2017 Back to School Guide

August 18, 2017

A S P EC I A L e d i t i o n o f T H E C AT H O L I C N E W S H E R A L D

WELCOME

GROWING

New principals named for Christ the King High School, St. Patrick School

$11M expansion project under way at Christ the King High School

TUITION HELP

ALSO INSIDE

$4M fund established for Catholic school scholarships

Upcoming open houses, Campus Ministry locations and more

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: Back to School

2

Campus Ministry buildings get face-lift with FFHL funds SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

Dr. Janice Ritter

Excitement as a new school year begins

A

s the first day of school approaches, the excitement of a new school year is already evident in so many ways!

The 19 diocesan principals held their first meeting this week. This year we added some new faces to this distinguished group. We are pleased to welcome two new principals: Dr. Carl Semmler at Christ the King High School in Huntersville and Amy Tobergte at St. Patrick School in Charlotte. We also welcome back Tyler Kulp at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury, who began his tenure as principal at the end of the previous school year.

The diocesan Schools Office has already held its in-service training for our new group of teacher-mentors.

This group of experienced educators will be of tremendous support to new teachers throughout this coming year. It is truly a testimony to their dedication to education and their commitment to their colleagues that they would volunteer to take on this important task. We have also met with those beginning teachers, and we are pleased that they have chosen to begin their teaching career in the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools.

Our mission in Catholic education is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to provide a religious and academic program that allows each student to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, so that each is prepared to live and serve in a changing society as a self-respecting citizen. Our school communities are places where young people can grow in faith and knowledge in a safe and caring environment. We always welcome new families and students to be part of this mission.

On behalf of the administration, faculty and staff throughout all 19 diocesan Catholic schools, I extend our prayers and good wishes for an academically and spiritually fulfilling and successful school year.

Dr. Janice Ritter is superintendent of the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools system.

Photo via facebook

Christ the King High School in Huntersville is undergoing a year-long expansion project to add 27,000 square feet of additional space for the school. A new access road and 50 more parking spots are also being added.

$11M, year-long expansion project at Christ the King High School under way SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

HUNTERSVILLE — A campus-wide expansion project at Christ the King High School has begun. Extensive site work is under way to prepare for a two-story classroom expansion and a second access point to the school campus.

The high school’s expansion project, which is expected to take a year to complete, will entail approximately 27,000 square feet of new construction. The expansion includes a new cafeteria, large rooms for drama and band, a fabrication shop, three science classrooms and eight general-purpose classrooms. Administrative offices will also be created as part of the expansion project, which will more than double the size of the school.

The estimated $11 million project is being funded by the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools capital fee.

The Boudreaux Group of Columbia, S.C., is the architect, and Edifice Construction is serving as general contractor. The civil engineer is Little Diversified Architects.

The original high school building consisted of a 22,000-square-foot, energy-efficient structure built to accommodate future growth. The school opened in 2013 with 12 classrooms configured in clusters (with four to be finished at a later date), physics and chemistry labs, an art classroom with a kiln, a temporary cafeteria space with a patio, a chapel and two conference rooms.

A small gymnasium was also constructed with the help of a $1 million donation from an anonymous donor.

Over the next 12 months, crews will develop the site and begin work on the expanded section of the building. They expect to erect the steel infrastructure within the next two months.

A parking lot expansion that will add 50 new spaces will be complete for the start of school. A new loop road will connect Crusader Lane to Shiloh Church Road for a new secondary entrance to the campus. This new road was recently made possible by the purchase of an additional four acres adjacent to the school campus.

The diocese’s third high school, Christ the King High School was founded in 2011 to meet the needs of the growing Catholic population north of Charlotte, and it moved to the current 100-acre campus in 2013.

Enrollment for the 2017-’18 year is approximately 300 students.

CULLOWHEE — Catholic college students attending Western Carolina University will be welcomed into a completely remodeled facility this fall. The old Campus Ministry building has seen a $125,000 remodel of the chapel, kitchen and bathrooms, as well as other general improvements to the 2,400-square-foot meeting space.

“The primary mission of campus ministry is evangelization and catechesis,” said WCU campus minister Matthew Newsome. “Evangelization to bring the Gospel to those who have not yet received the faith, and catechesis to help make disciples of those who have.

“Having a beautiful chapel for the students to worship in, and an attractive and comfortable student center for them to spend time in, is a great tool in evangelization and catechesis. Beauty is a great evangelizer... Our faith is beautiful. We show that by creating a beautiful environment for worship and fellowship.”

Extensive renovation projects at four Campus Ministry locations over the past two years have been funded by the diocesan-wide “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign. Besides WCU, these projects include: n At Appalachian State University in Boone, interior and exterior repairs and maintenance were performed on the Campus Ministry building. The building was painted, new appliances were installed in the kitchen, and air conditioning units were added. n At A&T University in Greensboro, similar interior and exterior repairs and maintenance were done. In addition, the facility needed new paint, decking boards at the entrance were replaced to improve safety, and kitchen upgrades were done. n At the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, a building on the St. Thomas Aquinas Church campus adjacent to the university was renovated to allow for offices, a kitchen, dining area, gathering area and restrooms for Campus Ministry staff and students.

Approximately $480,000 from the FFHL campaign has been used to pay for these improvements at the four university Campus Ministry locations.

Campus Ministry Off to college? Want to meet new lifetime friends? Look for Catholic Campus Ministry on your campus. They may have tables outside church and at club/organization fairs. Or they may be helping first-year students settle in their rooms or participating in the Week of Welcome (WOW) on your campus. Wherever they are, you are welcome to join them, whether you are a first-year student or a senior. Go to www.catholiconcampus.com and click on “Directory” to find and contact the Campus Minister at your college or university.

Campus Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte serves college students throughout western North Carolina, enabling them to continue their faith journey as young adults. Campus Ministry encourages young adult Catholics to develop a closer relationship with God; continue forming their conscience within the teachings of our faith; build faith communities on campus; develop as future leaders and stewards for the Catholic community; and to engage in social justice-oriented learning and activities.

All Catholic students attending university or college in the diocese are welcome in the Catholic Campus Ministry community for support and opportunities to grow in their faith and put it into action.

Campuses served: n Appalachian State University (with outreach to Lenoir-Rhyne University) n Bennett College and North Carolina A&T (Thea House) n Davidson College n UNC-Asheville (with outreach to Warren Wilson College and Mars Hill College) n UNC-Charlotte (with outreach to Queens University, Johnson C. Smith University, Wingate University, and Central Piedmont Community College) n UNC-Greensboro (with outreach to Greensboro College, Guilford College, and High Point University) n Wake Forest University (with outreach to Salem College and North Carolina School of the Arts) n Western Carolina University

More online At www.catholiconcampus.com: Get more information about Catholic Campus Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news herald: Back to SchoolI

MACS welcomes two new principals this fall

Our principals Michele Snoke St. Gabriel School Deborah Butler St. Mark School Meredith Canning Immaculata School Tyler Kulp Sacred Heart School Dr. Carl Semmler Christ the King High School Ann Flynt St. Pius X School Sheila Levesque St. Michael School Kathy McKinney St. Ann School Michael Miller Asheville Catholic School Amy Tobergte St. Patrick School Kevin O’Herron St. Matthew School Kathleen Miller Our Lady of Grace School Kevin Parks Holy Trinity Middle School Allana-Rae Ramkissoon Our Lady of the Assumption School Tracy A. Shaw Bishop McGuinness High School Greg Roberts Immaculate Heart of Mary School Sister Geri Rogers, S.S.J. Our Lady of Mercy School Joanne Brown St. Leo School Kurt Telford Charlotte Catholic High School

SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools welcomes two new principals for the 2017-’18 school year: Dr. Carl Semmler has been hired as principal of Christ the King High School in Huntersville, and Amy Tobergte as principal of St. Patrick School in Charlotte.

DR. CARL A. SEMMLER, CHRIST THE KING HIGH SCHOOL Semmler joins the Christ the King High School community after serving in Catholic education for more than 20 years, most recently as the principal of Bishop McGann-Mercy Diocesan High School in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y. Prior to this, Semmler was an associate superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y. His Semmler duties included strategic planning, principal professional development, leadership training and supervision of the Catholic grammar schools in Brooklyn West.

Semmler served in various roles at Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, N.Y., where he taught theology and directed campus ministry. He has most recently completed a doctorate in education in administrative and instructional leadership at St. John’s University. His dissertation focused on analyzing the strategic plans of Catholic dioceses undergoing similar demographic changes.

Semmler is excited to move to North Carolina, where his wife Christine grew up and where her family still lives.

They have three children: Sophia, Thomas and Timothy.

“I am thrilled to be part of the community at Christ the King Catholic High School,” Semmler said. “It is such a joy to be part of a growing, enthusiastic, intelligent and spiritual Catholic school. The students that I have met are so impressive in their welcoming spirit and their love for their school.

Academic Excellence and Spiritual Enrichment since 1955

We come to learn.

We leave to serve.

Prospective Parent Open House Dates Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade 9:30 AM-11:00 AM

Wednesday, January 31, 2018 Kindergarten through 8th Grade 9:30 AM-11:00 AM

2200 North Elm Street • Greensboro, NC 27455 • 336-273-9865 • www.spxschool.com

“My aim is to continue our school’s trajectory of excellence, while still keeping the family feeling within the school.”

AMY TOBERGTE, ST. PATRICK SCHOOL Tobergte grew up northwest of Chicago and is a graduate of Western Illinois University. She began her teaching career at a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. After moving to Charlotte in 2005, she taught in the public schools and was promoted to district-level positions.

In 2010 Tobergte obtained her N.C. School Administrator Principal’s license Tobergte and became an assistant principal at Quail Hollow Middle School, where she served for two years before becoming principal of Piney Grove Elementary School in March 2013.

Tobergte traveled to Japan for two weeks this summer.

She was one of 12 U.S. educators selected by Fulbright Japan to collaborate with 12 Japanese educators on helping students explore and solve issues related to Education for Sustainable Development. She spent two weeks learning about the Japanese culture, including an overnight stay with a family, and also learned about the country’s efforts to protect their environment and natural resources through ESD. “It was truly a trip of a lifetime, and I am eager to build upon my learning and experiences with the staff and students of St. Patrick,” Tobergte said.

“Throughout all of my opportunities in public education, I found it important to live my Catholic faith through acts of service, charity and embodying our Catholic social teachings and faith in my actions and decisions,” she said.

“Having the opportunity to now join St. Patrick is a true gift, and I am looking forward to leading our school as a community of worship. St. Patrick has a history of academic excellence and a strong sense of community, and it also has a commitment to developing the spiritual health and life of our children – which I believe is critical to preserve.”

Did you know?

The Diocese of Charlotte Schools welcome students of all backgrounds, even as most of their students are Catholic and the school system strives to inculcate the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church.

Catholic: 90.8% Non-Catholic: 9.2% Boys: 50.9% Girls: 49.1% Asian: 4.3% Black: 2.9% Caucasian: 88.9% Hawaiian-Pacific Islander: 0.5% Multi-race: 2% Native American: 1.1% Unknown: 0.3%

By the numbers 99% of graduates of Bishop McGuinness, Charlotte Catholic and Christ the King high schools continue on to higher education.

Scholarships awarded last year: Bishop McGuinness: $5,408,559 Charlotte Catholic: $21,231,383 Christ the King: $5.2 million

CCDOC.ORG

Success in School Starts Here Hundreds of refugees arrive in North Carolina each year. Children living in refugee camps and war-torn countries have limited access to education and often arrive years behind educational standards.

The Catholic Charities after school program, Refugee School Impact Program, provides homework assistance, enrichment, mentoring, and additional learning experiences to ensure students have the skills they need to excel in school and achieve educational goals.

To learn more about the program or find out about volunteer opportunities available visit our website or call Susan Jassan 704-370-3258.

3

4

iiiAugust 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com

CATHOLIC NEWS HER

Our Cathol

The Diocese of Charlotte School System is comprise Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS), diocesan pa

Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools Mission Statement The Mission of the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charlotte is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to provide a religious and academic program that allows each student to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, so that each is prepared to live and serve in a changing society as a self-respecting and responsible citizen.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; 336-722-7204 www.ourladyofmercyschool.org Sister Geri Rogers, SSJ, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 185 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 for PK, 15:1 for K-8 Upcoming open house: 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Nov. 14

St. Leo Catholic School 333 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27104; 336-748-8252 www.stleocatholic.com Joanne Brown, principal Grades: PS-8 Enrollment: 257 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Upcoming open house: 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

St. Pius X Cathol

2200 North Elm St., G 27408; 336-273-986 www.spxschool.com Ann Flynt, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 455 Student-teacher ratio Upcoming open house Wednesday, Nov. 8; W 31

Diocesan Parish-based Schools This includes 9 schools serving kindergarten through eighth grade and, in some instances, preschool. While each school is part of the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools, they are directly tied to, and administered by, a corresponding parish. For admissions details, contact the individual school.

Sacred H

385 Lumen 704-633-2 www.salisb Tyler Kulp, Grades: PK Enrollment Student-te Upcoming

5 essential marks of a Catholic school 1. Inspired by a supernatural vision 2. Founded on Christian anthropology 3. Animated by communion and community 4. Imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout its curriculum

Asheville Catholic School 12 Culvern St., Asheville, NC 28804; 828-252-7896 www.ashevillecatholic.org Michael Miller, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 168 Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Upcoming open house: 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

5. Sustained by Gospel witness — From: “The Holy See’s Teaching On Catholic Schools,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller, C.S.B.

Immaculata Catholic School 711 N. Buncombe St., Hendersonville, NC 28791; 828-693-3277 www.immac.org Meredith Canning, principal Grades: PK (ages 3-4), K-8 Enrollment: 150 Upcoming open houses: 1-3 p.m. Aug. 22; 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17

Note: Enrollment numbers are for the prior academic year or as reported by the school. Sources include the Education Vicariate’s website at www.charlottediocese.org, diocesan schools staff, and the individual school websites. Student-teacher ratios are averages as reported by each school.

Photos provided

St. Michael Catholic School 704 St. Michael’s Lane, Gastonia, NC 28052; 704-865-4382 www.stmichaelcs.com Sheila Levesque, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 150 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 for K-5, 18:1 for 6-8

RALD: Back to School

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

lic Schools

Leadership

ed of 19 schools operating in three separate formats: arish-based schools and a diocesan-based high school.

lic School

Greensboro, NC 65

o: 15:1 es: 9:30-11 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan.

Diocesan High School

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School 201 South Chapman St., Greensboro, NC 27403; 336-275-1522 www.olgsch.org Kathleen Miller, principal Grades: PK3-8 Enrollment: 240 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 for PK, 15:1 for K-8

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville serves the Triad area of North Carolina.

Bishop McGuinness High School

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School 4145 Johnson St., High Point, NC 27265; 336-887-2613 www.ihm-school.com Greg Roberts, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 211 Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 for PK, 15:1 for K-8 Upcoming open houses: PK: Tuesday, Oct. 24; All grades: Tuesday, Jan. 23, and April 24

Heart Catholic School

n Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147; 2841 burycatholic.org/school principal K (ages 3-4), K-8 t: 213 eacher ratio: 8:1 open house: 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 13

1725 N.C. Hwy. 66 South, Kernersville, NC 27284; 336-564-1010 www.bmhs.us Tracy A. Shaw, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 446 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Upcoming open house: 7 p.m. Nov. 9

A centralized, regional system of schools in the Charlotte area that includes 9 schools (2 high schools, a middle school, 6 elementary schools, some with PK and TK, and 2 K-8 schools). Tuition for participating Catholics ranges from $3,875 for half-day PK to $10,645 for high school. For admissions info, call 704-370-3273.

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School

2011 Crusader Way, Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-799-4400 www.ctkchs.org Dr. Carl Semmler, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 295 Student-teacher ratio: 11:1

4225 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215; 704-531-0067 www.olacatholic.org Allana-Rae Ramkissoon, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 155 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1

Charlotte Catholic High School

St. Ann Catholic School

7702 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226; 704-543-1127 www.gocchs.com Kurt Telford, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 1,240 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1

600 Hillside Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209; 704-525-4938 www.stanncatholic.org Kathy McKinney, principal Grades: PK, TK and K-5 Enrollment: 186 Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School

St. Gabriel Catholic School

3100 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209; 704-527-7822 www.htcms.org Kevin Parks, principal Grades: 6-8 Enrollment: 864 Student-teacher ratio: 14:1

3028 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211; 704-366-2409 www.stgabrielcatholicschool.org Michele Snoke, principal Grades: K-5 Enrollment: 573 Student-teacher ratio: 16:1

St. Mark Catholic School 14750 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-766-­5000 www.stmarkcatholicschool.net Deborah Butler, principal Grades: K-8 Enrollment: 717 Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

St. Matthew Catholic School 11525 Elm Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277; 704-544-2070 www.stmattwildcats.com Kevin O’Herron, principal Grades: TK-5 Enrollment: 559 Student-teacher ratio: 17:1

St. Patrick Catholic School 1125 Buchanan St., Charlotte, NC 28203; 704-333-3174 www.saintpatrickschool.org Amy Tobergte, principal Grades: K-5 Enrollment: 246 Student-teacher ratio: 12:1

Open houses MACS will hold an open house at all schools for prospective parents from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24.

Additional open houses will be: n St. Matthew, St. Patrick, Holy Trinity Middle: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 30

Accreditation All of the diocese’s 19 schools are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS-CASI), a division of AdvancEd. AdvancEd is the world’s largest education community, serving more than 30,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in more than 70 countries that educate more than 16 million students.

Admissions, tuition

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) Christ the King Catholic High School

The diocesan school system is overseen by Vicar of Education Father Roger K. Arnsparger and led

by Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent of schools. Debbie Mixer is assistant superintendent of schools, and Jacqueline Durrett is director of educational technology and special projects.

Lay leadership is provided by an appointed diocesan school board comprised of parents, teachers and principals. MACS also has its own appointed school board.

n St. Ann, St. Mark, Christ the King High: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 31 n Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Gabriel, Charlotte Catholic High: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 1

The admissions process begins with early admissions in January and general admissions in March, continuing as space is available.

Tuition rates and fees vary by school and by grade, with diocesan parishbased schools setting their own tuition rates and MACS schools having a uniform set of rates. MACS tuition rates for the 2017-’18 year are posted online at www.discovermacs.org/tuition.

All of the schools offer some sort of tuition discount or subsidy for registered participating Catholic families, up to 30 percent in some cases. Generally speaking, tuition amounts range from $3,875 to $10,645 for registered Catholics, with non-participating Catholics and non-Catholics paying higher amounts.

Multiple child discounts are available.

For MACS schools, go to the diocesan schools’ webpage, www.discovermacs. org, to learn more and download application information, or call 704370-3273. Admission information for each diocesan parish-based school and at Bishop McGuinness High School can be found on their websites.

Prospective parents are encouraged to attend open houses at the school or schools they are eyeing.

Tuition assistance Have you ever considered Catholic education for your children but wondered if it was within your reach?

A Catholic education may be more accessible than you realize, with needsbased tuition assistance available to qualified Catholics. For details about the MACS tuition assistance program, call 704-370-3273 or go online to www. discovermacs.org/financialaid.

The diocesan parish-based schools and Bishop McGuinness High School offer similar need-based tuition assistance to qualified students. Details can be found on each school’s website.

5

6

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: Back to School

$4M fund established for Catholic school scholarships Money will be used to provide free Catholic education to students throughout diocese SueAnn Howell Senior reporter

CHARLOTTE — An estate gift from a credit card executive who went on to create a nationally-recognized personal finance curriculum to help young people manage debt will soon help pay for children in the Diocese of Charlotte to go to Catholic school for free.

Before his death earlier this year, C. Philip Johnston set up the “C. Philip Johnston – Aline W. Kaneer Scholarship Johnston Fund” with $4 million from his estate.

All 19 Catholic schools in the diocese will be able to request money annually from the fund, which is expected to generate approximately $200,000 in

scholarships each year. The money will be used to pay the full tuition cost for students who qualify for aid.

Johnston, a Catholic convert, was born in Charlotte but lived all over the country before retiring in the Southeast.

He attended Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., which is where he made the decision to enter the Church, according to his nephew Greg Johnston.

He earned a master’s degree from the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill in 1958. He worked in the entertainment OTHER Tuition industry, but assistance is when acting work available for qualified became scarce, he families who apply. took a “temporary See page 5 for details. job” working for Conrad Hilton in a new credit card venture called Carte Blanche.

He rose to success in the emerging credit card industry and, after reaching the position of senior vice president at a large regional bank in St. Louis, he left the banking side of the credit card industry to lead a non-profit organization specializing in consumer credit counseling.

Johnston had recognized the need to teach people how to manage personal debt, so he partnered with a national group of educators and economists to create a curriculum in personal finance for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

He passed away in April at the age of 88.

“We have known since 1989 that Mr. Johnston was going to do something in

For more

the way of an estate gift,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director.

“We are so grateful for this transformative gift.”

Those like Johnston who make a planned gift to the diocese or any of its parishes, schools, ministries or agencies become members of the Catholic Heritage Society.

The society is the diocese’s way of honoring the Christian generosity of Catholic friends who are providing for the future of the Church in western North Carolina.

The Catholic Heritage Society is comprised of more than 900 people in the diocese, many of whom are leaving gifts to the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation in their wills.

Since 1994, the foundation has distributed more than $7 million to the diocese and its parishes, schools and ministries.

Johnston’s gift is the second gift of at least $4 million to the diocese in the past year.

The other gift was an endowment bequeathed to St. Barnabas Church received through the generosity of Dennis and Mary Kushler, who quietly left the parish a $4.1 million endowment after their deaths. It is the single largest estate gift in the history of the Church in North Carolina.

The Kushlers’ endowment will provide the parish with an estimated $205,000 annual income initially, and it will grow over time. It is a general purpose endowment, so the money can be used to help in whatever way the parish decides.

Kelley noted, “More and more people across the diocese are remembering the Church in their estate plans – gifts from thousands of dollars to millions – and we are thankful for their generosity.”

They Grow Up So Fast...

Triad Schools Foundation funds needs at 6 schools The TRIAD Catholic Schools Foundation’s mission is to enrich and expand Catholic education by raising funds for quality programs at the six schools in the Triad region. Thanks to contributions from 2016-’17 Annual Giving Campaign supporters, these schools were able to:

Bishop McGuinness High School Grow the endowment Provide tuition assistance

Immaculate Heart of Mary School Provide new structural and playground equipment Provide tuition assistance Purchase materials for Middle School STEM projects and science lab

Our Lady of Grace School Provide teaching resources and curriculum materials to learn more effective teaching methods and professional development Provide tuition assistance

Our Lady of Mercy School Provide tuition assistance Grow the endowment

St. Leo Parish School Assist families in developing the best financial plan to provide a quality Catholic education for their children Crow the endowment in an effort to reach its $1 million goal

St. Pius X School Enhance instructional technology to improve the quality of classroom instruction in K-8 Provide tuition assistance In addition, contributions to the 2017-’18 campaign will support:

Bishop McGuinness High School Grow the endowment Provide tuition assistance Provide instructional technology resources to engage students and create active learners

Immaculate Heart of Mary School Provide tuition assistance Begin work on playground field and the installation of Phase 1 middle school playground equipment

Our Lady of Grace School Provide technological resources for classrooms and professional development for teachers Provide tuition assistance

Our Lady of Mercy School Provide tuition assistance Grow the endowment Provide technology upgrades in classrooms Integrate virtual lesson plans and internet resources into the curriculum

St. Leo Parish School Assist families in developing the best financial plan to provide a quality Catholic education for their children

Visit us and find out about the excellent educational opportunities we offer!

St. Pius X School Provide students with innovative and challenging tools for learning Provide tuition assistance

385 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury 28147 | 704-633-2841 | www.salisburycatholic.org/school

286461

Excellence Is Taught Here. Faith. Academics. Service. Since 1882.

To donate, visit www. charlottediocese.thankyou4caring.org/ TRIADEducationFoundationDonations or mail checks to Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203. For details, call Ralph Perez at 704-370-3303.

August 18, 2017 | catholicnewsherald.com catholic news herald: Back to SchoolI

7

Grants for Education Excellence recipients named CHARLOTTE — The MACS Education Annual Fund recently announced its Grants for Educational Excellence recipients for the 2017-’18 school year. The grants, totaling $103,849, were awarded to teachers with innovative ideas to enhance the classroom experience.

Grants for Educational Excellence are offered to teachers to recognize and support their creative initiative in providing students with new and different avenues in which to learn. Financial support of up to $2,500 is offered per project, or two or more teachers may combine projects for up to $6,000. Grants are funded based on innovation, creativity and the overall impact on the classroom experience.

Grant recipients are: Beth Acitelli, Lori Hoyle, Leo Maganares: zyBooks for Technology and Engineering, Technology and Engineering Jaimee Adams: Totally Advent and Totally Lent, Religion Crystal Androsky: Future Ready Library, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math Bernadine Armstrong, Mary Strauss, Patricia Frantz, Lynn Polian: Hands On Religion, Literacy and Religion Dawn Bonen-Clark: Google Read and Write, Literacy and Learning Enrichment Michelle Boyle: Brains Body & Books, Literacy Leslie Burg, Mandy Daigle, Leona Dedrick, Jessica DeMartine: No Bones About It, Science Maureen Cherry: Move to Stay Seated, MAP / Special Needs Mary Kay Connery, Linda Gimeli, Lynn Ruff: Makers Empire 3D Learning System, STEM, Science, and Technology Sister Agnes Cousins: Maps for Theology Classroom, Theology Josef Cruz: World Drumming, Music Melissa Davis, Ellen Deem, Katherine Austin: The ReSearch is On, Social Studies and Science Stacey Desormeaux: Teaching Through Truthful Tales, Literacy Patti Dickson: Phonics, Literacy Rebekah DiGavero, Carol Huss: Classroom Response System, Math and English SAT Prep William Fountain: Aeronautical Science, Science Meghan Hader: Let’s “Break Out” of the Box!, Math

Photo provided

St. Ann first-grade teacher Katie Buckley received a 2016-’17 Educational Excellence Grant for “Building Marvelous Mathematicians.” The math program focused on teaching math concepts in depth, using hands-on games and model-building to make learning fun.

Amy Harrold: Drums Alive!, Music and Health Jennifer Heekin, Catherine McIndoe: Battle of the Books, Literacy Kelly Henderson, Patty Croghan, LouAnn Brady, Patti Dickson: Raz-Kids Science A-Z, Literacy Lisa Horton: Osmo in the Classroom, Technology Brian Joyce: Smart Music Interactive, Music Tara Kane: Connecting to the World Around Us, Social Studies Darlene Konopasek: Architecture is Elementary, Arts Celene Little: Learning Ally, Literacy Debra Ludde: STEM Learning Program and Robots, Technology Stanley Michalski, Tracy Shoff, Timothy Cook, Brian Joyce: Artist in Residence, Music Lisa Michalski-Gilkey, Charlotte Bruno: Character and Leadership Development, Leadership Enrichment Tracey Noonan: Bringing Back the Classics, Literacy

Peggy Palasick, Shannon Ranaletta, Ann Miles: Let’s Talk!, Social Skills and Technology Lynn Polian, Mary Strauss, Patricia Frantz: LEGO Education, STEM Science, Math, Technology, Literacy, and Social Studies Jessica Rivas, Ashley Samuelson: Google Cardboard-Virtual Reality, Technology Jessica Rivas: Sphero Spark for Education, Technology Alethea Sproul, Linda Nagel, Miriam Olynick: Learning Support Lab, Learning Enrichment Carole Watson, Anne Loftin, Crystal Carney: Learning Ally, Literacy Patricia Wendover, Patricia Frantz, Mary Strauss: Laying the Foundation in Elementary School, Math, Science, Literacy, and Religion Tricia Wendover, Haley Crosby, Crystal Koury: Kinesthetic Learners Meet Success, Learning Enrichment Lydia Wenning: Everyday Fiction/Non-Fiction Read-Along Literacy Center, Literacy Rachel Wilken: Ceramic Arts Program, Arts Elizabeth Wise, Ashley Samuelson, Melissa Saunders: Battle of the Books, Literacy

MACS Education Annual Fund supports teachers, students The MACS Education Annual Fund serves more than 5,000 students, teachers and principals in the nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools. Financial support from donors has enabled it to provide essential funds to equip principals and encourage teachers so they can educate students for a life based on Catholic values and academic success. Since it was established in 1993, the MACS Education Annual Fund has raised approximately $8 million for Catholic education.

Learn more At www.macsedfund.org: Learn more about the mission of the MACS Education Annual Fund, or call Director of Development Ralph Perez at 704-370-3303.

8

catholicnewsherald.com | August 18, 2017 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: Back to School

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools discovermacs.org | 704.370.3273

discovermacs

Open Houses - All 9 Schools Tuesday, October 24th | 9:30am-1pm Faith & Service | 100% Graduation Rate | AP & Honors | STEM & Technology Award-Winning Fine Arts | Championship-Winning Athletics

Start With Us. Stay With Us.

Charlotte Catholic High School | Christ the King Catholic High School Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School | St. Mark Catholic School Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School | St. Ann Catholic School St. Gabriel Catholic School | St. Matthew Catholic School | St. Patrick Catholic School