The 11th annual Lasallian Association of Secondary School Chief Administrators (LASSCA) Conference got underway on Sunday, February 22, 2015, in San Diego, California, bringing together leaders of Lasallian secondary schools. Throughout the next few days, chief administrators, board members, Regional and District leaders, and others, will seek inspiration from industry and educational leaders and each other. Through presentations and opportunities to collaborate, participants will address this year’s theme of Lasallian Leadership in a High Velocity World.
The conference, held at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, kicked off with a celebration of the Eucharist and an opening session that included welcoming remarks from LASSCA President Chris Fay, LASSCA Vice President Denis Jones, and Executive Director of Christian Brothers Conference Dr. Margaret McCarty.
Featured during the opening session was a general session address, sponsored by Christian Brothers Services, from Brother Thomas Johnson, FSC, director of the Novitiate for the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN). Brother Thomas introduced the theme of the conference by focusing on the gifts and challenges of being Lasallian in a “high velocity age.” He touched upon how school leaders might convey to their students, faculty and staff the ageless Lasallian and Catholic values in a creative way in this era of technology, rapid change and shifting values. Brother Thomas told participants the key to being a good leader today, regardless of your position or stature, is to be authentic and passionate.
“I think Brother hit it right on in terms of the challenges that we’re all facing, especially becoming schools that are really committed to evangelizing a new generation of ‘unchurched’ students and parents. A willingness to accept that reality is really important,” said participant Robert Jordan, president of Justin-Siena High School in Napa, California.
The opening session also included the presentation of the Brother Michael Collins, FSC Award, which was given to Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana, for Operation HeadStart – a program at the school that focuses on service. Inaugurated at the 2013 LASSCA Conference, this award was created to honor the legacy of Brother Michael, former president of DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who passed away in January 2012, and recognize excellence in a Lasallian secondary school program that represents admirable values, standards and passions. Watch Archbishop Rummel’s video on Operation HeadStart >
The opening day ended with an evening social giving participants time to build association. The conference will conclude on Wednesday, February 25.
Check this page and visit Facebook and Twitter with #LASSCA2015 for frequent updates and pictures throughout the conference.