Leading with Faith

12/1/24 Fire Safety Inspection Must be Completed; Report Due 12/16/2024

12/15/24 NYSDOH Annual School Immunization Survey Due 12/15

12/16/24 Fire Safety Inspection Report Due 12/16/2024

12/20/24 Complete Eight of the 12 Required Evacuation or Lockdown Drills

New STREAM Consultant for the 2024-2025 School Year: Academic Excellence

We are excited to announce that Stephanie Genco has accepted the position of STREAM Consultant for the 2024-2025 school year. This is a one-year grant-funded position made possible by the generous support of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

In her new position, Stephanie will:

• Assist in representing our schools at the Catholic Education Dinner in February

• Coordinate and facilitate the X-STREAM games in March

• Continue to enhance and expand the STREAM initiative, a framework for interdisciplinary and project-based learning

• Work with STREAM Coordinators to meet the needs at their schools

• Assist with professional development needs

About Stephanie Genco Gasiecki

Stephanie Genco Gasiecki, a resident of Alden, NY, brings a unique blend of experiences as an educator, wellness coach, and performer. With a BFA in Theatre Performance, a Master's in Education from the University at Buffalo, and professional certifications in Birth-6 General Education and Students with Disabilities, she is well-equipped to support teachers in leading with energy, empathy, and purpose.

After a decade of teaching elementary students, including four years at St. John the Baptist in Alden, Stephanie transitioned into roles as an educational speaker, workshop facilitator, and consultant. Her passion for STREAM education, coupled with her experience in professional development, theatrical productions, and community gardening, makes her an ideal fit for this position.

As the new STREAM consultant, Stephanie will champion an interdisciplinary approach that makes learning relevant, collaborative, and real-world focused. Through hands-on projects, technology integration, and community partnerships, she aims to equip students with 21st-century skills and foster strong school-community relationships.

Stephanie is also dedicated to teacher well-being. By merging her background in theater and wellness, she will help educators improve their health and self-care habits, empowering them to lead classrooms with energy and compassion. Her mission is to create nurturing, collaborative classroom cultures where every student feels valued and supported.

Please join us in welcoming Stephanie Genco to our team! As our new STREAM Consultant, she will partner with our schools to teach, serve, and evangelize as we proclaim the glory of God. Stephanie will begin her work with us next week.

Weekly Virtual Principal Meetings: Canceled due to Thanksgiving holiday

This past week we’ve been focusing upon lesson plans and plan books. There are some great online tools (see last week’s links) for planning and mapping which provide access for review and comment by school administrators. The frequency of collecting and reviewing lesson plans or plan books by administrators can vary depending on various factors, including:

• School policies and procedures: Some schools may have specific guidelines regarding the frequency of lesson plan/plan book collection and review.

• Teacher experience level: Newer teachers may benefit from more frequent reviews, while experienced teachers might require less oversight.

• School goals and priorities: If the school is focusing on a particular area of instruction, administrators may want to review lesson plans more frequently to ensure alignment with those goals.

• Individual teacher needs: Some teachers may need more support than others, necessitating more frequent reviews.

That being said, here are some general guidelines for collecting and reviewing lesson plans:

• New teachers: Administrators may want to review lesson plans more frequently, perhaps weekly or bi-weekly, to provide feedback and support.

• Experienced teachers: Less frequent reviews, such as monthly or quarterly, may be sufficient for experienced teachers.

• Targeted reviews: Administrators may choose to focus on specific areas of instruction or particular teachers who may need additional support.

Ultimately, the goal of collecting and reviewing lesson plans is to improve instruction and student learning. Administrators should strike a balance between providing support and feedback while avoiding micromanagement.

Have a blessed week, and a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🦃