Leading with Faith

5/15/25 Last Day to Register for Free UB Summer Graduate Classes

5/30/25 Request 2025-26 Hardware, Software, & Library Materials Loans

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 NonPublic Safety Equipment (NPSE) Reimbursement Update: NYSED does not have any new updates to report for NPSE, other than to once again apologize for the delay in reimbursement. Moving forward, they are confident that there will not be any substantial changes to the Year 11 guidance and forms so they should be very similar to the guidance and forms from Year 10. They gave me the following reminders: if you are planning to claim NPSE via the electronic portal, which is recommended, you could start your preparation by gathering your receipts, invoices, and contracts for qualified NPSE purchases and payments made to the vendors prior to 12/31/24 that you anticipate claiming for Y11 reimbursement, requesting replacements for missing invoices, and making sure your staff portal access and SEDREF accounts are up to date in order to be ready to file once the system is open. You may also want to review your SFS/Vendor ID account information and consider changing your payments from paper checks to ACH direct deposits. Additionally, here is what I found in an auto reply message from ORISS on 4/22/25:

• NPSE Y10. Year 10 Review has started and will continue well into Spring 2025.

• NPSE Y11. NPSE Y11 will open next. Schools will receive an email notification via Non-Pub ListServ when the Y11 application becomes available; it will also be posted on the “Funding Opportunities” page. The NPSE purchasing deadline closed 12/31/2024. The Y11 purchasing deadline of 12/31/24 will remain regardless of launch date. With NPSE, there are no missed opportunities. Allocations accumulate from year to year; any unused allocations roll-over into the next grant cycle.

Erie 1 BOCES Textbook Update: Kelly Flynn from Erie 1 BOCES will be sending an email to the listed textbook coordinators regarding the NYS Textbook Loan program. This email has all of the information school’s need in order to use the Erie 1 BOCES textbook ordering website so there will not be an in-person Annual Textbook Loan Meeting. Please email me if your school did not receive this information. Email Kelly at kflynn@e1b.org if you have a new textbook coordinator.

Hearing, Vision, and Scoliosis Screenings: On Friday, April 25th you each received an email with a memo that explained the need for public schools to perform the mandated Hearing, Vision, and Scoliosis screenings. This is a reminder from me that your school can have a public school nurse perform those health screenings at your school if you request them from your district of location, preferably by the May 1st preceding the school year. If your students are not getting these screenings done by their primary care providers, you should arrange for district staff to perform them at your school.

Academic Excellence Through Strategic Curriculum Planning

Curriculum serves as the foundational "what" of effective instruction. To ensure optimal student learning, districts are encouraged to adopt an evidence-based curriculum. According to the New York State Education Department (NYSED), such a curriculum effectively facilitates the acquisition of skills and knowledge aligned with state standards, demonstrates developmental appropriateness, and informs differentiated instructional practices to meet the diverse needs of learners (NYSED 2015-2025).

My deep appreciation for curriculum development, review, and auditing stems from my time as a 4th-grade teacher. This pivotal grade level allowed for the exploration of engaging topics, ranging from the principles of electricity and the historical significance of the Erie Canal and Revolutionary War to the intricacies of fractions and the rich character development found in literature like "A Wrinkle in Time" and "Bridge to Terabithia." Meaningful field experiences, such as visits to the Locks on the Erie Canal, Fort Niagara, and Genesee Country Village and Museum, effectively brought these concepts to life. Furthermore, the curriculum fostered essential skills in experimentation, public speaking, and personal narrative writing.

Currently, as part of our strategic planning process for the Diocese of Buffalo, we are undertaking a comprehensive initiative to review, enhance, align, and integrate our Catholic faith throughout our robust curriculum. I am honored to guide this process, collaborating with our 30 elementary and middle schools and 12 high schools. We recognize the unique opportunity within our Catholic schools to not only meet the rigorous New York State Standards but also to align our instruction with the Profile of an Eighth Grader for Catholic Schools. This alignment will cultivate compassionate, Christian, service-oriented leaders through the intentional selection of our instructional content. Our aim is to provide students with learning experiences that empower them to discover their individual gifts and passions. A key strength of our schools lies in the dedication of our passionate teachers and principals who are deeply committed to both their faith and the education of our students. There is considerable enthusiasm among our educators for this opportunity to align curriculum and resources, fostering greater potential for shared materials, professional development, and inter-school collaboration.

Our multi-year implementation schedule for the revised and enhanced curriculum is as follows: 2024-2025, Science; 2025-2026, Social Studies/History and Religion; 2026-2027, Literacy; and 2027-2028, Mathematics and Health.

Principals: I will be scheduling virtual or in-person meetings to assist you in developing your school's curriculum plan in alignment with the approved Diocesan resource list. This collaborative effort will support alignment with research-based resources and enhance purchasing power.

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.

STAR/Renaissance

There have been a couple changes with Renaissance. Our new main consultant is James Cooper and our new Customer Success Manager is Tim Schmidt. However, I am still your first line of defense for anything STAR/Renaissance related.

eSchool

Answer sheet ordering is now open. Here is a link to the instructions. Please do not request large amounts of blanks. Pre-printed Regents answer sheets can be requested right up until the time of the assessments.The Regents vendor scoring section is also open. Here is a link to the instructions for doing that. If you are having any issues ordering Regents answer sheets, please look up the correct codes on this page. If you need to change a code in your eSchool, it will take an overnight processing before you can order the answer sheets. You can place your order the day after making any changes.

Support During Operational CBT Testing

During operational CBT, schools should be contacting their Regional Information Center (RIC) and Big 5 City School District testing departments as a first step if they need help with testing. The regional testing departments will be able to advise if you need to contact NWEA or NYSED as a next step.

• Email: cbt@e1b.org – for technical help during testing

• Email: testscoring@e1b.org – for data help including adding or moving students in Nextera

End-of-Year Assessments and Reporting

Ah, the home stretch of the school year! You can practically smell the freshly cut grass and hear the joyous shouts of students anticipating summer break. But before we get there, there's a significant mountain to navigate: end-of-year assessments and reporting. It can feel like a daunting task, but with thoughtful planning, you and your faculty can make this process smoother, more meaningful, and ultimately less stressful for you and your students.

Let's dive into some key strategies for planning effectively:

1. Start with the End in Mind (Again!):

Just like when you began the school year, it's crucial to revisit your learning objectives and curriculum goals. What were the essential skills and knowledge you aimed for your students to acquire? Your end-of-year assessments should directly reflect these targets.

• Review your curriculum maps and standards: Pinpoint the key learning outcomes for this grade level.

• Consider different assessment methods: Don't rely solely on traditional tests. Think about performance tasks, projects, portfolios, and even well-designed observations that showcase student understanding in varied ways.

• Align assessments with instruction: Ensure that the content and format of your assessments are consistent with what and how you've been teaching. No surprises!

2. Map Out Your Timeline:

The end of the year can get hectic quickly. Creating a detailed timeline will help you stay organized and avoid last-minute scrambles.

• Work backward from your reporting deadlines: Mark key dates for administering assessments, scoring, and writing reports.

• Schedule specific time blocks for each task: Allocate time for administering different assessments, individual student conferences (if applicable), data analysis, and report writing.

• Factor in buffer time: Unexpected events happen. Build in some flexibility in your schedule to accommodate delays or unforeseen circumstances.

3. Gather and Organize Resources:

Having your materials ready will save you valuable time and energy.

• Review and adapt existing assessments: Determine if your current end-of-year assessments still align with your goals, or if they need adjustments or updates.

• Gather necessary materials: Make sure you have enough copies of assessments, rubrics, scoring guides, and any technology you might need.

• Organize student work samples and anecdotal notes: These can provide valuable insights to supplement formal assessments and enrich your reports.

4. Communicate Clearly with Students and Families:

Transparency can alleviate anxiety and foster a sense of partnership.

• Prepare students for assessments: Explain the purpose of the assessments in age-appropriate language and review relevant concepts and skills. Consider practice activities to build confidence.

• Inform families about the assessment schedule and reporting process: Keep them in the loop about when assessments will take place and how they will receive information about their child's progress.

• Be prepared to discuss results: Think about how you will communicate student strengths and areas for growth in a constructive and supportive manner.

5. Plan for Data Analysis and Interpretation:

Assessments are only valuable if you use the data they provide to inform your understanding of student learning.

• Determine how you will analyze the data: Will you be looking at class averages, individual student performance, or specific skill mastery?

• Consider using data visualization tools: Charts and graphs can help you see patterns and trends more easily.

• Reflect on your teaching practices: What does the data tell you about the effectiveness of your instruction? How can you use this information to inform your teaching next year?

6. Streamline Your Reporting Process:

Writing meaningful and informative reports takes time and careful consideration.

• Familiarize yourself with your school's reporting system: Understand the required format and any specific guidelines.

• Develop a system for organizing your notes and assessment data: This will make the writing process much more efficient.

• Focus on providing specific and actionable feedback: Highlight student strengths and identify areas where they can continue to grow. Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon.

• Consider templates or sentence starters: These can help you structure your reports and ensure consistency.

7. Prioritize Self-Care:

This time of year can be incredibly demanding. Remember to take care of yourself!

• Schedule breaks and downtime: Even short breaks throughout the day can make a difference.

• Get enough sleep, eat well, and stay hydrated.

• Connect with colleagues for support and shared experiences.

Planning for end-of-year assessments and reporting doesn't have to be a stressful sprint to the finish line. By taking a proactive and organized approach, you can navigate this crucial period with greater ease and focus on celebrating the growth and achievements of your amazing elementary students. You've got this!

Have a safe and blessed week!

Track Meet: By this time, every school participating should have received their track meet packet either by mail or hand delivered by one of your teachers who attended a training session last week. Please make sure that the material inside of the packet is reviewed and that rosters are submitted by the deadline of Tuesday. May 6th.

The May Principals Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 15th at the Catholic Center in the Formation Room located on the first floor. Click on the link below to register to attend. https://forms.gle/pugxEWWozw9nFJ4S7

Important Information:

The eighth grade diplomas will be handed out at the May 15th Principals’ Meeting.

Faith Meets Innovation: How Catholic Identity Enhances STREAM Learning

One of the most powerful aspects of STREAM education in our Diocese is that it isn’t just about preparing students for the future—it’s about shaping them into thoughtful, faith-filled problem solvers who lead with both skill and compassion. Our Catholic Schools educate the whole child, and STREAM is a key component of this.

STREAM, at its best, invites students to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through the lenses of the arts and religion. But what truly sets our schools apart is how seamlessly Catholic Identity is woven into this learning. The “R” for Religion is not an “add-on”—it’s at the heart of it all!

This past Lent, I was especially moved by the creative and meaningful ways our schools engaged with the Stations of the Cross. Some presented Living Stations with student narration and movement, while others created shadow plays that were visually simple but emotionally powerful. I saw carefully crafted flip books,illustrations of each station in students’ own words and drawings, and the exploration of modern-day connections, reflecting on where we still see suffering and sacrifice in the world today.

Each of these expressions beautifully represents the core principles of STREAM: creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration—and most importantly, purpose. These weren’t just activities to check a box; they were deeply reflective projects that connected faith, art, storytelling, and empathy. STREAM becomes truly transformational when it connects the heart and mind to serve others.

Service projects are another inspirational way that schools continue to embody both innovation and mission. Whether students are addressing local needs, supporting global causes, or advocating for change within their communities, these projects become opportunities to put their faith into action. STREAM makes space for students to not only ask "What can I do?" but also "What would Jesus do?"

As we continue to reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, his words feel especially meaningful in our STREAM work:

“Do not bury your talents, the gifts that God has given you! Do not be afraid to dream of great things.”

Our STREAM classrooms are places where students do dream of great things—and then take steps to make those dreams real. Grounded in faith, guided by purpose, and inspired by creativity, our students are growing into leaders who are ready to serve with both heart and mind.

If your school has a STREAM + Catholic Identity moment worth sharing, I’d love to hear about it!