April 2012 News
DOMINICAN PREACHING IN ACTION
SAN DOMENICO'S ECO-LITERACY PROGRAM
SAN ANSELMO, CA
In this month, when we celebrate "earth awareness," we congratulate San
Domenico school in San Anselmo, CA for their very successful
Eco-Literacy program. The content of the program teaches students about
natural systems and our connection to them from a social, spiritual,
cultural and health perspective. David Behrs, Head of School at San
Domenico, truly believes "that teaching ecological literacy will be the
most important role of education in this decade. Students need to be
informed on "green" issues. Most importantly, they need to learn how to
become change agents in building a better world and a healthier planet."
GLOBAL AWARENESS WEEK AT DOMINICAN ACADEMY
NEW YORK, NY
Each year, Dominican Academy students participate in a Global Awareness
Week. This year's theme is Genocide. Activities are planned and carried
out by DAPs (Dominican Academy Preachers)--girls who have attended the
High School Preaching Conference or who are selected to be part of this
special group. Each day, students are sent reflections on a question
around this topic and short video about the question. The questions
include: What is genocide? How many have there been and where? Why are
there genocides? What happens to those victims of genocide? And, lastly,
How can we help? The final question includes a focus on how bullying
can be a part of actions leading to genocide. Students will be asked to
pledge not to participate in bullying. An important part of the week was
a speaker, Taylor Krauss (from Voices of Rwanda), whose documentary
give voice to the survivors of the genocide in Rwanda.
GLOBAL AWARENESS WEEK AT ST. AGNES ACADEMY
HOUSTON, TX
As part of the Dominican mission, St. Agnes once again dedicates an
entire week every spring to discerning more about humankind's complex
relationship with Planet Earth while renewing their commitment to be
better stewards of God's awesome creation. Students participate in a
series of activities and learning sessions sponsored by the Academy's
Green Club. This year's sponsored activities will include a lunchtime
organic food fest, an incandescent light bulb exchange for
environmentally-friendly CFL bulbs, and battery/cartridge recycling
collection. Past earth weeks have focused on climate/global warming,
conservation and recycling.
VIDEO ON "HUMAN TRAFFICKING" PRODUCED BY ST. MARY'S DOMINICAN STUDENTS
NEW ORLEANS, LA
Inspired by a presentation given at last summer's Dominican High School
Preaching Conference, the young preachers from St. Mary's Dominican High
School in New Orleans have just completed a six-month video project on
Human Trafficking. The five-minute video entitled "Human Trafficking,
Close to Home" was recently presented to the faculty and students at the
annual Social Justice Mass. The video was also posted on You Tube and
entered into a contest sponsored by the Intercommunity Peace and Justice
Center.
http://youtu.be/lIvP_GCBekE
GOLDEN SLIPPER PROJECT, FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL
OAK PARK, IL
Fenwick demonstrated its Dominican commitment to service by taking part
in the "Glass Slipper Project." The goal of this project is to alleviate
some of the financial pressure felt by those students in the Chicago
metro and suburban areas who would like to attend their school proms.
This past March, the Community Outreach Team collected gently used
dresses, shoes, and other accessories appropriate for high school proms.
These items will be purchased in "boutiques" set up throughout the
Chicago area. Underprivileged young women will then be able to choose
their own dresses from the wide array of those available, thanks to the
donations of participating schools.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
SPECIAL TWO-DAY MEETING FOR ALL DASS SCHOOL/CONGREGATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES:
October 15-16, 2012
Mt. St. Dominic Academy - Caldwell, NJ
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM:
Monday, October 15, 9:00 a.m.
Presentation by Sr. Sharon Holland, IHM
(Canon Lawyer) on the topic of "Future Possibilities for Our Schools"
followed by questions/discussion
Tuesday Morning, October 16, 9:00 a.m.
Presentation by Alice Hession, Sponsorship Director, Xaverian Schools. Topic "Mission Formation for School Personnel"
Tuesday afternoon, October 16
Annual DASS Meeting (concludes at 3:00p.m)
REGISTRATION/HOUSING/ TRAVEL INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON-LINE BY JUNE 15, 2012
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