2017 Annual Report

SND National Education Office

13000 Auburn Road Chardon, OH 44024

440.279.1102

www.snded.org

2017 Annual Report

SND National Education Office

13000 Auburn Road Chardon, OH 44024

440.279.1102

www.snded.org

2017 Annual Report

SND National Education Office

13000 Auburn Road Chardon, OH 44024

440.279.1102

www.snded.org

2016 – 2017 Education Advisory Council

Teri Bockstahler Communications Director

Sisters of Notre Dame, Toledo Province

Nancy Coonis Executive Director

Western Catholic Educational Association

Sr. Mary Ann Culpert, SND President

Notre Dame Academy, OH

Sr. Katherine Feely, SND Director, Center for Service & Social Action

John Carroll University, OH

Sr. Jacquelyn Gusdane, SND President

Notre Dame Schools, OH

Richard Havel Board Member

Notre Dame Academy Schools, CA

Richard Hoyt Principal

St. Agnes School, KY

Sr. Sally Huston, SND Teacher, St. John School, OH

SND.USA Liaison

Laura Koehl – EAC Chair President

Notre Dame Academy, KY

Sr. Patricia McClain, SND President/Principal

Lial Catholic School, OH

Jane Meier Board President

Notre Dame Academy, KY

Dulce Roman Past Principal

Clearwater Central Catholic High School, FL

John Venturella President

Clearwater Central Catholic High School, FL

Office Staff

Sr. Mary Frances Taymans, SND Director

mftaymans@gmail.com

Paula J. Aveni Communications and Office Administration

paveni@ndec.org

Lisa D. Canterbury Program Director

lcanterbury@ndec.org

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

The best starting place for launching the SND National Education 2017 Annual Report is the congregational General Chapter held in Coesfeld, Germany in October of 2016. Delegates representing nineteen countries came together to reflect on who we are called to be as Sisters of Notre Dame (SND) and what this means as we minister in the Church and world at this point in time. Encountering the

Word and Engaging the World framed our deliberations and shaped the focus and plan for 2016-2022.

From the perspective of the mission and work of the National Education Office it was affirming to be able to confirm the direction of SND U.S. sponsored and affiliated educational ministries at this time as well as challenging us to embrace new needs going forward.

As you read this Annual Report, celebrate that the SND Educational Vision is alive and well. Help us extend and deepen the SND call to:

Provide adults and students alike opportunities to explore and deepen their spirituality in the context of the Gospel

Integrate Catholic social teaching and global solidarity into how our ministries educate and function

Be intentional in forming life-giving partnerships that enrich and extend mission and prepare future leaders.

Sr. Mary Frances Taymans

Sr. Mary Frances Taymans, SND Director, SND National Education Office

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SND National Education Office (NEO)

Annual Report July 2016 - June 2017

Our Mission

Rooted in the mission of Jesus, the SND National Education Office provides direction and support

to sponsored and affiliated ministries in advancing the Educational Vision & Principles of the

Sisters of Notre Dame.

SND National Education Partnership Members

During this fiscal year, approximately 17,500 children and adults ranging in ages from six weeks through

adulthood experienced education and ministry support rooted in, and inspired by, the Charism and

Educational Vision and Principles of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Forty-nine Partnership members are located in 6 states, and Washington, DC

Of the educational ministries, 16 are sponsored, and 33 are affiliated

Sponsored educational ministries serve 6,161 students

Affiliated schools serve 11,329 students

Education Advisory Council

The NEO is supported by a volunteer group of

leaders appointed to an Education Advisory

Council (EAC) that assists in promoting the

mission and objectives of the NEO and

advises the NEO Director and Provincial

Leadership, as requested.

The EAC convened at Notre Dame Academy

in Park Hills, Kentucky on September 7 – 9,

2016. The Council’s agenda over the three

day annual meeting addressed the following:

The status of the Office’s 2015-2018 Strategic Initiatives and priorities for the 2016-2017 year

The role of the NEO in supporting the work of the SND.USA Steering Committee within the context

of sponsored schools and education ministries

Potential funding opportunities, international student considerations, and succession planning as

outlined by guest presenter, Rob Birdsell of the Drexel Fund

Expansion and resource enhancement of the Global High School Program in partnership with

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Gathering for new presidents and principals in sponsored schools and ministries

The desired outcomes for the 2018 National Education Summit

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A highlight of this year’s annual meeting was a reception at the Covington, KY Provincial Center with the

four U.S. Provincials and members of the SND.USA Steering Committee. Sr. Mary Ethel Parrott, Covington

Provincial, was a gracious hostess and created an evening of warm fellowship and wonderful refreshments.

Prior page pictured left to right: Sr. Mary Ann Culpert, Lisa Canterbury, Paula Aveni, Sr. Mary Frances Taymans, Dulce Roman, John

Venturella, Jane Meier, Teri Bockstalher, Rich Havel, Sr. Patricia McClain, Nancy Coonis, Rich Hoyt, Sr. Sally Huston, Sr. Katherine

Feely, Laura Koehl, Sr. Jacquelyn Gusdane, and Joe Waler

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS …

Our activities during the 2016/2017 fiscal year centered on launching, sustaining and furthering initiatives

aligned with the Office and EAC Strategic Priorities (visit http://www.snded.org/national-office for

details). A few notes from major activities and accomplishments are included in this report:

Governance Committee

Committee members Rich Havel, Sr. Jacquelyn Gusdane, and Jane Meier held a series of conference calls

which focused on objectives designed to support the boards and leadership of sponsored schools. Progress

was made on the following goals and objectives:

Review and assess current roles, responsibilities, and committee structures of the SND Sponsored

Schools. This would include, but not be limited to, annual board and committee assessment, annual

evaluation of the President/Head of School, the board’s responsibility for a strategic plan, how the

plan is monitored and implemented, steps prior to/during a capital campaign, succession planning,

and review of board policies

Identify resources that detail “best practices” for board formation, development and evaluation,

and make these available to sponsored schools

Create a sponsored schools board portal that gives the members of the board and school

administration access to materials relative to board operations.

CRS Global High School Initiative

A Steering Committee was established and met on October 4th – 5th at

the Bethany Retreat Center in Chardon, Ohio. Led by Sr. Katherine

Feely and Lisa Canterbury the group included Christina Beu from

Cardinal Mooney HS; Robin Fontana from La Reina HS; Andrea

Zimmerman from NDA, Toledo, and Sr. Michelle Kelly of Notre Dame -

Cathedral Latin School. They examined the CRS program and framed their committee goals as follows:

Do a deeper dive into the Global High School program and its integration into a high school’s

curriculum and culture of social justice and caring

A review of the core materials

The design and adaptation of all school programs within the context of the SND charism and

Educational Vision

Create a timeline and deliverables

Identify school liaisons in each of the partnership schools that choose to participate

Develop an implementation, communication and marketing plan to launch the program to high

schools within the National Education Partnership

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A roll-out of the program to all high schools within the NEO network is planned for the 2017/2018 school

year.

SND.USA Sponsorship Model and Standards

Think Tank

The U.S. Provincials asked the NEO staff and EAC to

frame a model that would support the sponsored

educational ministries when the four provinces become

one. An ad hoc “Think Tank” group consisting of Laura

Koehl, Dulce Roman, John Venturella, Sr. Jacquelyn

Gusdane, Sr. Marilyn Marie Ellerbrock, and Sr. Mary

Frances Taymans examined the models currently in

place in each of the SND provinces. Their research

considered what other congregations have done both

when provinces merged and what happened over time

as the religious lay leadership partnership developed.

The Think Tank members met in Florida at Clearwater Central Catholic on January 18th – 20th to review

materials gathered from other congregations, clarify an understanding of sponsorship in the context of

canon law, juridic responsibilities, the SND Educational Vision and Principles, and discuss over-arching

and practical considerations.

The results of the Think Tank meeting were presented by Laura Koehl and Sr. Mary Frances Taymans at

a meeting of the four U.S. Provincial Leadership teams on February 18th. While refinements will be made,

the overall recommended model was accepted.

Standards Committee

In response to a SND leadership request, the Office and EAC launched an effort to articulate standards

for educational ministries that are sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The Standards Committee

met June 5th – 7th at La Reina High School and Middle School in Thousand Oaks, CA. The committee

included: Sr. Mary Frances Taymans, Laura Koehl, Sr. Marie Christine Cervi, Anne Rog, Nancy Coonis and

Sr. Rebecca Kennedy.

Following a discussion of sponsorship from the perspective of the congregation and the ministry, and

reviewing resources from other congregations and the Western Catholic Accrediting association, the

committee drafted a set of standards that link directly with charism, mission, the SND Educational Vision,

the historical pedagogy of Bernard Overberg, today's educational demands, and the reality of the

educational environment in the United States. These standards will be reviewed by the EAC at their

October, 2017 meeting and then by SND leadership.

Pictured above, left-to-right: “Think Tank” members Laura Koehl, Dulce Roman, Sr. Marilyn Ellerbrock, Sr. Mary Frances Taymans,

Sr. Jacquelyn Gusdane and John Venturella

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Leadership and Governance: Prophetic, Faithful, Excellent – Mission and Identity 21st C

Board and school leaders from

SND sponsored schools and

ministries across the United States

convened in November in

Baltimore, MD to explore

contemporary issues facing

Catholic education in the U.S.

Led by the Most Revered Robert

W. McElroy, Bishop of the San

Diego Diocese, the opening session focused on pastoral care and Gospel witness in Catholic institutional

life. Bishop McElroy’s insight and guidance received high marks from all the board members and school

leaders in attendance. “The context provided by Bishop McElroy was very valuable”, one participant

noted. “He emphasized the theology of virtues and how this can inform our decision making”.

An enlightening and important panel discussion

explored the issues of leadership and

governance from a legal, educational

administration and SND community perspective

and led to especially meaningful exchanges

among those present.

Case studies based upon real-life experiences,

social justice, technology and employment matters helped participants anticipate similar situations within

their own organizations and highlighted the need to pro-actively plan accordingly.

Overall, the participants agreed the conference was time well spent and agreed an annual gathering of

the cohort was helpful in building peer relationships and supporting meaningful dialog on important

topics. “I cherish the collegiality of shared mission of talented peers evidenced in thoughtful, gentle,

insightful conversation” one leader noted upon leaving the conference.

Pictured above: Bishop McElroy speaking with the group; panel members attorney Stanley Gorom of Hahn Loeser & Parks, and

parent of students at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin School; Sr. Cecelia Libertore, former SND Provincial and head of a sponsored

school; and Nancy Coonis, recent president, NDA schools in Los Angeles, Executive Director of the Western Catholic Education

Association and SND Associate.

EAC Nominations Committee

The EAC strives to be representative of particular roles across the SND U.S. educational ministries.

Individuals with certain experiences, skill sets and within geographic locations are elected to provide

guidance and a strong voice regarding issues and opportunities. Led by Jane Meier, the Committee was

charged with identifying and recommending individuals with a deep interest in, and commitment to,

Catholic education that are willing to give time and energy for the betterment of Notre Dame education.

After reviewing recommendations suggested by members of the EAC, a slate of new members was

presented in May for election to the Council. New members Dr. Michael Bates, President of Notre Dame

Schools, Karen Poelking, Vice President of Board and Community Relations at Notre Dame College, and

Kim Grilliot, President of Notre Dame Academy, Toledo join the EAC on July 1, 2017.

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Direct Services to Sponsored Schools and Ministries

Membership in the NEO Partnership offers a variety of benefits and services designed to support those in

leadership positions and enhance an understanding of the SND Charism and Educational Vision and

Principles. This past year Direct Service to Sponsored Educational Ministries included:

An August Board retreat and a March Board presentation on aspects of sponsorship for La Reina High

School and Middle School

New Board Member Orientations for Julie Billiart School in Lyndhurst, OH; Notre Dame Academy

Schools in Los Angeles; and Toledo-area sponsored schools and ministries

Leadership Succession support in the context of head of school searches for Notre Dame Schools in

Chardon, OH; Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, OH; Notre Dame Academy Schools in Los Angeles,

CA; and La Reina High School and Middle School in Thousand Oaks, CA

Thirteen U.S. schools, one international and three religious congregations engaged with the Office for

direct consultation related to leadership, governance and/or sponsorship matters.

Toledo-area Board Training – an example of Direct Services

Pictured left to right for Double ARC’s Board: Steve

Malia, Jamie Talberth, Jennifer Smiljanich, Colleen

Taylor, Janet Bosserman (Double ARC Executive

Director), Kris Fauver, and Nancy Kimmet (Board

Chair).

Pictured left to right: Dave Koenig, Notre Dame

Academy Board, Sr. Carol Gregory, NDA and Lial

Boards, Sr. Lisa Novak, Dick Herrick, Lial Board and Sr.

Patricia McClain, President and Principal of Lial Catholic

School.

A gathering at the Lial Renewal Center included a warm “welcome!” to all of the individuals who

graciously accepted an invitation to join the Board of Trustees of a Toledo-area SND sponsored school or

educational ministry. Board members provide a critical support system to the leaders of our schools and

centers and bring priceless experiences, skills and knowledge to the table. Each year, new members are

invited to a local board orientation during which they learn about the history of the Sisters of Notre Dame

and how the charism of the community manifests itself in everyday life and devotion to education in all

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its forms. Other topics include the roles and responsibilities of board members & operating committees

and resources available to help with effective board governance.

This year, Sr. Lisa Novak, Mission Effectiveness Coordinator with the Chardon Province, and Sr. Mary

Frances Taymans spent time with new board members of Double ARC, Lial Catholic School and Notre

Dame Academy.

Affiliated Schools in the Mid-Atlantic area gather for lunch

On a bright April day in our nation’s capital, leadership from two SND

affiliated schools met to network and exchange ideas. Both schools share

U.S. Department of Education “Blue Ribbon School” designation and have a

lot in common in how the SND Educational Vision influences teaching and

student learning.

This was the first time, however, that current school leadership had a chance

to meet and share stories, experiences, and their history as SND partnership

schools. Our Lady of Victory School was founded in 1954 by the Sisters of

Notre Dame and St. Agnes School, founded in 1946, continues to a have a

sister active in the religious education program.

Pictured from left-to-right are Katie Sague, Assistant Principal/Librarian Our

Lady of Victory, Washington, DC; Sheila Martinez, Principal OLV; Kris Carr,

Principal, St. Agnes, Arlington, VA and Sr. Mary Frances Taymans. Not pictured but in attendance -

Jennifer Kuzdzal, Assistant Principal of St. Agnes.

The picture was taken by Sr. Mary Margaret Ann Schlather, SND, also a participant in the gathering.

Double ARC Celebration

Double ARC in Toledo, OH began a

year-long celebration of their 25th

anniversary with their annual

“Kaleidoscope of Children”

breakfast. Founded by the Toledo

Province Sisters of Notre Dame in

1992, Double ARC addresses the

needs of children and families living

with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

(FASD) through diagnosis, intervention

and advocacy. The Kaleidoscope of

Children breakfast is a Toledo

community event that highlights the

value of the programs Double ARC

delivers and puts a spotlight or two on children who have successfully navigated through the hardships

they were dealt in life. Sr. Agnes Marie LoPorto and Sr. Anne Marie Kall joined the special celebration on

behalf of the NEO. Congrats Double ARC! Here’s to another 25 years of success!!

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Pictured are all the SND that attended the anniversary celebration: Sr. Anne Mary Molyet (DA board vice chair), Sr. Joyce Dettinger,

Sr. Suzette Fisher, DA co-founder and Director of Client Services, Sr. Sally Bohnett, Breakfast Table Captain, Sr. Joanne Mary

Frania, Breakfast volunteer, Sr. Pat McClain, Lial School President/Principal; Sr. Christine Foos, DA board member; Sr. Susan

Reineck, Breakfast Table Captain, Sr. Agnes Marie LoPorto and Sr. Anne Marie Kall, representing the National Education Office, Sr.

Mary Sartor, DA Director of Education, and Sr. Carol Gregory, Councilor, Toledo Province. Also attending but not pictured was Sr.

Marilyn Marie Ellerbrock, Toledo’s Notre Dame Education Ministry.

A very special international moment

Once every six years, leadership and representatives from the SND Provinces

and Missions throughout the world gather for the “General Chapter” to elect a

leadership team and discern their direction forward for the next 6 years. The

2016 General Chapter was held in Coesfeld, Germany and focused on the

theme of “Encountering the Word, Engaging the World”. Sr. Mary Ann

Culpert, President of Notre Dame Academy in Toledo and a member of the

EAC, was among those elected to a six-year term in Rome as Councilors to

the Superior General of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

One highlight of 2016 General Chapter was an opportunity for

Sr. Mary Frances Taymans to meet some of her international

sisters engaged in education. Sr. Mary Frances presented them

a series of bookmarks that are used regularly within the U.S.

schools. Pictured here are sisters from schools in Africa, India,

Jakarta, Indonesia and Italy with their bookmark gifts.

An invitation was extended for the sisters attending the Chapter who are, or were, involved in education

to gather for a photo. The Chapter room came close to emptying as this group gathered!

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Countries represented in the photograph include India, Korea, Indonesia, U.S., Germany, Italy, Holland,

Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Brazil, Peru, and the Philippines. Opportunities for U.S. schools and those in

developing countries to connect in new and additional ways will occur through the CRS Global High

School Program.

2018 National Education Summit

Following the September 2016 EAC meeting, the Office staff

developed a rationale for holding a Summit in 2018 and requested

EAC review and comment. With the EAC’s endorsement we

launched both program and logistical planning.

The 2018 National Education Summit will be held June 20-

23 at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, OH.

The theme framing the 2018 Summit is “Mirrors & Windows”. Participants will reflect on their shared

heritage while planning for a future of transformative education that grows out of the mission and vision

of the Sisters of Notre Dame.

PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES ….

The Distinguished Graduate Award continues to be highly

valued across the Partnership. The award is given to students

graduating from high school or elementary school and recognizes

academic achievement, service excellence and living Gospel

values in his or her daily life. This past year, fifty-six awards were

presented to students across 37 schools – thirteen in high schools

and forty-three in elementary schools.

The names of the 949 students recognized since the award’s

inception in 1999 are recorded in a commemorative book kept in

the Motherhouse of the Sisters in Rome, Italy. The book is

placed on the altar dedicated to Sr. Maria Aloysia, the foundress of the Coesfeld SNDs. Each year the

Office is honored to update the book and lift up the winners’ names in prayerful gratitude and

celebration.

Art in action

Last spring students were invited to creatively express one of the SND

Educational Principles in the form of a colorful poster. Many thanks to

the teachers who supported the project and “kudos” to the very

talented students whose art work was featured on the cover of note

cards. The cards were given as Christmas gifts to the leaders of our

sponsored and affiliated schools and, based upon the gracious thank-

you notes the Office received, were greatly appreciated!

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Over the years, members of the partnership have expressed an interest in having a

visual representation of the SND Educational Vision and Principles. Something

that could be displayed in a high traffic space as a reminder of the values that guide a

SND sponsored or affiliated school. To that end a series of five posters are now

available and ready to be framed and hung. Each poster features a guiding principle

and three ways each principle is manifested in practice. Two versions are available –

the “symbolic” series and the “people” series.

“The Story”, a new edition booklet that chronicles the Sisters of Notre Dame

charism, mission and historical growth in graphic format, is now available. The booklet

is intended as a resource for board members, faculty and others interested in getting

acquainted with the SND founding and education story.

Professional Development, Representation and Service

Participating in selective Professional Development opportunities strengthens the Office’s ability to

provide targeted, relevant consultative services and resources to our member schools and ministries.

This year the Director, Sr. Mary Frances Taymans, participated in and represented SND education at a

number of professional development programs and conferences:

Member, Board of Trustees, Notre Dame College

Quarterly, Atlantic Education Forms, Washington, DC

Catholic Social Teaching and Public Life series, Georgetown University, Washington, DC

September 27 - October 25, SND General Chapter, Coesfeld, Germany

December 1 – 2 Sponsorship Network Conference, Baltimore, MD

April 3 – 5 University of San Francisco invitational meeting, Issues in Context, San Francisco, CA

April 25 National Assessment Governing Board NAEP release, Washington, DC

June 29-30 National Catholic Leadership Roundtable, Orlando, FL

By the Numbers ….

Forty-nine education partnership members are located in 6 states and Washington, DC and serve nearly 17,500 students. Major sources of income are membership dues and SND Province support. Major expenses are associated with delivery of member programs/resources and general office administration.