Catholic Schools Today

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: STEM Program at Our Lady of Victory. Guests: Jennifer Hodge; Mary Feeney. Segment II: St. Clement Families Traveled to El Salvador. Guests: Fr. Ken Simpson; Melissa Dan

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Superintendent Update. Segment II: Fenwick High School's John Paulett is a Golden Apple Award Recipient. Segment III: Seton Academy's Jason Smith is named A Gates Millennium Scholar.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Mount Carmel High School's Curt Ehrenstrom is a Golden Apple Award Recipient. Segment II: St. Thomas the Apostle School celebrates Children's Book Week. Segment III: Catholic New World and Office of Catholic Schools' 2013 Essay Contest Winner. Guests: Curt Ehrenstrom; Candace Scheidt; Tristan Mayer.

Host: Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Superintendent update with Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey. Segment II: Queen of All Saints Parent Association wins 2013 NCEA Distinguished Home and School Association Award. Segment III: St. Bordenaro wins 2013 NCEA Leonard F. DeFiore Parental Choice Advocate Award.

Host: Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Superintendent update with Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey. Segment II: St. Thecla School adds new programs. Guest: Dan Gargano. Segment III: St. Frances Xavier School in Wilmette was one of six Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools recently named a Blue Ribbon School. Guest: Dan McKenna.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Update from Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Superintendent, Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey. Segment II: Sacred Heart School Welcomes Alumni. Guests: Steve Adams. Luis Verdi. Segment III: St. Edmund School Engages the Community through Social Media. Guests: Michael Sweeney; Susie Malnar.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Update from Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Superintendent, Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey. Segment II: Catholic Schools Week. Guests: Stephanie Sutton; Joni Schwarzbeck; Mary Beth Ginley; Mary Jo Talaga. Segment III: Nancy Nasko named NCEA Distinguished Principal. Guests: Nancy Nasko; Sal Guccione; Alex Moreno

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Superintendent Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey gives an update about Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools. Segment II: The Catholic High School Placement Test will be given on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 8 a.m. Guess: Michael Dougherty; Dan McGrath. Segment III: Six Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools have been named Blue Ribbon Schools. Guests: Sue Castagna; Venette "Vinny" Biancalana; Kathleen Gorman.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Capital for Kids is a reception held at The Capital Grille in downtown Chicago. Funds raised will be for the Cardinal's Scholarship Fund. Guest: Bill Booth. Segment II: Golden Apple Award Winner, Zackary Ruelas. Segment III: Catholic Schools honor veterans. Guest: Mary Vitulli.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Holy Cross School Celebrates 75th Anniversary. Guests: Janice DiVicenzo; Jen Bobay. Segment II: St. Frances of Rome teacher wins "Symetra Heroes in the Classroom" award. Guest: Rose Grill. Segment III: Partners in Education Conference and High Schoool Expo. Guests: Daniel Foertsch; Katie Pins.

Host: Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: St. Juliana School is incorporating a new character education program called Building Peace Project. Guest: Amanda Oh. Segment II: A new school called Nativity Early Childhood Center will open September 17th on the southwest side. Guests: Mary Egan; Julie Ramski. Segment III: Carmel Catholic High School held a groundbreaking ceremony in June for their new Information Commons and Fine Arts Center. Guests: Greg Hirsch; Judith Mucheck

Host: Graziano Marcheschi. Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey gives an update on Catholic Schools. Segment I: Fr. Robert Kruger speaks about his experience at St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove. Segment II: NET Ministries will host retreats for Chicago Catholic youth this winter. Guest: Al Theis. Segment III: St. Gregory the Great High School celebrates their 75th Anniversary. Guest: Robin Forestal.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: St. Philip Neri School raising funds for a new playground. Guest: Linda Sanders. Segment II: Ascension School celebrating 100 years of Catholic education. Guest: Mary Jo Burns. Segment III: Mount Assisi Academy celebrating 60 years of Catholic Education. Guests: Sister Mary Francis Werner; Marina Tadros.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Golden Apple Award Winner from St. Malachy School. Guest: Bridgid Miller. Segment II: Dream Machine School Makeover Contest Winner, St. Cornelius School. Guest: Christina Bowman. Segment III: Leo High School Track Team wins back-to-back 1A IHSA State Championships. Guest: Edward Adams.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: Mother McAuley Student Participates in "The Art of Dairy" Art Contests. Guests: Janet Kintner; Diane Tyska. Segment II: Alphonsus Academy attempts to break a Guinness World Record. Guest: Matthew Bauer. Segment III: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy students win HP's Every Inkling Makes A Difference" National Writing Contest. Guests: Abigail Golitz; Bernadette Golitz.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Six Archdiocese of Chicago Schools are named Blue Ribbon Schools. Guest: Phyllis Cavalone-Jurek. Segment II: St. Hyacinth to take on High Schools in MATE ROV Competition. Guests: Minica Ulanicki; Patrick Bobro; Freddy Ortiz. Segment II: St. Gall Shakespeare Group performs "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Guest: Heather Kelsey.

Host: Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Six Archdiocese of Chicago Schools are named Blue Ribbon Schools. Guest: Judith Schutter. Segment II: St. Cornelius School participates in the annual St. Baldrick's Foundation event. Guests: Christina Bowman; Conor Murphy; Mike Livingstone. Segment III: BE FAIR! is an anti-bullying program at St. Athanasius School. Guests: Susan Catagna; Connor Carlin; Susan Swanson.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: Six Archdiocese of Chicago Schools are named Blue Ribbon Schools. Guests: Kathleen McGinn; Michael Stritch. Segment II: Undefeated St. Celestine Girls' Basketball Team. Guests: Katlin Aylward; Shannon Faherty; Annie McKenna. Segment III: St. Edward School's Active Community. Guests: Kristine Dunne; Alice Erickson; Kristin Lynch.

Hosts: Fr. Greg Sakowicz and Wayne Magdziarz. Segment I: St. Viator High School students find solidarity with Waukegan teens. Guests: Kelly Wilda; Tim Mastertoon. Segment II: Catholic Schools Week is January 29-Feburary 5, 2012. Guests: Paula Calvert. Segment III: St. Ailbe Children's Choir's motto is "Praising the Lord and Touching Somebody Through Song". Guest: Robert Murphy.

Host: Graziano Marcheschi. Segment I: The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12th. The students at St. Agnes of Bohemia School celebrated on Friday, December 9th. Guests: Ally McCall; Melissa Avila. Segment II: St. Philip Neri School students recently began working with a new choir director, Mrs. Toni Bell-Elliot. We will listen to a few of their songs throughout today's program. Guests: Linda Sanders; Toni Bell-Elliot. Segment III: The Catholic High School Placement Test will be given on Saturday, January 14, 2011 at 8 a.m. Students do not need to register for the test. Guests: Amanda Moore; Bob McMillan

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