COLUMBUS – Annunciation prek through second grade students were honored to have the ladies from Project CHEW with the MUW (Mississippi University for Women) Culinary Arts Institute join them on Thursday, October 18. Chef Mary Helen Hawkins and Registered Dietitian, Amanda Dahl, along with student Chef Nicole and student Chef Nolan demonstrated how to “Eat the Rainbow” to get all the nutrients they need to grow. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)
MADISON – members of the St. Joseph swim team hand out candy at the ‘trunk or treat’ event on Tuesday, Oct. 23. School clubs and teams were invited to decorate their vehicle trunks and hand out candy to students from the Catholic elementary feeder schools. (Photos by Maureen Smith)
RIDGELAND – Vicksburg Catholic School students Andrew Brewer, Caden Pickle, Tommy Martin and Andrew Ulmer placed in the top 10 teams at a coding challenge sponsored by C Spire on October 30. During the event, the team worked with a software developer on a series of puzzles using the Python programming language. More than 100 high school students from schools across the state participated in the event. They also got to interact with a robot and experiment with virtual reality. (Photos courtesy Christin Matthews)
Sister Thea students promote the vote
JACKSON – Sister Thea Bowman students cast their votes during a Promote the Vote event. The students had voter registration ID cards, the student council representatives were the poll workers. The students had to sign-in after their names were checked and after voting, they were given “I voted today” stickers. District 3 Hinds County Election Commissioner Zakiya Summers spoke to the students about why it is important to vote. She gave the students a quiz about the history of voting which included the various amendments related to voting rights. (Photo by Shae Robinson)
Master gardeners plant science seeds at Sister Thea
JACKSON – Master Gardeners John Malanchak and Valerie Anderson teach Sister Thea Pre-K students a science lesson on plants. Malanchak provided two plant boxes: one for the students to plant violets and pansies and the other to plant their vegetables: kale, spinach, onions and radishes. (Photos by Shae Robinson)
Father Manohar
Father Vijaya Manohar Reddy Thanugundla is appointed Administrator for Grenada St. Peter Parish effective Oct. 25.
+ Bishop Joseph Kopacz
Diocese of Jackson
By Maureen Smith
JACKSON – Members of St. Richard Parish packed Foley Hall Sunday, Nov. 4, after the 10:30 Mass for the Msgr. Glynn Seminarian Brunch. The Knights of Columbus cooked and offered speakers as a way to kick off National Vocations Awareness Week and raise money for seminarian education.
Dominican Sister Kelly Moline spoke about how even though her call to consecrated life came after she finished college and was already working with older adults, she believes her vocation was fostered by her rich family life.
MADISON – The Mississippi Arts Commission recently recognized two schools in the state as models of exemplary practice in arts integration. One of them was St. Anthony, which has had a longstanding participation in MAC’s Whole Schools Initiative.
“St. Anthony Catholic School is extremely honored to be recognized as a model of exemplary practice in arts integration,” said Megan Leake, St. Anthony Whole Schools Initiative project director. “We take pride in teaching the whole child through the integration of the four arts disciplines. St. Anthony knows the value of allowing all types of learners to demonstrate mastery of a skill in a variety of ways. It is intrinsically who we are and what we stand for.”
MADISON – Nicholas Horne and Cy Nobleza worked with visiting artist Laurie Hamilton-Smith to learn about coloring blocking and murals. The art they created will be auctioned at the school’s Starry Night Gala. (Photo by Mary Venable.
The awards presented signify each school’s deep commitment to exemplary arts-integrated teaching, creating a campus-wide culture of arts learning and supporting innovative, educational excellence through the arts.
“Based on decades of research, we know the arts are highly effective as an educational tool, but when you walk into schools like Nora Davis Magnet School and St. Anthony Catholic School, the power of the arts is at every turn,” said Malcolm White, executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission. “The children are excited to learn in and through the arts and the value of arts integrated education is evident.”
The Whole Schools Initiative is Mississippi’s first comprehensive statewide arts education program, which uses the arts as a vehicle for promoting high-quality instruction and learning for students in all disciplines. Whole Schools Initiative evaluation results have shown increased standardized test scores, increased community involvement and support, increased parental involvement and improved overall teacher morale. Jackson St. Richard also participates in the program.
By Stephanie Brown
JACKSON – The Office of Education in the Diocese of Jackson has secured a $20,000 grant in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) -related training for teachers. The training will happen between now and December of 2019. This grant will automatically renew in 2020, providing and additional $20,000 worth of professional development workshops for teachers. The diocese is currently investigating additional funding opportunities for teaching supplies, meals and hotel accommodations for all participants. This work is aimed at removing all financial obstacles for teachers and individual schools, to ensure that they are able to focus solely on planning and executing exceptional lessons for their students.
COLUMBUS – JR Dowdle, Annunciation fifth grader, uses starburst candy to study the changes in rock during the rock cycle Problem Solving Process to complete a STREAM activity. (Photo by Katie Fenstermacher)
Any type of research on current trends in education will lead to the terms “STEM,” “project based learning,” “creative problem solving” and “college and career readiness.” In fact, a recent market research study conducted by Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADIC) and National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), sought to explore what parents considered to be their top priorities when selecting a school for their children. According to the findings, the top three were encouraging individual and critical thinking, preparing children to successfully enter the job market, and preparing children for college. The staff of the Office of Education of the Diocese of Jackson hears this loud and clear, and is earnestly working to address all three of these areas and more.
There is no doubt that the trajectory of education has shifted away from straight rows of desks with pencil and paper to collaborative, noisy classrooms that are student-focused and interactive. Educators are now putting a stronger focus on how they equip our children to seamlessly integrate what they are learning with the world around them. While a number of terms or phrases can be used to describe this new style of teaching and learning, in Catholic education, STREAM, which stands for science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and mathematics is paving the way. This concept essentially takes the traditional model of STEM education and integrates it with the Catholic faith as well as the beauty and creative outlets of the arts.
In many ways, the ideals and objectives of STEM or STREAM initiatives are the same as the mission and goals of Catholic education. Catholic schools and educators recognize the dignity of each individual and value each child’s unique gifts and talents. Catholic educators understand it is their responsibility to help students further develop those gifts in service to God and their community. By utilizing the multi-sensory, hands-on teaching strategies of STREAM, diocesan schools give students a variety of outlets to deepen their knowledge, express themselves and most importantly acknowledge and even encourage the idea that there is not always one correct answer to a problem, especially in the real world for which these schools are preparing them.
While many schools have made strides toward a student-centered STREAM program, the Office of Education is now working to ensure that all schools are equipped with the resources and training they need to utilize this exciting and interactive way of teaching and learning. This effort includes two essential components: professional development and community connections.
Teachers need ongoing professional development to fully understand and implement the best practices that come with a STREAM program. In July 2019, the office of education plans to launch a STREAM Academy for educators from around the diocese. Plans for this programinclude an intensive multi-day summer training academy for a cohort of teachers, quarterly progress monitoring tools for implementing the strategies introduced in the summer and continued professional learning opportunities throughout the year on essential topics such as the engineering design process, project-based learning and many others.
The second component of an exceptional STREAM program is strong community relationships. One of the most essential components of a true STREAM program is the opportunity for students to apply their newly-acquired knowledge to real-life scenarios and make connections from what they are learning to the world around them. The Office of Education is in the process of constructing a small study of STEM professional organizations and companies as well as college and universities in this region to determine what skills they believe are most important for young graduates entering the workforce or the next level of education. Educators are also seeking to establish formal partnerships with STEM or STREAM -related organizations that would be willing to visit schools or host students on field trips to see what they are learning in action. Any company or educational institution interested in exploring the Partners in Education can contact Stephanie Brown at stephanie.brown@jacksondiocese.org.
As Catholic schools move forward in the 21st century, it is important that they remain true to the long-standing values of Catholic education – academic excellence, education of the whole child, and spiritual growth and formation for all-while also embracing new aspects of this ever changing world-the increased role of technology, instant global communication and higher-order thinking to address problems the world doesn’t yet know exist. Research indicates that students and graduates with strong backgrounds in STEM education will be the ones who shape the future and change the world, so why would Catholic schools not ensure that the added value of the R(eligion) and the A(rts) help shape the world for the better?
(Stephanie Brown is the Associate Superintendent for the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.)
By Mary Margaret Halford
VICKSBURG – For years, there’s been chatter among people involved with Vicksburg Catholic School (VCS) about adding another piece to the school — an early learning center. It was brought up at Advisory Council meetings; it was discussed by leaders; it just never quite materialized.
But while sitting in his office one day last year, Principal Buddy Strickland got a phone call “out of the blue” from Sam Scott, a graduate of VCS.
“He told me there was a lot for sale adjacent to the school,” Dr. Strickland said. “He said ‘I don’t want to buy the lot for the school and just have it sit there. But if you have a need for it, if you can use it, I’d love to purchase it and donate it to the school.’”
Fast forward about a year to October 2018, and Strickland found himself standing on that very lot surrounded by officials from the City of Vicksburg and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as supporters of VCS.
“From a single phone call, we now find ourselves breaking ground for the construction of our early learning center,” Strickland said.
Lori Tzotzolas, who was tapped to be the Director of the Early Learning Center, is a lifelong resident of Vicksburg who understands the need for such a place in the community.
“I’m so very excited that VCS had the vision and insight to expand our early learning education opportunities and continue our legacy in Catholic education in this community,” Tzotzolas said. “I’m honored and blessed that they trusted in me. I look forward to continuing the legacy and seeing all this come to fruition.”
Pablo Diaz, president and CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership said that the center is coming at a pivotal time for Vicksburg.
“This answers the call for better quality of life to attract more jobs and investment in Warren County,” Diaz said. “From 0 to 5, every small child deserves the best education they can have, and this adds to our ability to demonstrate that we can provide that.”
Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs also attended the groundbreaking ceremony, and he, too, noted how important the center will be for the community as a whole.
“This is the kind of vision we’ve always hoped for in this city,” Flaggs said. “It’s what makes this city move forward, and what better way than to start with the youngest generation?”
Flaggs also announced a financial commitment on behalf of the city.
“We owe you a debt of gratitude for this,” he said. “Partnership and collaboration are what speaks volumes about this community.”
But that sense of partnership is nothing new to the VCS and Vicksburg community, as Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education Catherine Cook pointed out at the groundbreaking.
“I don’t need to tell you the rich history you have, you know that already. We are honored to be part of the rich history of Vicksburg,” Cook told the crowd gathered at the groundbreaking. “We’re about to celebrate 158 years here. Today we stand on the shoulders of all those who came before us — priests, sisters and brothers that paved the way.”
Cook added that the center will make VCS the only Catholic school in the state that educates and cares for children from infancy through high-school graduation all in one unified school.
“Not only is VCS still going strong, it’s expanding into the 21st century,” she said. “I’m sure if those early missionary priests, brothers and sisters were here today, they would say with great appreciation, ‘Well done, good and faithful servants.’”
The VCS Early Learning Center will serve those from six-weeks to three years old, and the administration is hoping to open in fall of 2019.
(Mary Margaret Halford is a member of Vicksburg St. Paul Parish.)
By Christopher Luke
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More than 700 parish, diocese and archdiocesan representatives explored the theme “Missionary Disciples: Stewards of the Gospel,” at the 56th annual International Catholic Stewardship Conference in Nashville, Oct. 28-31. Members of the Diocese of Jackson’s Stewardship and Development team were on hand to learn and to network with representatives from this diocese.
The International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC), which puts on the conference, is a professional organization recognized internationally as a source of educating, networking, and advancing the mission of stewardship in Catholic parishes.
The conference offers practical ways for parishes to understand and learn stewardship. Parish representatives get the opportunity to hear about successful strategies and tactics as well as tap into proven resources. Becoming a member of ICSC connects parishes to a network of churches who can explain their experience of living a life of stewardship.
Father Andrew Kemberling, Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Denver, Colorado, reminded attendees at the start of the gathering, “you don’t know, what you don’t know.” Father Kemberling wanted those present to take advantage of each part of the conference. From the plenary addresses, the conference sessions, the strategic partners and exhibitors, and the opportunity to meet other individuals from other arch/dioceses throughout the conference.
In Session 33, “How Stewardship Helps Busy Families Evangelize,” Brian Niebrugge, Director of Stewardship and Annual Catholic Appeal for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri, said “Stewardship is the form that faith takes when being practiced. Becoming a steward changes the way you act, think, and how you react in everyday moments.” This conference helps individuals explore practical ways to help people recognize their talents, gown in gratitude for they are and will be, and live their lives fruitfully as good stewards.
“As a new school business manager, I found the conference informative and relatable,” said Jessica Skipper of Jackson St. Richard School. “I came out of the conference with the knowledge to make our next steps in a forward direction. It was reassuring to see that our school in cooperation with the diocese and our parish are hitting and exceeding national benchmarks,” she added.
The conference offered a staggering 40 sessions each day on topics from planned giving and how to empower young adult stewards to the benefits of bilingual communications and strategic planning. Attendees could select a track of related sessions that best applied to their particular position or community. Tracks included: Introduction to Christian Stewardship, Stewardship Beyond the Basics, the Evangelizing Parish, Parish Business Managers and Administrators, Wisdom for Parishes, Catholic School Advancement and Fundamental Themes in Diocesan Stewardship and Development.
The next International Catholic Stewardship conference will take place in Chicago October 6 – 9, 2019. For information on the next conference, go to the ICSC website at www.catholicstewardship.com. The Diocese of Jackson’s Office of Stewardship encourages parishes to attend this conference. Contact Christopher Luke in the office to learn more about how the diocese can support parish-level efforts. Luke can be reached by phone at (601)960-8481 or email at christopher.luke@jacksondiocese.org.
(Christopher Luke is the coordinator for Stewardship for the Diocese of Jackson.)
