Continuing Self-Improvement

One of the most exciting prospects to the accreditation process is the fact that we continually reevaluate who we are and what we teach. The system helps the school improve precisely because it is a system.

We don't choose to randomly improve what one or two people may think is important, rather it is a group effort to evaluate and form long term plans that push the school forward.

In addition to the self evaluation process of accreditation, the School Advisory Council annually reviews the Five year plan by looking at curriculum, personnel, facilities, finances, and enrollment. These processes ensure improvement and growth in an ongoing cycle of improvement.

Thursday evening, February 2, 2006, we will be holding a stakeholder's meeting to improve upon our current mission statement. We are asking parishioners and parents to be part of this meeting to collaborate on the true mission of Catholic Schools.

Tune in for more accreditation information as we progress through this 05-06 school year.

God Bless,

Machelle Nagel

Why we need your help

I wanted to continue to provide information on Accreditation for SJA.

One important clarifying note is that accreditation can occur in several formats. The model we utilize through Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS) is the School Improvement Model. The central theme we focus on is improvement with the opportunity to identify areas for continual growth in our Archdiocesan schools. There is no choice in who we accredit with or which model to use.

This is not really an issue, as accreditation is only a plus for our schools and serves us by continual self-evaluation on-site.

I am proud to be part of a system that is constantly look for areas of improvement and also one that willingly includes ALL stakeholders: parents, students, faculty and parishioners.

Please join us this year on the committees listed in the previous post, We welcome all your support!

God Bless,

Machelle Nagel

First Posting

I pray everyone is settling into our 4th week of school, and between homework, sports, music lessons, etc. that your family has the opportunity to enjoy each other!? Life is really very short; isn’t it?

Have you gotten the chance to check the web-site and view the instructor’s blogs? I am running my own blog about accreditation, it is under the tab About SJA, and then Accreditation Info our goal is to keep you posted on the timeline, the committee work, and our ongoing progress. Be sure to check this out regularly!

I wanted to give you information about the committees and the work that is needed in each area, if you are so inclined this will give you the substance of what you will be getting involved with.

1. Student/Community Profile: (One Kindergarten parent and one Third Grade parent needed.)
This category is the data collection group it involves gathering information and profiles on the students and community supported by the school. There will be several surveys and policy review that will develop an accurate and succinct narrative about the school’s profile.
2. Organization for Student Learning: (One First Grade parent and one Fourth Grade parent needed.)
This category assesses the school’s competency in the following areas:
¨ School Philosophy and Mission Statements
¨ Governance
¨ School Leadership
¨ Staff
¨ School Environment
¨ Reporting Student Progress
¨ School Improvement Plan (SIP)
3. Curriculum and Instruction: (One Second grade parent and one Fifth Grade parent needed.)
This category evaluates how challenging, comprehensive, and relevant the curriculum is for each student, while it fulfills the school mission and philosophy, supports Catholic Identity and achieves the Schoolwide Learning Expectations (SLE’s).
4. Support for Student Growth: (One Eighth grade parent and one Seventh grade parent needed.)
This category evaluates how the school’s community of faint connects students to a system of support services, activities, and opportunities to assist them in meeting the challenges of the curricular/co-curricular program in order to achieve the SLE’s.
5. Resource Management and Development: (One Sixth grade parent and one Third Grade parent needed.)
This final category looks at the resources available to the school to sustain the program, that sound financial practices and responsible stewardship are reflected and that tese resources effectively used to carry out the school mission, philosophy, and SLE’s.

God Bless,
Machelle Nagel