February 21, 2005

1.    Summer Honors Institute:  This summer, 14 Ohio colleges and universities will host the Summer Honors Institutes, sponsored by the ODE, for current ninth- and 10th-grade students who are identified as gifted.  The institutes provide opportunities for in-depth study of challenging topics, exploration of education and career options and interaction with gifted peers.
        Programs and courses are available on a variety of topics, including law, performing arts and supercomputer programming.  Tuition is free, although students who attend residential programs may be charged for housing, morning and evening meals and overnight supervision.  Most programs offer financial aid to cover residential fees for students who are economically disadvantaged.
        Additional details and links to the 14 Summer Honors Institutes sites are available online by clicking here http://www.ode.state.oh.us/exceptional_children/gifted_children/shi.asp.  For priority consideration, interested students should apply directly to the Summer Honors Institutes of their choice by April 15.  Application materials are available from the colleges and universities.

2.    Caution:  On-Line Courses - Teachers who plan to take on-line courses offered by colleges (especially colleges which are not commonly known to educators) would be wise to check with the Ohio Department of Education before signing on to take the course to discover whether the college is recognized by the State.  If it is not, the coursework cannot be counted toward renewing a license or obtaining an approved graduate degree.

3.    Weekly Religion Ideas:  Lent II
        a) The March issue of the Religion Teachers Journal has a wonderful activity centered on the Passover.  As Christians we refer to Jesus' final celebration of Passover as the Last Supper.  To help children, teens, and adults to understand the symbolic foods and actions of the Last Supper meal in a fuller way, try this wonderful ritual activity.  Religion Teachers Journal:  www.religionteachersjournal.com or 1-800-321-0411.

        b) Lent and Easter Prayer at Home is an excellent book for use in the classroom.  It looks at the ordinary in our lives as a focus on the Lenten journey.  Mark G. Boyer provides a scripture reference, reflection, and discussion questions around the many themes of these seasons.  The book is a great resource for prayer or even to jump start some dialogue among students.  It is best suited for 6th grade to adulthood. 
Ave Maria Press:  www.avemariapress.com

        c) Our Sunday Visitor has an article on the origins of the stations and a beautiful interactive set of online stations.  It is a nice way to bring spirituality and technology together.  The article is best suited for 6th grade to adulthood.
Our Sunday Visitor:  www.osv.com/Lent/AboutStations.htm   

        d) Lent Begins at Home - Family Prayers and Activities by Pat & Rosemary Ryan is full of wonderful ideas for the classroom.  The book provides ideas and activities to help share the true meaning of Lent.  It includes Bible readings, collages, charitable acts, prayers, recipes, and much, much more.  Good for all ages and families.

        e) The Lent - Easter Book by Joan Marie Arbogast, is designed for use by teachers, DREs, parents and anyone interested in passing on to children our faith traditions and symbols.  It is versatile enough to be used with children at school or at home during the Lent-Easter Season.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday evening with the Mass of the Lord's Supper.  The Sacred Triduum begins with the mass of the Lord's Supper and ends at the Easter Vigil which is on Holy Saturday night.  Each week of Advent is its own chapter.  Easter Season lasts the seven weeks between Easter Sunday and Pentecost.  During the Easter Season several important feasts are celebrated:  Divine Mercy Sunday, Good Shepherd Sunday, and the Ascension. 
Daughters of Saint Paul:  www.daughtersofstpaul.com

4.    Principal Openings:  Diocese of Columbus
                        St. Joseph, Dover, Ohio
                        St. Mary, Columbus
                        Central Catholic High School, Tuscarawas County

        All applicants must possess - or be eligible for - appropriate Ohio administrative licensure and must be active, practicing Catholics.
        The administrators' application is available at www.cdeducation.org.
        For details contact the Department of Education Personnel Office, 197 East Gay Street.

5.    Reminder:  The LPDC will meet on April 28, 2005.

Comments to office@cdeducation.org

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