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News from the Principal
Sr. Mary Michael, OP
March 7, 2012
Dear St. Michael School Families,
I am writing this letter to inform
you of a significant change to our School’s Improvement Plan for the 2008-2014
Accreditation Cycle. This plan was written in order to reach our Catholic
Identity Goal for Accreditation. The Catholic Identity goal is stated,
“Students will deepen their understanding and model
responsibilities of living as a Catholic in their community.”
As you know, the current plan is to use Stephen Covey’s program, “The Leader in Me” as a means to teach the gospel values which will increase our students’ moral and social responsibility.
After prayerful discernment and consultation, I have decided that, beginning in August of 2012, we will no longer be using “The Leader in Me” at St. Michael School. While I see the benefit this program has been to our students and faculty on one level, I also see how using Stephen Covey’s language to teach students how to be morally and socially responsible is not the best option in a Catholic School. There are definite advantages to using a program such as this one. However, whatever is true and good in the Leader in Me program will not be lost if we are faithful to the Truth, Jesus Christ. We must very clearly and explicitly educate our children on the Church’s moral teachings. It is our obligation as Catholic educators to work in conjunction with you, the primary educators of your children, in forming the consciences of our students. This is indeed a serious obligation.
Knowing our responsibilities as Catholics, how will we accomplish the Catholic Identity Goal at St. Michael School? In the accreditation cycle, we are currently in the phase known as “Progress Review 1.” During this phase, schools are encouraged to examine their current plan and determine if any changes should be made in order to better reach the stated goal. The national ACRE test was one of the factors used in formulating a Catholic Identity goal for St. Michael School. It was determined that the third part of the test was the weakest area for our students. This part of the ACRE test is based on the third section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church entitled, “Life in Christ.”
Starting next school year, I would like to change our School Improvement Plan so that it emphasizes the “Life in Christ” section of the Catechism. Specifically, I would like to change the language we are using to teach our students how to live a morally upright life. Instead of focusing on the 7 Habits, we will be focusing on the 7 Virtues (the 3 theological virtues, and the 4 moral virtues). In doing so, I am hoping to give the students the opportunity to deepen their understanding, but more importantly, their living as baptized Catholics.
Recent decisions of our Nation’s government indicate that we cannot be shy when it comes to standing up for our beliefs. Our children deserve to have the Catholic education necessary to face future, inevitable challenges of living as a Catholic in our secular world. It is obvious that this will require incredible moral character and fortitude. Graduates of St. Michael School should feel prepared to enter “the battlefield” because of their understanding of the Faith, and ultimately, because of the relationship they have with Christ. He is the source of all virtue, all good.
I would like to give you the opportunity to learn more about our School Improvement Plan. On the evening of Tuesday, March 20th at 6:30 p.m., I will hold an informative session regarding these changes.
Until then, please know of my prayers,
In Mary,
Sr. Mary Michael, OP