Hawaii Catholic Schools Week ended with the Annual Conference of Catholic Educators (ACCE) for Oahu teachers, administrators and staff at St. Ann Church in Kaneohe on Feb. 1. This year’s national Catholic Schools Week theme was “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”
Supporters cheer for 20-year service honoree Nerissa Ramos from St. Philomena Early Learning Center in Salt Lake as she is recognized at the end of the ACCE Mass. (HCH photo | Anna Weaver)
Educators who have served 20, 30 and 40 years in Hawaii Catholic schools were recognized at the ACCE. In the top row from left are Jeff Chang, Antoinette Nishida, Heidi McGivern, Gaston Gosselin, Brent Limos and Irish Christian Brother Liam Nolan. In the bottom row from left are Lynda Paishon, Michele Guarino, Carla Castro, Charlene Martin, Jill Sprott and Shana Tong. Not pictured are Nerissa Ramos, Mardi Laprade, James Morris and Elaine Cubi. (HCH photo | Anna Weaver)
After Mass and refreshments, Jodee Blanco, a national anti-bullying expert and advocate, led the educators in her three-part training entitled “It’s Not Just Joking Around!” about how to recognize and stop school bullying. Blanco was also scheduled to present at St. Catherine School on Kauai, St. Ann School in Kaneohe, Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Pearl City, St. John the Baptist School in Kalihi, Holy Family Catholic Academy in Honolulu, and Sacred Hearts School on Maui. Blanco’s talks were supported by the Hawaii Catholic Schools office and a grant from the Augustine Educational Foundation. (HCH photo | Anna Weaver)