Good morning Kristin,

I, like I’m sure many of you, tuned in to watch Pope Francis’ interview on “60 Minutes” this past Sunday. I saw the interview as an opportunity to learn where our Catholic schools may have an opportunity to extend and advance the Holy Father’s message for the Church.

As I listened, I was most struck as he again articulated his concern regarding what he has labeled the “globalization of indifference.” He stated plainly: “People wash their hands!” I believe our Catholic schools have an opportunity to combat this culture of indifference by promoting a culture of encounter, of care and concern and developing a culture of empathetic listening.

This is not to say that this is an opportunity not already being seized in our schools. We have many curricular, programmatic, and service opportunities that offer students an opportunity to step beyond themselves and to encounter an experience of suffering and injustice.

Nevertheless, it is a reminder that these activities and these experiences of encounter are explicitly rooted in our Catholic identity. It is a defining characteristic of Catholic education. In helping to develop students for an increasingly global society, we must lean into our faith to at once promote a culture of dialogue while increasing our capacity to think critically and to respond to the needs of the world that we encounter, beginning with those we encounter in our own communities, not unlike the Good Samaritan.

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The Fulcrum Foundation has launched an inaugural award that recognizes excellence in education. The LaSalle Educator Excellence award will recognize outstanding educators who have contributed greatly to the success of the school and the students served. Please take time in the next couple of weeks to identify a distinguished educator who should be considered for this award. All nominations are due by May 31.

On Wednesday, May 29, at 3pm, please join me as Katie Doyle from the NWEA leads us in a conversation related to our Spring Data from our MAP assessments. I would like to personally invite at least one representative from each school to participate in this online PD. Understanding how we can use the data from these assessments most effectively will advance the work of academic excellence in each of our schools.



With gratitude, 

NICHOLAS FORD | Superintendent

Office for Catholic Schools | Archdiocese of Seattle