May 19, 2003

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1.    Weekly Religion Ideas: 
            For Teachers - May has always been a month devoted to Mary in our Catholic tradition.  We think of her as a model of what a disciple of Christ is all about.  A possible resource for understanding the titles and what we believe about Mary is 100 Names of Mary (Stories and Prayers) by Anthony Chiffolo for $12.95 from St. Anthony Messenger Press.  (1-800-488-0488).
            For the Classroom -   Here are some videos that can be used when teaching about Mary
                        VC 6408      Mary Mother of God                                                 15 min.    PI
                        VC 7018      We Learn From Mary:  Her Cloak of Many Colors    18 min.    PI
                        VC 6393      Miracles at Lourdes, Fatima and Guadalupe               55 min.   JSA
                        VC 6701      The Choice (Teacher/Catechist needs to make
                                                connection with Mary)                                            28 min.   JSA
                        VC 6665      What Catholics Believe About Mary and the Saints                     SA
                        VC 6843      Art Shapes Faith Shapes Art - Tape 2 Images
                                                of God, Mary and the Saints                                   50 min.    A
                        VC 6549      The Madonna                                                            60 min.    A
            Resources - Many parishes are having Vacation Bible Programs.  Here are some current Vacation Bible Program Kits that we have at the office
                        Augsburg Fortress Press:  Zoom Zone Starter Kit (Discover Jesus Is Forever); Brave Believers Starter Kit; Beach Trek Starter Kit; and 2000
                                Ark Avenue Starter Kit
                        Group Publishing Inc.:  Jesus the Main Attraction
                        Harcourt Religion Publishers:  Polar Expedition and Scuba
                        Liguori Publishers:  Son Harvest County Fair

2.    Earn Up to Four Graduate Credits:  The Ohio Business Week 2003 education program gives participants new strategies for integrating business education and financial literacy into today's classroom.  The program will be held at the University of Findlay from July 13 through the 18th.  Certified/licensed K-12 teachers in any subject area  are eligible to participate. 
        Call 888-377-7414 for more information or download an application at www.ohiobusinessweek.org.  Deadline for applying is June 30.                        

3.    Summer Graduate Courses for Educators - Columbus Area:  3 semester hours each through Walsh University/Communicate Institute
                Human Relations for Educators
                Adventures in Attitudes
                Effectiveness Habits & Stress Management
                Life Power
                Developing Self-Reliant People
                Time and Life Mastery
                Putting First Things First
                Positive Discipline
                Effective Instruction
                Peak Performance in Communication
                People Skills in Coaching Athletics - Cincy & Canton only
                Educating for Character
                Professional Enrichment through Cooperative Learning
        Times - 3 semester hour courses run from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Mon-Fri.
        Credit requirements - Credit and transcripts are provided through Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio.  Walsh University is a fully accredited university which is approved by North Central and Ohio Dept. of Education for teacher preparation.
        Cost - 3 sem. hr. course is $465.  Non-credit option is $300.  You must send in the $50 deposit and pay the balance the first day of class.  Phone/fax registrations will only be accepted if using Visa or Master Card for the $50 deposit.
        Visit the Walsh web site for information & to register - www.communicateinstitute.com or call Communicate Institute between 9 am & 5 pm (330-833-7986), Fax 330-837-1724 or e-mail nku@communicateinstitute or write Communicate Institute, PO Box 35543, Canton, OH   44735-5543.

4.    No Child Left Behind Character Education:  The No Child Left Behind Act sets high standards not only for developing students' academic skills but also for enriching their values.  As President Bush said in his speech last year at the White House conference on Character and Community,  "Our children must learn to make a living, but even more, they must learn how to live. . .Schools should be safe and orderly; they should be decent and drug-free; and they should teach character by expecting character."
        Title V of the law - which focuses on efforts promoting informed parental choice and innovative programs - recognizes parents, schools and communities as allies in the moral education of the nation's children.  Through the Partnerships in Character Education program (Part D, Subpart 3), the Department of Education will provide grants such as citizenship, justice, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, giving and caring.
        Among the key requirements of this discretionary grant program is the extent of parent involvement:  states and other grantees must consider the views of parents and students in selecting a character education program as part of their ongoing participation.  Parental and community involvement is one of several factors for evaluating the effectiveness of the character education program.
        Another requirement, which is distinctive from previous provisions of the program, is the element of research.  Grantees must demonstrate that their character education programs have "clear objectives that are based on scientifically based research."
        Furthermore, the adopted program must be integrated into the school's curriculum and teaching methods.  Any curricula, materials and other activities developed under the grant must be linked with education reform efforts and state content standards.
        For more information, call 1-800-USA-LEARN.

5.    "Exploring the World at Your Doorstep" Education Workshop:  The Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Division of Soil and Water Conservation is celebrating their 11th anniversary of this annual education workshop.  "Exploring the World At Your Doorstep" will be held August 12-14 at Deer Creek State Park in Fairfield County of Ohio.  The theme emphasizes our focus on the natural resources, use of perception senses, and exploration into agricultural themes.  There will be a variety of concurrent sessions and field experiences, as well as some scheduled evening activities. 
        You will not want to miss the activities evening on Wednesday night.  This is an exciting way to pick up new ideas for your classroom or SWCD education program.  We are encouraging everyone to bring samples of soil or minerals from their county to trade! 
        The registration fee is $45 for all three days or $30 for a single day.  (Food and lodging for all three days is $160.)  Registration deadline is June 1st.
        For more information contact Nelson Strong, 614-265-6779 or Jeanne Russell, 614-265-6682 at ODNR's Division of Soil and Water Conservation.

6.    Reminder:  Fee waiver request forms for OSU (fall quarter) are due by June 27.  Please complete the on-line request form.  Fee waiver request forms for ODU (fall semester) can be made anytime between now and the start of school.  Please complete the on-line request form.

Comments to office@cdeducation.org

Back to Monday Musings Index