Dear Readers:
The coming days for educators and administrators are filled with readying classrooms, student registrations, budgets, professional development, retreats, new curriculum and so much more. At NCEA the excitement and anticipation of a new school year is different but is busy and education focused, too.
From the moment the NCEA staff arrived home from NCEA 2023, we have been full steam ahead planning for the upcoming year, knowing that our members were wrapping up the school year and already looking toward beginning a new year.
This issue of Momentum is the “back to school†issue, a nod to our schools who will be back in the classroom within weeks while also informational for those who have a little more vacation time to savor. Many of you have said you wonder about the impact of Catholic education on the students you teach. Be sure to read Megan Bissell’s A Reflection: The Essential Voices of Young People on page 38 to find out.
The From the Field section will now incorporate What the Data Tells Us, so you can find the regular advocacy/public policy and legal issues along with relevant data on Catholic schools, enrollment and more, as well as pertinent information on the NCEA Rise family of assessments to support child/youth and adult Catholic faith formation. NCEA Rise, www.ncearise.org, is an important school and parish component to identify areas of strength and growth.
One thing we have heard often from teachers is that they don’t always get to regularly see the print copy of Momentum. Superintendents, I hope will share this issue with principals; principals, I hope you will share Momentum with your teachers. Momentum also is available in a digital format with access to archives at www.NCEA.org/Momentum.
Coming October 21 - 25 is the Catholic Leadership Summit in Raleigh, NC. The New Superintendent’s Academy is October 21 – 22 and the Catholic Leadership Summit (CLS 2023) is October 22 – 25. With a working theme of Building Connections, Sustaining Commitments, Inspiring Leadership, this annual gathering provides superintendents, associate and assistant superintendents, new and aspiring superintendents, network leaders and diocesan leaders the opportunity to explore topics that inform decision-making and thought leadership. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are forums to discuss like-minded topics, challenges and successes. Mark your calendars now for April 2 – 4 to join us in Pittsburgh for NCEA 2024.
This school year, Catholic Schools Week (CSW), January 28 – February 3, 2024, will have a new logo and theme, good for three years so you can purchase products you can use over and over. And stay tuned for information on Discover Catholic Schools Week, November 12 – 18, this year incorporating Many Gifts, One Nation: A Day of Giving to Catholic Schools.
Finally, please be sure your membership is up to date. If you have questions or need assistance, email: services@ncea.org or call: (800) 711-6232.
Thank you for all you do for Catholic school education.
