DASS DIRECTIONAL STATEMENT, OCTOBER 2011

As Dominican leaders and educators, we seek to promote the Dominican charism of Veritas (Truth) with its four pillars of prayer, study, community and preaching

Using a collaborative model, DASS encourages all school communities "to praise to bless and to preach," engaging in dynamic interaction and outreach to others, both locally and as a wider Association.  We partner in ministry to ensure the Catholic integrity and Dominican identity in our schools and to support the leadership necessary for their ongoing vitality and growth.

Called to preach the Truth with love, we extend the Dominican charism through our school communities into our many and varied circles of relationship.  Relying on the intercession of Dominic, Catherine and all the Dominican saints, we join together in a bold commitment to strengthen and support Catholic, Dominican education across the United States and beyond.

The Dominican Association of Secondary of Secondary Schools (DASS) was formally ratified as an organization in November, 2002. Membership in this organization is open to Dominican schools presently or formally sponsored by Dominican congregations of women and men in the United States. There are presently thirty-five member schools.

The mission of the Dominican Association of Secondary Schools (DASS) is to nurture and sustain the legacy of Dominican Catholic secondary education in the United States. The goals of the organization are: (1) to develop and nurture leaders in the tradition of preaching, prayer, study, and community; (2) to collaborate with others in carrying out the preaching mission.

Membership Benefits

• DASS answers the question: "How does the school sustain the 800 year Dominican intellectual and spiritual legacy?"
• Provides a structure for congregation and local school communities to honor the legacy and continue the work of Dominican education.
• Supports the on-going dialogue with congregations and schools to establish strong programs of succession at Dominican sponsored high schools.
• Provides a framework of what it means to be a Dominican school, provides criteria for evaluation and provides resources for the support of the mission.
• Provides educational and formational resources for school leaders, board members, faculty, staff, students and parents.

The following people presently serve as members of the Executive Board: Sr. Barbara Dannhausen, OP, Sr. Maria Ciriello, OP, Sr. Patricia Tavis,OP and Dominica Brennan, OP (advisors); Sr. Kathleen Ann Tait, OP (Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, IL); Sr. Jane Meyer, OP (St. Agnes Academy, Houston, TX); Linda Arndt (Mt. St. Dominic Academy, Caldwell, NJ); Christopher Olley (St. Catherine's High School, Racine, WI); Sr. Carolyn McCormick, OP (San Domenico School, San Anselmo, CA). Patricia Brady, OP serves as the Executive Director of DASS.