NEO Becomes National Sponsorship and Network Office
SND National sponsorship and network office newsletter
Fall 2020 Issue
Fall 2020 issue
The SND National Education Office (NEO) is now the SND National Sponsorship and Network Office (NSNO) as of July 5, 2020, when the four North American provinces of the Sisters of Notre Dame united to form one SND USA province. While the office continues the role of the National Education Office, NSNO is also taking a leadership role in supporting Catholic identity, mission integration and effectiveness of SND sponsored health and elder care ministries. These ministries include St. Charles Community, St. Claire HealthCare and Notre Dame Village. St. Charles Community (pictured top left) was founded in 1960 and accommodates the complex needs of aging seniors through a full range of services on a beautiful campus in Covington, Kentucky. Approximately 735 seniors each year are cared for in independent and assisted living or partake in a daytime respite program. St. Claire HealthCare (pictured center left), located in Morehead, Kentucky, was founded in 1963. It is the largest rural hospital in Northeastern Kentucky and provides half a million touchpoints to patients of all ages in 32 medical specialties in five counties. St. Claire collaborates with Morehead State University and the University of Kentucky in a variety of educational and research programs. Notre Dame Village (pictured bottom left) opened in 2018 and is a community of living and learning on the Sisters of Notre Dame campus in western Geauga County, Ohio. The development offers independent and supportive residences for adults. Currently 146 residents reside in cottage homes, independent living apartments and memory care assisted living.
Network Notes
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Thank you to Partners in Mission for sponsoring Network Notes!
Sunday, June 20 - Thursday, June 24, 2021: Partners in Mission Annual National Advancement Summer Institute for Catholic Schools presents The National Enrollment Management Conference for Catholic Schools and The National Advancement Conference for Catholic Schools at the Boston Marriott Quincy Hotel in Boston, MA. Visit www.partnersinmission.com for more information.
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
Two Sisters of Notre Dame Receive Papal Award Several months ago, Bishop Foys asked our Holy Father to bestow pontifical honors on several Covington priests, religious and laity. Two Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Marla Monahan (top left) and Sister Mary Ethel Parrott (top right), were included and will receive the Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice, also known as the Cross of Honor. The Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice is a papal award bestowed on clergy, religious and lay faithful in recognition of distinguished service given to the Church. It was established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII. Congratulations Sisters Marla and Mary Ethel. Sr. Marla is the chair of the Board of Directors at St. Charles Community (Covington, KY) and St. Claire HealthCare (Morehead, KY). Sr. Mary Ethel is the former Provincial for the Covington, Kentucky Province and is a member of the newly formed National Ministry Corporation Board. Notre Dame - Cathedral Latin, Julie Billiart Schools, St. Charles Community Some of the Best of 2020 For the second consecutive year, Notre Dame - Cathedral Latin School (Chardon, OH) was named a winner of the Top Workplaces Award by The Plain Dealer, the major newspaper in Cleveland, OH. Julie Billiart Schools, in Lyndhurst and Akron, Ohio, also earned the Top Workplaces Award. Earning the Top Workplaces 2020 honor is a prestigious distinction with only 175 companies in Cleveland newspaper's broad distribution region making this year's list. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including leadership, communication, morale, and mission effectiveness. St. Charles Community, Covington, KY, was selected the best assisted living by NKY Magazine in their 2020 "The Best of NKY" competition, which celebrates businesses in the Northern Kentucky community. Thousands of people voted in the competition that is sponsored by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Charles Schwab.
Lynn Cherry with her daughters Liv, 16 and June, age 4
Lial Catholic School Welcomes First Lay Head of School
After serving as the Vice Principal of Lial since 2016, Lynn Cherry was named as the first lay Head of School upon Sr. Pat McClain's retirement as president / principal in June. In addition to her knowledge of Lial, Lynn brings a wealth of experience, expertise and passion to the new position of Head of School at Lial. Lynn began her career in education as an elementary school teacher. Lynn taught for 13 years and was awarded Educator of the Year while at Woodland Elementary, Perrysburg, OH, in 2013. She served as the Head of Advancement and Development at West Side Montessori in Toledo before coming to Lial in 2016. "When I reflect on my personal story," Lynn said, "I see how every opportunity I was given has prepared me for my role here and have realized I only want to work in a school rooted in faith. It's the principles of SND which have guided me deeper in my relationship with God and have brought me a sense of peace when faced with the challenges a school encounters." Throughout her career, Lynn reaches out to students beyond the classroom. She has mentored students and educators, chaired school clubs and committees and, after years of experience as a site coordinator for "Girls on the Run," started the first "GOTR" team at Lial. Lynn cares deeply for the students and the Lial community and is proud to be a part of "the little school in the woods." Lynn has also served as part of the NEO's Education Advisory Council and continues to serve on ad-hoc committees to advance SND education.
Please join the SND National Sponsorship and Network Office in welcoming the following new leaders in our SND sponsored and affiliated educational ministries: Mr. Jeff Bell Head of School, Cardinal Gibbons High School (Raleigh, NC) Dr. Debbi Bloomquist Principal, Lial Catholic School (Whitehouse, OH) Mr. Bart Chatfield Principal, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Avon, OH) Ms. Lynn Cherry Head of School, Lial Catholic School Dr. Jacqueline Hoynes Principal, Notre Dame Elementary School (Chardon, OH) Dr. J. Michael Pressimone President, Notre Dame College (South Euclid, OH) Mr. Dan Rudski Board Chair, Lial Catholic School Sr. Karlynn Werth Board Chair, Notre Dame Learning Center (Thousand Oaks, CA) Ms. Erin Woods Development Director, Notre Dame Urban Education Center (Covington, KY) Mrs. Andrea Zimmerman Principal, NDA (Toledo, OH) Mrs. Veronica Zozaya Interim President/Principal, St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy (Downey, CA)
Julie Billiart to Open School in Westlake, OH Julie Billiart Westlake is JB's newest campus (pictured above) and will offer families on the West Side of Cleveland a much-needed educational option for children with learning differences. JB Westlake will open to grades K-4 in August of 2021 and grades K-8 in 2022. JB Westlake students will enjoy a modern, spacious school building with sensory-friendly classrooms, a large gym, therapy rooms, specially-designed quiet zones, alternate learning areas, and plenty of space to learn and play. For more information, visit www.juliebilliartschool.org/campuses/westlake or call Samantha Evers, Principal and Director of Admissions, at 440.471.4150. Schools Across the Network Readied their Buildings and their Students for New COVID-19 Protocols Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, KY) took advantage of closures due to COVID-19 to complete a new Marian Shrine. Located in the reflective space of the Mary, Mother of World Chapel, the shrine provides a beautiful space for quiet time and prayerful contemplation. St. Joseph School (Cold Spring, KY) created a series of videos to help everyone stay stafe and to "Rid the Vid." St. Peter School (North Ridgeville, OH) also produced videos on the proper way to wear a mask, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer and social distance. The Cards 4 Kindness Club at St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy (Downey, CA) put together 130 welcome notes for each student in the class of 2024. At St. Francis Elementary School (Cleveland, OH), each student received a water bottle labeled with their name while their water fountains are being converted to bottle fillers. St. Helen School (South Gate, CA) enjoys new exterior and interior paint, new student and teacher desks and new cabinets. New bleachers were rolled out in the St. Stanislaus Social Center at Cleveland Central Catholic High School (Cleveland, OH).
New Marian Shrine in the Mary, Mother of the World Chapel at Notre Dame Academy, Park Hills, KY
EDUCATION FOR TRANSFORMATION
Students in the Cards for Kindness Club welcome the class of 2024 at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy (Downey, CA).
Notre Dame Academy Elementary School in Los Angeles, CA embraced a fully-remote start to the school year with a school car parade (pictured above). Not only was the parade a chance for students to see one another, they also picked up iPads, school books, masks and other resources to help make learning at home easier. We applaud all the thought and effort that each of the network schools is putting into the 2020/2021 school year to ensure safety while maintaining educational excellence.
Lial Catholic School (Whitehouse, OH) embraced their "little school in the woods" with the use of tents (pictured above) and picnic tables that allow students to spread out, breathe in fresh air, enjoy some mask breaks, and still continue their education. Indoors, students utilize plexiglass dividers and technology to assist in social distancing.
Notre Dame - Cathedral Latin School (Chardon, OH) has found creative ways to have students fully on-campus while adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols. Pictured above, students attended Mass led by Fr. Caddy remaining social distant in the school's football stadium. Each student completes daily health screenings and temperature checks along with wearing masks and carrying their own personal desk shield (pictured below). Additionally, the school limits congestion in the hallway by dismissing students according to even/odd locker numbers.
GOSPEL WITNESS
La Reina Remember 9/11 In honor of Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, students at La Reina High School and Middle School (Thousand Oaks, CA) placed 2,996 flags on the school's front lawn for every person killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Community members were invited to drive by the school to view the flags through the weekend. NDA Toledo Rocks Kindness Many schools have suspended service projects during remote learning, but Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, OH found a way to share messages of kindness and hope with the community. "At this time, our students are serving the needs of their families through household chores and babysitting," said Josh Mocek, Campus Minister. In addition, the admission department organized an "NDA Rocks Kindness" project (pictures below), where students created works of art and wrote messages of kindness and encouragement on rocks. The rocks were blessed and placed in the campus garden for students to walk through and see each other's work. They were then distributed around the city. "The hope is that the rocks lift the spirits of those who see them," said Josh.
2,996 flags placed on La Reina's front lawn in honor of lives lost during 9/11 attacks.
October 1, 2020
Foundation Day at NDA Elementary School (Los Angeles, CA) combines honoring the founding Sisters of Notre Dame and their values of promoting kindness with the kickoff for School Families. School Families provides the opportunity for TK-8 students to work and learn as one group during the school year. Every year students are assigned to a "school family" led by an 8th grader. Together they participate in crafts and play games at events throughout the year while learning and growing in their faith and mission. Traditionally students assemble sandwiches in honor of foundress Hilligonde Wolbring. This year, the school also held a food drive (pictured above). Sisters of Notre Dame in Toledo, Ohio (shown below, left to right: Sr. M. Carol Gregory, Sr. Sally Marie Bohnett, Sr. M. Richarde Kaufman and Sr. Alice Marie Willman) received beautiful cards and messages in celebration of Foundation Day from parents, children and staff from Maria Early Learning Center, also in Toledo. At Clearwater Central Catholic High School (Clearwater, FL) Foundation Day was celebrated all day. Morning and pre-lunch announcements included special prayers and proclamations about Hilligonde and Elisabeth and an SND trivia contest for students and faculty/staff, where winners received $5.00 Chick fil-A gift cards. Religious Studies teachers presented an SND timeline including Foundation Day in 1850, SNDs arrival in the United States in 1874 and their coming to CCC in 1971. Activities also included a Foundation Day student presentation at the School Board meeting (right). Students particularly enjoyed receiving treats at the end of the day from Sr. Renetta Graff, former CCC teacher, and the Office of Campus Ministry while they prepared for Homecoming festivities throughout campus.
Foundation Day
New Foundation Day Video Posted on SND NSNO YouTube Channel! To celebrate 170 years of the Sisters of Notre Dame, the SND National Sponsorship and Network Office collaborated with the SND USA Advancement Office to create a short Foundation Day video highlighting the foundresses and all the good works the Sisters have done and continue to do today in partnership with all of you. Visit the SND National Sponsorship and Network Office YouTube channel to watch the video, taking time to reflect on the courageous acts of the Sisters that brought and continue to bring hope to those most in need.
Mission Meetings About 50 people joined the SND New Sponsored Ministry Board Member Orientations held via Zoom on October 3 and 6. The orientation included a presentation on the history and charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame by Sr. Jacquelyn Gusdane, former president of Notre Dame Schools in Chardon, OH; the elements of sponsorship in the context of SND USA by Stan Gorom, General Counsel for SND USA; and the roles and responsibilities of board members by Rich Havel, long time board member and former board chair of Notre Dame Academy Schools in Los Angeles, CA. Participants enjoyed "seeing" each other and found the presentations and breakout session helpful and beneficial. Resources Education for Justice is a global digital subscription membership service that provides resources for those who wish to study, teach, and practice Catholic social tradition. Members have access to a growing library of thousands of text-based and multimedia resources, a monthly e-newsletter, and other benefits to help them approach the world's headlines from the perspective of the Catholic social tradition. To start using this resource, email the SND Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) National Office at jpic@ndec.org to receive login information. Education for Justice is a project of the Ignation Solidarity Network.
The future does have a name... and its name is Hope. - Pope Francis
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