Leading with Faith

ASAP Diocesan & Regional School Finance Reports due to Fr. Steve

6/13/25 Complete 2025-26 Professional Development Plan (Recommended)

6/13/25 Complete 12 Required Drills; Four must be Lockdown Drills

TBA NYSED Nonpublic Safety Equipment (NPSE) Claims Due

TBA NYSED Elementary School AIS Claims Due

8/1/25 NYSED MST/STEM Grant & AMTS Art/Music Grant Submission Deadline

Finance Reports Due to Fr. Steve: Fr. Steve asked for your 2025-26 school budget, a current income statement, and a current balance sheet last week. Thank you to those schools who sent him those reports. For the remaining schools, please send those reports to him this week or reach out to him with any concerns you may have.

Regents Scoring Workshop Documentation: The ability for you to claim Regents Scoring Workshop Hours on Mandate 4 of your Mandated Services claim is a great financial benefit to your school, reimbursing you for the hours that your teachers spent prior to exam scoring to prepare for the exam scoring as is required by NYSED. Therefore, let me remind you of how you should be verifying that these workshops took place along with the hours your teachers spent in these scoring workshops. Please be sure that you create and save Regents Exam Scoring Workshop agendas and sign-in sheets for each exam your teachers correct. These documents will substantiate any Regents Scoring Workshop hours you claim on your 2024-25 Mandated Services Claim. NYS mandates that scorers receive “task-specific training on the actual administration of the exam[s]” (wording differs for each exam) so be sure to claim these hours spent training to score; this would include collaborative work analyzing the anchor papers provided in the scoring manual. It would not be unreasonable for 1 or 2 hours to be scheduled for this training for each Regents Exam you score so make sure your day-of-scoring agenda shows this training time. Here is an example of a day-of-scoring agenda, with room for teachers to sign in:

Regents Algebra I (Common Core) Exam Scoring Agenda June 20, 2025

• 8:30am – 10:30am Training Raters to Score Student Responses

• 10:30am – 3:00pm Scoring Exams (with 1/2 hour lunch)

If you want, you can leave blanks for the start and end times so you can fill them in with the actual times you spent in training. Be sure to also have an area below with lines for teachers to print their names and sign in. Once this form has printed names and signatures, make a copy for your 2024-25 Mandated Services folder. If you (or the school your teacher scored with) did not create these agendas last January and require teachers to sign in to each workshop session, I recommend that you take the time now to recreate those documents and get the teachers involved to sign in (albeit after the fact) so you have forms to verify the hours you are claiming for your 2024-25 claim. I know that these workshops occurred because they are mandated prior to exam scoring – just make sure you have the paperwork to verify that these sessions actually occurred and can show who was in attendance. Please call me if you need further explanation on this.

Diocesan Job Opportunity - Ogdensburg: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg is seeking an Assistant Director of Education. The position provides leadership in curriculum development for Catholic Schools and planning, development and implementation of parish faith formation programs. Applicants must be a practicing Catholic with experience as a school administrator. Applicants should have a master’s degree in education or School Administration. Salary: $54,894 – $67,743. Submit letter of interest, resume and three professional references to: Human Resources Office, Diocese of Ogdensburg, P.O. Box 369, Ogdensburg, NY 13669 or email ksnover@rcdony.org. Deadline for application is June 13, 2025.

Academic Excellence - MSA Teaching and Learning Data Gathering

We are making great progress as we proceed with our Middle States Accreditation! This is an exciting time for our schools to collaborate, update policies and procedures, and continue to improve the teaching and learning process for our students. We are currently in the initial phase of document collection, a crucial step in our journey towards continuous improvement and academic excellence.

Action Items for Schools: Teaching and Learning #2 Data Gathering - Due June 30th

1. Teaching and Learning #2 Document Review & Completion: Lesson Plan Samples

• Assessment Policies and Procedures

• Student Transcript sample

• Student Report Card

• Assessments Samples

• Student Services Policies

• Minor Adjustments Plan Template

• Individualized Education Service Plan (IESP) (Sample IESP plan)

• Admissions criteria

• Professional Development Plan

Your attention to these data gathering tasks is greatly appreciated and will lay a strong foundation for our future work in enhancing Teaching and Learning across our schools.

Weekly Virtual Principal Meetings

Meeting Details:

• Day and Time: Wednesdays, 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

• Platform: Microsoft Teams (link sent by Laurie)

Next Meeting: 6/4/25 - Science, school curriculum presentations, PD and MSA updates

eSchool

I am now able to pull NYSSIS IDs out for all students, so if you are in need of them for Buffalo Public School lunch paperwork, or any other needs, please let me know and I’ll send you a report. I’ll even tell you how you can pull the IDs yourself if you wish.

Jen Dominguez from eSchool sent out an end of year checklist for you. You can access it here if it wasn't emailed to you directly.

STAR

We are in the final days of the STAR window right now. Please make sure your teachers are completing their testing by Friday, June 6th.

Planting Seeds of Gratitude: Celebrating Our Elementary School Staff!

The final bell of the school year might be on the horizon, but before we dive headfirst into summer break, there's something incredibly important to cultivate: gratitude for our amazing elementary school staff! These dedicated individuals – our teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, custodians, secretaries, librarians, counselors, and so many more – are the heart and soul of our children's learning journey. They pour their energy, passion, and expertise into creating a nurturing and inspiring environment where young minds can blossom.

It's not just about the big achievements; it's about the countless small acts of kindness, the extra mile walked, the unwavering support offered, and the genuine care they show our students every single day. Let's take a moment to brainstorm some meaningful ways to show our appreciation and recognize their incredible contributions.

Cultivating Appreciation: Ideas for Showing We Care

Appreciation doesn't have to break the bank. Often, the most heartfelt gestures are the ones that resonate the deepest. Here are some ideas to consider:

• A Symphony of Sweet Treats: Organize a staff potluck or bring in a delicious spread of treats. Think beyond the usual cookies – a fruit platter, a bagel bar, or even a themed dessert day can be a delightful way to say "thank you."

• Notes of Gratitude: Encourage students and parents to write thank-you notes or draw pictures expressing their appreciation for specific staff members. These personal tokens are often treasured keepsakes.

• "Appreciation Station": Set up a designated area where staff can find small surprises throughout the week – a new pen, a scented candle, a packet of their favorite tea, a handwritten compliment.

• Time is a Gift: Offer staff extra planning time or a designated "recharge" period during the school day. Even 30 minutes of uninterrupted time can be invaluable.

• Classroom Compliments: Encourage administrators or parent volunteers to pop into classrooms and offer genuine compliments on specific lessons or classroom management strategies they observe.

• Personalized Presents: Consider small, thoughtful gifts tailored to individual staff members' interests or needs. A gift card to their favorite coffee shop, a book by an author they love, or even a plant for their classroom can show you've paid attention.

• Themed Appreciation Days: Dedicate different days of the week to specific acts of appreciation, like "Thank You Note Tuesday" or "Bring Your Teacher a Flower Friday."

• Staff Shout-Out Board: Create a visible board where students, parents, and colleagues can write positive messages and acknowledge specific contributions.

• Volunteer Power: Organize parent volunteers to help with classroom tasks, lunch duty, or even just to run errands for busy teachers.

• A Little Pampering: Consider a sign-up sheet for mini-massages or hand scrubs during lunch breaks – a little relaxation can go a long way!

Highlighting Accomplishments: Shining a Light on Their Impact

Beyond simple thank yous, it's crucial to acknowledge the significant impact our staff has on our students and the school community. Here are ways to highlight their accomplishments:

• Staff Recognition Assembly: Dedicate a portion of an assembly to publicly acknowledge staff members for their outstanding contributions, years of service, or specific achievements.

• "Staff Spotlight" in the Newsletter/Website: Feature individual staff members and highlight their unique talents, innovative teaching methods, or positive impact on students.

• Share Success Stories: Encourage teachers to share anecdotes about student growth or breakthroughs. Acknowledging the staff's role in these moments reinforces their value.

• Peer-to-Peer Recognition: Create opportunities for staff members to nominate and recognize their colleagues for their support and collaboration.

• Highlighting Initiatives: If a staff member spearheaded a successful new program or initiative, make sure to celebrate their leadership and hard work.

• Data-Driven Recognition: Where appropriate, acknowledge staff contributions to positive school-wide data, such as improved test scores, increased student engagement, or a more positive school climate.

• Showcase Professional Development: Recognize staff members who have pursued further education or training to enhance their skills and knowledge.

• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge years of service and celebrate staff members who have dedicated a significant portion of their careers to the school.

Planting the Seeds for a Positive Future

Showing appreciation for our elementary school staff isn't just a nice gesture – it's an investment in our students' future. When staff feel valued and recognized, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and continue to create the magical learning experiences that shape young lives.

Let's make a conscious effort to shower our incredible elementary school staff with gratitude and recognition. A little appreciation can go a long way in nurturing their dedication and ensuring our school continues to be a place where both students and staff can thrive.

Have a safe and blessed week!

The Annual Cafeteria Managers Meeting is being planned for Monday, August 4th. The meeting will be held at St. Amelia’s Elementary School, 2999 Eggert Road, Tonawanda from 9:00 AM - Noon. Please pass this date onto your cafeteria managers.

Why STREAM Matters: Our Students’ Perspectives

As we get ready to close out the school year, it's the perfect time to pause and listen to the voices that matter most—our students. Throughout the year, they've been building, experimenting, questioning, creating, and reflecting through STREAM. But beyond the projects and lessons, they're also discovering something deeper: the joy of learning with purpose, learning about things you care about, and learning together.

Here’s what a few students from St. John the Baptist in Alden had to say when asked, “Why do you love STREAM?”

“We get to spend time with other classes.” – Joshua, 1st grade

“We all get to do what we like, in our own ways.” – Madelyn, 4th grade

“I liked using our creative ideas to make our games,” and “I liked sharing our games with other schools.” – Ethan & Madilynne, 3rd grade

“We learn about different things, not just the everyday subjects.” - Ava, 7th grade

“I like the friendly competition with our classmates!” - Roanan, 8th grade

These simple little reflections speak volumes! From collaboration across grades to creative expression, hands-on projects, and a spirit of friendly competition, STREAM gives students opportunities to grow in ways that go beyond the traditional classroom. They’re not only learning new content—they’re discovering their strengths, finding joy in problem-solving, and learning how to share their gifts with others. Their voices remind us why STREAM matters—and why it’s worth celebrating!