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

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

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

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

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

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. Ignite Committee & Inclusionary Practices through PLS

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

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

19. Questions

20. Catholic School Inclusion Video