2018 April Newsletter FINAL · The Tower Garden is a vertical, aeroponic growing system that allows the students to grow up to 20 vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers in less than

Spotlight on …

2018 National Education Summit

We’re counting down the days to the national gathering of administrators, teachers, mentors and leaders with a passion for education SND-style: the education of each person intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Are you registered yet for the June 20 – 22nd Summit that will be held at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio? If not, there is still time!

The National Education Summit wraps inspiration, professional development, fellowship, networking and prayer into one wonderful package. Oh, and food. A whole lot of delicious and nutritious food! Throughout the event we’ll unwrap each component with engaging and thoughtful keynote presenters, general gatherings and break-out sessions. We only hold the Summit once every three years so we have poured our hearts and souls into creating an event that respects the value of your time and is professionally rewarding.

Please see the enclosed special Summit insert which includes a summary agenda, a bit of information on our keynote presenters and the breakout session topics. As you will see, you’ll choose five breakout sessions that will give you great resources and connect you with colleagues in similar roles at SND sponsored and affiliated schools. Much more detailed information on the agenda items, costs to attend, housing options and great Cleveland-area “things to do” are posted on our website: http://www.snded.org/education-summit/.

Please share the Summit information with your colleagues. The price is affordable, the location is easy to get to, and the program is chock filled with relevant and meaningful professional development opportunities. Those are three great reasons to meet us on the quad at Notre Dame College in June!!!

Here are scenes from the 2015 Summit. It was everything we hoped it would be, and more!

Partnership News from the SND National Education Office: www.snded.org

April 2018

News bites from around the network …

Please join us in extending prayers and best wishes to the leadership and staff of Double ARC, a long time ministry of the Sisters in the Toledo Province.

Double ARC was founded in 1992 to address the needs of children in the regular classroom whose behavior and academic challenges put them at risk for failure or suspension. Sisters working in the classroom saw that some children were having a number of challenges – restlessness, inattention, defiance, difficulty with a number of subjects,

especially math. In researching the problem, they discovered a common connection: prenatal exposure to alcohol known as “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders” (FASD).

FASDs last a lifetime and have no cure. But research shows that early intervention treatment services can improve a child’s development. For 25 years, Double ARC has addressed the issue head-on with programs focused on diagnosis, intervention and advocacy.

Since the very beginning, Double ARC has struggled to raise the necessary funds to provide services and maintain a small, dedicated staff. Double ARC began as a partnership with other local organizations and in the past several years has been exploring how to serve more children and their families.

With not just survival, but growth in mind, the leadership of Double ARC began meeting with leaders of “A Renewed Mind” (ARM), a large not-for-profit behavioral and mental health services organization in the Northwest Ohio area. In addition to being experts in mental health issues, ARM is a faith-based organization that will include prenatal alcohol exposure in their mission statement. Importantly, the merged organizations will be able to increase the number of diagnoses and offer other services to children with FASD. The Sisters of the Notre Dame Toledo Province have embraced the move as one that ensures their hopes and dreams for FASD children will continue to thrive. Best wishes to all at Double ARC and A Renewed Mind as you embark on this new journey together!

Happy birthday Metro Catholic School! Thirty years “young” and delivering on their mission in a big way.

It was 1988 and three inner-city Cleveland, Ohio elementary schools with long histories were at a turning point. Merge or ….? Thankfully, under the wise insight and courage of three Sisters of Notre Dame a new history began with the combination of St. Boniface, St. Michael and St. Stephen into “Metro Catholic School”.

Sr. Regina Davala, Sr. Virginia Reesing and Sr. Grace Corbett led the merger charge and are now celebrating the school’s 30th birthday. A “National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence”, a “National Green Ribbon School” and a member of “National Schools That Can” Metro Catholic serves 540 students on two campus locations.

Metro Catholic is the only Cleveland Catholic elementary school with extensive programs to assist immigrant and refugee students and help those with cognitive learning disabilities. A diverse student population from 14 different countries joins together each school day with an incredibly gifted, committed team of teachers and administrators. The results are simply amazing.

Happy birthday Metro Catholic!! Here’s to another thirty years of “Empowering Dreams” and changing lives.

Spotlights on students ….

Prayer and quiet reflection took center stage in mid-March as students, faculty and staff acknowledged in memorable ways the tragic loss of life at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.

Above: At St. John School in Ashtabula, OH 8th Grader Devyn Mercilliott placed a candle at the flag pole as St. John students gathered to pray for non-violence.

Above: The Notre Dame Academy community in Los Angeles, CA gathered for a prayer for peace in honor of all victims and for an end to gun violence

Above: At Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, OH over 70 students, including those who created and are active in Notre Dame Academy’s “Student Advocates for Safe Schools” (SASS), met to discuss and organize their concern for safer schools.

Above: At Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, FL students gathered outside the chapel for a prayer service and a moment of silence in memory of the Parkland students.

Left: At Clearwater Central Catholic High School in Clearwater, FL students walked the track as Andy Shannon, Director of Campus Ministry, led the students in a prayer service honoring each victim with a personalized scripture passage.

A little (!) snow this winter hasn’t stopped the students at St. Helen School in Newbury, OH from starting their vegetable garden. When the ground is nowhere in sight – use an indoor “tower garden” instead!

The Tower Garden is a vertical, aeroponic growing system that allows the students to grow up to 20 vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers in less than three square feet-indoors or out. With the aid of some very efficient grow lights the system uses no dirt, 90% less water, and 90% less space than a more typical garden set-up. Plus no more weeding, tilling, kneeling, or getting dirty!

Members of St. Helen’s Young Gardeners Club come from grades K to 5 and meet after school to work on their garden. Each week they measure the progress of their lettuce, kale, swiss chard and all sorts of wonderful herbs. Working under the tutelage of Carrie Neill, the young gardeners also apply science, math and vocabulary concepts to their garden project. Mrs. Neill was able to get grant funds from the local Master Gardeners Club and a few supportive donors to purchase all the supplies needed to build the tower, get the seedlings, and create an environment in which the plants would grow. Overall, it’s been a wonderful learning experience for the club members – and a great addition to their lunch program!!

Another high quality summer professional development opportunity

The National Enrollment Management Conference for Catholic Schools The National Advancement Conference for Catholic Schools

After your Summit stop in the Cleveland-area consider heading to Boston to attend one of the Partners in Mission annual conferences taking place June 24 to June 28,

2018. Held at the Boston Quincy Marriott Hotel, the Enrollment Management Conference will include branding, marketing, recruitment, communications and retention topics. The Advancement Conference is designed to “experience learning, sharing, and fun with friends and colleagues from across America. Participants return home with the wisdom, tools, plans and support you need to advance their advancement program to a whole new level of success.”

For detailed conference information, visit https://www.partnersinmission.com/our-events/conferences

As always – many thanks to Partners in Mission for sponsoring our newsletter!

Founded and currently led by Larry Furey, Partners in Mission is “a full-service consulting firm that offers proven strategies and practices to advance the mission of growth and excellence in Catholic schools, dioceses, religious congregations and parishes.”

For more information visit their website at http://www.partnersinmission.com.

SND NATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE 13000 Auburn Rd., Chardon, OH 44024 Phone: 440.279.1102; www.snded.org

Sr. Mary Frances Taymans – Director Lisa Canterbury – Program Director

Paula Aveni – Director of Communications and Office Administration

3:30 p.m. Opening SessionClaiming and celebrating our shared mission: We're the only SND educators our students

will ever know!Joe Waler - Principal, Notre Dame - Cathedral Latin School

5:30 p.m. LiturgyCelebrant: The Most Reverend Nelson J. PerezBishop, Catholic Diocese of Cleveland

6:30 p.m. Social

7:15 p.m. SND Education Recognition DinnerFr. Bernard Overberg "Teacher of Teachers" AwardSND Educator as a Gospel Witness AwardTransformative Leadership Award

7:15 a.m. Mindful Meditation (optional) Sr. Carol Ziegler

7:30 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Keynote Session: prayer led by Cleveland Central Catholic HSThrough the Looking GlassSr. Melannie Svoboda, SND - Author and Speaker

10:30 a.m. Break

10:55 a.m. Breakout Session 1

12:25 p.m. Lunch

1:55 p.m. Breakout Session 2

3:25 p.m. Break

3:45 p.m. Breakout Session 3

5:30 p.m. Dinner

7:00 p.m. Keynote PresentationMoments of SurrenderKelly Croy - Inspirational Speaker & Performance Artist

7:15 a.m. Mindful Meditation (optional) Sr. Carol Ziegler

7:30 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Breakout Session 4

10:10 a.m. Breakout Session 5

11:10 a.m. Break

11:30 a.m. Closing Session - Marion Reflection led by Dulce RomanEducation for Transformation: Looking Forward Through the WindowFr. Tom Elewaut, V.F. - Pastor of San Buenaventura Mission, Educator and School Leader

1:00 p.m. Formal Closing and Lunch (you can take a boxed lunch "to go" if you'd like)

2018 SND National Education Summit - Summary Agenda

Wednesday, June 20th

Thursday, June 21st

Friday, June 22nd

Keynote Speaker Bios and a List of the Breakout Sessions

Kelly Croy

“Whether I am in the classroom, speaking on stage, writing, or creating art, my goal is to inspire people to live richer and fuller lives.

I was born into a creative family with the belief that everyone has special and unique talents to be shared with the world. My goal setting and passion for adventure continued in the Boy Scouts where I earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The Eagle rank wasn’t just an award; it represents the principles by which I live my life.

At an early age, I recognized a desire to improve myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I saw too many people focusing their attention on just one area and living an incomplete life. I aspire for the ‘complete package’ and balance in all areas.

My interest and passion for art began at an early age. According to my mom, I was drawing pictures since before I could walk. I always loved to see my pictures hang on the refrigerator. Today, I am blessed to experience that same feeling of accomplishment and pride sharing my art and message with thousands each year on stage. My live art performances combine the dramatic motions of a live art performance with art, music, computer animation with an inspirational speech. My artistic performance and computer animation creates the illusion of bringing the artwork to life that truly mesmerizes audiences.

My over twenty years in the classroom as a teacher and a coach, combined with my experiences in the professional world as the founder of three successful companies provides me with the unique ability to connect with any age, and with any group.

My message is simple yet profound, to live a life uncommon by pursuing your dreams relentlessly, impacting the lives of others, and welcoming discipline and challenges as a way to grow.” Source: www.KellyCroy.com Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND

Sister of Notre Dame Melannie Svoboda, brings a wealth of insight and experience across education, leadership and spirituality in her roles as secondary and college educator, provincial and novice director. Currently she is devoted to the written and spoken word and the place they have in uncovering evidence of God's goodness in our lives and work.

Sr. Melannie is a nationally sought after retreat director and conference presenter. She is the author of 13 books and numerous articles.

Sr. Melannie’s blog “Sunflower Seeds” is enjoyed by people curious about God and the spiritual life. It’s for people who like to pray or who struggle with prayer. For

people whose faith is strong or whose faith needs strengthening. And for people who are trying to find God in the events and situations of their particular lives.

Sr. Melannie has impacted many through her writings, talks, and retreats as well as her time in the

classroom. One of her former students and current Senior Vice President and Executive Editor of

Raleigh’s News & Observer, John Drescher, says:

"One of the greatest blessings of my life was to cross paths during my senior year of high school

with Sister Melannie Svoboda. She was a gifted teacher -- engaging, knowledgeable and

passionate about her subject matter and her students. We became great friends and have been

for 40 years. Other than my parents, she's the most influential person in my life. She's a talented

teacher, writer, communicator and administrator. But to me she will always be, first and

foremost, my great friend."

Fr. Tom Elewaut, V.F.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1986, Fr. Tom Elewaut, V.F. is the current pastor at

Mission San Buenaventura, which is the last mission founded by Saint Junipero

Serra. He is also Dean for the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region in the Archdiocese

of Los Angeles. He ministered in secondary education for 30 years including 8

years as principal and 4 years as president at St. Joseph High School in Santa

Maria where he led the school to a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and

inaugurated the President-Principal administrative model. He also served eight

years as principal at Bishop Garcia Diego High School in Santa Barbara and

oversaw the transition from an archdiocesan school to an independent Catholic

high school. Rachael Manzo, alum of Bishop Garcia Diego High School and former student of Fr. Tom

Elewaut says:

“Fr. Tom has made an immeasurable impact on my life. During my years as a student at Bishop

Diego, Fr. Tom not only modeled God-centered leadership, but embraced each of his students

and celebrated their individual talents. Fr. Tom never failed to share with me his observations of

my own leadership and how much I would positively impact the world in the future. He has been

a huge inspiration of faith, hard work, and resilience in difficult times. In my life today, I am

continually blessed by Fr. Tom’s guidance and prayers as I walk through my own journey as an

educator. A blessing to say the least!”

Fr. Tom earned an undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Long Beach, a Master of Arts

degree in Education: Administrative Services from Cal Poly, SLO and a Master in Divinity from St. John’s

Seminary in Camarillo. In 1993, he received the NASSP Outstanding Principal award and in 2008 he

received the NCEA Secondary Schools Department Award.

The Most Reverend Nelson J. Perez (Celebrant of Liturgy on 6/20)

Nelson J. Perez was born in Miami, Florida in 1961 and was raised in West New York, NJ. Bishop Perez earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Montclair State University, and a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. Bishop Perez was named the 11th Bishop of Cleveland in 2017 after serving numerous positions within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, PA and the Diocese of Rockville Center, NY. During the early years of his priesthood, Bishop Perez was a parish priest and an instructor in the church ministry program at the seminary. He

was named chaplain to His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II with the title of monsignor in 1998. Bishop Perez was active in Hispanic ministry, serving as assistant director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics in Philadelphia, and he was founding director of the Catholic Institute for Evangelization. “My ministry as a parish priest and pastor has always been a particular hallmark of my service to the Church,” the bishop notes. “I have been blessed to engage people in every moment of their lives, from

the joyful to the sad, and to be an instrument by which they could encounter Christ in their lives. This has been particularly true in liturgical and sacramental moments, which span the many experiences and stages of life.” Beginning his ministry with the Diocese of Cleveland Bishop Perez noted he wants to build the kind of Church that Pope Francis advocates. Such a Church is proactive, involved with the faithful, accompanies people on their faith journey, and it is fruitful and joyful. Although he is the first Hispanic bishop of the diocese, Bishop Perez said he doesn’t necessarily see himself in that way. “I’m a Catholic bishop and I have the advantage of being bilingual,” he said. “What you see is what you get with Nelson,” says his younger brother Louis. “He’s a regular guy, a person who inspires trust, who is approachable, a fun guy, a prankster, a people person, a joyful person who laughs easily and laughs at himself.” Here’s a list of breakout session choices. Please visit http://www.snded.org/education-summit for detailed descriptions of each session:

□ Best Practices for Great Classroom Discussions

□ Supporting and Identifying Emerging Leaders

□ From Student Challenge to Student Success

□ Happiness, Enrollment Management, and the Christian Life: How mission drives admissions, marketing, and communication strategies

□ Student Engagement and Cooperative Learning

□ The Charism: Be Intentional About It

□ Harnessing the Power of Technology for Learning Sake

□ Navigating Social and Employment Issues

□ Interfaith Relations: Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspectives

□ Developing an Integrated Fundraising Program

□ Managing Transitions and Developing a Positive and Effective School Culture

□ LGBTQ Students in our Catholic Schools: Steering the Course with Integrity and Compassion

□ Teacher Performance Assessment with SND Principles

□ Discussion on Global Solidarity with CRS and SNDs

□ Coaching like Bernard Overberg: Implementing the SND Education Principles in Educating your Athletes

□ Compassion in Action: Using Service to Inspire and Grow Solidarity

□ Hallmarks and Standards of SND Education

□ Changing the Way We Think About Social Media in Education

□ Creating a Maker Space

□ Transformation Begins with the Leader: Nurturing Reflective Living

□ Campus Ministry Forum

□ Integrated Approaches to Faculty Professional Development

□ Redefining Success & Failure in the Classroom

□ Go Teach! And Jesus Showed Us How

□ Who is Bernard Overberg, and Why Does he Matter?

□ Global High School Program Discussion

Register on our website (http://www.snded.org/education-summit/) ASAP so we are well prepared for your visit. We look forward to seeing you at Notre Dame College on June 20TH!