A1+Narrative

A1 Narrativetoc

Narrative Introduction
Below you will find Draft 1.0 of the narrative that was created by the WCEA-WASC Core Team, temporarily formatted in this Wiki. All comments and edits should be included at the **bottom of the document** below the narrative. In order to allow for continuity of the document and clarity of revisions, all focus group members should write bulleted notes below the narrative.

Category A: Organization for Student Learning

A1: School Philosophy and Mission Criterion

To What Extent...
 * Has the school established a clear statement of philosophy that reflect the beliefs and philosophies of the institution, a commitment to Catholic identity, thoroughness of instruction, focus on the needs of the whole person, and recognizes the dignity of all members of the school community?
 * Does the philosophy and mission reflect parents as primary educators and teachers as facilitators of learning?
 * Is the mission defined further by adopted expected schoolwide learning results that form the basis of the educational program for every student?


 * __Focus Group Findings__

Holy Cross and Catholic Identity Moreau Catholic High School has an established Mission Statement and Statement of Philosophy that clearly reflect the beliefs and philosophy of the Brothers of Holy Cross and the Catholic community of faith that is uniquely a part of Moreau Catholic High School educators, students, and parents. Furthermore, this mission statement reflects our commitment to our Catholic identity and reflects the three hallmarks of a Holy Cross education: Information, Formation, and Transformation.

The Moreau Catholic Holy Cross Mission and Philosophy were affirmed through the 2010 Holy Cross Mission Assessment visiting team comprised of Holy Cross educators.

The faculty and staff at Moreau Catholic High School believe that through a variety of academic, social, and spiritual experiences students are shaped to become agents of change in a dynamic, global society. The position of a Faith and Service coordinator was created in 2010 in order to foster the connection between Holy Cross values and the daily practice of teaching. Before each faculty meeting the coordinator presents the faculty with a short lesson on the teachings of Father Moreau. Before every meeting a prayer is given reinforcing our Catholic/Holy Cross mission. The school’s Mission Statement is the lens though which all decisions are viewed. In the process of hiring new faculty and staff, candidates are explicitly asked to connect their own philosophy of education to the school’s philosophy. Each year, faculty and staff reaffirm their support of the school’s mission in a ceremony in which a poster of the Mission is signed by each member and displayed in the main entrance hall of the school. Central to Moreau Catholic’s Mission are the words of Blessed Basil Moreau’s own philosophy of Christian education: “The mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart."

Needs of the Whole Person Moreau Catholic High School, through its academic and co-curricular programs, seeks to meet the needs of all students. In keeping with the Holy Cross charism of “educating hearts and minds,” Moreau Catholic has vibrant and expansive athletics and visual and performing arts programs. In addition, students have access to a variety of special interest clubs, organizations, and leadership development opportunities through the school’s Associated Student Body government, Link Crew, and Campus Ministry programs.

Through layers of support, students are assisted every step of the way through their high school journey, from orientation through the Link Crew program and ongoing counseling programs, to assistance and guidance throughout the college search and application process.

Dignity of All Members Moreau Catholic High School has always been proud of its diversity. Since its founding, the school’s student body has largely reflected the local community that it serves. In keeping with the Holy Cross charism of “Building Respect” the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff is actively celebrated. Diversity at Moreau Catholic is not only evident in the ethnic make-up of the school community, but in its diversity of faith, learning needs, life experience and socioeconomic status. At 2010 Holy Cross Mission Assessment parent/community open forum, parents noted that our students “serve” each other. They further noted a number of examples of how students “really look out for each other” and that there is a strong sense of respect for one other. What was especially gratifying to hear was parent acknowledgment of how staff are enthusiastic about their vocation as educators. Inhe 2010 Holy Cross Mission Assessment survey from faculty and staff, community, and students <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">84% of students, 91% of community members and 87% of faculty cited that Moreau Catholic Always/Usually recognizes the diversity of the school community.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In the day-to-day running of the school, respect for the diversity of the Moreau Catholic community is evident. The admissions policies of Moreau Catholic are communicated to all students regardless of their ability to pay. Information on financial aid, including “Affording Catholic education” workshops for elementary school parents is also provided. The Board of Trustees are committed to our financial assistance program to allow a diverse socioeconomic population the opportunity to receive a Holy Cross education.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The school also sponsors a myriad of activities that celebrate the rich culture and diversity of our students and community. As a community, the school annually celebrates through Culture Week and its Interfaith Celebration and the ongoing activities of its student cultural clubs and organizations. In recognizing the dignity and respect of all students, 9th graders are embraced upon their entrance to Moreau Catholic through the year-long Link Crew program. In addition, a special focus for 2010-11 was on raising awareness and confronting bullying behavior through Anti-Bullying Week.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Established in 2006, the Saints and Scholars program was instituted to support and meet the needs of students with learning differences. The support offered by the Saints and Scholars program has led to a growing awareness of differentiated learning styles. This is continuously addressed by teachers through increasing use of technology and different modalities of instruction to directly benefit not only Saints and Scholars students, but the general student population as well.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">With the arrival in 2010-11 of a cadre of international students, the school’s International Student Program was initiated to assist English Language learners with the transition to an American, Catholic, college-preparatory high school environment.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Partnership with Parents <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Embedded within the language of the school’s philosophy is the partnership that exists between the school and family; a shared vision of knowledge, skills, and values that shape graduates. Through our partnership with parents in educating their students, we seek to deepen their academic, social, and spiritual development. Though it is implied that parents serve as primary educators, it is not explicitly stated. What is clear, as was stated in the school's 2006 Self-Study, "Without the participation of the Moreau Catholic parent community, the school as an institution fails." To this point Moreau Catholic continues to provide many opportunities to include parents in the life of the school. Beginning with a student’s orientation to the campus, parents are invited and included through special parent programs. This communication and partnership starts with Spring Welcome Night and continues with the 9th Grade Parent Meeting, Parent Club Breakfasts, and ongoing updates via the school’s online newsletter (On Course), the school's magazine (Vector), and the school’s website--which was redesigned in 2010. In addition, time-sensitive information is communicated to parents and families via a phone/email system. Parents are also invited to partner with the school through the Booster Club, Drama Booster Club and Band Parents’ Club and as chaperons at school dances and special events. Throughout a student’s time at Moreau, parents are considered vital partners in their students’ ongoing development. The school employs a variety of tools and processes to keep parents informed of student progress and issues that arise from the use of PowerSchool and Student Parent Teacher Conferences to communicate academic progress to the use of Family Connection to promote course planning/selection as well as facilitate the college application process.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">An outgrowth of the school’s statement of philosophy was the development of the school’s Philosophy of Teaching. Within this Philosophy of Teaching, teachers are identified as the primary facilitators of student learning blending instruction with a keen understanding of the needs of the individual student. In addition, the school promotes teachers to reflect, evaluate, and attend professional development to evolve and improve their practice. With the introduction of the 1:1 Laptop Program in 2006-07, the school’s instructional practices are moving from a focus on lecture based instructional strategies to more student-centered methodologies. This has been further reinforced by teachers’ ongoing professional development activities and in data collection such as the Classroom Walkthroughs conducted in 2008-09. Each year, teachers identify area(s) for focus of professional development through online coursework, workshops, and conferences; accessing both internal staff development funds or funding through No Child Left Behind and the local school district.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Expected School Wide Learning Results <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The schools ESLR’s are the foundation of our graduation outcomes for all students. These ESLRs reflect--and are the result of direct input--from our community of parents, teachers, and students. Our ESLRS are consistent with our Catholic and Holy Cross Mission and Philosophy with a focus on lifelong learning, demonstration of personal and social responsibility, and living according to Catholic and Holy Cross values. Our expected school wide learning results reflect the unique community of Moreau Catholic-it’s diversity of students, families, faculty and staff, and alumni.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Regularly, the school assesses student achievement of the ESLRs through student reflection on Course Evaluations and the Senior Exit Survey. Most recently, a re-evaluation of our ESLR’s, led to the reorganization of them in alignment with the school’s focus on Information, Formation, and Transformation. This realignment came about with input from all aspects of the school community to make the ESLRs more accessible and reflective of where Moreau Catholic is today. || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">__Evidence__


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">School Mission Statement
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Statement of Philosophy
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Student-Parent Handbook
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Minutes of meetings.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Course Description Guide


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Honors/AP Scheduling Handout
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">STEM Course Sheet
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Family Connection
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Link Crew


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Culture Week
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Interfaith Service
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Link Crew Activiites
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Anti-Bullying Week Program and Poster
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Holy Cross Assessment


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Saints and Scholars Brochure
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ISP Program


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9th Grade Orientation: Parent Program
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9th Grade Parent Meeting
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On Course newsletter and the Vector
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Blackboard Connect System
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Booster Club
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Band Parents’ Club


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PowerSchool
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Family Connection


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Philosophy of Teaching


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Revised ESLRs
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Student Parent Handbook section 3.1 and expectations of parent commitment and support.


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Course Evaluations
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Senior Exit Survey


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Classroom Walkthrough Data ||

**Focus Group Comments**
Please insert any comments or edits to the narrative in this space. These comments will be integrated into future versions of the narrative.

-narrative is a bit too rosy. we feel that it would be more representative of the group's voice if it were toned down so that when opportunities for growth are mentioned in the correct section, it is not in conflict with the narrative. See edits for tone, opportunities for growth mentioned. -<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Sentence (3rd to last paragraph) "With the introduction of the 1:1 Laptop Program in 2006-07, the school’s instructional practice has shifted from a focus on teacher-centered activity to student-centered learning" <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">it should not be "shift". Recommended replacements: "reinforce"; the move supported student-centered learning. We recommend not even mentioning that it moved from teacher-centered activity to student-centered b/c it was always student-centered! It's just more now. Looking at the classroom walkthrough data- lecture (teacher-centered) is prominent. Where is evidence that instruction is primarily student-centered? *this is fine how now stated. -Dignity of All Members Paragraph - change focus on "happy to be here" to respect. Happy to be here doesn't really seem appropriate given the context. And the stats would probably be best under evidence. Removed- although this was comment from the forum comments. -Include evidence of professional development opportunities. Mike has tally of professional development plans (Colleen will speak to Mike). -There was little mention of our need to focus more on parents as partners in communication. For example, "Partnership" is mentioned in statement of philosophy, but no mention of parents/family in Philosophy of Teaching and Mission statement doesn't address parents or family; no mention of parents being primary educators in any document we looked at. We would like this to be addressed in the opportunities for growth. See edit.

1/27/12 - we ask that the following evidence be added to A1 on right hand side of narrative: blackboard connect system (next to partnership with parents) and college speakers (next to needs of the whole person)?