This week marks our Professional Development conferences--one at Billings Central HS on Thursday and the other at St. Andrew School (Helena) on Friday. For the past few years, we've had speakers from Marian University in three locations giving 3 hour addresses on our faith. This year, we're bringing in speakers on the topics that you, the principals and teachers, selected. Here is the flyer. The day begins at 9 am and will end by 3 pm.

Professor Angela Turoski from the University of Great Falls will be offering a keynote on curriculum mapping. Her simple method of organizing our course material around standards can benefit all teachers. Who can't afford to be a little better organized? She will be followed by Dr. Vincent Schmidt, the superintendent of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, who will be speaking about serving all students. Who can't learn a little more about the special needs of our students?

In the afternoon, educators will have the choice of one the five breakout sessions:

1. Professor Turoski will present a hands-on workshop to develop curriculum maps for your classes. Bring your standards!
2. Dr. Schmidt will speak to your struggles and challenges with your students. Bring your questions!
3. Katie Dempsey, an elementary principal in Tacoma, will present a workshop on understanding the religion standards. Bring your standards!
4. Russ Alexander, the curriculum director at St. Labre, will present a workshop on MAP test reports. Bring your reports!
5. Tim Lowe, the education director of Billings Catholic Schools, will present on 1:1 technology--their implmentation model, their struggles, and his suggestions for best practices.

At the same time, national Catholic school development consultant Bernard DuMond will be offering a workshop for development and marketing in our Catholic schools.

There is something for everyone! I look forward to seeing everyone this week.

All the workshops are free and open to all teachers, principals, and staff members.

Dr. Tim Uhl, Superintendent

Last Monday, Episode #5 dropped and included an interview with St. Labre Executive Director Curtis Yarlott. Curtis speaks about the success of the St. Labre Indian School network and its special mission to children on the margins. Episode #6 will drop tomorrow and will be an interview with Dr. John James of Saint Louis University (Go Billikens!) who speaks about their innovative Catholic education initiatives. Dr. James shares his philosophy of Catholic education--found at the heart of the Church and part of the New Evangelization we all desire.

Here is the link to the podcast on iTunes. Please subscribe to the podcast so new episodes will automatically download. The show is also available on Stitcher and Google Play. If you don't have accounts with any of those content providers, here is the link to my basic page with the podcasts.

Monday: office (Helena)

Tuesday: office (Helena)

Wednesday: meetings in Great Falls & Billings

Thursday: Professional Development Conferfence, Day I (Billings)

Friday: Professional Development Conference, Day II (Helena)

This week: 790 driving miles

Last week: 1,447 driving miles

2016-17: 11,749 driving miles; 7,416 air miles

1. The Song of the Dodo by David Quammen.
2. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (finished)
3. Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman. (finished)
4. Reinvention: Accelerating Results in the Age of Disruption Cragun & Sweetman (finished)
5. Cultures Built to Last: Systemic PLCs at Work by Fullan and DuFour (finished)
   
6. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown (finished)
7. Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time by Margaret J. Wheatley (finished)
8. The Orange Frog by Shawn Achor (finished)

Email: superintendent@montanacc.org
Website: www.montanacatholicschools.org
Location: PO Box 1708 Helena MT 59601
Phone: (406) 442-5761
Facebook: facebook.com/montanacatholicschools
Twitter: @mtcathschools

1. For the Professional Development Days on Oct 20th & 21st, here are directions to Billings Central HS (Thursday) and St. Andrew School (Friday). The program starts at 9 am each day and will include coffee and rolls. There will not be a served lunch so attendees should plan accordingly. The program should end by 3 pm.
2. Montana Catholic Schools now has a new Facebook page.
3. I have sent out information for the annual NCEA data collection based on our October 1st count. Please fill out the online forms by October 24th.
4. Please check the principal portal for administrative requirements and monthly principal tasks.
5. There have been a few changes for scheduled principal meetings this fall and spring. Make sure to check out the new calendar. The latest change is that the Pryor regional meeting has now been moved to November 15th.
6. On the Horizon:

• Oct 20th & 21st. Professional Development Days & Marketing Seminar.
• Fall Principal meetings: Nov 14th Great Falls, Nov 15th Pryor, Nov 16th Missoula.

1. Massachusetts Catholic high school will close

   
   

October 9, 2016 "Daring Greatly"

October 2, 2016 "The New Podcast"

September 25, 2016 "The Productivity Issue"

September 18, 2016 "Measuring our Success"

September 11, 2016 "Courage and Grief"

August 21, 2016 "Schools as Field Hospitals"

August 14, 2016 "The Back to School Issue"

August 7, 2016 "Welcome Issue"