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

2. Highlights Video on Inclusion & FIRE Inclusion trends
What is FIRE NE Iowa?
Next Steps for FIRE NE Iowa
Ways to get involved & ways to continue to grow your own school’s inclusive education program
Packet for each principal

3. Catholic School Inclusion Video

4. Inclusion Timeline

5. FIRE & the Schmitz Family

6. 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.

7. 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

8. Inclusion in Northeast Iowa

9. Inclusion in the United States
Contact the National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion to get on the map!

10. What has FIRE NE Iowa IGNITED over the last year?

11. August 22, 2016 Ignited in Partnership with KC

12. 501c3 Organization by the IRS
We Became Official
501c3 Organization by the IRS
Non Profit
Charitable

13. Kansas City, MO on February 22 – 24, 2017 Grant Award Winners
13 administrators & teachers representing 9 schools and the archdiocese school office & 2 FIRE NE Iowa Reps

14. Kansas City, MO on February 22 – 24, 2017 Grant Award Winners
Archdiocese of Dubuque Catholic Schools Office Representative:  Mindy Hart
Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Representative: Tom Novotney
Beckman Catholic High School Representative:  Pat Meade
Columbus Catholic High School Representative: Dale Monroe
St. Joseph / Immaculate Conception Representatives: Sharon Mayer & Janice Rosauer
Mazzuchelli Middle School Representatives: Jill Jhohmann & Carrie Massey-Watters
Newman Catholic Representatives: Victoria Ries & Keely Weiner
Sacred Heart Catholic School Representative: Jori Ohrt
St. Columbkille School Representative: Barb Roling
Saint Edward Catholic School Representative: Aaron Becker
Inclusion in Catholic and Parochial Schools: Welcoming and Supporting Students with Special Needs
Kansas City, MO on February 22 – 24, 2017

15. Ignite Inclusion Committee
To share best inclusion practices, brainstorm creative ideas on how to grow inclusion offerings in our schools, network with others that value inclusion, share challenges, share strengths of what is already being done, plus more. Tom Novoteny – Chair Vicki Ries, Aaron Becker, Dale Monroe, Sharon Mayer, Janice Rosauer, Barb Roling, Mindy Hart, Kelley Harbach, Kristi Holien, Becky Schmelzer
The Inclusion philosophy is everywhere – playgrounds, work, schools, etc.

16. Inclusion Summit 2 Prior to the NCEA Conference
Two FIRE NE Iowa Reps attended.

17. NCEA Exceptional Learners Conference Grant Award Winners
Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Representative: Tom Novotney Newman Catholic Representative: Victoria Ries

18. FIRE NE Iowa Board of Directors

19. FIRE NE Iowa Board of Directors
12 Board of Directors as of July 1, 2017

20. 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)
Renee Mchann (Dubuque)
Julie Drake (Dubuque)
Becky Schmelzer (Durango)
Craig Riendel (Mason City)
Vicki Ries (Mason City)

21. Additional Activities
Prince of Peace Lenten Project
Gilbertville Daze Parade

22. Grow Your School’s Inclusive Education Program By Getting Involved
Grant Opportunities
Share your school’s inclusion story with us!
Nominate a rock star inclusion leader from your school!
Winners will receive up a $1000 towards their school’s
inclusive education program.
Contact us if you have a need at your school
Talk through Partner Schools

23. Grow Your School’s Inclusive Education Program By Getting Involved
Join the Ignite Inclusion Committee
Mark Your Calendars
Celebration of Life Mass
October 1, 2017 at Holy Ghost in Dubuque at 9:30 am
The Celebration of Life Mass is an annual Mass celebrated by Archbishop Jackels. It is held at various locations across the Archdiocese and recognizes parishes and/or schools that have made efforts to promote inclusion of persons with disabilities.
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.
Toolkit will be posted online in late September
December 1, 2017 – Schools
December 2 – 3, 2017 – Parishes
Check out the Exceptional Learner Whitepaper
Published by NCEA & the Greenley Center

24. Grow Your School’s Inclusive Education Program By Getting Involved
Professional Development Opportunities
Mustard Seed Project Conference: Oct. 2017
Inclusionary Practices offered through PLS
Inclusion Summit hosted by Inclusion Connection in
Cedar Falls: June 2018
NCEA Exceptional Learners Conference: Date TBA
Loyola University Inclusion Certificate: ongoing
Norte Dame – Program for Inclusive Education: ongoing

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

26. Principal Packets & Website Principals Tab
Inclusion Timeline Flyer
Day of Prayer Postcard
A Brochure & letter from FIRE NE Iowa
Our Business Cards with Contact Info
All materials from today are posted on our website under the principals tab

27. Questions

28. Thank You!
Contact Info: FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa PO Box 211 Raymond, Iowa