Leading with Faith

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

Collaborative Effort to Enhance Language Learning in Primary Grades: Academic Excellence

University at Buffalo and the Diocese of Buffalo Catholic Schools Partner to Improve Language Comprehension

The University at Buffalo Language Learning Lab (UBLLL) is excited to collaborate with the Diocese of Buffalo Catholic Schools to develop a new tool for measuring language comprehension in primary grades (K-2). This innovative project aims to identify and support students who may need additional language support, ensuring they have the foundation for future academic success.

Why is this important?

• Early Identification: By developing a reliable and valid language comprehension measure, we can identify students who may be struggling early on, allowing for timely intervention and support.

• Culturally Responsive Assessment: Our goal is to create a measure that is fair and equitable for all students, regardless of their cultural or linguistic background.

• Data-Driven Instruction: The data collected through this project will help educators make informed decisions about their instructional practices.

How will this partnership benefit your school?

• Research Contribution: Your school will play a crucial role in advancing language and literacy research, helping to improve educational outcomes for children.

• Financial Support: Each participating classroom will receive a $25 donation for each screening conducted, up to three times per year.

• Professional Development: Dr. Hendricks, a leading expert in language development, is available to provide training sessions on topics such as screening, oral language, and supporting English Language Learners.

• On-Site Support: UB students will be available to assist with classroom or building tasks as needed.

By joining this collaborative effort, the Diocese of Buffalo Catholic Schools can contribute to the development of a valuable tool that will benefit students for years to come.

If you are interested in participating please email me at jgajewski@buffalodiocese.org by Tuesday, December 17.

NYS 3-8 Testing: Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Readiness Checklist

Who needs to complete this checklist?

This checklist is for schools in New York State that will be administering grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Math assessments on computers (CBT) during the spring.

What is the checklist for?

The CBT Technology Readiness Checklist helps schools ensure they have the necessary technology and resources to administer the tests smoothly. Completing the checklist helps identify any potential issues before testing begins.

Who is responsible for completing the checklist?

The school principal is responsible for ensuring the CBT Technology Readiness Checklist is completed each year the school administers any operational tests using CBT.

When is the deadline?

The deadline to complete the checklist for the spring 2025 testing season is December 27, 2024.

How to complete the checklist:

For detailed instructions and requirements, please refer to the NYS 3-8 Testing CBT Technology Readiness Guide: Tech Readiness Checklist QRG

Need Help?

NWEA's Customer Support team is available to assist you with any questions about the CBT Technology Readiness Checklist or CBT testing in general.

Contact Information:

Phone: 1-866-997-0695

Chat: Available via the Nextera Admin Help page

Email: NYTesting@nwea.org

Additional Resources:

For more information on NWEA's Customer Support team and hours, please visit this article on CBT Support.

Weekly Virtual Principal Meetings: Academic Excellence

Meeting Details:

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

• Platform: Microsoft Teams (link sent by Laurie)

Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - topics: UB Collaboration and CBT Tech Readiness

Effective semester and trimester parent-teacher conferences are essential for fostering strong relationships between teachers, parents, and students. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss student progress, address concerns, and set goals for the future. To ensure that your conferences are productive and beneficial, consider the following tips:

1. Preparation:

• Gather Information: Before the meeting, collect relevant information about the student's academic performance, behavior, and social interactions. This may include grades, test scores, assignments, and anecdotal notes.

• Set an Agenda: Create a brief agenda for the conference to keep the conversation focused. Include topics such as the student's strengths, areas for improvement, goals for the future, and any concerns or questions the parent may have.

• Prepare Materials: Have copies of the student's work, progress reports, and any other relevant documents ready to share with the parent.

• Consider the Parent's Perspective: Think about what information the parent might be most interested in, and be prepared to answer their questions.

2. Communication:

• Start with a Positive: Begin the conference by sharing positive feedback about the student's accomplishments and strengths. This will help set a positive tone for the meeting.

• Use Clear and Simple Language: Avoid using educational jargon or technical terms that the parent may not understand. Explain concepts in a clear and concise way.

• Listen Actively: Give the parent your full attention and listen carefully to their concerns and questions. Show that you value their input and are genuinely interested in their child's well-being.

• Be Honest and Direct: If there are concerns about the student's progress, be honest and direct, but also offer solutions and support.

• Encourage Two-Way Communication: Create a space where both you and the parent can share their perspectives and ideas. Ask open-ended questions to encourage conversation.

3. Collaboration:

• Set Goals Together: Work with the parent to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the student.

• Develop a Plan of Action: Create a plan for how you and the parent will work together to support the student's progress. This may include strategies for improving study habits, addressing behavioral issues, or providing additional support.

• Follow Up: Schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss the student's progress and make any necessary adjustments to the plan.

Additional Tips:

• Create a Welcoming Environment: Make sure the conference room is comfortable and inviting.

• Be Punctual: Start the conference on time to show respect for the parent's time.

• Be Flexible: Be prepared to adjust the agenda if needed to address the parent's concerns.

• End on a Positive Note: Conclude the conference by summarizing the key points and expressing your commitment to working together to support the student's success.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your parent-teacher conferences are productive and beneficial for both you and the parents. Remember, effective communication and collaboration are key to building strong partnerships that will positively impact student learning.

School Supply Order Form https://forms.gle/QZjruyFiPJbuJVzd6 This year there is a new Report Card Envelope for schools that have switched to trimesters.

It is my absolute pleasure to be joining you as the new STREAM Consultant. I am here to support WNY Catholic School administrators, STREAM Coordinators, teachers, and students in all STREAM activities - implementing academies/kits in your schools, preparing for the X-STREAM games, integrating STREAM principles into your classroom lessons, engaging with community partners, and more!

In addition to this role with your schools, I also work with school districts and teachers throughout WNY to provide professional development opportunities related to social-emotional learning and teacher wellness. After many years as both a classroom teacher and a health & wellness coach, it became the perfect merging of worlds.

STREAM Coordinator Meetings will be available throughout the year to keep schools informed and open opportunities for continued collaboration and creativity. If there is any way I can be of support to you outside of those (questions you have, resources you need, training you need to improve implementation, etc) please don’t hesitate to reach out via email at stream@wnycatholicschools.org. I am happy to set up a phone call, zoom meeting, or in-person visit. I look forward to meeting more of you very soon!