| 4.3.2 - Catholic School Communities | 4.3.2 - Catholic School Communities | <p>Catholic schools are communities of faith and faith
formation. They are committed to developing faith-filled, morally aware,
and academically strong individuals who are of service to the Church
and society.<br><br>Catholic schools provide a Catholic education that
illuminates academic teaching with Christian principles and prepares
students to see Christ in others by the development of their talents.
Catholic schools emphasize the importance of faith in the life of the
individual and of morality as the life-giving principle that guides
students to become self-giving, responsible citizens and leaders.<br><br>Jesus
Christ gives a transcendent meaning to human existence and this
spiritual dimension should inform the intellectual journey of the human
person. <br><br>With the support of the <a href="http://www.lacatholicschools.org/" target="_blank">Department of Catholic Schools</a>,
faculty, parents/guardians, alumni, parishioners, consultative boards,
and the community, Catholic schools:<br></p><ul><li><p>Educate and form the whole person spiritually, academically, socially, and physically</p></li><li><p>Promote the dialogue among faith, reason, and culture</p></li><li><p>Build community through the celebration of the Church's liturgical life</p></li><li><p>Defend the goodness, dignity, value, and freedom of each person</p></li><li><p>Foster awareness of moral and social concerns</p></li><li><p>Develop leaders for the community</p></li></ul><p>Students
from all faith traditions, cultures, and economic backgrounds are
welcome and invited to collaborate in fulfilling the mission. All those
who quest for truth contribute to and enhance the community. <br><br>The
goals of the religion program in the Catholic school are to provide an
environment for students to encounter Jesus Christ, to form students
in the Christian faith, and to provide students with the opportunity to
learn about and experience the Church's teachings and practices in an
academic setting. Since Christian education and formation is carried out
in a community, the entire faculty and staff are responsible for
carrying out this goal. Members from all school departments form a
faith-based community with students, not only in the classroom and in
other school activities but also in planning and implementing the
school's various religious activities and events. In this area, the
religion department and campus minister together with other faculty, staff and school administrators provide ministerial leadership and support.<br></p><p>6-23-21</p> |
| 3.4.2 - Responsibilities for Elementary Schools | 3.4.2 - Responsibilities for Elementary Schools | <p style="text-align:left;"><font></font>The <a href="https://lacatholics.org/departments-ministries/department-of-catholic-schools/">Department of Catholic Schools</a> provides support, guidance, and assistance to Catholic schools by:</p><ul><li><p>Assisting schools in evaluating and strengthening the Catholic identity of the school</p></li><li><p>Supporting the faith formation of the entire school community</p></li><li><p>Advancing the realization of the school's Mission and philosophy in accordance with Catholic social teachings</p></li><li><p>Developing resources for the faith formation of principals, teachers, and staff members as spiritual and educational leaders</p></li><li><p>Appointing the commissioner(s) and facilitating the <a href="http://westwcea.squarespace.com/">Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA)</a> accreditation for archdiocesan, parish, and independent Catholic schools</p></li><li><p>Providing training and support for financial oversight and planning, marketing and development, public relations, tuition and enrollment management</p></li><li><p>Nurturing and encouraging mutual support among Catholic schools</p></li><li><p>Providing opportunities for ongoing professional development for principals and teachers</p></li><li><p>Providing in-service programs on archdiocesan policies, practices, and procedures for school leadership</p></li><li><p>Fostering and implementing the goals of the Department of Catholic Schools</p></li><li><p>Assisting distressed schools with the development of stabilization plans </p></li><li><p>Responding to schools that seek <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=e91dec7e-8d32-46c7-b4d6-95775165ad6c">reorganization and substantive change </a></p></li><li><p>Advising in the <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=028a552b-b5cd-46c6-9f81-4badfb329fc6">establishment and licensing of preschools</a> </p></li><li><p>Identifying potential leaders of schools and supporting the process of recruiting, selecting, and hiring new principals and presidents</p></li><li><p>Advising pastors in supervising and evaluating principals at parish schools </p></li><li><p>Supervising and evaluating presidents and principals of archdiocesan high schools</p></li><li><p>Directing a systemic approach to curriculum development, planning and evaluation</p></li><li><p>For archdiocesan and parish high schools, guiding the process of staff selection, guiding and assessing the effectiveness of <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=e7328c23-f6b1-4c99-9252-4945cafae7c2">stewardship programs</a>, and evaluating and promoting effective models of school governance</p></li><li><p>Providing guidance on the annual budget and monthly financial reports of all schools</p></li><li><p>Reviewing and approving the annual budget and monitoring monthly financial reports of designated archdiocesan elementary and high schools</p></li><li><p>Consulting and advising on issues of student behavior and appropriate disciplinary actions</p></li><li><p>Providing advice and support, as needed, on personnel matters and practices</p></li><li><p>Encouraging active engagement in community relations</p></li><li><p>Approving capital improvements and capital investments in conjunction with the regional bishop's office, the <a href="http://www.la-archdiocese.org/org/construction/Pages/default.aspx">Construction Department</a>, and the <a href="http://www.la-archdiocese.org/org/re/Pages/default.aspx">Real Estate Department</a>, as appropriate</p></li><li><p>Collaborating with <a href="https://c3.la-archdiocese.org/">C3</a> on technology <a href="https://c3.la-archdiocese.org/"></a>projects and initiatives</p></li><li><p>Such other matters as may be appropriate to assist in the successful administration of schools.</p></li></ul><p>6-22-2022</p> |
| 4.2.3 - Program Administration | 4.2.3 - Program Administration | <strong>General Considerations</strong><div><strong></strong><b><br></b><p>Under the direction of lawful Church authority, all members of the faithful, in keeping with their proper role, have a concern for catechesis in the Church. [Can. 774 §1] Parents, above all, have the obligation of forming their children by word and example in the faith and in the practice of a Christian life; godparents and those who take the place of parents have an equivalent obligation. [Can. 774 §2] In the parish community, pastors [Can.773] are responsible for supervising catechesis in their parish and coordinating the participation of all members of the parish in the principal catechetical efforts [Can. 776].</p><p>In the archdiocese, the archbishop provides for formation, selection and commissioning of other catechetical leaders [Can. 780]. These catechetical leaders are professionals -- working under the guidance of the pastor -- in teaching the mysteries of the Faith and its practice. Whether paid or volunteer, they are often entrusted with administrative responsibilities in organizing and implementating the catechetical plan for the parish. Catechetical leaders are particularly charged with carrying out this ministry on behalf of the Church under the direction of the pastor; therefore, they should make themselves known in the parish and school community and be available to the people they serve. </p><p>Together with the pastor [Can. 776], catechetical leaders encourage parishioners to engage in the catechetical efforts of the parish and assist them in being actively involved in the catechesis of the parish. Accordingly, catechetical leaders are expected to familiarize themselves with archdiocesan policies and procedures in conducting their ministries and to adhere to those policies and procedures that apply to their particular assignments. The <a href="https://lacatholics.org/ore-ministries/">Office of Religious Education</a> is the primary source of information and guidance for specific catechetical goals and objectives. Program content, for example, should reflect the most up-to-date directives and guidance from the Vatican, the USCCB and the Archdiocese. However, the realities of the parish or school community should also play a significant role in developing catechetical ministries. Collaboration with the pastor, the parish councils, school leadership, and other ministry leaders is indispensable for a successful program.</p><ul><li><strong>Use of Parish and School Facilities</strong></li></ul><p>The parish community brings together a diversity of people who form one parish family, all of whom should have access to the parish facilities, including the pastoral center, school classrooms, the hall, the church, etc. Catechetical leaders are required to follow parish and school procedures in coordinating calendars and reserving space. Certain activities that catechetical programs wish to conduct on parish or school grounds are subject to specific rules, such as <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=b049fbe5-1d61-42c2-bcc7-2c895495dd9c">voter education</a> or <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=270f3a5c-fa75-4d8f-a3c0-3890fa61d233">fundraising events</a>. Additional guidance is available in the Administrative Handbook, Chapter 7.2.12, <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=3ddad93b-1e3a-470a-9d80-4d4de4b19316">FAQs</a>.</p><strong><ul><li><strong>Financial Stewardship</strong></li></ul></strong><p>Because parish income must take into account the needs of all ministries of the parish (e.g. religious education programs, youth ministry, senior citizens, parish school, etc.), finances must be budgeted. Catechetical leaders must prepare an annual budget with foresight and accurate projections. Past experience, present need, and future vision should guide the development of the budget. The budget should be presented to the <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=ad4c8c86-7b40-4d7b-aa97-98425fd32053">person in charge</a>.<br><br>The catechetical leader must ensure adherence to archdiocesan policies in Section 6.1 of the Administrative Handbook on <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=2a504d91-e2a4-4615-9128-7a8f0c58850e">internal controls</a> and <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=525419c9-2570-49be-b9f8-61e98e839e45">handling cash and credit cards</a> in all matters of the programs under their direction. Section 6.3 of the Administrative Handbook provides direction on managing <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=0b9e08e7-1b51-4c01-b559-2abc0778ccee">expenses and disbursements</a>, including signing authority and banking relationships.</p><ul><li><strong>Relationship with Staff and Volunteers</strong></li></ul><p>Depending on the community's resources, catechetical leaders may supervise paid and/or volunteer staff. Archdiocesan personnel policies are described in the <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=408f908b-18e3-431c-b1f6-d5ba7aea3177">Administrative Handbook Section 5.2</a>. Churches and religious institutions, like the Archdiocese, are treated differently than other organizations under certain laws, so it is critically important to review the handbook for guidance. The <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=7fed64cb-4f5d-48b1-8307-757ac001af87">core values</a> that guide working relationships in the archdiocese are described in <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=7fed64cb-4f5d-48b1-8307-757ac001af87">Section 5.2.1</a> of the Administrative Handbook. Many of the other General Policies enumerated in <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=408f908b-18e3-431c-b1f6-d5ba7aea3177">Section 5.2</a> apply to both employees and volunteers.</p><strong><ul><li><strong>Safe Environment</strong></li></ul></strong><p>Maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all is vitally important. Catechetical leaders and their team members must adhere to the archdiocesan rules in Chapter 9 on <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=3ceefd3c-3f58-42a1-9fbf-9801e2eec8ae">Safe Environment</a>, including but not limited to VIRTUS™ training and fingerprinting.</p><p></p><ul><li><strong>Emergency Planning</strong></li></ul><p>Catechetical leaders share responsibility with other parish and school leaders for creating, implementing and maintaining an emergency plan. <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=4c07578a-b6a0-4167-af8b-354b7e229d03">Section 8.5 of the Administrative Handbook</a> provides further information about emergency planning. These plans should be shared with team members, participants, and parents/guardians of participants as appropriate.</p><strong><ul><li><strong>Offsite Events</strong></li></ul></strong><p>When planning excursions, field trips, or retreats, catechetical leaders must consider the rules in Section 12.3 on <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=15c9b5da-5047-454f-95fd-9fc6ebd40360">field trips and excursions</a>, which include review of retreat center contracts, and the requirements for <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?WebId=7c52c6b6-eea1-4fc3-ac3a-90f0c442a28e&TermSetId=8b66c3a8-bdfa-4bea-9c29-07c09bf9129e&TermId=2d677e88-15b0-4286-9f1b-7cc1f056f899">transportation</a>.</p><strong><ul><li><strong>Registration for Faith Formation Programs</strong></li></ul></strong><p>Preparation for registration in the parish faith formation programs should be done in a timely manner and include dates, places, and deadlines. Refer to the <a href="https://lacatholics.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Registration-Guidelines-Faith-Formation-Programs_REV07312020.pdf">Registration Guidelines for Parish Faith Formation Programs</a> . A <a href="/Handbook%20Resources/Registration%20Form%20for%20Faith%20Formation%20Programs%20PDF_F.pdf">Sample Registration Form for Faith Formation Programs</a> is available to assist catechetical leaders in preparing registration materials for their parish program(s). A parish registration form should include the parish name and program information. To maintain the necessary privacy of medical information, the records must be kept in a restricted-access file along with the <a href="/Handbook%20Resources/Emergency%20Information%20PDF_F.pdf">Emergency Information Form</a>. <br><br>Registration fees vary from parish to parish. The parish should take into consideration economic and family circumstances. No participant should ever be denied enrollment because of inability to pay the fee.<br></p><p>4-1-2022</p></div> |
