Our mission is to provide children with special needs the opportunity for an inclusive Catholic education in their home parish schools.

Highlights for Today Introduce Ourselves Important Dates to Know About Professional Development Opportunities Ignite Committee Packet for each principal Everything is posted at: http://firefoundationneiowa.org/ignite/

August 22, 2016 Ignited in Partnership with KC FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa is 501c3 Non Profit & Charitable Organization

Inclusion in the United States Special thanks to our founders Contact the National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion to get on the map!

Inclusion in Northeast Iowa is Happening – FIRE’s goal is to keep inclusion growing

Board of Directors Erin Schmitz (Jesup), President Tom Novotney (Waterloo), Co-Vice President Kristi Holien (Calmar), Co-Vice President Bruce Schmitz (Jesup), Co-Secretary Kim Grzywacz (Ames), Co-Secretary Teresa Schmitz (Jesup), Treasurer Braxton Chicchelly (Brandon / Cedar Rapids) Sara Kane (Cedar Rapids) Julie Drake (Dubuque) Sarah Smith (Waterloo) Becky Schmelzer (Durango) Craig Riendel (Mason City) Vicki Ries (Mason City)

Mission Our mission is to provide children with special needs the opportunity for an inclusive Catholic education in their home parish schools. FIRE NE Iowa lights the way for children with special needs to share in the opportunities, challenges and faith-based education that Catholic schools provide.

Two Major Pillars Two Major Pillars of Purpose FIRE serves as a FUNDER, raising monies that are granted to partner schools & for special projects. Schools use grant funds to create successful learning experiences for students with special needs. FIRE serves as an ADVOCATE for inclusive education. Our Foundation promotes inclusion as a best practice to schools within our Diocese as well as to inquirers from other communities and regions of the country through education and consultation. Not the experts but have connections to the inclusion experts

Mark Your Calendars November 30 – December 2, 2018: Day of Prayer for Inclusion We ask that you pray for all children with disabilities & their families… praying they may find welcome in their parish communities & Catholic schools.   Our faith tells us:  All Are Welcome! November 30, 2018 – Schools December 1-2, 2018 – Churches

FY19 FIREball Inclusion Leader FY19 FIREd Up About Inclusion School Grant Opportunities FY19-20 School Year FY19 FIREball Inclusion Leader FY19 FIREd Up About Inclusion School

Grant Timeline January 28, 2019: March 5, 2019: Grant Applications Open Online March 5, 2019: Grant Applications Due Week of March 11 & 18, 2019: Grant committee & applicant interviews conducted April 26, 2019: Grant Award Winners Announced

Current FIRE NE Iowa Partner Schools Newman Catholic School – Mason City, Iowa St. Athanasius Catholic School – Jesup, Iowa St. Edward Catholic School – Waterloo, Iowa St. Francis De Sales – Ossian, Iowa St. Joseph Community School – New Hampton, Iowa Xavier High School – Cedar Rapids, Iowa

FIRE NE Iowa Partner Schools The FIRE NE Iowa Partner Schools are schools that have received grants from the organization.  Together in good faith we have partnered to grow inclusion Catholic education.  Each school has made a commitment to implement inclusion best practices.  Each school believes in the philosophy of inclusion and works hard to strive on growing their programs.  Each partner school is required to be active on the ignite inclusion committee, and to provide semi-annual and annual reports to FIRE NE Iowa to share their progress.

Professional Development Opportunities Mustard Seed Project Conference: Oct. 8-10, 2018 Inclusionary Practices offered through PLS Inclusion in Action Conference: February 18 – 21, 2019 Loyola University Inclusion Certificate: ongoing Norte Dame – Program for Inclusive Education: ongoing

Ignite Committee & Inclusionary Practices through PLS

Get FIREd Up! Like Our Facebook Page Follow Us on Twitter Explore Our Website www.firefoundationneiowa.org Subscribe to FIREworks Newsletter Become an Ignite Inclusion Committee Member

Thank You! Contact Info: FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa PO Box 211 Raymond, Iowa 50667 319-529-1109 info@firefoundationneiowa.org www.firefoundationneiowa.org

Questions

Catholic School Inclusion Video https://youtu.be/dbUxbMDBnOk