MACSC Newsletter
Serving parish, diocesan, and independent Catholic schools in the (arch)dioceses of Baltimore, Washington, Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston, and Wilmington.
- Baltimore- Catholic Schools Blue Ribbon Committee holds first meeting.
- Washington -Consultations continue to devise new policies for Catholic schools.
- Arlington- Interim Superintendent and Principal will fill permanent positions.
- Richmond - McMahon Parater Foundation May 1st deadline for Diocese Grant and Aid program.
- Wheeling-Charleston- Recipients of the 2009 Bishop's Cross and Aquinas Medal winners recognized for excellence in Catholic education.
- Wilmington - Salesianum High School recognized for outstanding service.
Support the Consortium
Your donation will help the Consortium increase awareness of our Catholic Schools. Your support will assist us to enhance the Catholic identity of our schools, provide contemporary leadership development, advocate for our children, leverage our combined purchasing power, and other efforts to ensure the continued availability of excellent, affordable, and accessible Catholic schools. Make a donation. Thank you for your generosity.
Go Green!Tips for Improving the Environmental Impact of Schools
Green Lunchrooms - Buy paper products with recycled content, especially post-consumer fibers.
(This green tip brought to you by Consolidated Green Services. Trash and recycling program which will lower the costs and bring new and environmentally appropriate recycling and other green services. Contact them at MACSC@justsmartgreen.com)
MACSC MissionTo make Catholic Schools the schools of choice for Catholic children and families, and all who may desire an education rooted in the Catholic Tradition and Gospel values.
Contact Us
Mid-Atlantic Catholic Schools Consortium
10 Francis Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-280-0142
Fax: 410-269-1790
We welcome your comments and feedback at: midatlanticcsc@gmail.com
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http://www.midatlanticcsc.org/
Read about the recent activities and projects of the Mid-Atlantic Catholic Schools Consortium staff and member dioceses:
- Greetings from the Executive Director
- Maryland Teaching Scholarships
- An Easter Prayer: The Regina Coeli
Dear Friends of the Mid-Atlantic Catholic Schools Consortium,
Happy Easter! As we gathered in churches across the Mid-Atlantic region and around the world, we came together to celebrate Easter and the essential mystery of our faith; the faith which is the foundation of our Catholic schools.
We were saddened to learn of the sudden death of Father G. William Finch, pastor of St. Raphael’s Church in Rockville, Maryland. Fr. Finch and Principal Teri Dwyer are members of the Consortium’s Pastor and Principal Institute. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and the entire St. Raphael’s community. Father Finch will be remembered for his faith, his commitment to Catholic schools and his creative and tireless energy on behalf of his many parishioners.
This spring many of you supported the work of the Catholic conferences, the BOAST Coalition in Maryland and School Choice Virginia and advocated for all children. While legislation was not passed in any state, considerable progress was made.
In Maryland, the modest and bi-partisan Maryland BOAST Maryland Tax Credit (HB 1259/SB 715) languished in the House Waysand Means Committee because chair Del. Sheila Hixson refused to bring this important program to a vote. However, funding for the Nonpublic Schools' Textbook and Technology Program increased to $4.4 million, up from the current $3.6 million.
In Virginia, legislation to establish income-tax credits for businesses and individuals who contribute to scholarship foundations or public-school foundations narrowly passed the House and was subsequently defeated in the Senate Committee on Finance. Bills to establish tax credits for school supplies –available to parents of children who attend public or nonpublic schools or who are home schooled – failed in committees in both the House and Senate. Visit the Virginia Catholic Conference website for more information.
And in the District of Columbia, we are very concerned about the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program and implications for the children who attend our schools and their families.
We are grateful for the leadership of our Catholic Conferences and express our sincere appreciation to all who advocated on behalf of opportunities for our children and teachers at the state and federal levels. We must continue to collaborate and advocate for all students and teachers and look for your ongoing support and engagement.
In a recent interview, Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl said, "The perennial joy of Easter is the simple recognition: The tomb is empty. Christ is risen. And that's the message and the joy and the satisfaction and the hope of Easter.” We continue to work together, in faith and with hope, on behalf of our Catholic schools and our children.
Wishing you every joy and blessing of the Easter season.
Mary Ellen Hrutka, PhD
For all our news and programs, check out the MACSC website.
Maryland Teaching Scholarships
Maryland state scholarships worth up to $4,000 annually are available for current teachers and college students in exchange for teaching in the state’s Catholic schools in a field with a critical teacher shortage. The deadline to apply for the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grants for the 2009-2010 academic year is Wednesday, July 1. Undergraduate and graduate students who receive the award, which is renewable for up to five years, must become certified and agree to teach in Maryland’s Catholic, nonpublic or public schools. The 2009-2010 application, including an updated list of designated teacher shortage subject areas, will be available in late April 2009. For more information, please visit www.mdcathcon.org or call 1-800-974-1024.
Guidance on the use of education-related funds under the ARRAThe U.S. Department of Education released guidance on the use of education-related funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A summary of the guidance relating to services for students and teachers in religious and independent schools is now available on CAPE's Web site at www.capenet.org/new.html. Information is also available on the U.S. Department of Education's website: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html
Unfortunately the BOAST Maryland Tax Credit was not voted on in Committee during the 2009 legislative session. The Maryland Catholic Conference will reintroduce it again next year. Learn how to support this initiative at the BOAST website.
The collaborative research project with the ACE Consulting Program at the University of Notre Dame is moving forward. The project will assist our six (arch)dioceses in advocating for the fair distribution of services available to their students from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The survey is nearly completed and will be sent to principals by the end of the month. This study builds on the Consortium's initial federal programs project which resulted in improvements in the consultation process and additional funding for our students and teachers.
Savings through Consolidated Green ServicesThe Consortium is partnering with Consolidated Green Services (CGS) to save our schools, parishes and other Catholic locations money on their waste services and recycling programs. Initial savings are estimated to be 8-10% with the potential for more once CGS audits your needs and makes adjustments to the trash solution. They look to set you up with the right program that improves efficiencies and reduces operating costs.
The Maryland Catholic Conference has signed up with CGS and will save 10% of their waste management costs. CGS will also be doing an audit of their past bills to identify overpayments and a site visit to look at their recycling and trash pick up needs to be sure they are paying for only what they need.
Other schools and parishes are reporting lower costs and increased efficiency and services. For more information contact MACSC@justsmartgreen.com
Archdiocese of Washington Recruiting Teachers on YouTube
The Archdiocese of Washington is using online tools to recruit teachers. Check out their video on YouTube!
Administrative and Teaching positions in the Mid-Atlantic region are posted on the Consortium's Job Site.
May 15th Application Deadline for Higher Ed Loans
The Bill Raskob Foundation, Inc. is a small family foundation that supports students with undergraduate or graduate loans with no interest. May 15th deadline for 2009/2010 school year. Application available on their website: http://billraskob.org/
Other post-graduate loan and scholarship opportunities:
John Gyles Education Center Scholarship (June 1st deadline)
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
Grant Opportunity
Discovery Education 3M "Young Scientist Challenge" Contest
This is a national science competition for students in grades 5 through 8. It encourages the exploration of science and innovation among America's youth and promotes the importance of science communication. Students submit a one- to two-minute video about a specific scientific concept. Up to 51 semifinalists will be chosen and 10 finalists receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York, NY for the competition finals.
Award Range: $50,000 Savings Bond for First Place plus cash and prizes for semifinalists and finalists.
Deadline: May 20, 2009
To apply: The Discovery 3M Young Science Challenge
An Easter Prayer - The Regina Coeli
As we celebrate the Easter season we share a traditional Easter prayer, the Regina Coeli ("Queen of Heaven").
Queen of Heaven, rejoice. Alleluia.
For He, whom thou wast worthy to bear. Alleluia.
Has risen as He said. Alleluia.
Pray for us to God. Alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.
R. Because the Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.
O God, Who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, hast been pleased to give joy to the whole world, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.