Catholic Schools Today

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School wins $50,000 in the 3rd Annual U.S. Cellular Calling All Communities contest. Guests: Mary Iannucilli; Julie Kohler. Segment II: St. Robert Bellarmine School offers many programs to families and students. Guests: Carrie Mijal; Susan Jablonski. Segment III: St. Scholastica Academy students succeed with the International Baccalaureate Program. Guest: Loretta Namovic.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey would like to inform our listeners about the Capital for Kids event and Latino Initiative. Guests: Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey; Rev. Marco Mercado. Segment II: Jennifer Sansone was chosen as a winner in the "Share the Truth" commercial contests sponsored by the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago as part of it's Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project. Guest: Jennifer Sansone. Segment III: The students, parents, faculty and staff of St. Richard School and the parishioners of St. Richard Church recently participated in the "Homecoming Celebration" at Midway Airport for the one hundred veterans who participated in the recent Honor Flight Chicago. Guest: Ryan Morrisey.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: On Friday, September 9, St. Cyprian School held a Peace Walk throughout the school campus. The Peace Walk included a stop at the school Peace Pole that "Let Peace Prevail" in four languages. Guests: Sr. Kathleen Klingen. Segment II: Strengthening Catholic Schools Conference on Saturday, September 24 at Nazareth Academy. This conference serves the needs of elementary and high school partners, including school board members, family school associations, and legislative action persons. Guests: Sue Bordenaro. Segment III: The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic School Holy Hour of Adoration is scheduled for Friday, October 7, 2011. This is the third year for Eucharistic Adoration for all schools in the Archdiocese. Guests: Mary Gail Redding; Elizabeth Dolack; Rafael Curan; Sofia Gomez.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: A few Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools employees recently had a week long experience of appreciating the culture and historical aspects of Mexico. Guests: Esther Hicks; Adam Dufault; Sandra Prez. Segment II: Moira Benton and Colleen Domke are beginning their second year as Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic School principals. Moira is the principal of Pope John Paul II Catholic School in Chicago. Colleen is principal of St. Damian School in Oak Forest. Segment III: Immaculate Conception School on North Park in Chicago is expanding. This school year, they will open a middle school campus to accommodate more students. Guests: Katie Sullivan-Wallenfang; Maria Hill.

Host: Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Several students and staff from St. Francis de Sales High School and Our Lady of Tepeyac High School traveled to China. The group spent several days at the Dandelion School. Guests: Brendan O'Rourke; Joni Thompson; Mariana Buzo. Segment II: St. Pascal School was previously on Catholic Schools Today in February about a national recycling contest. The return after winning the Dream Machine Recycle Rally Contest and a prize of $100,000. Guests: Ginny Quinones; Denise Akana. Segment III: Fr. John Hetland is a newly ordained Archdiocesan priest assigned to St. Barnabas parish. Guest: Fr. John Hetland.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Our Lady of Charity School in Cicero will be expanding it's preschool program. Guest: Katie Olsen. Segment II: Friends for a Future provides Holy Trinity High School juniors and seniors with insight into and understanding of business and career opportunities through firsthand exposure to a professional work environment. Guests: John Malloy; Serena Martinez. Segment III: Mary Bauer, principal of St. William School in Chicago for 15 years, shares stories of her experience in Catholic schools.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: St. Procopius School receives the 2011 Croghan Award. This prize is presented annually by the Big Shoulders Fund and is sponsored by John and Rosemary Croghan. Guests: Adam Dufault; Fr. Sean O'Sullivan. Segment II: De La Salle Institute offers a variety of programs for middle school students throughout the summer. Guests: Chuck Kuhn; Margaret Grabowski. Segment III: Congratulations to the graduating class of 2011. Two seniors from different Catholic high schools will tell their story of attending a Catholic high school. Guests: Fuad Akinbiyi; Kaitlin Schuler

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: St. Michael School, located on the south side of Chicago, has many talented students. Students will showcase their many talents during a Talent Show on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Students from all grades were asked to participate. Guests: Jesse Rogers III; Kelly Schmeider. Segment II: The Week of the Young Child, now in it's 40th year, is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The 2011 Week of the Young Child is April 10-16 and the theme is Early Years are Learning Years. Guest: Julie Ramski. Segment III: St. Nicholas of Tolentine School in Chicago focuses on spiritual development, academic development and performing arts. Guests: Mariagnes Menden; Judy Lei

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Saint Patrick High School commemorates their 150th Anniversary with a book, A Tradition of Brotherhood: 150 Years at Saint Patrick High School. Segment II: St. Gall School is celebrating their 100th Anniversary. St. Gall School has evolved from a classroom above the church in 1910 into a school with a library, computer lab, science lab, art room, and resource room today. Guest: Debbie Campos. Segment III: The Home and School Association at St. Benedict Preparatory Schools in Chicago recently was notified that they will receive the 2011 NCEA Distinguished Home and School Association Award. They will be honored at the upcoming 2011 NCEA Convention to be held in New Orleans from April 26-28, 2011. Guests: Amy Stern; Kelly Reickelman; Joy Walton.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: The first day of Catholic Schools Week at St. Pius V School unveiled their new mascot: THE PRIDE, a lion. The mascot came as a big surprise to students. Students had notices paw prints mysteriously appear on the walls of the school the week before the unveiling. Eighth graders rolled out a new banner while first graders held up stuffed lions. Guests: Nancy Nasko; Kurt Lewis. Segment II: St. Pascal School is in the top ten in a nationwide recycling contest standing to win $100,000. They have been recycling for years as part of their curriculum in teaching global responsibility to their students. Their recycling efforts may be rewarded as their position continues to climb in a nationwide contest called Dream Machine Recycle Rally. This contest was created to increase the amount of beverage containers that are being recycled. Guests: Ginny Quinones; Gayle Kopera. Segment III: The 33rd Annual African-American Heritage Month mass will be held at Holy Name Cathedral at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2011. Students and faculty from throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago attend the African-American Heritage Month mass. Students have spent weeks practicing songs and dances for this celebration. The Nguzo Saba principle of KUUMBA, which means CREATIVITY, will be this year's focus of the mass. Guests: Denise Spells; Joyce King; Sr. Kathleen Smith, SP.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: St. Gregory the Great High School's Suthida Lertpanichphan, a junior from Thailand, recently won the 16th Annual Vehicle Sticker Art Design Contest in Chicago. The theme of her drawing is Education is Key. This is not the first drawing contest she has won. This summer she competed and won an art contest in Thailand. Segment II: The principals of Santa Maria del Popolo School in Mundelein, St. Mary of the Annunciation School in Mundelein, and Transfiguration School in Wauconda have collaborated to create a unique Catholic education in Lake County. These three schools educate students from preschool through grade 5 using inquiry based learning. Their collaboration has also created new opportunities for students. Third grade students are looking forward to participating in a game show via video conference that will test their knowledge on various school subjects. Guests: Pat Strang; Eileen Sullivan; Tina Vakilynejad

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: St. Alphonsus Liguori School in Prospect Heights' theme for the school year is "Lord, when did we see you?". Students have helped with various charities to help those in need. Currently, students are holding a coat drive. The St. Al's Service Club sponsors a monthly food collection that helps feed hundreds of families, senior citizens, single parent families, and the working poor who struggle to stretch their meager wages to cover their weekly expenses. Guest: Peter Tantillo. Segment II: The National Catholic Educational Association has named Jennifer Kowieski from St. Josaphat School in Chicago for the Region 7 Distinguished Catholic School Teacher. This award is presented to twelve teachers in the nation. Jennifer has taught at St. Josaphat School for 6 1/2 years. She currently teaches math and science to the 7th and 8th grade students. She is also the 7th grade homeroom teacher and religion teacher. Guest: Jennifer Kowieski. Segment III: The Catholic High School Placement Test will be given on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 8 a.m. Students do not need to register for the test. They should take the test at the Catholic high school where the student wishes to enroll next school year. To find a Cathlolic high school where your child would like to take the test, visit SCHOOLS.ARCHCHICAGO.ORG Guests: Kacie Riedl; Bob McMillan

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Task Force for the Archdiocese in cooperation with the Office of Catholic Schools is sponsoring a poster and poetry contest in preparation for World AIDS Day on December 1, 2010. Grades 1 through 5 were asked to create posters and grades 6 thorugh 12 were asked to submit poems. The theme is HIV--It's About You and Me! Guest: Pat Drott. Segment II: The Notre Dame College Prep's Burke Scholars program is the first of it's kind in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Burke Scholars program is designed to provide an inclusive Catholic educational experience for students with mild to moderate developmental delays. Students are included in regular classes as often as possible. In addition to inclusive education classes, Burke Scholars have Peer Buddies. Peer Buddies are trained Notre Dame students who provide services as aides, tutors, models and friends. Guest: Robin Telander Segment III: Two Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Josaphat School in Lincoln Park and St. Giles School in Oak Park, will be among the 254 public and 50 private schools from across the country to receive Blue Ribbon School Awards November 16 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. Guests: Colleen Cannon; Kathleen Talbot; Susan Poetzel; Terry Mamolella.

Host: Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: October is Mission Month. Maureen Colin, Associate Director of the Office for Mission Education and Animation, has many resources for parents and teachers through the Holy Childhool Association. Segment II: Red Ribbon Week is nine days of people standing up against substance abuse. This is the 25th Anniversary of the first National Red Ribbon Week. The theme for this years Red Ribbon Week is "I Am Drug-Free". Guest: Ada Harris; Theresa Bonomo. Segment III: St. Angela School in Chicago has enrolled over 100 new students over the summer. This is the fourth year that St. Angela School has increased enrollment. St. Angela School had to open two new preschool classrooms to help accommodate the new students. Guests: Mary O'Rourke; Geralyn Lawler

Hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdiarz. Segment I: Strengthening Catholic Schools Conference on Saturday, September 18 at Nazereth Academy. This conference serves the needs of elementary and high school partners, including school board members, family school associations, and legislative action persons. Guest: Sue Bordenaro. Segment II: St. Edward School is celebrating their 100 year anniversary. Past and present students and families will participate in a celebration mass on February 20, 2011. This school is known for the music program for students in grades 1-8. Guests: Sr. Virginia Dever; Sr. Marie Michelle; Rev. Michael Cronin. Segment III: In 2007 the Office of Catholic Schools began a partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria in order to provide technical assistance in reestablishing a sustainable Catholic School System under the leadership of Bishop Francis E. Okobo. Bishop Okobo appointed Rev. Wilfred "Willy" Odo to manage the project in the Diocese of Nsukka. Guests: Rev. Wilfred "Willy" Odo; Esther Hicks.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Welcome Back to Catholic Schools. Guest: Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey. Segment II: St. Philip Neri School. Guests: Linda Sanders. Segment III: St. Gregory the Great High School. Guest: Lori Diechstetter

Hosted by Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Fr. Brian Kean is a newly ordained Archdiocesan priest and graduate of Mary Seat of Wisdom School in Chicago. He will be at St. Germaine Parish in Oak Lawn. Guest: Fr. Brian Keane. Segment II: St. Bernadette Catholic Academy is changing it's approach to education. Beginning in August, the school will become a multiage academy fostering Inquiry Learning skills and implement technology in all curricular areas. Guest: Arlene Baumann. Segment III: Frassati Catholic Academy, the first Catholic middle school in Lake County, will open in August. The school is located in Wauconda and will join sixth-, seventh-, and eight-grade students from Santa Maria del Popolo School in Mundelein, St. Mary of the Annunciation School in Mundelein, and Transfiguration School in Wauconda. Guests: Dr. Diane Vida; Fr. Ron Lewinski.

Hosted by Graziano Marcheschi and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Purdue University Calumet and Seton Academy in South Holland are partnering on an innovative enrichment program designed to build an engineering foundation for Seton students. Faculty of Purdue Calumet's School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science will provide university level engineering instruction to sophomores, juniors and seniors of Seton's existing Technology program. Guests: Rick Hussmann; Steve Parker. Segment II: One hundred years ago, when Our Lady of Grace School opened it's doors in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, four Springfield Dominican sisters were on hand. This year, the school has five sisters working, including the principal, Sister Rita Marie Range. Over the years, 22 girls from Our Lady of Grace have become Springfield Dominicans. Our Lady of Grace saw an increase of about 10 percent to 190 students this school year, and plans to enroll 200 students in the Fall. Guest: Anahi Lazarte. Segment III: For years, seventh-graders at St. Theresa School in Palatine have had the opportunity to demonstrate what they learned about the Civil War during a history fair at the end of May, and often have heard from a Lincoln impersonator. But not all of them got to share their work with producers from the BBC, who were in Illinois working on a documentary about Abraham Lincoln, and to share their thoughts about the 16th president. Guest: Pam Wilk.

Hosted by Wayne Magdiarz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Golden Apple Award Finalists from Mt. Carmel H.S. and Mother McAuley H.S. Guests: Roz Iasillo; John Gonczy. Segment II: St. Benedict Parish in Chicago's North Center neighborhood is merging it's parish schools to meet the need expressed by discerning parents. Currently, St. Benedict is the only Preschool through Grade 12 Catholic co-ed school in the Archdiocese of Chicago and they are seizing the opportunity to create a new educational model for Catholic education in the city. Guests: Rachel Gemo. Segment III: One year ago St. Josaphat Parish launched a campaign to raise $5 million for their thriving parish and growing school enrollment. The money raised by this necessary campaign will be used for many purposes, including building new school classrooms and a media center, as well as updating the infrastructure in both the primary and middle school buildings. Guests: Colleen Cannon; Fr. Richard Prendergast; Larry Krima.

Hosted by Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the national Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). One hundred percent of Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese have kindergarten programs and 93 percent have preschools. Guests: Barb Karczewski; Rachel Waldron. Segment II: Middle school students from St. Paul of the Cross School in Park Ridge competed in Washington DC for the Future City competition as part of National Engineers Week. The students were one of 39 regional winners to go to the nation's capital. The students had to create table top models of a future city and defend their designs before a panel of judges. The city the students from St. Paul designed included energy efficient, green domed houses. Guests: Lorelie Bobroff. Segment III: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Joining the conversation is Mayra Flores of the Archdiocese's Office for the Protection of Children and Youth. The primary goal of the Safe Environment Office is to educate adults in the Church about how to prevent child sexual abuse; how to recognize sex offender behaviors; and how to create safe environments for children in our parishes and schools. The office also oversees the criminal background check process, mandated reporter training, and the Code of Conduct for the church personnel working with children.

Hosted by Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: In August 2006, the recently established Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria dreamed of Catholic Schools to effectively educate students from nursery through high school. With the support of Cardinal George, this partnership with the Archdiocese of Chicago is based on the professional and personal friendships that are rooted in the global mission of Catholic Education. The Catholic School children in Chicago support their peers in Nsukka through their Dollars for Dreams program each spring. On March 11, ten delegates from Chicago Catholic Schools will travel to Nsukka. Guests: Stephanie Clausell; Bernadette Felicione; Carol Fendt; Norma Thornton. Segment II: The award-winning Infant Jesus of Prague School in Flossmoor has just received another national recognition: it's School Board was one of only five Catholic schools nationwide to receive the 2010 Outstanding School Board Award from the national Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Guests: Randall Blakey; Patrick Keating; Dan Smith. Segment III: Academy of Our Lady school in Waukegan has recently enrolled students from Haiti. Hear about some interesting information about Haiti now, the Catholic schools there and various musings.

Hosted by Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: At St. Cornelius School a generous anonymous donor has made a gift of $80,000 to support student enrollment for next fall. The gift will help make St. Cornelius more affordable for many current families, as well as new families. Segment II: Fifth grader Maggie Lyons and her class at St. mary School in Riverside led an effort that raised over $15,000 to support relief in Haiti. Segment III: On the evening of Sunday, February 21, the Archdiocesan School Board will honor several Distinguished Service Award winners, as well as US Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award winners and NCEA Award winners.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdiarz. Segment I: The Chicago ACE Fellowship was founded in 2004 to help graduates and friends of the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) and other volunteer teaching programs. The Fellowship is leading a movement to sustain, revitalize and enrich the Catholic school system. In the past 15 years ACE has formed over 1,000 new Catholic school educators and is now building the largest national network of people specifically dedicated to serving the Catholic Church and her schools. They provide support to teachers, students and families in all Chicago Catholic schools by offering professional development opportunities for teachers, raising funds to provide scholarships for Catholic school students, and creating partnerships in the classroom and across the city which will strengthen and sustain Catholic education into the future. Guest: Ricky Austin. Segment II: The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools has three National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Award Winners. Two teachers and a pastor have been honored. They are: Julie Szwedo Noigebauer of Chicago's Immaculate Conception School on Talcott Avenue, Sr. Marion O'Connor of Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, and Fr. Pat Lee, Pastor of Chicago's Immaculate Conception School on North Park Avenue.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: On December 12 a national task force commissioned by the University of Notre Dame released a report and launched a campaign to improve educational opportunities for the next generation of Latinos by expanding their access to Catholic schools. Guests: Sr. Judith Murphy, OSB; Marilu Gonzalez. Segment II: St. Thomas the Apostle school in Chicago's Hyde Park will talk about their upcoming Christmas program, as well as their partnership with the Chicago Bears. Guest: Dorothy Murphy. Segment III: Our Lady of Tepeyac High School, like all high schools throughout the Archdiocese, is gearing up for the annual placement test for the Class of 2014. The placement test will be held on Saturday, January 9th. Guest: Joni Thompson.

Host: Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Catholic School parents share their stories. Guests: Sandra Maldonado; Abel Figueroa. Segment II: National Catholic Educational Association Principal Appreciation Day, November 19. Guests: Students, teachers, parents. Segment III: St. Christina School's Veterans Day Celebration. Guests: Mary Jane Donegan; Marie McAuliffe

Please note: Because of a technical issue the first 15 minutes of this program is missing. Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. This year Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated October 23-31, 2009. Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education. Guest: Ada Harris. Segment II: At this year's Chicago Marathon, Tony DeSapio was "On the Move for St. Gregory". As the school's president he ran the marathon in honor of St. Gregory High School. Guest: Tony DeSapio. Segment III: St. Emily School in Mt. Prospect has a new president, which is a unique position for Catholic elementary schools.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Fr. Andrew Smith Jr. is a newly ordained Archdiocesan priest and graduate of St. Thomas the Apostle School and Mt. Carmel High School, both located in Chicago. Guest: Fr. Andrew Smith, Jr. Segment II: For nearly 20 years, the Visitation Scholarship Program has been providing opportunities for children living on Chicago's South Side to continue their education at Catholic High Schools, an alternative to the failing local public schools. It offers a comprehensive support system to help them and their families achieve excellence, attain higher education, and give back to their communities. Guests: Dr. Michael Jennings; April Hawkins; Sr. Diane Boutet. Segment III: Bill Graff is a parent of two students at St. Ann School in Barrington. We'll hear his story about why his family chooses Catholic Schools, and in particular St. Ann's. Guest: Bill Graff.

Hosts: Graziano and Nancy Marcheschi. Segment I: Fr. Matthew Nemchausky, newly ordained Archdiocesan priest and graduate of St. Rene Goupil in Chicago. Segment II: Holy Trinity High School celebrates it's centennial this year with numerous events planned throught the year. Guests: John Noonan; Jodi Engler.

Host: Fr. Greg Sakowicz. Segment I: The Office of Catholic Schools has selected a software product called Powerschool Premier to provide a student information system for Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools. Guests: Mark Garstki; Dan Foertsch. Segment II: Resurrection High School's Practicum Program delivers real-world experience to juniors and seniors in workplaces over the summer. The students also participate in a course that prepares them for the experience. Guests: Deb Guy; Alisa Martorano. Segment III: Fr. Michael Owen is a newly ordained Catholic Priest. He was born in Berwyn and graduated from St. Luke School in River Forest. His first assignement will be as associate pastor at St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills. Hear how his Catholic school experience shaped him. Guest: Fr. Michael Owen.

Hosts: Wayne Magdiarz Topics/Guest(s): Segment I: St. Martin de Porres High School Graduates Second Four-Year Class/On Saturday,June 6, St. Martin de Porres High School (Waukegan), a member of the Cristo Rey Network, celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2009, the high school's second four-year class. The graduation was held at Holy Family Parish, 450 Keller Ave. in Waukegan, beginning at 10:30 am. The Class of 2009 features 29 seniors who hail from Wuakegan, Beach Park, and North Chicago. This group of seniors has earned more than $800,000 in scholarship awards from colleges and community organizations. Guest: Joe Villinski, Director of Development, St. Martin de Porres High School Segment II: When classes begin next August, two parishes will offer new early childhood education programs aimed at children ages 3 to 8. The programs will be at St. Mary of Czestochowa in Cicero and St. Priscilla, 7001 W. Addison St. Both will be in facilities that up until this spring housed traditional Catholic Schools. Those schools are closing because of declining engrollment or financial difficulties. Guest: Clem Martin, Director, Cicero Catholic Schools Segment III: Same Description as Segment II. Guests: Jennifer Hodge, Director, Academy of St. Priscilla; Albert Schorsch III, Board Chair

Hosted by Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: The Golden Apple Foundation has announced the names of 30 Chicago-area finalists for the 2009 Golden Apple Awards for Exscellence in Teaching in grades Pre-K through 3rd grade. Two of those teachers are from Catholic Schools - Sarah Covington of St. Leonard School in Berwyn aqnd Shannon Vier of Old St. Mary's Catholic School in Chicago. The finalists will be honored Saturday, April 18 at the Celebration of Excellence in Teaching from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency McCormick in Chicago. Segment II: In a partnership with the Chicago Bulls, Pope John Paul II school in Chicago recently held a grand opening of it's Green Reading & Technology Corner. As part of the Read to Achieve Program, they added a new component to the Reading & Learning Center where they created an environmentally friendly learning space. Segment III: The Week of the Young child (April 19-25) is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young children (NAEYC). One hundred percent of Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese have kindergarten programs and 93 percent have preschools. Two stellar early childhood educators are here to talk about their experiences. More information about Early Childhood Catholic Education can be found at Schools.ArchChicago.org.

Segment I: Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, is announcing the establishment of the Archdiocese of Chicago Board of Catholic Schools. As a governing body, the Board's mission will be to foster and promote the ministry of Archdiocesan Catholic elementary and high schools as part of the educational mission of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Board will be responsible for the operations of Catholic schools, except where the responsibilities of pastors take precedent under canon law. The areas the Board will oversee include Catholic identity, finance, institutional advancement, and planning. Guests: Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, O.P., Superintendent. Segment II: Three of the nineteen finalists for the 2009 Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards are from Catholic schools. Five will be recognized as outstanding educators in the Chicagoland area in April. Guests: Cynthia Helwink, Preschool teacher, Santa Maria Goretti School, Schiller Park; Amy Scheeringa, Kindergarten teacher from Our Lady of Guadalupe School; Eva Wojkowski, Preschool teacher from St. Helen School. Segment III: Reverend John Siemanowski has been named the 2009 NCEA Distinguished Pastor Award winner. Rev. John Siemanowski is the pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Chicago Heights. Guests: Rev. John Siemanowski, Pastor, St. Agnes Parish, Chicago Heights.

Segment I: At Chicago’s Queen of Angels School, their Home and School Association, known as the Commons has received the NCEA Distinguished Home and School Association Award. The Commons’ mission is to serve as a dynamic and inclusive parent-school organization dedicated to fostering productive collaboration, cooperation and communication in the Catholic community for the enrichment of school children’s lives. Guests: Julia Kelly, Principal, Queen of Angels School, Chicago; Patty Peterson, Member of Commons, Queen of Angels Segment II: Evanston’s St. Athanasius School’s Mary Quish has received the NCEA Distinguished Teacher Award this year. Mary teaches 5th-8th grade in the subjects of French, language arts and technology. Guests: Mary Quish. Segment III: Chicago’s Saint Patrick High School has a LaSallian Youth organization that is doing some amazing service projects, and the school has just concluded its ‘Think Pink’ week in support of Breast Cancer research. Guests: Megan Ivers, Director of Marketing, Saint Patrick High School

Segment I: The Office of Catholic Schools is launching a ‘Dollars for Dreams’ campaign to support Catholic schools in the Diocese of Nsukka in Nigeria. GUESTS: Esther Hicks, Director of Catholic Identity and Mission, Office of Catholic Schools. Segment II: School Principals talk about innovative service projects and programs happening at their schools GUESTS: Shane Staczuk, Principal, Mount Carmel Academy, Chicago Mary Hemmelman, Principal, St. Emily Elementary School, Mt. Prospect Mary Lee Calihan, Principal, Old St. Mary’s School, Chicago. Segment III: Maria High School has begun a development internship program that helps current students learn to write grants and understand the field of advancement. GUESTS: Wendy Lynn, President, Maria High School, Chicago Kathleen Dujsik, VP of Institutional Advancement, Maria High School

Alphonsus Academy Choir/Alphonsus Academy students will be performing various Christmas songs. This is Scott Arkenberg's second year as the choir director. He speaks about the choir's upcoming performances. The choir recently participated in Holiday Pops Concert at the Harris Theatre. Guests: Scott Arkenberg, Alphonsus Academy Choir Director; Alphonsus Academy Choir Notre Dame High School for Girls and St. Ferdinand School to be housed in one building. Two Catholic schools on the north side of Chicago-Notre Dame High School for Girls and St. Ferdinand School-are joining two schools into one building to serve the student bodies more effectively and efficiently, thus leveraging the strengths of each instidution. Notre Dame High School for Girls will move into the third floor of St. Ferdinand School beginning with the 2009 fall semester. Guests: Dr. Lucine Mastalerz, Principal of St. Ferdinand School; Kelly Jones, President of Notre Dame High School for Girls.

Hosted by Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: "Lessons that Last a Lifetime" is an initiative sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago to support it's Catholic schools. It was designed especially for financially distressed schools, primarily located in the ring of suburbs around Chicago. "There are probably two dozen such schools. Indeed there are schools like that in each of our six vicariates," said William Booth, major gifts officer for Catholic schools in the Office for Stewardship and Development. Booth created the Lessons that Last a Lifetime to be similar to the very successful Big Shoulders program, which has been supporting the inner-city Catholic schools in Chicago for more than 20 years. Guest: William Booth. Segment II: Catholic school student assessment is a very important topic for parents. As part of the Genesis Strategic Plan, the Office of Catholic Schools has organized a team of educational experts to address student assessment issues. Guests: Daniel Foertsch, Ph.D., Director of Data and Research, Office of Catholic Schools; Deb Sullivan, Principal, Northside Catholic Academy; Evelyn Califfe, Principal, St. Mary Star of the Sea. Segment III: At St. Rene Goupil each grade has chosen a different charity to support through service projects. Guests: Marlene De Santis, Principal, St. Rene Goupil.

Segment I: Six Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago were named on September 9 by Secretary Margaret Spellings of the U.S. Department of Education as No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon Schools representing the most from any school system in the nation this year. This is the second consecutive year the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools have earned the distinction of being the school system with the largest number of No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon Schools. Guests: Rev. Robert Egan, president of St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights; Judy Shutter, former principal of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Elementary School, Orland Hills; Rosalie Musiala, principal of Pope John XXIII School, Evanston; Judy Pappas, principal of Saint James School, Arlington Heights; Gary Campione, principal of St. Mary School, Buffalo Grove

Hosts Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off on September 15. Joining a discussion on celebrating Hispanic Heritage is principals from schools in the Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods of Chicago. Guests: Matthew Banach, Principal, St. Agnes of Bohemia School; Nancy Nasko, Principal, St. Pius V School Seton Academy and St. Sabina Academy Partner for Technology: Seton Academy of South Holland has launched it's Technology Partnership Program with Catholic elementary schools. Beginning this year, Seton is partnering with St. Sabina Academy on Chicago's Southside to provide each classroom teacher with a laptop computer, technology professional development training, and St. Sabina will also receive an LCD projector. Guests: Roberto Torres, President, Seton Academy; Helen Dumas, Principal of St. Sabina Academy. HighSight: HighSight is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships, tutoring, mentoring and leadership development for students to attend and succeed at private high schools in Chicago. There are currently 138 students in 24 high schools who receive financial, academic and social support from HighSight. The vast majority of HighSight Scholars attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Guest: Mark Duhon, Executive Director, HighSight.

This show is hosted by Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Our Lady of Humility (Beach Park) is celebrating 50 years of Catholic education this year and as a "kick-off", in July they had a Mass and picnic for close to 500 alumni and families. Father Mitten (a graduate of OLH) presided and the entire event expressed the lasting value of Catholic school education. Guests: Patrick Browne, Principal of Our Lady of Humility Catholic School, Beach Park; Paul Maloney, Assistant Superintendent for Vicariate I. Segment II: Students and teachers have many new learning opportunities at St. Benedict School (Chicago). The middle school students have access to laptops throughout this upcoming school year. Middle school students have a one-to-one computing environment because of a state grant for a program called Technology Immersion Pilot Project (TIPP). Meanwhile, teachers will receive professional development from DePaul University. Guest: Rachel Gemo, Principal of St. Benedict Catholic School, Chicago. Segment III: HFS Chicago Scholars is now in it's twelfth year, and it's founding idea still holds strong: given active support, disadvantaged Chicago students can use the power of their minds and hard work to achieve success. more than 90% of the students supported by HFS Chicago Scholars attend Catholic High schools throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago. Guest: Brian Parker, Executive Director, HFS Chicago Scholars.

Host: Wayne Magdiarz. Segment I: Sr. Mary Paul McGaughey, O.P., Superintendent of Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools, will share insights on what led her to the position and her outlook on Catholic school education here in the Archdiocese. Guest: Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, O.P., Superintendent of Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools. Segment II: Now entering their second year of implementation, Boards of Specified Jurisdiction are a new form of governance impacting Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools. This discussion will offer an overview of these boards and detail how it's working at a local elementary school. Guests: Fr. Bob Kroll, Director of Board Development, Office of Catholic Schools; Mary Kay Tschanz, Principal, St. James Catholic Schools, Highwood, IL; Tom Carney, Board Member, St. James Catholic School, Highwood, IL; Fr. Tom Baldonieri, STL, Pastor, St. James, Highwood, IL

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdiarz. Segment I: The past eight years have been full of firsts for the class of 2008 at Cardinal Bernardin School. At the time, it was the first new Catholic school built in the Archdiocese of Chicago in more than three decades. And now they're preparing to blaze another path Friday as the first class that's spent its entire grammar school career at the school to graduate. Guests: Judy Schutter, Principal Segment II: Opening in August 2008 and now accepting students for it's first freshman class, Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School is a Catholic Jesuit secondary school (grades 9-12) using the Cristo Rey model to serve young men and women from the Austin neighborhood and surrounding communities of Chicago's west side. Guests: Brendan Conroy, Principal; Fr. Chris Devron, President Segment III: The Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee selected St. Alphonsus Liguori to participate in an Olympic Week that included a number of activities to help bring the Olympics here to Chicago. Guest: Pete Tantillo, Principal

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdiarz. Segment One: The Thomas E. McGovern Jr. Scholarship Fund, started in 1990, provides eighth grade student athletes tuition assistance to a Chicago Catholic League High School. The fund is dedicated to the memory of Tom McGovern; an inspirational coach, teacher, father, husband, brother and friend. Each year, scholarship funds are raised through the McGovern Open Golf Outing and Raffle, The St. Rita Thanksgiving "McGovern Classic Tournament," and the continued support of all of family and friendsl It's commitment to Catholic High School education will forever serve the memory of Tom...by sending "his" kids to school. Guest: Michael McGovern Segment Two: Green Schools--St. Monica Academy: Principal Ray Coleman, pastor Fr. Ted Schmitt and teacher Renee Rosenbusch discuss the new SEEDS curriculum at the school. Pat Farrell of St. James School talks about it's environmentally friendly initiative. Segment Three: Class of 2008 Archdiocesan High School Graduates are on air to discuss their future plans and their experiences at their respective high schools. Byron Whitting of St. Francis de Sales High School; Aaron Reese of Seton Academy; Graceson Huelar of St. Gregory the Great High School; Warren Ragland of Leo High School; Mary Iannucilli

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment 1: Celebrating Papal Visit: Prayer and Picnic in the Park. On Thursday, April 17 in Portage Park, 4200 N. Central, eight Catholic elementary schools will gather and pray in solidarity with Pope Benedict XVI on his first visit as Pope to the United States. Approximately 1,700 students will gather at 10 a.m. for a prayer service and lunch. Participating schools are: St. Bartholomew, St. Pascal, Our Lady of Victory, St. Viator, St. Edward, St. Constance, St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Ladislaus. Guests: Fr. Jason Malave, Pastor of St. Bartholomew; Fr. Paul Seaman, Pastor of St. Pascal; John Kasel, Principal of Our Lady of Victory. Segment Two: St. Helen School partners with the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Art Institute of Chicago and Holy Trinity High School. St. helen School teachers will begin special professional development activities at Lincoln Park Zoo and the Art Institute of Chicago. Students will have special learning opportunities at these sites as well. St. Helen junior high students are using Holy Trinity High School's state-of-the-art video production lab once a week after school to learn how to film, edit, and produce multimedia presentations. There will be a screening of their works at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue in May. Guests: Marianne Johnson, Principal of St. helen School; Diniah Dean, Teacher at Holy Trinity High School. Segment Three: Week of the Young Child 2008--April 13-19, 2008. The Week of the young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). One hundred percent of Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese have kindergarten programs and 93 percent have preschools. St. Therese Chinese Catholic School added a new preschool this school year. Guests: Julie Ramski, Early Childhood Program Director; Phyllis Cavallone-Jurek, Principal of St. Therese Chinese Catholic School.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment 1: A discussion with the three Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic school Golden Apple award Finalists. The Golden Apple Foundation announced 31 Chicago-area finalists for the 2008 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching in grades 4 through 8. A total of 850 teachers from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties were nominated for the award, which was first presented in 1986. Ten Golden Apple Award winners, selected from the 30 finalists, will be announced in mid-April. The finalists will be honored Saturday, March 15 at the Celebration of Excellence in Teaching from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency McCormick in Chicago. The Awards selection committee is comprised of Chicago-area educators. Two committee members will observe each of the 30 finalists in the classroom and interview their principal and selected colleagues, parents and students. The 10 Golden Apple Award winners will be announced in Mid-April. The winners will be honored at an awards ceremony on September 6 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, which subsequently will be aired as a one-hour prime-time special on WTTW/Channel 11. Guests: Katherine Noonan, teacher, St. Malachy School, Chicago. Veronica Ruelas, teacher, The Academy of St. Benedict the African School, Chicago. Heather Kelsey, teacher, St. Gall School, Chicago. Segment 2: On Tuesday, March 11, St. Dorothy School will conduct a Civil War Living History Day. Guest: Fr. Robert Miller, Pastor, St. Dorothy School, Chicago.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz; Graziano Marcheschi; Interim Co-Superintendent Marty Frauenheim. Topic One--A Conversation with the Interim Co-Superintendent: A brief discussion with Marty Fauenheim, Interim Co-Superintendent, about the Office of Catholic Schools. Topic Two--Lenten Activities in the Schools with guests: Kenneth Ucho, Principal of St. Daniel the Prophet School, Chicago; Geraldine Maratea, Principal of Santa Lucia School, Chicago; Marlene DeSantis, Principal of St. Rene Goupil School, Chicago; Tina Bull, First Grade Teacher at St. Thecla School, Chicago. Topic Three--The National Catholic Educational Association has launched a Distinguished Pastor Award. The Archdiocese is excited to announce that one of it's own is the recipient of this award, Fr. Carl Morello, Pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Park Ridge. Fr. Morello is one of eight pastors in the United States to receive this distinction this year. Guest: Fr. Carl Morello, Pastor, St. Paul of the Cross Parish, Park Ridge.

Guests: Marianne Dutch; Catherine Sullivan Wallenfang; Evelyn Califfe; Patrick Kelly; Marcella Bosnak; Nancy Nasko; Nancy Andrasco; Richard Guerin; Jack Percival; Fr. Brian Paulson.

Segment One--National Distinguished Principal St. John of the Cross, Western Springs, Maureen Colin, the school's principal recently received the 2007 NCEA Dr. Robert J. Legley Distinguished Principal Award. Guests: Maureen Colin, Principal, St. John of the Cross School, Western Springs; Sal Guccione, Assistant Superintendant for Vicariate II; NCEA Great Lakes State Representative. Segment Two--High School Placement Test, January 12: High School Placement Test: Mary Iannudill, Assistant Superintendant for High Schools, will discuss the upcoming placement test taking place in high schools throughout the Archdioocese on January 12, 2008. Segment Three: Guests David Burke, Principal of Epiphany School in Chicago, Lorelei Bobroff, Principal of St. Paul of the Cross in Park Ridge, Meghan Hurley, Assistant Principal of St. Agnes of Bohemia in Chicago and Patricia Hulzar, Teacher at St. Frances of Rome School in Cicero talkl about traditions and celebrations in honor of Our lady of Guadalupe, the pattroness of the Americas.

Segment One--For it's fourth consecutive year, St. Joseph School in Summit hosts a Veteran's Recognition Day. This year on November 8, St. Joseph School presented letters to soldiers in the community on behalf of all soldiers serving in Iraq. Guests: Lawrence Manetti, Principal of St. Joseph School; LTC Francisco R. Carranza USAR, Parent at St. Joseph School Segment Two--St. John of the Cross Parish School will host Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes) on Wednesday, November 14, at 1:30 pm as he presents his first children's book, Angela and the Baby Jesus. Guest: Mary Ann Oczkowski, Second Grade Teacher, St. John of the Cross School in Western Springs. Segment 3--The Science Department at St. Patrick High School shares their facilities and equipment with students from local elementary schools that don't usually have access to top-notch science facilities. St. Patrick reached out earlier this fall, offering use of the school's biology lab and microscope equipment to assist elementary school teachers with their lessons on microscopy. Guests: Christopher Perez, Science Teacher, St. Patrick High School Georgiann Kelly, Teacher, St. Constance School

Seven Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago were named on October 2 by Secretary Margaret Spellings of the U.S. Department of Education as No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools representing the most from any school system in the nation this year. Since 2004, fifteen Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago have achieved this distinction. Joining host Graziano Marcheschi for this Blue Ribbon segment are Ms. Mary Jo Burns, Principal of Ascension School in Oak Park; Ms. Valerie Zemko of St. Colette School in Rolling Meadows; Mr. Roy Rash, Principal of St. Francis de Sales School in Lake Zurich; Rev. Robert Carroll, O. Carm., Principal of Carmel High School in Mundelein; Mrs. Deborah Dedeo, Principal of St. Mary of the Annunciation School in Mundelein. In the final ten minutes Graziano Marcheschi talks with Deborah Muldrow, Event Coordinator for Nativity BVM school about Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide initiative of prevention and education about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. During this week in October, students all over the country make pledges to live drug and alcohol free. Here in the Archdiocese, Nativity BVM School will host its Annual Violence Prevention event on Friday October 12 from 9am to 1pm. The event will address the importance of violence prevention education, and identify the many resources available to schools and organizations.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz; Dr. Nicholas Wolsonovich Topics/Guests: Segment 1--Discussion of Strengthening Catholic Schools Conference on September 29, 2007 from 8:30am to 12-15pm at St. Ignatius College Prep, 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Chicago. This conference serves the needs of elementary and secondary school partners, including school board members, family school associations, and legislative action persons. Keynote address will be delivered by Nicholas Wolsonovich and will be followed by two sessions of workshops on a variety of topic areas. Guests for this segment are Sue Bordenaro, Legislative Action Consultant with the Office of Catholic Schools and Dr. Michelle Jenkins, Director of Staff Development for the Office of Catholic Schools. Segment 2: Our Lady of Guadalupe School has seen improving test scores over the past few years, increased number of staff development and school days, as well as a large renovation to the school building. Guest for this segment is Michael Hughes, Principal of Our Lady of Guadalupe School. Segment 3: St Procopius School implements a dual-language program (English and Spanish) for its students. The goal of this program is to achieve bi-lingual academic proficiency in both English and Spanish. Guests for this segment are Fr. Tim Howe, Pastor of St. Procopius Parish and Adam Dufault, Assistant Principal from St. Procopius.