Alliance for Catholic Education
BLiCSS 8.0
Hosted by the University of Notre Dame, the Alliance for Catholic Education, and Higher-Powered Learning.
About BLiCSS:
Blended and personalized learning is a growing movement nationwide, including in Catholic schools. Over the past decade, hundreds of Catholic schools have incorporated adaptive online learning into classrooms to serve their students better. Though there are a number of forums and spaces in which blended learning leaders and practitioners can gather to share best practices and collaborate, BLiCSS is the singular opportunity for leaders and teachers in Catholic education specifically to form a unified mission and vision for blended learning in Catholic schools and collaborate to share best practices from across our schools. 
To fill this need, we created the Blended Learning in Catholic Schools Symposium with two goals in mind:
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To gather thought leaders in the blended-learning space with an explicit connection to Catholic schools to share ideas, bright spots, and challenges.
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To develop our shared capacity to implement high-quality blended learning in Catholic schools.
BLiCSS gathers school and diocesan administrators, teacher leaders, instructional coaches, university faculty and staff, and education software company representatives.
Why is “Leveraging Technology Across the Curriculum” the theme for BLiCSS 8.0?
Educators have long sought to not just enhance, but rather transform teaching and learning experiences through technology. Emerging technologies - most urgently, Generative AI - offers unprecedented opportunities to do just that. This symposium will focus on the role of leaders in implementing and sustaining innovative approaches to teaching and learning that meet the needs of all students. We will hear from experts at the University of Notre Dame as well other universities, organizations, and schools across the country on how educators can leverage technology to power up learning.
Symposium Schedule
Wednesday, April 2nd:
- 5:00-8:00 - Registration, Welcome, Cocktail Reception, Dinner, and Presentation
Thursday, April 3rd:
- 8:00-9:00 - Breakfast (Provided)
- 9:00-12:00 - Morning Presentations and Workshops
- 12:00-1:00 - Lunch (Provided)
- 1:00-4:00 - Afternoon Sessions
- 6:00-8:00 - Cocktail Reception, Dinner, and Presentation
Friday, April 4th:
- 8:00-9:00 - Breakfast (Provided)
- 9:00-11:00 - Morning Sessions and Closing
Symposium Location, Travel, and Accommodations
Location: All symposium events will be located on the University of Notre Dame’s campus. Conference Registration will be in the Morris Inn’s Private Dining Room.
Travel: The nearest airports to campus and their travel time (by car) are listed below:
- South Bend Airport (SBN) - 15 minutes
- Midway Airport (MDW) - approximately 2 hours
- O'Hare Airport (ORD) - approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Please note that Midway and O'Hare are in the Central Time zone, while South Bend and Notre Dame are in the Eastern Time zone.
Accommodations: We have reserved a block of rooms at the following hotels. Book using the links below to get a discounted rate:
Transportation: Parking is available at the hotels and on campus if you will have a car. Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) and taxis are available from the South Bend airport. All symposium events are within a 5-10 minute walk across the beautiful University of Notre Dame campus from the Morris Inn. The Inn at St. Mary’s and the Hilton Garden Inn offer a complimentary shuttle to campus.
Meals: All meals (Wednesday dinner, all meals on Thursday, and breakfast on Friday) are included in your registration.
FAQs
What are the important dates to take note of?
The cost to attend BLiCSS 8.0 is $175 if you register before January 15, 2025. After January 15, the registration fee is $250. Registration covers all meals (Wednesday’s reception/dinner; breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Thursday; and Friday’s breakfast) and access to all symposium sessions. Book your hotel room before March 1, 2025, to get the discounted rate we’ve secured with three local hotels.
Who is invited to participate in the Symposium?
The Blended Learning in Catholic Schools Symposium will gather thought leaders and practitioners in the blended-learning space with an explicit connection to Catholic schools. All are invited to attend; however, the symposium is geared toward thought leaders and school administrators.
What is the appropriate dress for the Symposium?
Feel free to dress however you feel most comfortable. Most people will likely wear business casual.