ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
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Principal Meeting Recording
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From Vic Michaels: Travel within the U.S.
Out-of-state travel is permitted. We are following the return guidance as if they are a close contact. Meaning masked upon return unless the trip was conducted in a safe controlled environment. If students on the trip are contained to your own school, and not mixing with others, you can have them return as normal.
International travel:
Unvaccinated students are required to do one of two things—quarantine for 10 days or get tested and return on day 7. If they choose not to test, they are out for ten days. Vaccinated students are to be tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. Quarantine is not required for fully vaccinated travelers. Even if the test is negative, the student must stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days. If the test is positive, the student must follow isolation requirements for a positive case OR if a student chooses not to get tested, they must stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
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Accreditation Site Visits – Volunteers Needed
Principals and teachers who are willing to serve on an Accreditation Site Visit Team can submit their name and email address here. An accreditation chairperson will contact them in the future.
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Send Certificate of Accreditation to DSO
The Office of Immigration Counsel for AOD schools has been notified that our catholic school system is up for re-certification to maintain compliance with SEVP (Students and Exchange Visitor Program, a sector under the Department of Homeland Security). The Field Representative from SEVP, Beth Tinkham, requested the following document from each of our schools in order for the AOD to maintain compliance with the government:
- Certificate of Accreditation through one of the following agencies:
- Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association (MNSAA)
- North Central Association, Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI)/AdvancED
- Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
Please send the scanned certificate to Erin Dewimille, Designated School Official no later than December 1, 2021. Her email is dewimille.erin@aod.org.
Failure to send these documents in a timely manner can result in the AOD losing its SEVP certification and our ability to educate international F-1 students.
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Survey Deadline Approaching: Teacher PLCs 2021-2022
Due to the challenging nature of this academic year, DCS will not be holding any Teacher PLCs during semester one. However, we would like to understand teachers’ desire for Teacher PLCs next semester and/or how we can best support them this academic year.
Please share the Teacher PLC Survey with your teachers and ask them to complete it by Nov. 18.
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Alliance Catholic Credit Union Scholarship
The 6th annual “Live It. Show it. Share it” Scholarship is now live! $20,000 in scholarships will be awarded. You can find more details in the attached PDF and full rules and entry form here.
Please share this with any families of 8th-11th grade students who will be attending a Catholic High School League school in the 2022-2023 academic year. Share in newsletters, email blasts and bulletins as you see fit.
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Young Women’s Leadership Forum
Young adult Catholic women, ages 21-30, seeking leadership training, faith formation, and mentoring to better understand and pursue their particular mission and vocation are encouraged to apply to attend the 2022 GIVEN Catholic Young Women's Leadership Forum. Applications are now open! Prospective applicants can find information about the speakers, schedule, and distinctive Forum features on our website. Applications are due February 18, 2022.
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2021-22 Catholic High School Guide
Elementary principals, please share the link for the 2021-2022 High School Guide with your school families. Please encourage the families to review the document to learn more about our Catholic high schools.
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MDE’s Nonpublic Membership Report
The Nonpublic Membership Report is not yet available in NexSys. The report is typically available on October 15 and due on October 31. With the delayed availability, the submission deadline will also be extended. MDE has stated that a memo will be sent at the time the application is complete and available.
Please ensure that you have access to NexSys (which is replacing MEGS+). See this brief PowerPoint presentation from MDE explaining the change.
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October 18: Virtual Uniform PD & SCECH Update
Many thanks to all who engaged in the AOD Virtual Uniform PD!
- Please remember to take the survey (top of the PD website, under 03) and remind your teachers to do the same. We value your feedback and would like to understand what went well and how we can improve moving forward.
- All recordings will be posted to the PD website as soon as they are received.
- Those who wish to earn SCECHs for viewing the recordings (not live sessions) must complete this form; Teachers may also earn SCECHs for viewing the archived recordings by completing this form
- Principals have received an email from MANS regarding how to share their Excel sheets (tracking live attendance) with MANS
- Teachers will be able to apply for SCECHs in May when MANS releases their application form and SCECHs are now FREE!
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New SCECH Process
Please review and share the new SCECH Process with your teachers. Learn more
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Teacher Evaluations Requirement 2021-2022
Please note that this year, 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. You may also view last year’s recording (passcode: 5cV#1N9Y) for more in-depth information and a walkthrough of the observation tools on Box (*note that the requirement has changed and disregard the section on Remote Observations).
Please contact DCS with any questions.
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Global Celebration of Young People
The Solemnity of Christ the King is designated as a Global Celebration of Young People. This year, the Solemnity falls on November 21, 2021. The USCCB has assembled the National Pastoral Guidebook for the Global Celebration of Young People as a resource to assist with planning.
This is a great resource for our schools and there are specific recommendations on p. 64 of the document for Catholic schools.
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AOD School Food Program Updates
There are a number of important updates for schools that make use of the AOD School Food Program. Please click here to read more about forms for special dietary accommodations, a letter to be shared with student families, and a recording of today's town hall meeting.
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Post-Secondary Catholic Trade School Opportunity
Harmel Academy is an all-male Catholic trade school in Grand Rapids, Michigan and their mission is to form excellent Catholic Tradesmen. They teach two types of trades at the moment; Electrical and Machine Systems Technician. The program lasts two years and while they are here, students develop a community of brotherhood that will last a lifetime. They commit to daily prayer and to do excellent work in every class. More information can be found at www.harmelacademy.org
Please share the information with any of your high school senior boys who are interested in learning a trade.
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Carmelite Spirituality: Free Online Course from Sacred Heart Major Seminary
What can Carmelite spirituality teach us about living at peace in this frenetic world? A lot.
This free online course aims to introduce students to the history of the Carmelite Order and its unique features, including its eremitic and monastic roots, attentiveness to the human soul, the virtue of humility, the spousal meaning of the body, the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the art of silent contemplative prayer. Visit shms.edu/advent to learn more and to register.
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PREVIOUS NEWS & REMINDERS
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From Archdiocesan Cemeteries: Engaging Students in Praying for the Dead
Archdiocesan Cemeteries would like to invite you, your students and their families to participate our upcoming events during All Souls Month. These events are a great opportunity to teach our children and youth about how we all can practice the Spiritual Work of Mercy of Praying for the Dead. Attached you can find all the information, please share it with your students, staff and families. Please contact Deanna Cortese, Outreach Director, at (734) 258-1705 or cortese.deanna@aodcemeteries.org with any questions.
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From NCEA: Free Educator Access to Hallow App for Mental & Spiritual Health
It's hard to believe we are only a little more than a month away from the start of Advent. We know this can be a stressful time of year, so we wanted to share a new resource that has content specifically built to help you and your students find peace amidst the chaos of the world. Hallow is the #1 Catholic app in the world, and we, the Hallow team, have built a series of tools specifically to help Catholic educators strengthen their mental and spiritual health. Redeem your free educator access.
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Gold Mass for Scientists and Engineers: November 15
Please encourage your science teachers to attend.
Inspired by a speech by Pope St. John Paul II to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 1979, and the belief that faith and reason are necessary partners, the Society of Catholic Scientists (SCS) organized the first Gold Mass for Scientists and Engineers in 2016. JPII taught that members of the Church who are active scientists can “provide a much-needed ministry to others struggling to integrate the worlds of science and religion in their own intellectual and spiritual lives.” The Gold Mass is “gold” because that is the color of the regalia hood worn by persons graduating with doctoral degrees in science. The 2021 Gold Mass will take place on November 15 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament celebrated by the Rector, Fr. J.J. Mech. Learn more
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Respect Life Resources
Please see the Respect Life – Catholic Education Toolkit for resources to help celebrate Respect Life month in your school.
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Catechist Certification Requirement
Please see the attached document which offers details, exceptions, and modifications for the Catechist Certification Requirement.
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Catechist Certification
The Department of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship has a number of resources for those seeking catechist certification. Learn more
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Important Star Updates (Updated October 14)
Please click here for the latest Star updates.
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Next Star Testing Windows 2021-2022
MOY: January 17 – February 11
EOY: April 25 – May 20
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Planning Ahead
The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week November 7 – 13. Our schools are places where our students can come to understand the love of God and can listen to His call for their lives. We all have an opportunity and a duty to foster a culture of vocations, where each child can listen to God’s unique call for them in their lives. Please see the suggestions to join this celebration:
USCCB’s Resources for National Vocation Awareness Week.
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IT Training and Certification Program for Michigan Adults with Disabilities
The Michigan Bridge Academy is now accepting applications for enrollment in the program that will start in early 2022. This transformational program is built on previously successful programs in Michigan, the U.S., and worldwide. It is free to qualified Michigan residents, and requires 11th grade equivalent Math and Reading, with an interest in Information Technology. No previous IT experience is required. This program leads to in-demand entry-level IT jobs. See the flyer here.
For more information or to register for an upcoming Student Information session please visit: www.michiganbridgeacademy.org
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From the Office for International Student Programs of the AOD: Celebrate America Creative Writing Contest
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is sponsoring a nationwide essay contest, The Celebrate America Creative Writing Contest. Learn more
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Counseling and Mental Health Resources
Information about resources and contact information from Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan may be found here.
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AOD Job Position Postings
Please check the AOD Jobs Board to ensure that all postings for your school are current. Email hr@aod.org to remove old job postings.
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Nominate a Principal/Teacher for a Social Media Spotlight
The AOD Communications team is starting a content series for the Detroit Catholic Schools LinkedIn page to celebrate our amazing principals and teachers. You are encouraged to nominate a principal or teacher through the form below. The Communications team will then follow-up with further details about featuring your nomination.
Submit a Nomination
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View prior editions of School Mail here.
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