Work continues on process to develop long-range plan for schools in the Diocese

The Diocese of Green Bay's Catholic Schools Initiative to develop a long-range plan and series of recommendations for Bishop David Ricken continues to move forward. Next will be a School Congress in September 2011.

One hundred people from throughout Northeastern Wisconsin will be invited to participate in the School Congress. Participants will be selected, based on their expertise and objectivity, to serve on one of Six Planning Areas and to propose solutions to the challenges facing each area.

Six Planning Areas

• Faith Integration
• Finance
• Marketing
• Collaboration among All Catholic Schools
• Small Community Schools
• Collaboration between Parish, School and Diocese

Work began in spring 2010

Work on the Long-Range Plan began on April 13, 2010, at a meeting for all pastors/parish directors and system/school administrators to explore ways to foster Catholic schools in light of the challenges schools and parishes face.

In summer 2010, Bishop Ricken outlined eight Guiding Principles that continue to be the driving force for the Catholic Schools Initiative. Click here to see the Guiding Principles

Core teams formed

In fall 2010, Core Teams made up of administrators, faculty, staff, parents, and Catholic school alumni from throughout the Diocese were assigned to each Planning Area. Chairpersons of the six Core Teams serve as the Steering Committee for the Catholic Schools Initiative. At meetings of the six Core Teams, members built off the work of the pastors and principals, including developing a list of challenges in each area. Click here to see the Challenges

Regional Listening Sessions

These Challenges were introduced in March 2011 during Regional Listening Sessions attended by hundreds of people at eight sites across the Diocese. Information from the Regional Listening Sessions was compiled and brought to the Steering Committee meeting on April 1, 2011.

NCEA consulted

• How can we develop a cost-effective operational model to sustain and grow our Catholic schools while also exploring and developing new and creative sources of revenue?
• How can we develop a strong and identifiable brand that is used to consistently promote all Catholic schools with marketing materials, staff and techniques?
• How can our Catholic schools, parishes and the Diocese cultivate and strengthen our Catholic identity through collaboration and more effectively share resources among ourselves?
• How can we eliminate the competition between Catholic schools and Religious Education programs?
• How can we improve the level of catechesis for faculty, staff, administrators and families, while fostering a culture that empowers our students to be Disciples of Christ?

Catholic School Initiative Timeline

Here is the Catholic Schools Initiative timeline, which has changed slightly to get the necessary input and to make sure the preparations are on schedule for the School Congress:

March 2011: Regional Listening Sessions

April 2011: Input from NCEA Convention

May 2011 - August 2011: Steering Committee meeting/Planning for Congress

September 2011: Catholic School Congress

October 2011: Meetings with ISPD, Steering Committee and Department Of Education

November 1, 2011: Presentation of Final Plan and Recommendations to Bishop Ricken

Guiding process

Bishop Ricken, Dr. Joseph Bound, Director of Education, and Frank Donaldson of the Institute of School and Parish Development (ISPD) continue to meet to guide and oversee the planning process.

Information

Dr. Joe Bound
Director, Department of Education
Phone: (920) 272-8309 or 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8309
E-mail: Click here to e-mail the Department of Education

Contact

Deacon Ray DuBois
Director of Communications
Phone: 920-272-8213
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .