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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021


Faith Feature

During the month of November, we are encouraged to pray for those who have died. We begin this prayer with the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) on November 2. Let us continue to call to mind and pray for all those who have died.   
 
Prayer for the Dead
In your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters.
In this life you embraced them with your tender love;
deliver them now from every evil
and bid them eternal rest.
 
The old order has passed away:
welcome them into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain,
but fullness of peace and joy
with your Son and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever.
Amen.
 

National Vocations Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated November 7-13, 2021, is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.  Please pray for vocations!
 
Prayer for Vocations
God our Father,
we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons.
Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call.
May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

Star Custom Parent Score Reports

Dr. Bluestein sent the links and passwords for the Custom Parent Score Reports to all principals Monday. Please see the attachment regarding the archdiocesan guidelines for sharing reports after each testing window and use the attached parent letter to keep parents informed about the reports they will receive this year; the letter may be modified as needed.
 
Please contact Dr. Bluestein with any questions.
 

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.
 

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.
 

FACTS Report Cards – Guidance & Training Videos

Thank you for your patience as FACTS has been working to provide a solution that would allow the standards grades to calculate automatically into the report card. We understand that this has been an arduous transition and we deeply apologize for any confusion along the way. The intent in providing this solution is to eliminate the requirement for teachers to have to enter all their standards grades twice when they should only need to do so once. Continue reading for more information and links to the training videos
 

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. 
 

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 from last year’s PD days.
  • 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!

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.
 

New SCECH Process

Please review and share the new SCECH Process with your teachers. Learn more
 

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.
 

Upcoming Webinars

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.
 

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. 
 

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. 
 

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. 
 

PREVIOUS NEWS & REMINDERS

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. 
 

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
 

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
 

Respect Life Resources

Please see the Respect Life – Catholic Education Toolkit for resources to help celebrate Respect Life month in your school. 
 

Catechist Certification Requirement

Please see the attached document which offers details, exceptions, and modifications for the Catechist Certification Requirement.
 

Important Star Updates (Updated October 14)

Please click here for the latest Star updates. 
 

Next Star Testing Windows 2021-2022

MOY:    January 17 – February 11
EOY:      April 25 – May 20
 

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.
 

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
 

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
 

Catechist Certification

The Department of Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship has a number of resources for those seeking catechist certification. Learn more
 

Counseling and Mental Health Resources

Information about resources and contact information from Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan may be found here
 

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. 
 

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

School Mail Archive

View prior editions of School Mail here.



@DETROITCATHOLIC FEATURED CONTENT

Praying twice: Black Catholic Ministries Gospel Choir marks 10 years of lifting souls

Army of volunteers mobilize during sixth 'Mercy in Action' service day (VIDEO)

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@UTGDETROIT FEATURED CONTENT

Family Challenge: Fall in Love with the Saints

Now is a great time to challenge your family to consider what the lives of holy men and women can teach us about our own call to discipleship and holiness.

Read more at unleashthegospel.org
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Questions and/or comments, email catholicschools@aod.org.

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