MACSC Newsletter
Serving parish, diocesan, and independent Catholic schools in the (arch)dioceses of Baltimore, Washington, Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston, and Wilmington.
- Baltimore—Mother Seton School Bicentennial featured on Good Morning Maryland ABC 2.
- Washington—Catholic schools and parishes collect 122,000 pounds of food in Lenten drive.
- Arlington—Bishop O'Connell senior wins top honor in local journalism competition.
- Richmond—Office of Catholic Schools launches multi-media marketing campaign to promote Catholic education.
- Wheeling-Charleston—Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School saves pennies for Haiti.
- Wilmington—Mr. William P. Beliveau, Principal at Saint Elizabeth Elementary School, passed away unexpectedly on Easter Sunday.
Support the Consortium
Make a donation today. Your donation will help the Consortium increase awareness of our Catholic Schools. Your support will help us enhance the Catholic identity of our schools, provide contemporary leadership development, advocate for our children, leverage our combined purchasing power, and advance other efforts to ensure the continued availability of excellent, affordable, and accessible Catholic schools. Thank you for your generosity.
Green Tip for Spring!
According to the Healthy Schools Campaign, research shows a clear link between poor indoor air quality, sick students and teachers, and poor academic and occupational performance. Establishing a green cleaning program can have a positive effect on your school's air quality. To begin, switch to certified green cleaning products, such as products labeled Environmental Choice or Green Seal. These labels indicate that the products meet state-of-the-art performance, health, safety and environmental standards. Training staff on the proper product applications, mixing, and disposal is critical to making a Green Cleaning program effective and economical. For more green cleaning ideas, visit the Green Clean Schools website.
MACSC Mission
To 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: 301-908-7812
Fax: 410-269-1790
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Read about the recent activities and projects of the
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Prayer for the Easter Virtues
Photo above: MACSC Executive Director at the Federal Programs Access Conference with keynote speaker Gerard Robinson, Secretary of Education for the State of Virginia, and Stephen Perla, Director, ACE Consulting, University of Notre Dame.
Greetings from the Executive DirectorGreetings from the Executive Director
Dear Friends of Catholic Education,While we continue to enjoy the blessings of the Easter season and the early days of spring, we are always mindful of the work of our Catholic schools and their needs and opportunities.
I want to express my appreciation to each of you who supported efforts on behalf of the BOAST Maryland Tax Credit, the DC Opportunity Scholarship, and School Choice Virginia tax credit. While we did not achieve the success we wanted, progress continues to be made. However, it is important to note the great disappointment and frustration we experienced in Maryland over the handling of the BOAST legislation in the final hours of the legislative session. I encourage you to read this statement from our Maryland bishops and to continue to support BOAST and our other school choice initiatives.
The Consortium, in collaboration with ACE Consulting of the University of Notre Dame, sponsored our second dissemination conference on federal benefits and advocacy. The conference focused on the experience of schools in receiving benefits and services for our children through the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), and also addressed preparation for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). We express our appreciation to the educators and advocates who attended the conference, as well as our impressive presenters.
Also included in our newsletter is information about First Book. Catholic school children in DC, Maryland, and West Virginia have begun to receive free books through this wonderful program. I encourage you to explore this opportunity for your children.
As you may know, two of our founding superintendents, Dr. Patricia Weitzel-O’Neill and Dr. Ronald J. Valenti will be leaving their positions this June. Both the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington are now searching to the fill the position of superintendent. Please encourage qualified persons who share our commitment to Catholic school education to consider these opportunities.
As you can see, we have been busy—but never too busy to give thanks for the opportunities provided by Catholic schools and the wonderful educators, leaders, benefactors, and advocates who continue to support this essential ministry of our Church. Until next month, I wish you every blessing of the Easter season.
Mary Ellen Hrutka, PhD
Executive Director
For all our news and programs, check out the MACSC website.
Educators and Advocates Meet to Discuss Access to Federal Benefits
On April 19, Catholic and private school educators and advocates met in Linthicum, MD, for the Federal Programs Access conference, which was presented by the Consortium and Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Consulting Initiative of the University of Notre Dame. The conference addressed Catholic school participation in federal benefits programs, particularly the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and implications for private schools; and effective advocacy strategies for private schools. More than 70 school and diocesan representatives from 11 states and the District of Columbia attended the conference. The attendees enjoyed a keynote address by Gerard Robinson, Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and former President of the Black Alliance for Educational Options. Secretary Robinson detailed his experiences working with various school choice initiatives across the nation, including voucher programs, education tax credit programs, and special needs scholarships. He shared his view that the momentum is shifting in favor of school choice programs, as there are now 12 states with such programs. He encouraged advocates in the Mid-Atlantic region not to lose hope for initiatives such as DC Opportunity Scholarships and the BOAST Tax Credit, explaining that several school choice programs in other states failed to pass more than once before they ultimately succeeded.
Michelle Doyle, a consultant to ACE Consulting, shared results from the joint MACSC and ACE Consulting study of Catholic school participation in IDEA in the Mid-Atlantic region. The study found that a majority of schools in the Mid-Atlantic (arch)dioceses provide some form of services to students with disabilities, independent of any state or federal support for special education. For those schools that participate in benefits available to private schools under IDEA, there were varying levels of satisfaction with the timeliness and accuracy of identification of students with disabilities through the Child Find process, as well as with quality of the IDEA services. The complete survey report, as well as helpful resources concerning IDEA participation, will be made available on the Consortium’s website. The recommendations from this research project will inform future efforts to ensure that all children receive the services and benefits to which they are entitled.
The conference also included a presentation by Dr. Maureen Dowling, Director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Non-Public Education. Dr. Dowling provided an overview of the Obama administration’s plan for the reauthorization of ESEA. The day concluded with a panel of advocacy experts (Mary Ellen Russell, Maryland Catholic Conference; Maury Litwack, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America; Stephen Perla, ACE Consulting, University of Notre Dame; and Michael Merola, Winning Strategies Washington) who shared practical and strategic advice. The Consortium offers thanks to all of our speakers, as well as conference sponsor Catapult Learning.Top Photo: Advocacy panelists (named above). Center Photo: Michelle Doyle, Consultant to ACE Consulting. Bottom Photo: Dr. Maureen Dowling, Director, Office of Non-Public Education, U.S. Department of Education.
USCCB Issues Alert on ESEA Reauthorization
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently issued this alert on the reauthorization of ESEA. The USCCB alert urges Catholic schools to stress to Congress the "importance of improving access for Catholic schools students and teachers to participate in federal education programs, especially in Titles I-A and II-A." USCCB encourages Catholic schools to send their comments to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee at ESEAcomments@help.senate.gov by the May 7 deadline.
Energy Coop Drops Enrollment Fee
The Consortium is excited to announce a new development in our Residential Energy Purchasing Cooperative, which was launched last fall. The application fee has been eliminated, so eligible employees of Catholic schools and parishes can enroll in the cooperative for free! By joining, you will save 10% to 14% annually on your residential energy bills and enjoy stability in your energy supply costs.
Currently, the program is open to Catholic school, parish, and (arch)diocesan employees who reside in Maryland and are current customers of Allegheny Power, BGE, PEPCO, Delmarva Maryland, or Washington Gas Service Territory. We anticipate an expansion of the program to additional areas in June 2010.
If you have not done so, please join today and tell your fellow teachers and colleagues about this opportunity. Every time a new member joins the cooperative, it increases our power to purchase electricity and natural gas at more affordable, consistent rates, and at prices lower than what is available to the individual resident. Once you lock in your lower fixed energy rate, you will receive one bill from your local utility company. Nothing changes except that you receive lower rates. To enroll, go to the Consortium's website.
BOAST Tax Credit Stalled by House Committee Once Again
The final hours of the 2010 Maryland legislative session dealt a disappointing blow to supporters of the BOAST Maryland Tax Credit. After attempting to stall the bill and then to substantially alter the bill, the House Ways and Means Committee voted 14-7 again BOAST. This vote was particularly disappointing because the bill enjoyed remarkable support in the full House, in the Senate, and by the Governor. BOAST had 75 bipartisan House co-sponsors and had passed the full Senate by a vote of 30-17. In a letter to the Senate, Governor O’Malley expressed his support for BOAST, stating “The BOAST tax credit will help preserve Maryland’s rich tradition of highly performing public and private schools. Furthermore, it will save public schools systems from added costs that are far in excess of the public revenues needed to fund the tax credit.”
The three Maryland bishops issued a statement regarding the outcome of the BOAST legislation. In this statement, they expressed their disappointment over the House’s failure to work collaboratively and their attempts to introduce amendments that would have limited the scope and benefits of BOAST. Mary Ellen Russell, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference called the outcome “extremely frustrating,” stating “One of the most frustrating parts of the final vote was watching members of the committee who had claimed to be supportive vote against it.”
Despite the outcome, the Consortium is thankful and proud of the many, many advocates who worked tirelessly and with integrity to pass BOAST. In particular, we thank Archbishop O’Brien, Archbishop Wuerl, and Bishop Malooly; all of our sponsors in the Maryland General Assembly, especially Sen. James "Ed" DeGrange, Del. Jim Proctor, and Del. Jay Walker; Catholic schools superintendents Dr. Patricia Weitzel-O’Neill, Mrs. Catherine Weaver, and Dr. Ronald Valenti; the Maryland Catholic Conference and the BOAST Coalition; and our partners in the Jewish school and larger nonpublic school community.
Receive Free Books from First Book
If your school is Title I or Title I eligible, you can apply to receive free books from First Book. First Book is a non-profit organization that has delivered more than 65 million books to programs serving children in need across the United States and Canada. First Book also operates the First Book Marketplace, an online store selling books and educational materials discounted from 50% to 90% off retail prices to programs that serve at least 50% children from low-income families. To receive books from First Book, just register on their website. Once registered, you'll receive emails that let you know when free books become available through the First Book National Book Bank and when new titles are available on the First Book Marketplace.
Currently, First Book has a large supply of religious books that are suitable for preschool and young elementary school children. The available titles include My Little Golden Book about God, Noah’s Ark, and The Story of Jesus. The books are free, but recipients will have to pay shipping costs. For more information, visit the First Book website.
Two National Geographic Bee Winners from Mid-Atlantic Catholic Schools
On April 9, about 100 fourth to eighth graders in each of the 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia, faced off during the National Geographic State Geography Bees. From these state competitions, 53 winners were named, including two students from Catholic schools in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Virginia state winner is James Stiff, an 8th grade student from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Richmond. The winner for the District of Columbia is Matthew Wilson, a 5th grade student from Blessed Sacrament School in Washington, DC.
These winners will represent their state in the National Geographic Bee Championship on May 25-26 in Washington, D.C. The Consortium congratulates Stiff and Wilson on their achievement, as well as the other Catholic schools students who participated in the state-level competitions.
There Is Still Time to Enroll in ACE Fellowship Summer Programs
This summer, enjoy the beautiful campus of the University of Notre Dame while you gain valuable knowledge and insights from other Catholic school leaders, educators, and advocates. The university’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Fellowship is accepting registrations for the following summer programs.
- ACE School Board Formation Seminar, June 16 – 20
- Advocates for Parental Choice Symposium, June 25 – 30
- ACE Academy for School Leaders, July 5 – 9
- ACE Summer Forum: The Participation of Latino Children and Families in Catholic Schools, July 9 – 11
Grant Opportunity
RGK Foundation Grants
The RGK Foundation education grants focus primarily on math, science and reading; teacher development and literacy. Programs that attract female and minority students in the fields of mathematics, science and technology are of particular interest. All grant requests must begin with an online Letter of Inquiry, which has no deadline. Educators who submit requests of interest to the foundation will receive an email inviting a formal application proposal.
Award: Grants over $100,000 are reviewed four times a year.
Deadlines: June 4, 2010 and September 17, 2010 for next two reviews
Prayer for the Easter Virtues
Lord,
the resurrection of Your Son
has given us new life and renewed hope.
Help us to live as new people
in pursuit of the Christian ideal.
Grant us wisdom to know what we must do,
the will to want to do it,
the courage to undertake it,
the perseverance to continue to do it,
and the strength to complete it.
New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, ChurchYear.net