#CatholicEdchat Archive
CatholicEdChat is a twitter chat. Topics focus on discussions around educational issues for Catholic Educators and topics beneficial to Catholic Schools. We look forward to continuing to connect Catholic Educators online to discuss education and teaching with faith in our schools. The chat takes place on Saturday mornings. Time 9am EST.
Saturday February 27, 2016
Good morning to everyone in .
My tweets for the next hour will be devoted to
Good morning As we settle w/ coffee & device, let's introduce ourselves. I am Jen, Asst. Principal at in Indy
Barb, 3rd grade teacher in Omaha.
Br Christopher from Kansas, middle school science, checking in! Good morning all.
Good morning, Barb! Thanks for the invite to moderate this morning.
Good morning! Jess from RI, 6/7 teacher
Good morning Marcie from New Orleans, currently at the San Jose airport Popping in :)
Good morning! Lynn, 8th grade teacher in Virginia Beach
Not an expert on this topic, but I'm interested in it! All 3 sons are graduates of Creighton Perep
Good morning ! 5th Grade Teacher from Richmond, VA.
Interestingly, my school started out as a career-prep school for girls looking to be maids in the surrounding community
Excited to return to school on Monday after 4 week med leave!
I bet you are glad to be Back!
I recognize topic seems HS focused. Can be interesting dialogue of academics in Catholic edu at all levels
In my area, HS and Elem are very distanced. I think this is an important topic @ all levels
very true! We work together to prepare our students.
we all get them ready for college / life
Starting with Context slides... definitions of "college prep". Vague term that can mean many things https://t.co/8Gjfy3e2pk
same here. Tensions between two schools make it difficult. Grade school very insular. High school very proud
we should never ask our students to devote their lives simply to prepare for the next grade in school ...
Like the Wikipedia definition.
I'd agree more with the second def than the first
... what a sad spiritual and life failure that would be
Makes it tough 2 transition S and often gives the impression they aren't prepared, when it really islack of comm.
education is about real life, not just more school, as Ken Robinson would point out
Thought secular definitions would kick things into gear :-) I am going to go out of sequence. New Q1 coming up...
not to mention, puts the 8th gr. Homeroom T (me) look foolish when he has no idea what the high school is doing,!
Now Q1... In light of a Catholic setting, what is missing if we purely focus on academic readiness for college?
Have you read Excellent Sheep? Although a bit whiny, it makes this point perfectly.
Good morning from Melva, grade 3 teacher in northern Saskatchewan. A bit of ice fog this morning. https://t.co/ax4gSeG7bW
A1 very important to include the whole person/spiritual
I'm now no longer going to complain about my current (chilly) temps!
Christy from SoCal. Morning everyone! I may just be a bystander today. Exhausted from filming school play
a1 in a word, everything.why are we here if we have unique to offer?
A1 do we provide opportunities for leaderships?
a1 I think we lack the inclusiveness that comes when those who aren't going to college are excluded in the"prep" definition
A1: We educate the whole person - spiritual growth, moral development, leadership opportunities, & more
A1 Husband is college prof- says college is 1st place S will face significant trials alone. Ss must seek help independently
no, reading Creative Schools by Robinson right now
brr! Will be 60 degrees F here.
And how is that a foundation for trials ahead!
I agree with this, Jessica. We want to serve those in all communities and w/ many different types of goals.
that is what I work towards. Doesn't help I have a bit of an Eieore personality!
As we return to work after shooting tragedy there's been lots of discussion about what's best for our students pre k - 12
Indeed. Should we be more focused on life preparatory? Preparing to be faithful, joyful adult
agreed!
Especially as college degrees lose value, we need to broaden our edu horizons to help all ss.
A1 grateful to know community and alumni support Creighton Prep. 40% of students receive financial aid.
I get the focus on academics- it is a good way to define ourselves separate from other schools 1/2
Good morning, . Loyola Academy, 9-12. Wish could stay but watching granddaughtr 2day! Mission follows.
So how do you start convo b/t schools? We have done faculty visits during school day
A1: We we base everything on college prep, we lose sight that learning can be enjoyable.
but it is inherently exclusive to those who don't want an academic focus (ie. a trade) 2/2
Our town has very few jobs, lots of jobs in oil industry until recently, talk now of building on strengths for many options
I think so, and I also think CS on all levels need to seriously look at inclusion and inclusive programs
A1 if we focus only on academics & ignore spiritual,students don't learn that God is with them everywhere & in all things
working on attending edcamps together, im friends w Ts there too difficulty is actually between admins :-/
Mission & Core Values...educate whole person. But secular demands for rigorous academics is tension https://t.co/w7VwFHSo8Y
Interesting! They may want the moral and faith development, which is hopefully at the heart of academics.
I think an edcamp model has good promise for breaking down those walls
Tweet up at on Wednesday afternoon. Details soon.
Interesting. Competition for students? Or resources? Struggle in our community at times.
You're starting off with people who typically are open to self-reflection and growth
it strikes me as odd that CS can be stuck in M.O. when have option of flexibility because more independent
We've talked about this off and on over the years, now trying to put it into sustainable action https://t.co/licomAg2cQ
A1: We educate the whole person - spiritual growth, moral development, leadership opportunities, & more
is now trending in USA, ranking 35
New Q2 .. In a Catholic school setting, what unique opportunities can we offer students for college-readiness?
mostly turf. My school, my way, don't tell me what to do. Frustrating to be caught in the middle.
A2 with block schedules, planning time is similar
I should have said life readiness in that question!
A2: We can go beyond basic academics.
A2 relationship with Christ, understand the call to excellence-holiness
is trending on Twitter in
Very frustrating. Esp. when we are called as community of faith to bring education to all children!
a2 I think that the social justice focus puts us readily into civic life, Ss are already engaged in what is going on
I think life readiness is what we do and what makes us different.
A2 To be organized and reach beyond books to know the needs of all around them. Learn to be close to God.
A2.b sense of home, a common faith identity Knowing you are from somewhere anchors you
Parent lens, having child in environ w/ discussions of social justice, faith questioning & diverse perspective major plus
Yes! That anchor image is great.
right! I try to do what is best for ss, if I do my role well, no worries on the rest
Although I joke with my parents that this is the reason I "make the big bucks" in Catholic Ed :)
grades 7-12 will start each morning with big breakfast in the foyer, time to connect & rebuild https://t.co/XnByhY6Xjg
The SJ's put out this document. Summarizes nicely what we can offer for life of Human Excellence ..https://t.co/dYbPqy1RWo
that is fantastic! Love the open space your school has.
Thinking about the wonderful retreats my sons made at Creighton Prep. Very important in developing their relationship w/God
What a wonderful tradition!
A2: Spiritual Growth, which will give Ss a rock to lean on during college and beyond. Also, life skills, accountability
Q3 What recommendations can be identified to articulate our Catholic answer to this tension of secular academics & faith?
Our 7-12 building is doing daily breakfast, pre k - 6 starting with Lord's Prayer led by student, we're not catholic school
I have met a couple alumni from CP at Benedictine College. Been impressed by their smarts and virtue.
Completely agree. But pressure on Ss for making up missed assignments, tests. We are struggling w/ time
a3 I think a greater focus on critical thinking, questioning can help. These 2 are useful in both secular and faith life
A3 retreats, opportunities for Mass/reconciliation, service
How so, Rick? And how do you articulate that to parents "school shopping"?
A3 Christ is Logos: To learn is to believe world is knowable, life is gift. Outside of him, left with nihilism
Creighton Prep has days off for big retreats because so many teachers are involved.
A3 Having faith & belief to stand tall in-spite all that happens around them. Know that God is there always.
Most Ps want their kids to be good people as #1 goal. Catholicity explains how and why to be a good person.
thanks, it's a wonderful space. Also have commercial kitchen, metal & wood work shops underutilized potential
The real answer is much bigger than 140 characters.
Personally see Ss choosing b/t academics & faith-formation. Struggle w/ how to give time for both w/o adding pressure.
A3. Be their own person and not fall into what others are doing to be popular.
This was my own HS experience. Not an easy task b/c there is never enough time.
Old quote... "We are not preparing kids for high school (or college). We are preparing them for heaven."
no easy answers there.
Methinks CS need and can radically question establishment. Old models not working
Q4...Share your school’s grade levels and the core objectives as defined by your mission statement.
A3: The spiritual focus of the school should be visible - prayer spaces, retreats, mass, great religion classes 1/2
I think there are 2 many false positives to lead people to this- "Look how many success stories" 1/2
2/2 Why change if you are doing something right (or so it seems)?
A3: & the way the Ts and Ss treat each other should make the school stand out. What behavior is okay, what is not, etc. 2/2
The tension b/t secular demands and Call of Christ. Nothing new. Maybe the dialogue with students is first step?
Good morning ! I've been missing you guys the last few weeks. Life has been crazy. Good! but crazy!
Vernon Adams , Afridi , , , ,
A4 prek-8, whole child education (not sure what that is supposed to look like, disconnect btwn mission and actual)
Pre k -12, in 2 buildings, lifelong learning, productive Dene community members, emphasis on literacy & numeracy
Good morning, Erin! Nice to *see* you!
a4 PK-8, educating the whole child in a diverse setting
We've got diverse down. I think "whole child" is very nebulous, no matter who is using that phrase
Annunciation School PK3 to 7th, Onhectives: Academic Excellence, Character Development, Benevolent Service
we scoot by on reputation too much. Need to rock the boat, or better, step onto the waves.
A4: St. Joseph School is Pk-12 and focuses on scholarship, discipleship, and citizenship.
"step onto the waves"- Love that image/connection to Gospel call!
Summary terms I see on feed... Catholic education provides anchor, trust, love, safety, retreats, connections, broader lens
A4: Annunciation School PK3 to 7th, Objectives: Academic Excellence, Character Development, Benevolent Service
I'm beginning to think the problem in edu is that we use too many vague words & no one knows what they mean.
Totally agree. So easy to spend an entire meeting talking at cross purposes!
when I kayaker learned that tension ensured you'd stay underwater must be loose, quiet mind to roll
A4 PreK3-8 live & learn mission of Christ Ss are part of parish ministry & they are responsible stewards of God's creation
Ah marketing! Tricky in competitive markets. New for many schools - competing for Ss
This is simple and beautiful. It's also easy to see if you are meeting it!
nice! Great mission statement. Lends itself to actionable vision statement t.
great mission statement, concise and to the point
I'd say our responsibility to define meanings.Articulate clear vision = solid foundation for community
And this raises a whole other set of ?s. Should Catholic Ed look like this?
Agree! Mission in action, not just words :-) https://t.co/SjxgblVbFm
A3: The spiritual focus of the school should be visible - prayer spaces, retreats, mass, great religion classes 1/2
if you were creating a new CS from ground up, what would it be like? From there, what items can be acted on now?
Spent 4 hours defining STEM Education. Time well spent b/c it defined vision too.
absolutely! Why should we be bound to secular models?
It can be exhausting, but is so critical so that all are working together.
Our great teachers came together to revamp it - teacher minds are powerful and inspiring. :)
years ago, cura personalis was buzzword we struggled with. practical actions that expresses idea helps
I think we found a new topic.
another great mission statement!
I'm in an inner city school. If we close bc of competition, who serves the poor & vulnerable? No one
I love your website. So bright and organized. And we are both in the Diocese of Richmond!
Agree! The flight to the suburbs has left the cities with nothing.
Exactly! These things can be small, but make the world of a difference in proving the mission of school.
I was in that situation as a new teacher b4 . Super challenging position to be educating in
Alrighty folks... This was a great break from my classwork. Have a great weekend.
It's sad that"college prep" is often synonymous w expensive Not sure that was the orig. missionof CE
I want to build on Ss God-given talents. Ideally, wide range of courses outside state requirements. https://t.co/Cq0z3TqtBQ
if you were creating a new CS from ground up, what would it be like? From there, what items can be acted on now?
Serving these communities is at the heart of Catholic Ed. Many Ts and grads work w/ you in this mission.
biggest material challenge in CE for 50 years now: sustainable & just financial structures
Traditional definition-tuition based = college prep. Back when college was only for priviledged class
Yes. The fact that we have no religious staff is a major reason for financial concerns
What I live about it is we begin with moral development.
