Catholic schools: Creating a blueprint for future

    As we near the end of the first quarter of this school year, I would like to thank the many wonderful people who make my ministry as superintendent a true blessing. I also would like to share my goals for the year: I am committed to ensuring that our schools are authentically Catholic, academically excellent and financially viable and affordable. Let’s look at each of these.
➤ Authentically Catholic: There are 85 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Each one is unique, yet none stands alone. After all, we are not just a collection of schools; we are family of Catholic schools. As such, the primary goal of each school is to embrace and model our Catholic faith, which is the thread that holds us together. Safeguarding this thread is at the very heart of all we do. The Office of Catholic Schools is working to build relationships with pastors, principals, presidents and entire faith communities to ensure the primacy of Catholicity in each school.
➤ Academically excellent: The Office of Catholic Schools is committed to helping each school become a model of quality education. We will assist the schools in monitoring and prioritizing what is being taught in the classroom, and changes will be based on school data and relevant research.
➤ Financially viable and affordable: The Office of Catholic Schools is working with schools and the archdiocesan Finance Office to maintain workable budgets and make the changes necessary to ensure financial viability. As we work toward all of our schools becoming financially sound, difficult decisions will have to be made. I am committed to making those decisions in a culture of transparency and collaboration.
    How can we hope to reach these goals? Some things are already in progress.
    First, representatives of The Catholic University of America are well into a strategic planning study of our schools. To be completed at the end of this school year, the study will be a valuable resource. Its findings will provide the input needed to create a blueprint for Catholic schools in the archdiocese. Get involved in the study by answering the online survey (http://cua.neworleans.sgizmo.com) and attending  town hall meetings scheduled throughout the archdiocese later this school year.
    Second, the Office of Catholic Schools models servant leadership and authentic Catholicity by being a presence in the community, regularly visiting schools and being available for support. No phone call for assistance goes unreturned; cell phone numbers will be available for anyone wanting to contact the superintendent or an associate. I encourage comments and suggestions.
    Finally, approximately 30 schools are participating in Discovery Walks through the School Leadership Center of Greater New Orleans. This program is a valuable tool in helping our schools achieve  academic excellence.
    My hopes and dreams for achieving these goals are guided by the value of transparency and by the priority of relationships. Having visited many schools and parishes over the last few months, the Office of Catholic Schools has seen the exciting initiatives our schools are offering students. We see parents involved in their children’s education as we all work together to ensure that Catholic education is at its best. Our office also welcomes the opportunity to speak with organizations throughout the community, letting people know of the wonderful things happening throughout our schools.
    As I look at these goals for our Catholic schools, I realize that, while there are challenges we must confront, together we can work to continue to offer the very best academic programs available embedded in the values and traditions of our Catholic faith. Under the leadership and commitment of Archbishop Gregory Aymond, I look toward the future with faith and hope, knowing that we truly are a family of schools, knowing that we stand united in our Catholic faith, ready to serve our children.
    Dr. Jan Daniel Lancaster is superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.