ALWAYS....REACHING HIGHER
From the Superintendent...
Greetings!

Today we share the guidance document that seeks to provide an overview of how to administer the revised language in the ministerial covenant.

What is articulated in the guidance is what the revised language seeks to balance, namely that the role of a teacher in a Catholic school is ministerial in nature, beginning in the ministry of Jesus Christ; that we, as Catholic school leaders, are entrusted with the responsibility to hire and form teachers who positively support and model the school’s religious mission and identity; and, finally, that as we evaluate teachers, we do so holistically, considering all elements of what is considered effective teaching.

Beyond highlighting these priorities, the guidance also hopes to lay out a process that elevates the ministerial nature of teaching in a Catholic school while we live in the tension of our lived experience and the teachings of our faith.

We will continue to discuss the application of this revised language in our 11am meetings, beginning with questions posed and insights shared at our Pastor-Principal Meeting in October.

With gratitude, 
Nicholas 

NICHOLAS FORD |  Superintendent
Office for Catholic Schools | Archdiocese of Seattle

Principal
Morning Meetings
11/8 Principal Morning Meeting 11:00 AM
Covenant Follow-up with Nicholas and team
MM #922 How Successful Teachers Create a Nurturing Classroom Culture

11/10 Principal Morning Meeting 11:00 AM
Early Learning Curriculum, Assessment Tool and In-Person Meetings with Dave Mayer
MM #956: Should we redshirt Kindergarten Boys?
ACTION ITEMS (clickable links below)
CALENDAR EVENTS
NOVEMBER
(Click links next to dates for more information)

11/8 The CCSSCC provides an opportunity for new Catholic school teachers to meet up with a new topic of interest for all new teachers. All are welcome. Register using the link on the page. See link to register. 3:00 PM
11/8 Fulcrum School Partnership Grant Due- click the link to access the grant application
11/15 High School Leaders Monthly Meeting (no registration required) - online 1:00 PM
11/15 Due date for principal/pastor meeting to review self-assessment and goals
11/18 GRACE Teacher Leader Virtual Meeting & Workshop - registration opens Nov. 1st - online 12:30 PM

Ministerial Covenant Update
Please see the supporting documents that follow from the covenant presentation shared at the Pastor-Principal Meeting. In the combined document linked below is a letter from Archbishop Etienne, the guidance for the revised covenant, a sample of the revised covenant, and a reference to our teacher evaluation policy found in the personnel manual.
Calling all School Counselors
We are establishing a network of our archdiocesan counselors for this 2022-2023 school year. Please submit the contact information of your school counselor at the following link.
Inclusion Ministry Fall Fellowship Event
You are invited to join the Archdiocesan Inclusion Ministry in giving thanks for all our friends during an hour of fun, fellowship, games and dancing! This is an archdiocesan-wide virtual gathering – all are welcome! Please see the event information page and share this invitation with your school communities.
Governance & Leadership
Schwartz Newsletter - November 7, 2022
This week's edition includes: H.R. responses to 10/27 meeting questions, action items and reminders.
Educational Leadership
We have 8 Catholic University partners that offer programs in Educational Leadership. Click here to learn about these programs. For more information about these programs, contact Kelly Surapaneni at kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org
Academic Excellence
Early Learning Newsletter - November 7, 2022
Weekly Newsletter will cover resources, professional development, upcoming meetings and more!
Annual Progress Report 2022-23 Information
All Catholic schools are required to complete the annual progress report; schools in WCEA must complete all sections. Schools in different accreditation systems must complete the Catholic identity portion of the progress report.
GRACE Teacher Leader November Meeting Registration
GRACE will be meeting virtually on Friday, 11/18 from 12:30pm-2:30pm - the Haring Center for Inclusionary Learning will help facilitate the majority of this session. Please make sure GRACE teacher leaders register ASAP. Principals are welcome to join as well!
Curriculum Subcommittee - Participation by School Leaders Opportunity
OCS is facilitating a subcommitee on assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of MAP testing versus other options for our Archdiocese. We will have four meetings in 2022-23 to set up the process, learn about the options and create a final recommendation. Anyone is welcome to join - our first meeting is on 11/14 from 3-4:30pm via ZOOM.
Catholic Educator PD: Antisemitism and Historical Roots - how to support student learning in Catholic schools
In partnership with the Holocaust Center of Seattle, teaching specialist Brenda Anderson will present the history of antisemitism, its role in our society and how we as Catholic schools can ensure anti-biased resources are in school classrooms. Join in via ZOOM on 12/5/22 at 3pm. See attached information and link on the flyer.
2022-2023 Diplomas
When ordering your diplomas this year, you may need the signature of the new Superintendent. If so, please complete this quick poll and our office will assist you.
Operational Vitality
Frontline Absence Management System Updates
Please send John Sullivan your School's Teacher and Campus User (Supervisor) updates to the Frontline Absence Management System this week by email. Thank you to all who have done so already.
Make sure the Timesheets of your Sub-Pool Teachers are being Approved!
Please make sure the timesheets of those Sub-Pool Substitute Teachers' that work for your school are addressed and approved timely (at least twice a month) by you or your primary payroll processor. Their Pay Periods are the 1rst to the 15th (paid the 25th) and 16th to the end of the month (paid the following 10th). If you do not address these, they will be charged by default to your School.
November 15th: Let's talk Catholic Schools Week
Our next Advancement Session is going to be PACKED with ideas for Catholic Schools Week. You'll get a sneak peek into the kits that will be mailed on the 20th. Come for some ideas & get planning!
Save the Date: Strategic Advancement Planning
Tuesday December 5th from 10-11 we will have Frank Donaldson with us in a TWO part series on how to begin building a strategic Advancement Plan which includes enrollment, marketing, fundraising.
TAP Application Window for 2023-2024 is now Open
Applications (and all supporting documentation like tax forms) are due by no later than January 6, 2023 to be considered for Fulcrum funding.
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