Archbishop’s Catechetical Day 2023 | September 18
The topic for this year’s event will be St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
K-8 principals can reference this flow chart for instructions for the day.
High school teachers and teachers at K-8 school who have completed Ruah Woods training will choose one presentation to attend on September 18:
- A ZOOM presentation from 9:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
OR
- An IN-PERSON presentation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary from 9:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. (with an option to attend Holy Mass and enjoy lunch provided by the Department of Catholic Schools)
We ask that all attendees register in advance for these sessions – details about the sessions and registration links will be sent to principals (to forward to teachers) tomorrow.
Schools whose teachers need to complete Ruah Woods training will do so AT YOUR SCHOOL, in person, as a group using the recorded training videos provided by Ruah Woods. K-8 religion teachers will participate in a live Zoom practicum from 1:15 – 2:45 p.m. that day. All digital materials will be available on one easy-to-access website landing page. Training booklets will be shipped to your schools. Additional details will be emailed to principals.
New teachers (at a school where the rest of the staff has completed Ruah Woods training) will attend Ruah Woods training IN PERSON at Sacred Heart Major Seminary from 8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. (including lunch). Teachers who do not teach religion will be able to leave after lunch.
New: Star Assessment – New Link for Roster Upload
If you have not yet uploaded your Star roster to the Renaissance link that was previously provided, you will need to use this new link as the previous link has expired. Please let Dr. Bluestein know when you submit your roster to the new link.
Deadline Approaching: All Principal Meeting RSVP
The next all principal meeting will be held on Thursday, September 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Please RSVP here by Friday, September 8, 2023.
Behavior Threat Assessment Management Training Session RSVP
As announced at the last Principals meeting, the Michigan State Police will conduct a Behavioral Threat Assessment Management (BTAM) training session for the AOD. The training will be in person, on Wednesday, September 27, at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. Everyone who attends can earn SCECH’s. You will find a general itinerary of the day and registration form at the end of this email. Please know that space is limited. We ask that schools do not sign up more than four people. Also, any school that signs up should have two people attend. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mike Evoy (evoy.michael@aod.org).
BTAM Training
Wednesday, September 27, 2003
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
- 8:00 a.m. – Gather
- 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Training
- 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. - Lunch (provided by the Department of Catholic Schools)
- 1 pm – 3:30 pm - Training
- Registration Form
2023-2024 MANS Membership Dues
Welcome to the 2023-24 academic year. For over 50 years, MANS has been connecting and strengthening Michigan's faith-based, non-public schools through exceptional training, resources, and advocacy so they can be student-centered and mission-driven. Please click here to complete and submit payment for your school’s 2023-2024 MANS dues. Please complete and remit payment no later than Friday, December 1, 2023. For questions contact Shelley Long, Administrative Assistant, at 517-372-0012 or slong@m-a-n-s.org.
AOD Seminarian Poster & Brochure Request Form
Please use this link to request posters and brochures, AOD Seminarian Poster & Brochure Request Form.
Please note that if schools do not fill out the form they will receive 2 posters and 2 brochures (this is excluding all-girls schools).
From Monsignor Bugarin: Protecting God's Children Recertification Deadline Extended | Virtus Platform Webinar Video
As the Episcopal Vicar leading the Office of Child and Youth Protection, I am writing today regarding two essential items for those of us in the Archdiocese of Detroit who oversee/manage our mandatory Safe Environment programs in our offices, parishes, schools, and Catholic agencies. Our shared goal: to protect – especially – children and vulnerable adults from sexual abuse.
- The deadline for existing employees and volunteers to complete a Protecting God's Children recertification workshop has been extended until November 1, 2023.
- A recording is now available of the August 16, 2023 webinar to assist local Virtus coordinators and anyone with access to the Virtus platform to help them better understand all that the platform offers us in the area of training and data management.
Click here to learn more about these two items.
MANS Accreditation Services for AOD Schools
Nancy Kuszczak will be leading and coordinating MANS Accreditation activities for AOD schools. Her email address is Kuszczak.Nancy@aod.org. Please contact Nancy for any questions or requests for assistance related to the MANS Accreditation process.
Update from the Office of Health & Safety – Student Accident Report
The phone number to report injuries to Gallagher Bassett has changed on the Student and Adult Accident Report Forms. Please replace your forms with this updated form or download the new forms from www.chsl.com.
Study Day: Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions
This national event will take place in Cincinnati on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The meeting’s theme is titled, “Sign and Pledge of Communion: Masses with Children.” The theme recognizes the baptismal dignity of all the Church’s members. The committee has developed an impressive program of plenary sessions and workshops which address various facets of this topic. Additional information and registration can be found here.
FACTS SIS Teacher Training – Recording Available
Please share the below FACTS SIS Training recording with your teachers. Please note this video requires registration to view. You can access the PowerPoint presentation here.
Link: FACTS + Archdiocese of Detroit Teacher Training
Passcode: Facts2023!
AOD Department of Catholic Schools Policy Update
The AOD Department of Catholic Schools Policy has been uploaded in the Principals Resources – Extranet in Box. You can find it in the “Department of Catholic Schools Policy – 2023 Update.” If you are unable to find the document, please email Erin McNally (mcnally.erin@aod.org).
FACT SIS Onsite Training August 2023
Thank you to all who attended the FACTS SIS Training. You can access the training presentation here.
Supplemental Student Accident Insurance Available for Families
Michigan Catholic Conference has additional accidental injury coverage available through Student Assurance Services, Inc. for students ranging from preschool through 12th grade.
Coverage is available 24/7 from the purchase date through July 31, 2024 for only $83 per student! Students already have coverage during school and while participating in athletic events, but accidental injury insurance would extend coverage after school and during breaks, as well.
While most everyone has medical insurance, student accidental injury coverage would cover select out-of-pocket expenses not covered by your current plan like deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance.
Feel free to share this flyer with your school families.
Roster Information for Renaissance
Similar to last year, schools utilizing the FACTS SIS will not need to create a manual .csv file for the Star Renaissance roster. Instead, simply follow last year’s steps from FACTS (selecting the current school year), then skip to section “B” in the steps provided by Renaissance to upload your roster to the Renaissance site.
Schools that are not currently using the FACTS SIS will need to follow all the instructions in the Star Self-Service Import document, using the provided .csv template.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Bluestein.
Engaging the Youth Church Conference
Principals, please share this with all who minister with younger and older adolescents. High School Campus Ministers, Theology Teachers, and Athletic Coaches are invited to the Engaging the Young Church Conference at St. Anastasia on Friday and Saturday, September 22-23, 2023. This year's theme is Anchored in Christ, Strengthened by the Holy Spirit. The keynote speaker will be Mari Pablo! Mari is one of the most popular presenters on Ascension Press, and she will be the emcee for NCYC 2023.
During the conference, there will be opportunities to hear inspiring presentations, pray together, engage in workshop presentations, participate in small groups, pray together, and engage in workshop presentations. Please see this link for registration information.
2023-2024 Calendar for Administrators
Please see the revised 2023-2024 AODCS Calendar for Administrators here.
Star Renaissance
- Testing Windows
- BOY 8/28 - 10/6
- MOY 1/15 - 2/9
- EOY 4/22 - 5/17
