Reminder Important Star Renaissance Information (Time-Sensitive)
Star Renaissance will renew testing licenses for all schools based on last year’s enrollment. If you need to modify that number, please do so using this form no later than June 10. They will generate and send out invoices to each school in July
Reminder SCECH Application
Teachers who wish to earn SCECHs for having viewed recordings of any AOD provided PD will need to first fill out this online form, if they haven’t done so already. This link was shared previously after the October and March PD days.
After having completed all PD for the year, they must complete the proper MANS application form (choose the one that applies to your school), referenced here.
Reminder Tuition Assistance Application Round 2 deadline is June 30
The application deadline for Round 2 of 2022-23 Tuition Assistance deadline is June 30, 2022. The entire application must be completed and supporting documents uploaded to FACTS by this date. Please remind your school families to complete their applications, upload documents, and submit the Pastor Verification document as soon as possible.
Reminder 2022 FSM Completion and Training Session
The FSM was developed to assist in measuring schools’ operational efficiency with the goal of working toward solving long-term funding problems faced by all Catholic Schools. The FSM is one of the tools that will help to ensure that our schools are accessible and sustainable. It has been modified from previous versions to more accurately reflect realistic assumptions for staffing. The Model is still a work in progress and we will continue to make improvements.
An online training session will be offered on June 15 at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom (link | Meeting ID: 954 6603 1523 | Passcode: 100020). We know that many schools are wrapping up the school year, so the session will be recorded for those who are unable to attend or would prefer to watch later. Thank you for your commitment to Catholic education. Please reach out to Laura Knaus with any questions that you may have.
Reminder Principal Appreciation Luncheon
The 3rd Annual Department of Catholic Schools Principal Appreciation luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 16th from 11am to 3pm at Club Venetian in Madison Heights. Please see the flyer for additional details and the RSVP link. Please RSVP by Monday, June 13th.
New Catechist Certification Retreat Opportunity
An Encounter retreat will be hosted at St. Fabian Catholic Church on August 18, 2022. This retreat will fulfill the retreat requirement for Catechist Certification in the AOD. Please see the informational flyer for more information.
New SoulCore Recordings
The SoulCore exercises and meditations on the Most Holy Rosary with Carrie Kuhar have concluded. The recordings have been stored in Box for your access at any time. With the summer vacation ahead, please consider using these recordings for physical and spiritual exercise, and share them with teachers and staff as well.
New Used Textbooks
St. Patrick’s in Carleton is replacing many of their textbooks this year. They have shared a spreadsheet indicating the following about the books they are replacing: Titles, Copy Dates, Number of Books in Set, if Teacher Edition and Resource Materials are available, and Condition of Books.
If anyone would find these materials useful, please reach out to Carl Lenze (principal@stpatrick.school) to schedule a pick-up date before mid-July.
New Used Smartboards
Gary Yee at All Saints has 36 smartboards available to any schools who need them.
Please reach out to him at gyee@allsaintscs.com for details and/or to schedule pick-up.
New Detroit Catholic Events Page
Detroit Catholic is proud to announce the launch of detroitcatholic.com/events. This new page features events from the Archdiocese, parishes, schools and other affiliated entities — including parish festivals.
We invite you to submit your events using this online form. Note: Parishes and organizations may submit a maximum of three events per month. Only Catholic events sponsored by a Catholic parish, school or organization within the Archdiocese of Detroit will be approved.
School Safety
If your school needs financial assistance to enhance safety and security measures at your school, please contact the Department of Catholic Schools. As a reminder, each school should work with local law enforcement officers to ensure that adequate safety plans are in place.
Newton Applicant Tracking System Job Posting and Closing Instructions
The Applicant Tracking System job posting, and approval process instructions can be found here. Please know that is the responsibility of the school to either remove the job or to reach out to Roberta Robson, (robsonmcglone.roberta@aod.org), or Erin Taft, (taft.erin@aod.org) to request removal of the position. Unfortunately, Paycor Recruiting does not offer the option of putting an end date on the job posting so unless HR is made aware that the job has been filled and should be removed, the job will remain posted. Please see these instructions for how to close your open position in the ATS.
Ruah Woods Rooted: K-12 Theology of the Body Curriculum – Deadline June 10
The world’s first Theology of the Body Curriculum for K-12 students provides timely, age-appropriate lessons authentic to St. John Paul II’s vision and understanding of the human person according to God’s divine plan. Students discover the fundamental truth of their innate dignity firmly ROOTED in God’s image, as male and female, called to love one another as God loves. Principals are invited to implement the Ruah Woods curriculum and DCS is committed to assisting with the associated costs. Please contact Dr. Bluestein by June 10 if you are interested adopting Ruah Woods.
Reminder Eucharistic Procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi
On June 19, 2022, the Archdiocese of Detroit and dioceses across the United States will begin the National Eucharistic Revival. This three-year grassroots revival of devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist will foster a “movement of Catholics across the United States, healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and sent out in mission ‘for the life of the world.’”
The Revival will begin locally with a Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, followed by a Eucharistic Procession from the Cathedral to Sacred Heart Major Seminary. I write today to invite you and your families to consider joining me for the Mass, Eucharistic Procession, or both. You can learn more and RSVP by visiting aod.org/eucharisticprocession.
Please share this flyer with your school community.
A Few Reminders Regarding COVID Procedures
K-12 students and staff exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19
If the exposure is to a personal/household contact:
- No quarantine is needed.
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
If the exposure is to other type of contact (from school or social setting)
- No quarantine is needed.
- Conduct symptom monitoring for 10 days and test if symptoms develop.
Religion Assessment
We took a brief pause from the Religion Assessment during COVID. During this pause, a Religion Assessment Review Committee was formed to edit and revise the assessment. The committee met over the course of this past year and has concluded their work. As such, we will return to using the Religion Assessment next school year (2022-2023). Dr. Bluestein will send more details soon.
Spiritual Direction for Principals
The AOD may be able to provide Spiritual Direction for principals next year. A Spiritual Director would meet once a month, one-on-one, to provide a listening ear and heart, accompany the participant on their spiritual journey, and pray with and for them.
If you are interested in Spiritual Direction, please email Dr. Bluestein.
Federal Programs and EANS Presentations from FACTS Education Solutions
Dr. Susan Abelein and Jeremy Beck of FACTS Education Solutions gave great presentations last week. Please see resources from the presentations below:
Jeremy Beck’s Presentation:
Dr. Abelein’s Presentations:
Please email Laura Knaus if you would like the links to the Zoom recordings of the presentations.
Principal Performance Evaluations
The Principal Performance Evaluation template is available on Box. Please complete your self-reflection and then ask your pastor to complete his portion. Once the evaluations are completed, reviewed, and signed, please email a copy to Erin McNally.
Childcare Stabilization Grants
Childcare Stabilization Grant Funds need to be returned to MDE. Laura sent an email to principals with instructions. Please ensure that your business manager is aware of this as well. We will not be able to accept second round funds either.
