Time Away

Good morning, Kristin,

This past weekend, Education Week highlighted a few of their most popular articles of 2024, including a story about a teacher who is currently in the midst of her 64th year in the classroom. The article featured her reflections on AI, in which she shared her perspective as someone who has witnessed the adoption of the calculator, the computer, and now AI in education. I was struck by her remarkable ability to continually find something new and inspiring in her work.

Local poet David Whyte once observed, “It may be that time away from a work…is the very essence of appreciation…for the work.” As we return from the Christmas break, I hope you feel refreshed, having had time to step away. This time apart often allows us to return with a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude for the work we do.

Like Martha Strever, the 63-year veteran teacher, I pray we also find newness and inspiration in the year ahead.

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Below is a link to a folder containing the official OCS calendar for next school year and a planning template. Please use this template to draft and finalize your school calendars. Once completed, submit them to ocs@seattlearch.org for review, no later than March 1.

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

1/9/2025 - Celebration of Light Information with Amy Hall

Upcoming Events

January 10, 2025

GRACE/DLC

Meeting Option 1

January 13, 2025

Curriculum Review Committee

January 14, 2025

Executive Principals Meeting

St. Thomas, Tukwila

January 17, 2025

GRACE/DLC

Meeting Option 2

January 22, 2025

OCS Presents PD Series - Crucial Conversation

February 7, 2025

PD&C Day

Via Zoom

MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Season of Service Report Form

In celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Seattle, our parish and school communities are invited to contribute towards 175,000 hours of service! We hope that all schools will participate, record their hours through this form, and submit photos of their service through the email address listed on the form. Please use the form to submit your hours for all of your upcoming Catholic Schools Week service projects.

CIC Level I - Symbolon

The start of the new calendar year is a great time to register your teachers for Christ in the Classroom Level I certification through Symbolon. Use this link to request Symbolon seats.

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

Schwartz's Update for the Week of 1/6/25

Included this week: principal intent form, reminders about principal self-assessment (due by 1/31) and employee evaluations, and school safety information.

Click here to read more.

Seattle University's Teaching Program

Seattle University has launched a Catholic Schools Teaching Corps Program (starts Summer 2025).

Click the link to connect with CSTC.

Exciting Leadership Scholarship Opportunities!

Click the link to learn about leadership scholarships from ACE and Shea Family Charities to attend ACE Principal Academy & ALMA formation programs.

Contact Kelly Surapaneni, kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org with questions.

PACE Program Virtual Sessions

Do you have individuals who are seeking a Master's in Education? The (PACE) Program has listening sessions on 1/8 and 1/22.

Educational Leadership

Are you interested in administration? Here is a link to our partner programs. Be sure to check out the Fulcrum Foundation Educational Leadership Grant.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

CWU Offers SPED & Equity PD in 2025

The Special Education Technology Center (SETC) presents their winter and spring webinar series for clock hours and some qualify for CCDEI/Equity credits. Click here to learn more.

GRACE Winter Workshop Registration Open

GRACE teacher leaders should join us on 1/10 or 1/17 for our Winter Workshop, focusing on observation learning labs, crucial conversations, and regional collaboration. Click here to register.

2025 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest (High School)

An essay and video contest for high school students in western United States - entries are accepted January 8th through March 7th. Please share with history teachers! Click here for more information.

Early Learning Weekly Newsletter

Click here for important resources and reminders for the Early Learning Program.

OPERATIONAL VITALITY

Catholic Schools Week Resources

Your boxes have probably arrived by now!

Click HERE to go directly to the resource document.

Winter & Spring Advancement Professional Development

Our new Advancement Professional Development schedule is live! Explore an exciting lineup of topics and exceptional speakers. Click here for the schedule.

2025 Academic Calendar

The 2025 Academic Calendar is here! Click on this link for the official academic calendar and the template.

Please turn in your academic calendars to ocs@seattlearch.org by March 1 for approval.

2025 Recruitment Initiatives Update

Recruiting season is here! Click here for current dates, and information on our two partner university programs: PACE and Seattle University's Teaching Corps.

6/30/2024 Annual Financial Statement

Please send John Sullivan (sullivanj@seattlearch.org) a copy of your 6/30/24 Financial Statement this week if you have not sent him one in the last 30 days.

News & Resources

Submissions

Please submit any news and resources you would like to be shared on the newsletter to Ellie Bailey, eleanor.bailey@seattlearch.org.

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