Updated: Holy Moments Gift to Schools
As shared previously, DCS is providing Matthew Kelly's Holy Moments to the faculty and staff of each school. The books have either been directly mailed to your school, or members of the department are making deliveries prior to Christmas break.
Please be sure to read the attached letter and share it with your faculty and staff upon distribution. The total numbers ordered were based on what was submitted in the NCEA report. If there is any discrepancy in the number reported and you need additional copies, please contact Dr. Bluestein by Monday, December 12.
New: Teen Star Curriculum Letter
Please read this important letter from Archbishop Vigneron and Dcn. Sean Costello regarding the Teen Star curriculum and the call to ensure its use in our schools.
Nicole Joyce will be at next week’s principal zoom meeting to answer any brief questions you may have and share several “Come and See” opportunities that will be offered January-March 2023.
New: Ruah Woods Follow-Up
Many thanks to all schools that have onboarded with Ruah Woods Theology of the Body this year. Schools were advised to complete the three core training videos with the entire staff followed by one curriculum training with Rob Stamper for only those teachers that would be teaching the curriculum.
If you have not yet completed the 3-part core training videos with your staff, Rob Stamper will be reaching out to offer support and schedule completion along with his follow-up curriculum training.
Please contact Dr. Bluestein with any questions.
New: December 5-Minute Safety Drill
During the Advent season, schools experience an increase in the number of visitors, community events, and decorations. This month’s 5-minute drill are suggested steps you should take to handle the increased activity in a safe manner. Have a wonderful Christmas.
- School celebrations require you to examine visitor check-in policies and emergency procedures, specifically reminding staff and students as visitors may have no knowledge of your plans.
- If your school is renting an offsite facility for a celebration, you should work with your host on the facilities emergency procedures.
- Decorations are part of the Advent season. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi) provide some wonderful reminders for every home. Their tips can also apply to a school hallway and or classroom.
New: Encounter Retreat on March 13, 2023
St. Fabian is excited to offer this Catechist Formation opportunity for anyone in our schools and parishes who is in the process of being certified as a catechist. Please pass along this flyer to DREs, Pastoral Associates, and Principals.
Zekelman Holocaust Center - 2023 Art and Writing Center Competition
Now in its seventh year, The Kappy Family Art & Writing Competition, Co-Sponsored by the Family of Raphael Schwartz, invites any Michigan student in 7th-12th grade to take inspiration from and respond to the theme of “Art as Resistance” in Anne Frank’s diary, Night by Elie Wiesel, and the artwork of Erich Lichtblau-Leskly, currently featured in the visiting special exhibit, To Paint is to Live.
This year, the categories of submission include poetry, fiction prose, 2D art, 3D art, and graphic art. Any student may respond to any source of inspiration, or multiple sources. The deadline for submission is March 24, 2023.
Please click HERE to learn more about the competition as well to access the guidelines, classroom resources, and links for submission.
For any questions, please email competition@holocaustcenter.org.
Teaching Life and Human Dignity Symposium
The University of Notre Dame-McGrath Institute for Church Life is now accepting applications for the 2023 Teaching Life and Human Dignity Symposium. The Symposium will be held on the beautiful campus of the University of Notre Dame, June 25-30. This week-long experience is designed to help pastoral leaders and educators develop a deeper understanding of the Church's teaching on human dignity and how to more effectively promote a consistent ethic of life.
The deadline for applications is December 20, 2022. Accepted applications will be notified by January 18, 2023.
Take a moment to learn more about this incredible opportunity to learn from leading experts, cultivate the professional skills necessary to promote a culture of life, and network with colleagues from across the country. Learn more and apply
Designated School Officials Office Contest Announcement — International Student Programs of the AOD
The DSO office has an exciting opportunity for all fifth (5th) grade students within the Archdiocese of Detroit that we would like to share with you.
Last year, several schools within the AOD participated in the Michigan Chapter of The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)'s The Celebrate America Creative Writing Contest. It was wonderful to receive all the entries from our AOD fifth grade students, and we look forward to another outstanding group of students in this year's contest. Learn more
Department of Catholic Schools 2023 Principal Retreat
Our Annual Catholic Schools Administrator Retreat is scheduled for Thursday, March 23 and Friday, March 24, 2023. For the second year in a row, the retreat will be held at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth. Please tentatively RSVP here. We will confirm attendance and release more details closer to the actual dates. Please reach out to Erin McNally with any questions.
Recordings Available: October 17 Uniform Professional Development Day
Please inform teachers that the recordings and resources (including any slide decks) have been uploaded to the professional development website(www.professionaldevelopmentday.org).
Please also remind teachers to follow the SCECH process using the instructions posted at the top of the PD website.
Those who wish to earn SCECHs for viewing the Oct. 17 PD recordings or any archived recordings from previous PD days (found under “archive” at the top right of the PD website), will need to complete this form before submitting their total earned SCECHs in the MANS application form at the end of the school year.
Please contact Dr. Bluestein with any questions.
Religion Assessment Refund & Apology from Kendall Hunt
Please see the following brief summary and letter of apology from Chad Chandlee, President & COO of Kendall Hunt:
The letter recaps what happened with the eAssessment as well as how we are refunding the money. We are sorry that this engagement has not been a good experience for anyone. We are striving to make sure something like this never happens again. Thank you for the opportunity this year and sorry that our error pointing to 2018’s test wasn’t discovered sooner or that it happened at all.
Discount toward Catechist Certification for Schools & Parishes
Upon collaboration with Sacred Heart Major Seminary regarding Catechist Certification using the program “On Fire for the Faith,” the Seminary has offered to extend a unique discount to schools and parishes. Schools and parishes will be able to register an unlimited amount of staff to complete the program this year at a bulk discount with the following options:
- $300 per school for unlimited # of teachers
- $300 per parish for unlimited # of catechists
OR
- $500 for parish & school combo (catechists/teachers)
If you wish to take advantage of this discount, please contact Mrs. Melissa Pordon at pordon.melissa@shms.edu or 313-868-7031. She will be happy to answer any questions and provide you with a unique school and/or parish code to apply the discount.
The Fulfillment of All Desire with Dr. Ralph Martin | November 27 through December 24.
The Sacred Heart Major Seminary is offering a FREE online course designed for the Lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit. In this short online course, Dr. Ralph Martin, Director of Programs in the New Evangelization, shows how achieving holiness is not only possible, but something each and every one of us is called to. He will present the stages of spiritual growth as lived out by some of the great spiritual masters of the Church: St. Teresa of Ávila, St. John of the Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and St. Francis De Sales. Reflecting on their examples, the course will cover practical tips and advice for advancing in our journey to God. The curriculum is based on Dr. Martin’s book The Fulfillment of All Desire: A Guidebook for the Journey to God Based on the Wisdom of the Saints Learn more about this free online course and register here.
Fr. Gabriel Richard Art Contest
The Fr. Gabriel Richard Guild at the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit is very excited to announce its first art contest for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Students are invited to submit artistic renderings of Fr. Richard depicting his image, an event from his life, or a general aspect of his life.
The winning students in each age group will each receive a $1,000 cash prize. The winning students' schools will also receive a $1,000 cash prize. Prizes are courtesy of contest sponsor Concorde Financial. Artwork will be displayed at the Annual Exhibit on Fr. Gabriel Richard at the Basilic of Ste. Anne de Detroit in September 2023.
The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2023. Winners will be announced by May 31, 2023. More details and complete rules are on the flyer.
Important SCECH Record-Keeping for Principals
Please recall that Shelley Long with MANS sent each principal an email with the link to the Google Folder created for each school. Please review the important information to ensure your teachers earn SCECHs, especially in regard to the AOD Professional Development Days.
- Google folders (on the spreadsheets) contain links to 10-minute webinar on how to track SCECHs properly, the updated SCECH handbook, & written instructions on how to complete both tabs of the spreadsheet.
- Spreadsheets include AOD earned PD columns; final amount will tally correctly & educators only have to apply one time with MANS.
- Principals must collect & upload to the folder a SEPARATE excel sheet on the details of the AOD UNIFORM Professional Development Days including the following in exact order:
- first name, last name, school name, school city, email address, session title & # of SCECHs session is worth, SCECH verification code for (each session attended).
- Shelley will check in with each school via email mid-year to see if they have questions, concerns, etc.
- Teachers will use online SCECH application shared in May to apply for SCECHs
- All SCECHs processed through MANS are FREE
Protect Young Eyes: Curriculum & Parent App Access
As indicated in August, based on the need for online safety and digital citizenship, the AOD purchased the Protect Young Eyes Curriculum and Parent App for all schools in the AOD (including the order schools).
Click here for the PYE curriculum or the link can also be found under the Educator’s Tab in Virtus. Also note that Chris McKenna provided a walk-through of the PYE curriculum at the Oct. 17 PD Day, showing how it can be used alongside the Virtus Safe Environments lessons (that recording will be posted to the PD site). Information to share with parents and details on how to access the Parent App was sent to principals via email before Thanksgiving.
If you have any questions, please contract Dr. Bluestein.
Virtus: Empowering God’s Children (Replacing past Safe Environments curricula)
As indicated previously, our Safe Environments program for schools is now going to be hosted by the Virtus online platform titled Empowering God’s Children; school are required to teach 2 lessons per year.
Virtus has provided detailed information on how you may access the materials using the Educators Tab, and how you may also provide access for your teachers. They’ve also provided a short 10-minute recording that you may view and share with teachers once you have given them access to the Educators Tab. The recording contains information regarding the lessons, how to navigate the site to access resources (including resources for parents), and how to report when training has been completed.
Please see the attachment and read the instructions from Virtus carefully.
Teacher Evaluations Requirement 2022-2023
Please note that this year (like last), DCS is requiring two formal, written evaluations of all teachers. The PowerPoint presentation provides more information and links. The last slide includes the link to all items on Box.
Catechist Certification Requirement
Please see the attached document which provides details, exceptions, and modifications for the Catechist Certification Requirement.
