One of the first steps toward implementing a Renaissance for Catholic Schools in North County has been taken: a new Director of North County Elementary Schools joined the Catholic Education Office this summer.  Rick Danzeisen will provide leadership and support to all North County Catholic elementary schools and the Federation of Catholic Schools as the Archdiocese’s Renaissance for Catholic Education gains momentum.

“For many years now, we have been working hard at working together to continue excellence in Catholic education here in north county,” said Fr. Mike Henning, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish and pastor representative for the Federation of Catholic Schools. “Having a director from the archdiocese focused on the unique opportunities and challenges for our north county schools is another milestone in this collaboration. We are excited to have Rick join this important work.”

Danzeisen will spend much of his time on location in the 10 Catholic elementary schools in north county.  He will provide support and guidance to principals at all parish schools on administrative and curriculum issues, and identify programs and resources that are needed to ensure that all families in north county have access to excellent and affordable Catholic schools.

“I am very excited and honored to be the new Director of North County Catholic Elementary Schools,” said Danzeisen. “I look forward to working closely with principals and pastors to ensure viability, affordability and accessibility of Catholic education for all children in North County.” Read a welcome letter recently sent to schools and parishes from Mr. Danzeisen.

This new leadership position is one of several recommendations that Archbishop Robert J. Carlson approved in April 2017 after a series of meetings in January and follow-up Q&A led by the Archdiocese School Oversight Committee. While all nine schools in the federation are currently parish-based schools, that will change with the formation of the new partnership model school to be established between St. Ferdinand, St. Norbert and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne parishes and the Archdiocese. The school will be one educational entity, governed by the members of the corporation (pastors, the archbishop, and superintendent of Catholic education) and a board of directors, and operated at the sites of each of the three existing schools. As a designee of the Superintendent of Catholic Education, Danzeisen will work with those pastors and principals to plan all the details, including the formation of a board of directors this fall, to ensure a smooth transition to the new partnership school, set to begin with when enrollment for 2018-19 starts in early 2018.

The recommendations also include a study of the Archdiocesan Elementary School (AES) model to be completed by October 2017. The AES model, which means that the school is run completely by the Archdiocese through the Catholic Education Office, is currently in use at three schools outside of north county.

In addition, starting in the 2018-19 school year, all schools will have access to funds from the archdiocese to enhance the quality of educational and religious education programs in North County. More details on the recommendations and history is available at www.FederationofCatholicSchools.org/renaissance.

In 2010, after several years of exploring ways to collaborate, the pastors of the Northeast Deanery first signed the agreement on the Federation of Catholic Schools. The federation helps all parishes, even those without schools, stay close to the mission of Catholic education in North County through collaborative programs such as Professional Learning Teams for teachers, Sacramental Preparation Retreats for 2nd, 7th and 8th grade students, joint marketing/advertising programs, and opportunities to seek grant funds in support of collaboration., 7 and 8 grade students, joint marketing/advertising programs, and opportunities to seek grant funds in support of collaboration.