The annual Curriculum and Professional Development Day will take place on February 11, 2022. This date is a switch from previous years when the event was typically held in March. We made the date change last April in response to school leaders and educator’s feedback. The request was to hold the PD day earlier in the year when second trimester report cards were not due (typically in March) for our K-8 schools. When we reviewed the OCS Academic Calendar, the Christ in the Classroom Retreat #2 was scheduled for February 11^th, so we switched the Professional Development Day with CIC day. Both of the days should have been “non-student” days in your academic calendars already. Since making that decision we have learned that some schools never intended to make the February 11^th day a non-student day, and may now not be able to participate in Curriculum and PD Day 2022. We hope that if your school is in that situation, you can still communicate and change your academic calendars between now and February so that your staff has the opportunity to participate in this Archdiocesan-wide collaborative and informative professional development.

Feedback from GRACE teacher leaders and school evaluations from last year are guiding us to secure fantastic opportunities for teachers to learn in areas of STEM, Catholic Identity, Student Digital Safety, and Equity work. We are again offering an Early Learning specific professional development tract and also working to make a PM session (12:30pm-3:30pm) for all teachers to collaborate with other content-alike teachers around the Archdiocese for professional time to discuss and share ideas. All sessions will allow teachers to garner immediate and relevant skills and they will receive clock hours for their active participation in the virtual PD day. We hope that you are planning to join us and we look forward to a successful Curriculum and Professional Development Day on February 11^th!

Registration for sessions and more details will be made widely available by January 3^rd.

You remain in our prayers of gratitude,

KRISTIN DIXON |  Superintendent

In September, Pope Francis announced details for the largest consultation of the human family in the history of the Church. Beginning now and running through the first week of May, the Archdiocese of Seattle (and all dioceses in the world) are encouraging listening and dialog among all the baptized. Archbishop Etienne has appointed Tim Hunt as the Archdiocesan lead for this effort, he will be joining us to give a quick overview of the Pope’s vision and encourage school community participation. Tune in to learn more on how your school and parish communities can engage in this important opportunity to journey together in advance of Pope Francis’ October 2023 Synod in Rome.

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