​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.

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.

Jesus Christ gives a transcendent meaning to human existence and this spiritual dimension should inform the intellectual journey of the human person. 

With the support of the Department of Catholic Schools​, faculty, parents/guardians, alumni, parishioners, consultative boards, and the community, Catholic schools:

  • Educate and form ​the whole person spiritually, academically, socially, and physically

  • Promote the dialogue among faith, reason, and culture

  • Build community through the celebration of the Church's liturgical life

  • Defend the goodness, dignity, value, and freedom of each person

  • Foster awareness of moral and social concerns

  • Develop leaders for the community

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. 

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.​

6-23-21




 

 

4.3.2 - Catholic School Communities4.3.2 - 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>
3.2.4 - Parent-Teacher Organizations3.2.4 - Parent-Teacher Organizations<p> <span style="font-weight:700;">​​​Parent-Teacher Organizations</span>​​<br> <br>​​Parent organizations in elementary schools are important: they promote parent/guardian support for the school program, increase mutual understanding between the school and parents/guardians, build a sense of school community, and assist in the financial support of the school. The <a href="http://www.lacatholicschools.org/" target="_blank">Department of Catholic Schools</a> encourages the formation of parent (or parent-teacher) organizations that follow archdiocesan policies.<br><br><b>General</b><br><br>Parent organizations:<br></p><ul><li><p>Are advisory in nature</p></li><li><p>Have no legal status apart from the school and therefore may not be separately incorporated</p></li><li><p>Function in accordance with a written constitution and bylaws that comply with archdiocesan policy that govern the structure and operation of such an organization</p></li><li><p>Are subject to all <a href="http://www.lacatholicschools.org/" target="_blank">Department of Catholic Schools​</a> regulations and policies</p></li></ul><p><b>​Membership</b><br><br>The membership of the parent organization shall include the pastor of the parish or his designee, principal, parents/guardians of currently enrolled students, and religious and lay faculty (if the organization is a parent-teacher organization). The pastor and principal shall have the right to approve officers and other members of the executive committee during the nomination process. The pastor or his designee and the principal shall be ex officio members of the executive committee of the organization. <br> <br>See the <a href="/Handbook%20Resources/pto_bylaws_roles_resp.pdf" target="_blank">Parent-Teacher Organization: Bylaws and the Roles and Responsibilities (sample)</a>.​</p><p>6-29-2022</p>
3.4.2 - Responsibilities for Elementary Schools3.4.2 - 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>

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