doc links - no need to send anything in or email)



 

March 1, 2024

Info Session for Participation in Federal Programs (9-11am)


 
 
 

March 5, 2024

Advancement Session

Overcoming Objections in the Admissions Journey

with Aubrey Bursch, Founder & CEO Easy School Marketing

 
 
 

March 7-8, 2024

Univ. of Portland and WWU Educator Fairs- Update Frontline Postings


March 08, 2024

SPU's CCDEI Clock Hours PD


 

March 13, 2024

OCS presents: Teach Like a Pirate (register here)

Dave Burgess is hosting an encore presentation from PD&C Day (3-4pm online)


 
 
 

March 14, 2024

All Principal Meeting

St. Thomas, Tukwila


 
 
 
View All PD Opportunities
 

MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

PreK-8 Sacramental Prep Survey

Please complete this brief survey about the location and delivery of your school's sacramental preparation programs.

Winter CIC Toolkit

Reminder-Clock hour applications are due by February 28 for the March 8 retreat. Find the resources to do this in the toolkit.

Maryknoll Lenten Reflection Guides

Please see these Maryknoll reflection guides and additional Lenten resources that can be used in the classroom or shared with families.

WSCC Advocacy Bulletin

See this link for the February 23 WSCC Advocacy Bulletin.

 

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

Governance & Leadership Update: Week of 02/26/24

Friday 9-11 am info. session for participation in fed. programs; Policy reminders for recruiting/hiring; Ten principles for holding people accountable.

Click here

Do you have an aspiring administrator?

Fulcrum Educational Leadership Grant opens is open. See link for more information on this grant and our Catholic university partner programs. Kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org

 
 

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Early Learning Newsletter

Weekly Newsletter will cover resources, professional development, upcoming meetings and more. Read more.

CCDEI Clock hours - online PD from SPU

Receive 5 clock hours FREE of charge from SPU at the fully online DEI conference taking place on March 8th - sign up today.

Looking for Environmental Ed options?

Check out this flyer from CYO and offerings that they have for Catholic schools this Spring 2024

Annual Progress Report Due 03/01

Check your email for a communication from Amy Edwards regarding the link to your individual school's progress report.

PD&C Day 2024 Feedback Survey

Please send this link to your teachers to complete - your feedback helps us with future PD&C Day planning!

OCS PD #3 -- Teach Like a Pirate

Register today to join in online PD with Dave Burgess to learn strategies for student engagement. 3-4pm.

OPERATIONAL VITALITY

Financial Results through 11/30/23

John Sullivan is asking each School for Financial Results through 11/30/23 (five specific requests). For those who have not done so, please provide your results as soon as possible.

Student Tuition Spreadsheet

Most Principals create a spreadsheet that maps out each Student's Tuition from Gross to Net. It incorporates each source of financial aid or discount that the Student receives. John Sullivan is asking each Principal to share this (or the breakdown of the aid/discounts their students receive). Please remove the student/family names. Please call John with questions.

Innovative Housing-looking to expand to Tacoma, Burien and Eastside

Innovative Housing is for professionals in the Archdiocese in years 1-5. If you have a candidate either currently or as a potential hire, see the link for the QR code and have them inquire.

Washington State Educators Fairs

OCS will attend the Washington State Educator Fair, but so can you. See the link for registration information.

2024-2025 Academic Calendar

The OCS has created the recommended academic calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. Please click here for more information. The calendar should be completed and returned to the OCS office by March 1, 2023. The Excel template can be downloaded here.

Endowments Not Held in the Fulcrum System

Please email John Sullivan if you have an Endowment that is not held in the Fulcrum system.