Winter 2013 Issue - De La Salle Institute

ACADEMICSDe La Salle Engages in Lasallian AssessmentDe La Salle Institute recently engaged in the Lasallian Self-Study and District AssessmentProcess for Ministry Improvement guided by the directives of the Brothers of the ChristianSchools Midwest District.Over the past year, a number of stakeholders participated in a self-study to determine thestrength of De La Salle’s Lasallian charism as it exists throughout all aspects and areas of ourschool community.In other words, “How well does De La Salle Institute incorporate the five Lasalliancharacteristics* into the lived experience of our entire school community?”Realizing that these exercises represent only the initial steps toward ongoing reflection, evaluation,and improvement of our ministry of education, we welcome the process as vital to the continuedstrength of De La Salle Institute’s identity as a Catholic and Lasallian secondary school.Through the Lasallian Self-Study Assessment process, the De La Salle stakeholders wereable to identify numerous and varied strengths. Through the combined efforts of a talented,professional, and superior faculty and staff, De La Salle provides a Catholic and Lasallianexperience for its students that we believe is both unique and second to none. Our reputationas a fine academic institution is a source of pride for students, parents, faculty, alumni, andother members of our community. At the same time, we also realize that the strength andsustainability of our school depends upon the continued, combined efforts of all of ourstakeholders to recognize and work to perfect areas that need improvement.Observations of the Lasallian Visiting TeamThe Lasallian Visiting Team for De La Salle Institute found thediversity of the school to be an impressive strength and an accuratereflection of the community in which we live. In addition topalpable evidence of De La Salle’s Catholic identity and Lasallianheritage, it was clear that all stakeholders interviewed:• know the mission of the school• believe that a family atmosphere is prevalent throughout• understand that service is a large component for all, and• experience teachers as being caring and excellent role modelsDe La Salle Institute has the unique opportunity, and welcomedchallenge, of offering the advantages of single-gender education, as well as the practicalexperiences of a coeducational environment. With two campuses about one mile apart, wemust continue to create one, unified school.In conclusion, The Lasallian Visiting Team reported that good things are happening here atDe La Salle Institute. We are encouraged to continue to do what we are doing, but to do itwith intentionality and be sure to proudly tell our story. We will continue to develop thoseareas identified as needing improvement:• Continuing to enrich the campuses with the history of De La Salle Institute and theLasallian tradition.• Making time for developing the community that is our faculty and staff.• Being an active and contributing ministry within the Midwest District.St. John Baptist de La Salle…pray for us!Our Lady of Lourdes…pray for us!Live Jesus in our hearts…forever!To see a copy of the complete Self-Study and Visiting Team Report, please contact KateRhodes, Vice President for Advancement, at 312-842-7355 x 147 or rhodesk@dls.org.*Characteristic One: Embraces Lasallianspirituality• Practices Lasallian spirituality withintentionality• Recognizes teaching as a vocation/ministry/calling• Demonstrates a spirit of faith and zeal in allthat they doCharacteristic Two: Integrates Lasallianpedagogy• Strives to “touch hearts”• Provides student/client-centered education• Acts as older ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ to theirstudents/clients• Focuses on practical education• Integrates spiritual and faith formation intotheir academic programs• Embraces high standards of excellence for eachstudent/client• Shares responsibility for the educationalmission by engaging all stakeholders in thecollaborative processCharacteristic Three: Builds community• Creates a welcoming, safe, and caringenvironment• Creates a community among internal andexternal stakeholders• Treats all with respect and dignity• Embraces dialogue and respects individualdifferences within the community• Attracts and maintains diversityCharacteristic Four: Practices andpromotes Lasallian Association for Mission• Works “together”• Works “by association”• Provides ongoing Lasallian formation for allstakeholdersCharacteristic Five: Provides a preferentialoption for the economically poor• Is guided by and promotes Catholic socialteaching• Sensitizes stakeholders, clients, and students tothe needs of the economically poor• Considers the needs of the economically poorin decision-making process on all levels• Is accessible and provides service to theeconomically poorAcademics 79