“I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my Flesh for the life of the world.”
John 6:51
These words from today’s Gospel reading remind us that Jesus is with us. He is with us now and he offers each of us life – eternal life – and love, and mercy, and healing. He offers us his true presence in the Holy Eucharist. Jesus’s words also serve as the inspiration for a nation-wide invitation to share with our fellow Catholics and with the world that Jesus is, in fact, with us still today.
The Bishops of the United States are calling for a three-year grassroots revival of devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. They believe that God wants to see 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.” Learn more about the National Eucharistic Revival that will launch this summer on June 19. There are many plans for the Archdiocese and there will be many opportunities for our schools to contribute to this critical effort.
We continue to pray, during this Easter season, for an increase in faith and in hope in the resurrected Jesus!
New and Updated Announcements
New 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:
Please email Laura Knaus if you would like the links to the Zoom recordings of the presentations.
New Principal PLC
A 1-hour PLC will be provided for principals using Star Renaissance May 20 at 1:00 p.m. It will also be recorded for anyone who is unable to attend live.
K-12 students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 or display symptoms should isolate regardless of vaccinationstatus.
If positive without symptoms, isolate for five days from onset of symptoms.
If symptoms improve, return to school, and wear a mask for days six through 10.
If unwilling or unable to wear a mask, stay home for 10 days.
K-12 students and staff exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19
Exposure is to a personal/household contact:
Quarantine for five days from the date of last exposure and wear a mask around others for days six though 10.
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.
Update In-Person Principal Meeting in May
The May principal meeting will be in-person this Wednesday, May 11 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary from 10:00 – 12:00 (with lunch following). The room will be open at 9am for anyone wanting to join earlier than 10am. Please RSVP here by Friday. Please bring signed petitions with you to the meeting.
Thank you for your continued efforts to collect signatures for the Michigan Opportunity Scholarship Petition Signature campaign. Here is some additional, important information:
If parishes or individuals drop off signed petitions to your school, please add them to all the petitions with signatures that you have collected.
Signed petitions must be:
Returned to your school by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 9
If you are attending the All-Principal Meeting at the Seminary on Wednesday, May 11, You may bring the signed petitions with you.If you are not attending the meeting, make arrangements with Erin for the petitions to be picked up. OR
Mailed to:
Let MI Kids Learn
C/O National Petition Management
24293 Telegraph Rd Suite 285
Southfield, MI 48033
New Donations for Ukraine
Schools are invited to collect donations to assist relief efforts in Ukraine. The collection of donations is being facilitated by Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic School in Warren. Please see the flyer here.
New Detroit Catholic Coverage of Catholic Schools Week Mass
New Resources To Aid Schools and Parishes Prepare for the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health
In collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC), the Archdiocese of Detroit's Office of Evangelical Charity shares with you a collection of materials meant to aid you and your parishioners in prayerfully and practically responding to the outcome of the Dobbs Supreme Court case. Continue reading
Reminder From Father Day: Measuring How Well the Curia Serves Your Ministry
Since I began my service as Moderator of the Curia, one of my ongoing goals has been to continually improve the support the Curia provides to our clergy, parishes and schools.To help get a better sense of how we’re doing—and to tell us where we need to improve—I ask that priests, deacons, lay ecclesial ministers, parish staff and school principals take a few minutes to complete this survey by Sunday, May 8.
New Have a Question for Archbishop Vigneron?
During each episode of his Eyes on Jesus podcast, Archbishop Vigneron answers questions from listeners. He would particularly like to hear from our school students and communities. Principals are invited to share this opportunity with students, staff, parents, and others. Questions can be about theology, "getting to know you" questions, practical advice for growing in your faith, or something else entirely. Students (or their teachers) can send any and all questions to eyesonjesuspodcast@aod.org, including the inquirer's first name, grade (if applicable), and school.
New 52 Sundays – Price Reduction
52 Sundays Price Reduction—The remaining copies of 52 Sundays are available for $6.75 per copy (plus shipping) until May 27th, when the 52 Sundays store will close. Parishes or schools may consider these for end-of-the-year gifts, VBS parting gifts, or individual families who may benefit from the book. Copies are available in English or Spanish. Visit 52Sundays.com to order today!
MNSAA Annual Reports
Your MNSAA Annual Report is due May 20, 2022. Be sure to use the new link to Accreditrac. When you submit your completed report and forms on Accreditrac, please remember to hit the button “submit to the Superintendent”. We will be switching to a 5-year Accreditation cycle. There will be 12 to 13 Accreditation Site visits per year. Finally, if you are a new Principal, or have not done an Accreditation Site visit but would like to, please contact Nancy Kuszczak and you will be given priority. Please email Nancy at nkuszczak@livoniastmichael.org. The 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 site visit list can be found here.
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.
Star Data Meetings
Dr. Bluestein is meeting with all principals using Star Renaissance for the annual end-of-year meeting to discuss your school’s results and provide comparative data, as well as discuss any PD or curricular needs.
Each appointment will last 30 minutes (via Zoom) and openings are available:
Tuesdays through Fridays, April 26-May 27, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
If you have not yet scheduled your meeting, please email Dr. Bluestein asap at bluestein.may@aod.orgwith a few preferred dates/times and she will respond with a finalized calendar invite.
EOY Testing Window
As a reminder, the EOY Star testing window is April 25-May 20. Please make an effort to complete all testing within the window to ensure a timely receipt of our Custom Parent Reports.
Reminder: 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.
