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

Yesterday was our last “green” Sunday, which means that next Sunday’s celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King marks the conclusion of our liturgical year. That it aligns with Thanksgiving is a welcomed coincidence. 

The conclusion of any year offers the opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months, remembering achievements and milestones, loss experienced and opportunities missed. It also offers the opportunity to share gratitude, recognizing the blessings extended to us in moments of consolation and in the peace and counsel sought in moments of desolation. 

We give thanks and cast our eyes toward new, wider horizons, ever inspired by the ministry of Christ in our classrooms and in our lives. 

With gratitude, 
Nicholas 

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

Principal
Morning Meetings
11/15 Principal Morning Meeting 11:00 AM
Planning Catholic Schools Week with Kristin Moore
MM#920-Karin Chenoweth on the Most Powerful Question in Education

11/17 Principal Morning Meeting 11:00 AM
Advent with Connor Geraghty
MM #909: How to Avoid Common Classroom Management Problems

No Morning Meetings the Week of Thanksgiving
ACTION ITEMS (clickable links below)
CALENDAR EVENTS
NOVEMBER
(Click links next to dates for more information)

11/15 High School Leaders November Meeting - virtual 1:00 PM
11/15 Due date for principal/pastor meeting to review self-assessment and goals
11/21 No Keystone the week of Thanksgiving
11/24 Thanksgiving - OCS and Chancery Offices are Closed
11/25 Day after Thanksgiving - OCS and Chancery Offices are Closed

safeTALK Workshop
Please join us for safeTALK, a suicide intervention workshop facilitated by the archdiocesan Catholic Lifesaver Corps. This four-hour suicide alertness training on November 29 helps participants recognize a person with thoughts of suicide and connects them with resources to help them choose to live. Principals, teachers, and school staff are all welcome to attend.
Christ in the Classroom Level One Certification – Symbolon Registration
You may register teachers for their Christ in the Classroom Level One certification through Symbolon at any time of the year. As a reminder, please see this link for our catechetical certification policy information and the Symbolon registration form.
Governance & Leadership
Schwartz Newsletter - November 14, 2022
Included this week: Additional information on the new hourly/salary wage changes effective 1/1/23, an EANS I update, and re-sharing of emergency response resources
University of Notre Dame- Remick Leadership Program is in town this Thursday! Come learn about the program.
Faculty and alumni from the University of Notre Dame's Remick Program are in town this Thursday, November 17th. If you are interested in this program and would like to attend this in-person information/social event, email Kelly Surapaneni at kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org
Academic Excellence
Early Learning Newsletter - November 14, 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. There were 15 Schools that left 65 of 180 Substitute Days unapproved for the Substitute Pay Period 10/16 to 10/31.
Fulcrum Annual Endowment Investment Return Review
This annual presentation is for those with funds in Fulcrum's hands or who are interested in doing so, is tomorrow 11/15 from 3pm to 4pm. Please let John Sullivan know if you would like a link to participate. All are welcome. This program is for Principals, Other Local Leaders and School and Parish Volunteers.
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.
710 Ninth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104