Values for a Lifetime

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. Many of our Catholic schools have planned events to recognize the hard work and dedication of our talented teachers, administrators, and staff members. These events are meant to convey a sense of support and gratitude for the innumerable ways these individuals support the education of our students.

An article in yesterday’s Cincinnati Enquirer featured the $15 million “deficit” facing Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. This figure was pulled from the Supplemental Financial Report published on the vision website last December. The article mentioned this deficit as the impetus for the developing vision for Catholic schools, due to be released in the late summer/early fall of this year.

Many of our schools will not be in session next week for Spring Break, or at least will take a four or five day extended weekend “pause”. Many families have made travel plans or will be welcoming friends and family from out of town. I certainly hope that this is a time of rest and renewal for our students, parents, teachers, and staff members. However, this time also corresponds with the Triduum and Easter Week. We must make certain that we set time aside to pray and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

The following blog recently appeared in the new "Being Catholic" portion of our Archdiocesan website. The blog was written by Fr. Dave Endres, a professor at the Seminary, Catholic school graduate, and former teacher at Fenwick High School. Enjoy!

BEGIN BLOG:

Today I reached a significant milestone; my car officially surpassed 100,000 miles since my arrival in Cincinnati. Over the past 18 months, I have traveled over 100,000 in my journeys (and sometimes repeat journeys) to 110 of the 113 Catholic schools of the Archdiocese. These trips have been among my favorite experiences thus far; there is simply no substitute for walking the halls of a Catholic school and witnessing the educational process firsthand. I have been deeply impressed by the talents and dedication of our teachers and they guide the children in their care.

During this time of year, I am always reminded of an experience from my first years as a Catholic school principal. During this time, I was approached by a second grade student who had recently been asked to lead her non-denominational Christian church in prayer during a Sunday service. Each week, the pastor asked a child from the church to lead the people in an opening blessing. On this Sunday, my student stepped in front of the large congregation, took a deep breath, and prayed “Hail Mary, full of Grace…”

I had the honor recently to visit the new Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington, DC. Fittingly, I visited on Martin Luther King Day. I found the experience to be quite moving. Joining with a diverse crowd from across the world, it was humbling to look upon the words and accomplishments of this great man, and to remember the great injustices that he peacefully and effectively battled.

As I visit schools and classrooms, I am always struck by the obvious impact the leadership has upon the Catholic school. A plethora of studies have indicated that positive leadership is the reason why schools succeed or fail. I have seen situations where demographics and finances work against a school, and yet the institution thrives due to an effective leader. In a school setting, leadership is embodied by the principal.

The year 2012 is upon us, and this is a good time to reflect on the upcoming year and think about how to make 2012 a success. As I consider 2012, I remain filled with hope and optimism for the future of our schools. As Superintendent, I would like to convey my New Year Resolutions in regards to our Catholic schools. These are:

I had the opportunity to attend the Christmas program of one of my children last night at our Catholic school. When viewing such programs, I am always filled with gratitude that we are able to place Christ at the center of this joyous season of Advent. Through the years, our public school counterparts have been forced to make such programs secular celebrations of winter. However, given the strength of our Catholic identity, we are able to make our programs true celebrations of the birth of Jesus Christ, and his message of salvation to the modern world.