September 21, 2003

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1.    Professional Development Opportunity:  Performance tasks correlated to curriculum goals and the Ohio Standards provide relevant problem scenarios to motivate students.  This two day workshop focuses on creating performance tasks and developing criteria checklists using language from the standards to assess student work.  Participants (K-12 teachers) will also create scoring guides (rubrics) to determine the quality of the students' work and their progress in meeting or exceeding curriculum goals and standards.
        The workshop will be held on February 10-11, 2004 at 1220 Bethel Road, Columbus.  The workshop is being offered by the Central Ohio Regional Professional Development Network.

2.    A Message from Saint Brendan School:  Saint Brendan School has been involved in a project entitled "Guns and Roses."  Principal Mary Lang learned about the project after she has traveled to Japan.  The project is run by Dr. Larry Baran who is a cancer survivor.  His programs this year are Arlington Cemetery kits and Cancer Survivor Learning kits.  These kits are a card with a message for a veteran who has died and his family and for cancer survivors.  "Usually, a rose is affixed to the card and then messages are written on the card," said Ms. Lang.  "Students do not give their last names."
        Saint Brendan students sent cards to soldiers in Iraq in the spring and received notes back from them.
        If anyone else is interested in this type of simple service project contact Ms. Mary Lang at 614-876-6132 or go to www.usarosebuds.com.

3.    Middle and High School Students:  The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), founded in 1899, is concerned with the education of America's youth.  The VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary have developed two programs dedicated to this endeavor.  The VFW's Voice of Democracy (VOD) and the Patriot's Pen Youth Essay Contest help stimulate students' interest in patriotism.
        The VFW is asking you to include the Voice of Democracy (VOD) Contest in planning for this year for all your senior high students.  The program is available to 9th-12th grade students in each of our 50 states, the District of Columbia, Europe, Pacific Areas and Latin America/Caribbean.  This year's theme is "My Commitment to America's Future."
        The VFW is also asking you to include the Patriot's Pen Contest (for middle school students.)  The program is available to students in 7th and 8th grades.  This year's theme is "My Dream for America."
        Full contest details can be found by visiting our web site at www.vfw.org (click on Community Support, then Awards and Scholarships, then Voice of Democracy or Patriot's Pen.)
        Remember - Student entries and nominations must be received by November 1, 2003 at your local VFW Post.  Representatives from the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary in your area will be happy to stop by and help coordinate these contests.

4.    Weekly Religion Ideas
            For the Teacher:  Here are some ideas in teaching the objectives in Standard IV:A, that is, teaching that everyone is loved by God, is gifted and is deserving of respect.  Create an All About Me page for younger students; a Profile Questionnaire for Intermediate students; and ID card for Junior/Senior High students.  Put down whatever information would be of interest to that age group, e.g. name, family information, pet and hobby information, favorite food, song, TV and/or video game program, favorite sport and sports figure, favorite food/album.  For students in PSR (Parish School of Religion) programs add school motto, school mascot, colors.  For older students add where they would like to live in 10 years; and what career they would like to follow in 15 years.  Take one student a week and put that information on the bulletin board with their picture.  For Standard IV:B:  have the younger students make a Love Your Neighbor poster showing who are their neighbors in School, Church, Neighborhood, Stores/Fast Food Places They go.  Also each student could decorate a shoebox and put inside Wonderful Things God Made.  Older students could make a list of their own gifts and characteristics, their best friend's gifts and characteristics and what they think are God's gifts and characteristics.  Did they find any similarities? 

            For the Classroom:  Videos to incorporate into your teaching of Standard IV A & B.
            VC 6537  Packy Row  Junior/Senior High
            VC 6657  God Loves Me   Primary
            VC 6997  How Do You Spell God?   Intermediate
            VC 7182  In Search of Respect   Intermediate/Junior/Senior High
            VC 7198  In God' Name (Video and Book)   Preschool and Up
            VC 7222  You Are Special Preschool/Primary
            VC 7285  Connecting With God   Junior/Senior High
            VC 7312  Don't Laugh at Me   All ages
            VC 7314  Many Faces in God's House   Senior High
            VC 7352  The Secret of the Horse   Junior/Senior High

            Resources:  Two resources for student activities for Standard IV A & B are:  Creativities by Patricia Mathson Chapter Two "We are Called to Serve Others" and Chapter Four "We Are Called to Rejoice in Creation" from Ave Maria Press, 46556, 1-800-282-1865 and Faith Works by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart (for Junior High).  Scripture and Tradition-Based Sessions for Faith Formation.  Chapter 5 "God in Three - Just Like Me:  The Trinity and Chapter 7 Friends, Pals, and Buddies Exploring Friendship.  There is also a Faith Works (Senior High).  They are from St. Mary's Press, 702 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN   55987-1318, 1-800-533-8095.

5.    Anytime, anywhere professional development for Ohio educators:  Provide your teachers the opportunity to expand their skills and earn Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) with meaningful, interactive content and without disrupting classes or hiring substitutes.  Offer them 20 self-paced highly regarded ASCD online professional development courses in five topic areas:  Assessment, Teacher Strategies, Learning Processes, Curriculum Design, and Instructional Leadership.
        Each course includes lessons specially designed for Web-based training and are supplemented with extensive reading material and access to discussion groups.  Upon completion, a certificate is e-mailed to the learner and your organization is notified so that CEUs may be awarded. 
        Our goal is to meet YOUR specific educational requirements.  The PLATO Professional Services team provides years of classroom teaching experience and understands the challenges of enhancing teaching skills and improving student performance.  Our services feature programs that are custom-designed for your school or  district.  Whether working with a school improvement plan or addressing specific professional development initiatives, the PLATO Learning staff development team is ready to partner with you.
        To learn more about ASCD Online Professional Development, please complete the form below and fax to 952-832-1205, call Tina Fuller at 952-447-5286 ext. 1130, or e-mail tfuller@plato.com.

6.    Reminders: 

            -OSU fee waiver requests are due October 3.  Please complete an on-line request form.
            -The Diocesan LPDC meets October 15th at St. Anthony School, Columbus.  Teachers who need to have an IPDP approved by the LPDC should send
              the IPDP to the Diocesan Personnel Office, 197 E. Gay St., Columbus, OH   43215 prior to the October meeting.

Comments to office@cdeducation.org

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