Educaci�n cat�lica envuelta en la fe, y que marca tendencias

Monday, August 26, 2013

*Kim Pryzbylski

English Spanish

Los estudiantes de las escuelas de la Arquidiócesis de Miami llevan la innovación, el don de la creación, y el servicio al pueblo de Dios a niveles nuevos e inesperados. Cada día logramos cosas maravillosas. El aprendizaje es descubrimiento, y a través del descubrimiento, las experiencias de cada día en el salón de clases, el laboratorio o la capilla, se convierten en acontecimientos extraordinarios. Los Proyectos Estudiantiles para el Aprendizaje en el Servicio a la Comunidad (Students’ Community Service Learning Projects), que son obligatorios en cada escuela, preparan el camino a innovaciones futuras y dan vida a la ciencia, la tecnología, la ingeniería y las matemáticas, transformando su acrónimo en inglés, STEM, en STREAMS (torrentes), por las palabras en inglés para ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería, artes, matemáticas y servicio.

Daniela Rodríguez, de la escuela de Blessed Trinity, en Miami Springs, nos ofreció un ejemplo asombroso. Con su fe, su conocimiento sobre ciencia y su deseo de servir a los demás, esta estudiante del octavo grado se inspiró para crear un robot al que llamó Steve. Steve toma la actividad cerebral y los impulsos nerviosos para producir movimiento. “Lo que me motivó para usar esta tecnología fue el hecho de que, quizás algún día, mi investigación pueda influir en las vidas de tantos que utilizan prótesis o sillas de ruedas, como los veteranos heridos, o las personas con esclerosis múltiple, parálisis cerebral, y otras enfermedades que afectan el sistema neurológico”, dijo. Este es un proyecto de servicio que afectará las vidas de muchas personas de manera positiva.

En el aspecto académico, los estudiantes ahora están más dedicados a las tareas del aprendizaje que conllevan actividades seleccionadas por ellos mismos, actividades destacadas, la instrucción “al revés”, la solución de problemas, la investigación y el análisis. El sistema educativo de nuestra Arquidiócesis está impulsado por la tecnología y la innovación, y envuelto en la fe y la inspiración.

¿Tecnología? No es porque alguien esté contando, pero el 100 por ciento de las escuelas en la Arquidiócesis ha acogido la tecnología, las estrategias y las técnicas educativas del nuevo siglo. En las escuelas superiores, los estudiantes participan por completo, y cada estudiante tiene un aparato electrónico requerido por la escuela, en la mayoría de los casos, una iPad. Muchas de las escuelas elementales también cuentan con programas de 1:1 (un aparato por cada estudiante) en grados específicos, estaciones móviles de tecnología en otros grados, y pizarras interactivas, paneles de visualización y sistemas de proyección en otros.

La escuela virtual, que anteriormente se encontraba en una escuela elemental parroquial, se ha transformado en el ADOM-VCS (Archdiocese of Miami Virtual Catholic School, o la Escuela Católica Virtual de la Arquidiócesis de Miami) y ahora se encuentra en la escuela superior de Msgr. Edward Pace con una nueva plataforma operativa y una nueva presencia nacional en la educación. De hecho, es la primera escuela virtual arquidiocesana en el país.

La seguridad continúa como elemento de gran prioridad en todas nuestras escuelas. Cada lugar ha pasado por una evaluación detallada de seguridad. Como resultado, se han desarrollado planes actualizados de seguridad para cada escuela, los que reflejan investigaciones actuales e integran numerosas tácticas para aumentar la prevención y la seguridad de los estudiantes, los empleados y las familias que servimos. Un área especial donde esto es evidente, es en la de las nuevas guías para dejar a los niños en las escuelas durante la mañana, y recogerlos en las tardes.

Por último, el mercadeo continúa siendo un elemento importante en todas nuestras escuelas. Estén pendientes a la nueva campaña de calcomanías para los automóviles en enero.

La fe, la tecnología y la innovación impulsan a las escuelas de la Arquidiócesis no sólo a esforzarse por la excelencia, sino a marcar el paso en la educación católica y ofrecer nuevos modelos a nivel nacional.

Comments from readers

Gaby - 08/30/2013 04:50 PM

Thank you Dr. Pryzbylski for your post. I too agree that safety in our Catholic schools is of upmost importance. However, I am discouraged by such measures like the new drop-off and pick up procedures at our schools. For me, a main reason for investing in a Catholic education (aside from religious formation) is the close-nit community environment Catholic schools are able to create. A place reminiscent of the "old days" where friendly "Good Mornings" were exchanged by neighbors and good Catholic values were evident to our children through our interactions with each other.

I agree that the new guidelines are well researched and present in various school systems. But in the 'cost-benefit' analysis did we consider the effect on the school communities in PK-8?

For me, the ten-minute walk at the start of my day, to drop of my Kindergartener, was a pause from the hustle and bustle, where she and I could walk together, chat about making the most of this new day God had afforded us and greet parents and friends. It was the time where I reminded my daughter that it was proper to give friendly 'hellos' and when she could witness what care and concern for others looks like. It's sad to admit, but today a friendly greeting to others is often met with skepticism and distain; Our Catholic school was a safe place where we could practice civility in a safe environment.

I am not naive to the horrid things that happen in the world today and understand the need to take precautions. But I am disappointed that the only solution we as a Catholic community have come up with is sterilizing OUR education system.

My morning reflections with my Kindergartener will now be replaced with "make sure you're ready to get out of the car, we can't hold up the line." I will no longer be able to wish her teacher a blessed day or offer a fellow parent a funny story about our kids.

I suppose this is the price my children will have to pay for growing up in a time where people have forgotten how to love one another and respect the gift of life. I just wonder if this is the best way for us to respond to these societal challenges and what we may be conceding in the process.

May God continue to bless and protect our children

Susy Del Riego - 08/27/2013 11:00 AM

Catholic Education has been and continues to be of the utmost importance not only in preparing young people to make a difference in their communities, but in educating us on how to live well now so that we may live with God for all eternity. Congratulations to the Department of Schools and to all the pastors, principals and teachers on their fine work.

Antonio R. Cejas, M.Ed.,Pprincipal - 08/27/2013 09:09 AM

"Community is at the heart of all Catholic education, not simply as a concept to be taught, but as a reality to be lived . . . Your students will learn to understand and appreciate the value of community as they experience love, trust, and loyalty in your school and educational programs, and as they learn to trust all persons as brothers and sisters created by God and redeemed by Christ."
Pope John Paul II

Antonio R. Cejas
Principal
St. Hugh Catholic School

Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D. - 08/26/2013 04:02 PM

Catholic Education: Yesterday, today and tomorrow!

Carlota E.Morales, Ed. D.
Principal
Sts. Peter amd Paul Catholic School

Gaby - 08/30/2013 04:50 PM: Thank you Dr. Pryzbylski for your post. I too agree that safety in our Catholic schools is of upmost importance. However, I am discouraged by such measures like the new drop-off and pick up procedures at our schools. For me, a main reason for investing in a Catholic education (aside from religious formation) is the close-nit community environment Catholic schools are able to create. A place reminiscent of the "old days" where friendly "Good Mornings" were exchanged by neighbors and good Catholic values were evident to our children through our interactions with each other.

I agree that the new guidelines are well researched and present in various school systems. But in the 'cost-benefit' analysis did we consider the effect on the school communities in PK-8?

For me, the ten-minute walk at the start of my day, to drop of my Kindergartener, was a pause from the hustle and bustle, where she and I could walk together, chat about making the most of this new day God had afforded us and greet parents and friends. It was the time where I reminded my daughter that it was proper to give friendly 'hellos' and when she could witness what care and concern for others looks like. It's sad to admit, but today a friendly greeting to others is often met with skepticism and distain; Our Catholic school was a safe place where we could practice civility in a safe environment.

I am not naive to the horrid things that happen in the world today and understand the need to take precautions. But I am disappointed that the only solution we as a Catholic community have come up with is sterilizing OUR education system.

My morning reflections with my Kindergartener will now be replaced with "make sure you're ready to get out of the car, we can't hold up the line." I will no longer be able to wish her teacher a blessed day or offer a fellow parent a funny story about our kids.

I suppose this is the price my children will have to pay for growing up in a time where people have forgotten how to love one another and respect the gift of life. I just wonder if this is the best way for us to respond to these societal challenges and what we may be conceding in the process.

May God continue to bless and protect our children

Susy Del Riego - 08/27/2013 11:00 AM: Catholic Education has been and continues to be of the utmost importance not only in preparing young people to make a difference in their communities, but in educating us on how to live well now so that we may live with God for all eternity. Congratulations to the Department of Schools and to all the pastors, principals and teachers on their fine work.

Antonio R. Cejas, M.Ed.,Pprincipal - 08/27/2013 09:09 AM: "Community is at the heart of all Catholic education, not simply as a concept to be taught, but as a reality to be lived . . . Your students will learn to understand and appreciate the value of community as they experience love, trust, and loyalty in your school and educational programs, and as they learn to trust all persons as brothers and sisters created by God and redeemed by Christ."
Pope John Paul II

Antonio R. Cejas
Principal
St. Hugh Catholic School

Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D. - 08/26/2013 04:02 PM: Catholic Education: Yesterday, today and tomorrow!

Carlota E.Morales, Ed. D.
Principal
Sts. Peter amd Paul Catholic School