Leading with Faith

4/23/25 Begin Title I Consultation with All Districts for 2025-26 School Year

4/23/25 Request New 2025-2026 Health Services from District of Location

6/1/25 Last day for Parents to Request Special Education Services from Districts

TBA NYSED Nonpublic Safety Equipment (NPSE) Claims Due

TBA NYSED Elementary School AIS Claims Due

NYSED Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training: Thank you for encouraging all Principals, Teachers, Nurses, Counselors, and Bus Drivers hired by your school to complete the updated Mandated Reporter Training (“Identification & Reporting of Child Abuse & Maltreatment Training”) by April 1st. Please remind all NYS certified staff to follow the instructions for ensuring the training will be entered in theri NYS TEACH account. FYI - I submitted by request to NYSED on 4/1/25 and it was showing in TEACH as “Child Abuse Identification (New Program)” by 4/3/25.

NYSED NonPublic Safety Equipment (NPSE) Reimbursement Update: Hopefully this year’s NPSE forms and allocations will be released by NYSED/ORISS before we leave for Easter Break.

Title Consultation for 2025-26: Although it is early in the process, you may want to begin thinking about your plans for your 2025-26 Title funds. See below for some letters you may want to send out to your districts about Title I. As for Title IIa Professional Development, there are many ways for you to expend the Title IIa PD funds available through your home public school district. Yesterday I sent you an email from Catapult Learning that explains some of the ways they can help you with your PD needs, if you are interested.

Title I - Begin Consultation with All Districts for 2025-26 School Year: I highly recommend that you reach out to each public school district in which you have students qualified, based on their family income, to receive a free or reduced lunch (even if you don’t have a free/reduced lunch program) so you can begin discussions regarding Title I funding and services for the 2025-26 school year. I have four documents that might help you with the process: “Title I Fall District Contact for 2025-26”, “Title I Winter District Contact for 2025-26”, “Public School Title I Attendance Areas from 2022-2023 Consolidated Applications - April 2024”, and a list of Title I Directors. If you sent out a letter in the fall, it might be time for a follow up letter if you have not yet heard back from them. This form might help you identify if your free/reduced students reside in a public school Title I attendance area, allowing them to qualify your school for funding. If you are sending a letter for the first time, you may want to use this list of Title I directors to help you address the letters properly. Call me if you have any questions.

Spring Consultation Regarding Health Services Available to your Students: This is just a reminder of the updated 2018 NYSED School Health Services requirements in place now as described on NYSED:SSS:School Health Services. They are as follows:

• Physical (Health) examinations are required for new entrants and in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Dental Certificates must be requested at the same time. Health Examination Guidelines for Schools, Updated Nov 2022 - (Updated form, Mar 2023)

• Vision screening for color perception, distance, and near vision acuity is required for new entrants within 6 months of admission to school. Vision screening for distance and near vision acuity is required in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11. Vision Screening Guidelines (nysed.gov)

• Hearing screening utilizing pure tone testing is required for new entrants within 6 months of admission to school and in grades Pre-K or K, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11. Hearing Screening Guidelines (nysed.gov)

• Scoliosis screening is required in grades 5 and 7 for girls and grade 9 for boys. NYSED Scoliosis Screening Guidelines

Referring to the list of medical services required above, please remember that your students are entitled to a number of Health Services from your Public School District of location. The health services available to your students upon request are described at https://www.nysed.gov/nonpublic-schools/health-services. Services available include those mandated above such as vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening tests, physical examinations, and in-school immunization. Additionally, nursing services (see #16), dental screening, dental prophylaxis, the maintenance of cumulative health records, emergency care of ill or injured students, compliance with and enforcement of mandatory immunization requirements, guidance for parents, children and teachers in procedures for preventing and correcting defects and diseases, and instruction for school personnel in procedures to take in case of accident or illness may also be requested if these services are provided in their own schools.

I highly recommend that you reach out to your school district of location and discuss the services they provide to their own students regarding these mandates and then request any of these services described if you wish to have them provided by the district for your students. The important thing to remember is that they will not provide these services if you do not request them in writing in a timely manner – please reach out to the district and arrange for a meeting regarding this so that by the end of April you can make a formal request in writing for health services, while also describing any students at your school with exceptional medical (nursing) needs. This will give the district plenty of time to consider the cost of providing your school these services prior to their establishing the school budget to be voted on in May.

Catholic Identity and Great Place to Work: Easter and the Golden Apple Awards

Preparing for Easter: Holy Week in Catholic Schools

Our Catholic schools deeply integrate Lent and Holy Week into their curriculum, preparing students for the joy of Easter. Lent involves reflection, prayer, and service. Holy Week vividly recounts Jesus' final days, with our parishes preparing for Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday. During this time we foster faith, empathy, liturgical understanding, and community, connecting faith to our daily life. The solemnity of Holy Week makes the triumphant celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday a profoundly meaningful and central aspect of a Catholic education. Wishing our school communities and families a blessed Easter season.

The Golden Apple Awards

The Diocese of Buffalo Department of Catholic Schools proudly seeks nominations for the Golden Apple Award to celebrate educators making a profound difference in the lives of their students. This award recognizes teachers who not only excel in faith-based instruction and continuously improve their practice but also achieve remarkable academic results. Ideal nominees inspire a love of learning through engaging and innovative teaching and actively contribute to a supportive school environment. Each school is invited to nominate one teacher who embodies these qualities. Three Golden Apple winners will be honored at an award ceremony on May 27th, one from the East, North and South regions. All nominations are due by Wednesday, April 23rd. Golden Apple Nomination Form: Nomination Form

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: 4/9/25 - Topic to be determined.

eSchool

It’s time to set your school calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. Please use this link provided by eSchool to adjust your calendar. It must be done on the individual school level, this is not something I can do for you. You do not need to have start/end dates for the school year yet or specific bell times. As soon as the school setup is done, you may begin scheduling for next year.

Here is a copy of the eSD April newsletter with many tips and information for your schools. If you need to be added to their mailing list, please send an email here and request to be added.

STAR

For our schools who ordered Freckle or Lalilo, please note that they are now bundled. Per James, our new rep, you only pay for one of them and get the other at no charge.

Summer Programs

If your schools will be offering any Summer Camps or programs, please send your information to me and I will get them up on our website. Thank you to those who have already shared this information with me.

It's a busy time of year for educators! Testing and grant-writing are on the docket for the next few weeks, along with tying up some Spring-time loose ends! Then comes June!!! Here's a breakdown of how to approach some of these end-of-year tasks:

1. Standardized Testing and STAR Testing:

• Preparation and Review:

• The NYS testing window for computer-based Science/ELA/ Math testing has opened (just yesterday!) and extends through Friday, May 16.

• Prioritize targeted review sessions focusing on key concepts and skills. Some schools are effectively including practice worksheets as a part of homework, rather than taking up regular class time with reviews.

• Provide strategies for test-taking, such as eliminating incorrect answers and managing test anxiety.

• For final STAR testing, utilize the data it provides, to direct any last minute teaching, and to provide data for placement for the next school year.

• Creating a Calm Environment:

• Foster a positive and supportive testing environment to minimize student stress.

• Ensure students get adequate rest and nutrition before testing days.

• Post-Testing:

• In late summer, you’ll receive the NYS test results. Use those during your initial faculty meetings to identify areas of strength and weakness for individual students and the class as a whole.

• Use the data to inform future instruction and curriculum development.

2. Grant Deadlines:

• Organization and Time Management:

• Create a detailed timeline for grant applications, including deadlines and required materials. NPSE (the Non-Public Safety Equipment grant) and the AIS grant still have no deadlines, so take this time to connect with your business manager to collect purchases and invoices that you’ve accumulated over the past year(s).

• The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has grant request deadlines of January 15, April 15, and October 15, each year for school needs, excluding annual fund-raising events, capital campaigns, drives, debt reduction, or endowments; reimbursement of projects or programs that have already occurred; organizations not supported or endorsed by the Catholic Church or not serving an identifiable Catholic population; funding more than one year of a program or initiative’s cost capital improvements and construction; operating costs and expenses; salaries or stipends for individuals (exceptions may be given for fees paid to third party speakers or specialists that are necessary for the program or initiative’s success).

• The Upon the Rock STREAM grants are also available for STREAM activities and supplies, due January 15, April 15, and October 15 of each year. For an application, go to frcdb.org/grants/STREAM

• Delegate tasks and responsibilities as needed for development of grant requests.

• Ensure all necessary documentation is accurate and complete.

• Collaboration:

• Work with colleagues and administrators to gather information and support.

• Seek feedback on grant proposals to improve their quality.

• Don’t hesitate to call the Foundation for advice and direction in putting your grant request together. The folks there are incredibly helpful!

• Follow-Up:

• Keep track of grant application statuses and follow up with grantors as needed.

3. Calendars:

• Completion:

• By now your school calendars for 2025-2026 should be finalized. Be sure you’ve shared info with the other schools in your community and checked your calendar against your district calendar.

• Calendars are often subject to change throughout the year, so be sure you date your calendar, and when “finalized” (some dates are TBD, usually), be sure your parents have a current copy so that they can plan their vacations and schedules for the upcoming school year. They’ll appreciate getting the “heads up” earlier rather than later!

4. Other Deadlines:

• Teacher Intent to Return Forms:

• You should be sure that your Teacher Intent to Return forms are completed and returned to you, indicating plans to return/leave, subject/grades taught currently, and any requests for re-assignment for next year.

• Final Drills:

• Take advantage of upcoming good weather to wrap up those final lockdown and fire drills. Be sure you’ve logged each drill!

By planning ahead and staying organized, you can ensure a successful Spring and smooth segue into year end activities (which we’ll address in future letters!)

Have a blessed and safe week ahead!

Spring Bowling Championship Tournament Results

Congratulations to Our Winners

A.Goldfinch - St. John Vianney, Orchard Park - won Boys 7 & 8 - with a score of 401.

L. Douglas - Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls - won Girls 7 & 8 - with a score of 381.

J. Perkowski - St. John the Baptist, Kenmore - won Girls 5 & 6 with a score of 322.

D. Traska - St. Stephen School, Grand Island - won Boys 5 & 6 with a score 246.

Track: Packets will be sent out to schools participating in this year's track meet during the Easter break. Please do not delay in passing this information onto the person in charge of your track program.

Virtue/Diocesan Character Trait - Awards will be handed out at the March Principals Mtg.Month of March -Mercy/Sacrifice - Deadline to submit names is - April 11, 2025 Definition – Caring for those who suffer and giving up something you want to help others.. https://forms.gle/vC7dEccHKjvGrTYe8

Please mark your calendar the next Principals Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the Catholic Center. Registration will be available the week of April 24th.

3 Ways to Keep the STREAM Momentum Going This Year!

The X-STREAM Games may be over, but let’s keep the energy going! STREAM learning really thrives when it's woven into the everyday rhythm of the school year - STREAM is a set of principles, not a program. Here are three low-cost, curriculum-friendly ways to keep that momentum alive from now through June.

1. Make Space for Wonder

STREAM starts with curiosity. Creating opportunities for students to ask questions—and explore possible answers—keeps their brains engaged.

Primary:
Try a “Wonder Wall” in your classroom. When students ask questions during read-alouds, science time, or even recess, write them down. Dedicate a little time each week to investigate one of their wonders as a class. This reinforces inquiry skills and connects naturally to ELA and science standards.

Intermediate:
Launch a “Mini Mystery Lab.” Pick one day a month to explore a real-world question—like “Why do some things float?” or “How does a bird fly?” Have students research, experiment, and report findings. These opportunities have great tie-ins to reading, writing, and NGSS practices.

Middle School:
Use “bell ringers” that spark curiosity. Pose a quick challenge or puzzle that touches on real-world problems (e.g., “How could we design a more efficient lunch line?”). Students can discuss or sketch ideas for 5 minutes before diving into the day’s lesson.

2. STREAM-ify What You're Already Doing

You don’t need to start from scratch—just add a STREAM twist to what’s already on your plate.

Primary:
When teaching story elements, ask students to build a setting from a book using blocks, paper, or recyclables. It blends literacy and engineering in a way that feels like play.

Intermediate:
During math lessons on measurement or data, have students design and build simple structures, then test and record the results. Bonus: Use their data for graphing or math journaling.

Middle School:
Take a social studies topic and ask students to design a solution to a historical or current challenge—like how to transport goods along the Erie Canal or how to make a community more sustainable. It’s an easy cross between engineering, civics, and problem-solving.

3. Showcase Student Thinking

When students know their ideas matter, they invest more deeply in their learning. Remember to regularly celebrate their creativity!

Primary:
Hang up student creations in the hallway—even scribbled prototypes or lopsided towers. Ask them to explain their thinking, and display their words alongside the work.

Intermediate:
Host a “gallery walk” where students present their problem-solving or creativity. This could be writing to a problem-solving or persuasive prompt, drawing to retell an event from history, or displaying a model from a science experiment. If a written script or description accompanies their work, even better!

Middle School:
Turn one class period a month into a “Pitch Day.” Give students a problem and ask them to present their idea Shark Tank–style. This improves communication, creativity, and collaboration all at once—and it’s fun!

Keeping the STREAM energy going doesn’t have to mean big projects or extra work. It's about keeping that spirit of inquiry, creativity, and integration alive in small but meaningful ways. The best part? Your students will start seeing STREAM not as a once-a-year event, but as part of how they learn every day.

Want help adapting these ideas for your school? Email & set up a call or visit! stream@wnycatholicschools.org