Transcript Slide 1
A Report of the Notre Dame Task Force on the Participation of Latino Children and Families in Catholic Schools.
Since 2000, more that 1,400 Catholic Schools have closed and nearly half a million students are no longer in Catholic schools.
Yet in many of the areas where schools have closed, there are school age Latino children within walking distance of the schools.
Areas that were once largely populated by another culture, such as Italian or German, now have an area population made up primarily of Latinos.
The Notre Dame study indicates that Latino children who attend Catholic schools are 42% more likely to graduate high school and two and a half times more likely to graduate from college.
Even with that evidence, nationally, only 3% of school age Latino children attend Catholic Schools.
Why?
Currently in the United States, Latinos now comprise 35% of all Catholics.
67% of practicing Catholics ages 18-34 are Latino.
The Census Bureau predicts that this will grow and by 2050 more than 30% of Americans will identify themselves as Hispanic.
And yet, they are still under-represented in our schools.
St. James the Less and Sacred Heart Booming enrollment in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. THEN ~ the perfect storm Declining numbers of Catholics living in the neighborhood Families moving to the suburbs Worsening economy for the residents of our neighborhood, our city, and our state Declining outside financial resources Declining numbers of school-age children generally HOPE comes in the form of Fr. Joe and Latino Enrollment Institute (LEI)
What is it?
Why is Latino enrollment important?
Purpose of the LEI Founder of the LEI Progress of the LEI Can a school be flipped?
What can each of you do?
A connection to the Latino community – pastor starting the Spanish Ministry and the continued support of the entire St. James parish. Personally invite them!
Recruit from you parish religion program Go to other churches and preschools, head starts Go to local businesses where they shop Hold informational meetings when they can attend Be visible in their community- Mass, grocery store, shops etc.
Know some Spanish---word ring Build relationships!
Work to overcome language barriers Embrace diversity – incorporate cultural icons into décor Make school affordable, accessible, and available
Pastor Principal Teachers Students Other Families Parishioners RE Director Secretary Support personnel
Belief that Catholic Education is an important parish ministry Engaged, visible, and invites families to come and see From the ambo, tells benefits of a Catholic education Always speaks positively about the parish school in all venues Accompanies new families on school tours with principal Active participation in school activities
Be personable, inviting and friendly – SMILE! Belief and understanding that Catholic education is an important ministry of the parish Understanding of the alternative school systems (public, charter) Make the most of every opportunity or event to promote the school Express expectation that all members of faculty and staff share the responsibility of creating a welcoming environment to all families Build relationships with DRE, other pastors, and parishioners
Be sure others know what to do/say when they are approached Provide materials in Spanish Always have business card with you Become involved and visible in parish activities Speak often at Masses championing the school (not just at Catholic Schools Week), advertise availability of tuition assistance Attend Masses other than your usual Mass Be willing to fill out required school forms for parents if necessary Keep immigration status confidential
Learn a few phrases in Spanish, then add a few more Help recruit volunteers to translate during P/T/S conferences Learn the Latino culture particular to their school Use Google translator for notes to parents (be sure to have it proofread!) Don’t assume or make generalizations that parents are not interested in their child’s education
Command Spanish Book Studies ESL for students and parents Strategies for teaching English Language Learners Encourage Faculty sharing
Be personable, inviting, and friendly – SMILE! Learn a few words in Spanish to speak, and develop a listening Spanish vocabulary Don’t talk louder Be resourceful When new families register, give them school information packet Provide name and contact information to Principal Have available information about the school: business card, tuition information, and tuition assistance application Recommend students in the RE program who would be good students for the school
Different culture/value system Different language Belief that Catholic education is for the rich (or extreme poor) Potential for greater financial sacrifice Potential difference in appreciation of education Lack of Spanish speaking personnel Time demands and constraints Prejudices and biases
The Latino community is made up of a diverse variety of people from different: Countries Races Economic backgrounds Education levels
Consider accepting payments in time frames that work for them, i.e., ad hoc, daily, weekly, twice a month, on their payday Divide tuition into 12 monthly payments as an option Accept cash payments for tuition, even large amounts Enrollment –for those who can’t come up with the entire required enrollment fee, consider: They pay a portion of enrollment fee to reserve their space Roll the rest of the enrollment fee into tuition
Consider opening tuition assistance to all students who apply and not limiting to parishioners.
Offer tuition assistance as a means of filling classrooms to capacity An empty seat = zero income with the same overhead costs. Therefore, a student paying $1,500 is better than an empty seat More students receive a Catholic education More operating revenue for school, less parish subsidy Potential Sources of additional funding Private Donors Religious orders Diocese
Work grants – require helping school with time and talent Need someone to coordinate Any adult can come to work the hours for the family The student in grades sixth, seventh or eighth can work and receive credit Work hour requirements vary by amount of assistance
Embracing Cultural Diversity
Las Posadas Pastorela May Crowning
We have fun at school!
Every idea has value and we will try anything Community homerooms Saint Families Service learning Mime Stations of the Cross Christmas shop, coat and hat drive, food baskets Legal advice, medical and dental information, immunizations ESL for adults Double dutch, drama, chess, bison boot camp We ask, “what do you need?” we will find a way to get it.
Our Kids are Worth Whatever It Takes!
Do we teach them because they are Catholic?
Do we teach them because we are Catholic?