MEDIA TIP SHEET

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS BEGIN 2006-2007 ACADEMIC YEAR

Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville will begin the first official day of instruction on August 23, 2006. Although this is the first “official” day of school, some Catholic schools choose to begin on a day other than August 23. Parents are asked to consult their school’s handbook to determine when their particular school will begin instruction.

Catholic elementary and secondary schools outside Jefferson County generally follow the calendar of the public school district in which they are located. Catholic schools in Hardin, Marion and Nelson counties will start in early August due to the alternative calendars of the public school districts in these counties.

All Catholic secondary schools began classes last week.

There are 49 Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Last year approximately 22,300 students attended grades PK-12 in Catholic schools. Following is information about new initiatives for the coming school year.

Back-to-School Initiatives, 2006-2007

Regional Elementary School
One regional elementary school will open at the start of the 2006-07 school year. It is John Paul II Academy, located on 3525 Goldsmith Lane, 502/452-1712. It will begin with early dismissal on August 23. Julie M. Eggers is the principal. John Paul II Academy was formed from St. Barnabas, St. Bartholomew, and St. Pius Schools.

Reading First
Approximately 200 middle school teachers (Grades 6, 7, and 8) and special educators will participate in the third year of Reading First initiatives focusing on fluency, reading in the content areas and comprehension strategies. During the 2005-06 school year, more than 250 intermediate teachers, special educators and principals attended Reading First training. Reading First focuses on adopting esearch-based reading programs, identifying struggling readers early, monitoring student progress and training teachers in appropriate reading instruction.

Revised Technology Curriculum Guide
A team of technology coordinators reviewed and revised the technology curriculum guide for implementation during the 2006-07 school year. The technology curriculum guide focuses on skills students need to be successful in mastering technology as well as instruction on internet safety, ethics, and best practices in technology. The Archdiocese of Louisville has curriculum guides for each content area that are updated on a recurring basis.

Irene Casey Inclusion Award
The recipient of the Irene Casey Catholic Inclusion Award for 2006-07 is Chrissy Gandolfo, math teacher at Assumption High School (2170 Tyler Lane). The Irene Casey Catholic Inclusion Award was established in 1999 to honor the spirit of Irene Casey, an elementary school teacher who was dedicated to meeting the diverse learning needs of students in Catholic education. It is presented to an educator, counselor or administrator who exemplifies this deep commitment to inclusive practices. This award will be presented at the school’s opening ceremony on Wednesday, August 23, 2006, at 10:15 a.m. at Assumption High School. There will be a reception following the ceremony.

Workshop for Elementary School Board Members
The Archdiocese of Louisville will host a workshop for elementary school board members on Saturday, August 26, 2006, 8:30-12:00 at Flaget Center, 1935 Lewiston Drive. Elementary school board members will gather to hear an opening address by Dr. Brian Reynolds, Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Louisville. In addition, board members will attend several breakout sessions focusing on such areas as school planning, budgeting/finance, legislative advocacy, board by-laws and the responsibilities of board chairpersons.

#          #          #