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

This week we begin our 11 AM principal meetings. We hope that these continue to bear fruit as we move into these endemic times, shifting our focus from the reactive nature of Covid to a more predictable cadence that centers on the NSBECS. We look forward to being able to gather again with you all in these online sessions as we further our work together.

On Wednesday this week, our OCS team will have our staff retreat down at Saint Thomas. In addition to taking time to pray and reflect, our focus will be tilling the soil as we begin to look at the strategic direction of our office for the coming years. As we take into account our learnings from the last three years, we are seeking to chart a course forward that will allow our office to support your work in our schools, allowing Catholic education to continue to grow, sustain, and thrive. We ask for your prayers on this day of retreat.

With gratitude, 
Nicholas 

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

Principal
Morning Meetings
9/13 Welcome Back! Framework of Meetings - 11:00 AM

9/14 New Principals - Moving to Thursday this week right after Principal Meeting - Framework of Meetings and Open Mic (Thursday @ 11:30 AM)

9/15 Setting the context for the Seabeck Retreat, Catechetical Review and 22-23 Catholic Identity Standards - 11:00 AM
ACTION ITEMS (clickable links below)
CALENDAR EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
(Click links next to dates for more information)

9/13 Principal Morning Meetings begin every Tues/Thurs 11:00 AM
9/13 Executive Principal Meeting 9:00 AM
9/14 OCS office will be closed for our OCS Retreat
9/15 NEW Principal Morning Meeting - on Thursday this week @ 11:30
9/22 NWEA MAP: Ready, set, simplify: Practical strategies for getting started with MAP Accelerator. Register here 10 AM
9/23 Change of Information Form due to the State Board of Ed. if you are new to your school.
9/30 GRACE Teacher Leader Fall Workshop 9am-3pm in person at the Chancery (Isaac Orr Room). Registration will open next week
Christ in the Classroom Retreat Registration
Our fall Christ in the Classroom leadership retreat is right around the corner and we can’t wait to see you at Seabeck next week! We look forward to gathering in community and solidarity as we grow together in faith. Check-in begins at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, September 21. We are blessed to spend our retreat with Fr. Justin Ryan as he guides us through a time of prayer, reflection and discussion focused on experiencing and sharing the joy of our vocation.
Christ in the Classroom Level One Certification – Symbolon Registration
While the annual Christ in the Classroom leadership and local school retreats address the Foundation Level of our catechetical requirements, Level One Catechetical Certification is granted by competing the Symbolon series of videos and assessments. Please see this link for catechetical certification policy information and the Symbolon registration form.
Governance & Leadership
Schwartz Newsletter
Topics this week include: Air quality resources for schools, important policy and COVID updates, and key OSPI due dates to note. 
Calling all Vice Principals
The Office for Catholic Schools will be having 3 meetings for those holding the Vice Principal role. These meetings will provide professional development and time to collaborate.
Recommend an Aspiring Leader for the 2022-23 Leadership Academy?
Do you have an aspiring administrator you would like to recommend for the 2022-23 Leadership Academy? Meetings within the school day begin in October.
Academic Excellence
Early Learning Newsletter - September 6, 2022
Weekly Newsletter will cover resources, professional development, new health department info and more!
GRACE Teacher Leader Fall Workshop- Sept.30th
Registration for the Fall GRACE workshop is now open! This workshop is led by the UW's Haring Center for Inclusive Learning. Principals/School leaders are welcome to attend.
New to MAP? NWEA Catholic Schools training on Sept. 14th at 3pm
If you are new to MAP or would like to go through the basics, NWEA rep Jessica Knierim will walk you through the basics of MAP tests
MAP Testing Update & Changes - 9/12 to 10/14
Please note the Fall Window has been updated - Sept. 12th-Oct. 14th
Grades 1-12 Youth Music Ensembles
Please forward this information to your students and music teachers.
Operational Vitality
2021/2022 Annual School Financial Results
Please save some space in your email inbox and share your 2021/2022 School Financial Results with John Sullivan. Many thanks to all who have done so already.
Your 2022-2023 School Budget
Let's give that full email inbox of yours a break - Please send John Sullivan a copy of your 2022/2023 School Budget. Many thanks to all who have done so already.
Employee Retention Tax Credit Available
The Employee Retention Tax Credit is Unavailable for Parishes/their Schools.
Frontline Absence Management System Updates
Please send John Sullivan your School's Teacher and Campus User (Supervisor) updates to the Frontline Absence Management System by September 16th by email. Thank you to all who have done so already.
Designate a Fulcrum Tuition Assistance Grant Program (TAP) Coordinator
All School Leaders-designate a Fulcrum Tuition Assistance Grant Program (TAP) Coordinator (challenge-see if you can complete the survey in 1 minute). The TAP Coordinator who will be the main contact person at your school for all questions or communications with Fulcrum concerning TAP for the 2022-2023 school year.
Advancement PD Begins TOMORROW
Excellent line up this fall. Join us on Zoom for continued learning and collaboration.
710 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104