Board of Education Policy Manual 2022-23
Diocesan Standards, Benchmarks and Textbooks | Q & A
Curriculum
Curriculum is the term used to describe the overall program including the resources being used to teach the skills, instructional strategies, and overall Catholic culture of the school.
Curriculum in a Catholic School is based on the school's religious and educational mission. The shared mission, which includes school philosophy and how children learn, and instructional goals and objectives are developed by the principal, teachers, parents, and parish community members. An effective instructional program in a Catholic school takes into consideration the varied student learning styles and unique characteristics of school climate. A holistic approach to education assists the student in growing spiritually, socially, academically, affectively, and physically.
Standards and Benchmarks
These are statements of skills indicating what a student, at the end of a particular grade level, should know, understand, and apply.
Assessment
A process of assessing the skills. Students are assessed in a variety of ways, informally and formally, using both summative and formative processes. Summative assessment is a summary of a student's skills. Formative assessment provides the educators with information to adjust lessons based on student knowledge.
Communication Arts | K-8
The study of words and how they are used in Communication Arts in the Diocese of Green Bay begin and end with this idea: the Word is God, and learning to communicate -- in reading, writing, and in speaking -- is ultimately a quest for each student to make the message of the Gospels their first Words read, written, and spoken in Christ's name. To develop skills in language is a natural extension of this mission to "go make of all disciples" as we prepare literate students for life in our ever-changing society. Catholic school education instills in students, knowledge of English language and literature, as well as fluency in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking with an emphasis on the development of critical thinking skills and comprehension to prepare students to make sound judgments based on Catholic values.
Download Document | Posted July 14, 2016
Counseling
The Diocese of Green Bay Comprehensive Catholic School Counseling Program is an integral part of the primary educational mission. This proactive and preventive program supports, facilitates and encourages positive childhood development, faith-based classroom instruction, and student achievement with an end result of assisting children in making positive, moral decisions about themselves, others and their future based on knowing, loving and serving God through how one lives.
Download Document | Posted January 13, 2016
We are called to use science and technology in a full and constructive way, while recognizing that the findings of science always have to be evaluated in the light of the centrality of the human person, of the common good and of the inner purpose of creation.
--Pope John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Common Declaration, Pope John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Venice, 2002
Throughout history, the Catholic church has used every means possible for spreading the word of God. Innovation was often at the forefront of communicating the Gospel message. Today the world of digital communication and digital learning has exploded giving rise to a new way of spreading the Gospel message and engaging in God's creative process.
Students in Catholic schools have the opportunity to leverage technology as they take an active role in choosing, achieving, demonstrating and assessing competency in their learning goals. Digital learning is an integrated approach to using digital tools and concepts across the curriculum.
Digital learning is a way of thinking about learning through communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.
"How new generations understand the very nature of communication is of great interest to the Church. The very nature of how people communicate impacts how they will be able to hear, understand, and live the Good News of the Gospel, complete with its unique values and principles. As Pope Benedict XVI said:
"New technologies are not only changing the way we communicate, but communication itself, so much so that it could be said that we are living through a period of vast cultural transformation. This means of spreading information and knowledge is giving birth to a new way of learning and thinking" (Message of Pope Benedict XVI for the 45th World Communications Day, "Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age," June 5, 2011).
The standards and benchmarks are based on the 2016 ISTE Standards for Students. The standards are approached from seven domains: Empowered Learner, Digital Learner, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator and Global Collaborator.
Download Document | Posted May 7, 2018
Health, Wellness, and Safety | 6-8
The health, wellness and safety education curriculum is integral to the mission of Catholic schools within the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. The standards, skills, and concepts promote the spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being of each student. The goal is to introduce and provide students with knowledge of Catholic teachings and living a virtuous lifestyle related to health. There are a variety of opportunities and experiences in the health curriculum for developing essential life skills to become healthy, faith-filled members of society.
The health, wellness and safety education curriculum complements religion, science, guidance and technology. Students learn to know, understand and appreciate their bodies, mindful decision making, and concern for others as God given gifts.
pdf Download Document (322 KB) | Posted September 27, 2016
Safe Environment K-12 | Updated May 2018
Math | K-8
Understanding that mathematics is helpful in describing the physical world of patterns God created, mathematics prepares individuals for a global society of increasingly moral and technological complexity. To meet these demands, students in Diocese of Green Bay Catholic schools will develop problem-solving skills in light of Catholic faith and doctrine with an understanding that Mathematics reflects order and unity in God's universe and describes real life consistencies that God created and sustains.
Math K-2 | Posted January 13, 2016
Math 3-5 | Posted January 13, 2016
Math 6-8 | Posted September 27, 2016
Physical Education | PreK-8
Educating the whole child -- body, mind, and spirit -- makes physical education an integral part of the school curriculum. "The human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Catholic Church views the body as having its play, like the soul, in giving glory and homage to God the Creator. Participation in physical activities contributes to the development of self-discipline, self-confidence, respectful behavior and the virtues."
Participation in physical activities contributes to the development of cognitive and social skills and an appreciation of God's gift of life and movement. Instruction in physical education should provide recognition and enjoyment of a lifetime of good health and healthful physical activity and promote the values of acceptance of self and others in physical activities and identify the benefits of a physically active lifestyle.
Physical Education curriculum should include opportunities to discover, appreciate, reflect on, and experiment with one's physical strength and dexterity. Activities should balance individual and collaborative activities and always include appreciation and awareness of the gifts of self and others.
Download Document | Posted July 13, 2016
Religion Standards and Benchmarks | K-8
God's Plan of Salvation History
It is very important that before we dive into the curriculum and the catechetical standards that the year be introduced by the Story -- the adventurous story of God's unfailing love for us, His persistence in drawing us back to himself, and the characters along the way who succeed and fail in their quest for holiness. The context of the Story of Salvation History provides the proper foundation for the rest of catechetical instruction. It is vitally important that the story be reviewed and retold so we each know our purpose and our place in the bigger plan of God.
Download Document | Posted March 7, 2016
Safe Environment K-12 | Updated May 2018
Science | K-8
Through science, the study of the natural world, students learn through curiosity, observation and experimentation about the world God created for us. Students have the privilege of learning about God's creation from a Catholic perspective leading to responsible stewardship and ultimate respect and love for the Creator. The study of God's creation and how we interact in the world emphasizes the dignity and sacredness of life in all forms. Students learn to take responsibility for their actions and to be good stewards of God's creation.
K-2 | Posted July 13, 2016
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3-5 | Posted July 13, 2016
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6-8 | Posted May 7, 2018
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Social Studies | K-8
Catholic school Social Studies places an emphasis on the dignity and sacredness of the human person through time and culture. An emphasis on the themes of Catholic social teachings help shape the students' perceptions of the social, political, cultural and religious dimensions of the integrated study of social sciences and humanities. A primary purpose of Social Studies is to assist young people in developing the analytical abilities to make informed and reasoned decisions for the common good of citizens based on Catholic global perspective, faith, traditions, and teachings. Using the domains of History, Geography, Civics/Government, Economics, and Discipleship a goal for Social Studies in the Catholic classroom is to assist students in developing critical thinking skills through the eyes of faith to be informed and responsible citizens in a global society serving the common good in its political, cultural and religious dynamics.
Social studies programs in Catholic schools should include experiences that study:
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culture and cultural diversity
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ways human beings view themselves in and over time
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people, places, and environments -- past and present
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interactions among individuals, groups, and institutions
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ways people create and change structures of power, authority, and governance
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ways people organize for production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
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relationship of science, technology, and society
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global connections and interdependence
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ideals, principles, and practices of Catholic citizenship in a democratic republic
The Discipleship strand focuses our attention on "learning to become more comfortable spreading the Good News to others" (Bishop David Ricken 2014) and how the good news has and must continue to permeate our culture and world.
pdf Download Document (639 KB) | Posted July 13, 2016
Theology of the Body | 4-12
From 1979-1984, Pope St. John Paul II delivered 129 public addresses at his Wednesday audiences in Rome that became known as the "Theology of the Body," meaning the study of God as revealed in our bodies. Pope St. John Paul II reminded us of the beautiful teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church regarding our origin, dignity, and purpose as human beings. In it he touches on our purpose, origin, and dignity.
Parents and teachers in all programs will work together for children's welfare. Teachers and catechists will teach and model religious values and virtues, expose students to Scripture, encourage participation in Liturgy, the Sacraments and prayer, provide moral guidance, and impart the full and authentic teaching of the Catholic Church.
Parishes and schools will work together to offer quality programs for parents so they feel comfortable in discussing sexuality and chaste living with their children. These sessions should include:
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Instruction on authentic Church teaching on human sexuality.
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Opportunity for parents to share with one another so that parents feel the support of others in their important role.
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Materials which parents could use as they discuss this sensitive subject with their children (this same material could be used by the school to partner or reinforce what is being taught at home)
pdf Download Document (563 KB) | Posted August 29, 2016
Visual Art
Education in the arts enables a child to respond meaningfully to the beauty of God's creation and to the dignity of the individual. Visual art is a universal language all children understand. "The fine arts, above all, sacred art, of their nature are directed toward expressing in some way the infinite beauty of God in works made by human hands" (CCC2513). "Created 'in the image of God,' man also expresses the truth of his relationship with God the Creator by the beauty of his artistic works.... To the extent that it is inspired by truth and love of beings, art bears a certain likeness to God's activity in what he has created" (CCC2501).
No human person is complete without the enrichment of art as part of his/her formation. The curriculum treats art as a subject for study yet allows for the joy of the creative act. It draws from students an appreciation for beauty of creation and an understanding of the universal language of images.
Developing the artistic gifts in all students and offering opportunities to create in various ways is the foundation of visual arts in the Catholic school. The art curriculum provides for age appropriate and sequential media skills and problem solving. The curriculum includes an understanding of and the ability to use a wide variety of media and to make connections between the arts and other disciplines within the core curriculum and with arts resources in the community. Art history, art criticism, and art making are essential components of a comprehensive visual art curriculum.