Leading with Faith

3/31/25 NYSED Nonpublic Safety Equipment (NPSE) Claims Due (Date may change)

3/31/25 NYSED Elementary School AIS Claims Due (Date may change)

4/1/25 Online 2023-24 Mandated Services Claim Due to NYSED

4/1/25 Updated Mandated Reporter Training Due for All Required Staff

Academic Excellence: Music in Our Schools Month

Remembering Harry Fackelman

By Kim Mortise

March 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of Music In Our Schools Month as established by the National Association for Music Educators, which is a collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education. This year’s MIOSM theme is “United Through Music.” Music educators and students are celebrating music education in their school communities demonstrating how “United Through Music” resonates with them. The positive impact of music education in the lives of students lasts a lifetime.

Within our Catholic Schools, music continues to play an essential role in our children’s education, uniting them in praise, worship and faith as well as enhancing their study of performing arts. Locally, while many Catholic school music teachers and students are proudly celebrating music within our schools and churches, they are also honoring the life and work of an extremely influential and treasured musician, teacher, and friend, Mr. Harry Fackelman, who passed away on October 17, 2024, after a very courageous battle with cancer.

Harry received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master’s Degree from SUNY at Buffalo. He was a founding member of the world-renowned Amherst Saxophone Quartet and performed throughout the United States, Japan, Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands. Concert highlights include appearances at Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and broadcasts on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, NBC-TV's Tonight Show and CBS Sunday Morning. He performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra in both pops and orchestral settings. Harry performed and recorded with diverse groups and was part of the woodwind section of many theater and concert touring productions. He performed with Sarah Vaughn, Aretha Franklin, Frankie Avalon, Johnny Mathis, Marie Osmond, The Spinners, The Temptations, among others. Harry was a member of the groups Hit Man Horns, JJ Swing, and many others. He taught saxophone performance and woodwind techniques at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo State, and Nardin Academy.

While many knew Harry as a popular and highly respected saxophone player and teacher, some may not know about the important roles that he humbly served as a musician and presenter within our Catholic schools. For 20 years, Harry performed with an ensemble of music teachers to inspire students to learn to play a musical instrument. From beautiful songs like “Amazing Grace” to an exciting repertoire of children’s favorites, Harry’s woodwind performances brought smiles, inspiration and overwhelming applause.

“I worked as the Regional Manager for Paul Effman Music from 2000-2020 where I managed and staffed our Band Programs for Catholic Elementary Schools in Western and Central New York. For two weeks every September, I assembled a team of musicians to demonstrate the band instruments to the students. Harry was always my first call for woodwinds. Not only did Harry have a gorgeous sound on Flute, Clarinet and Alto/Tenor Saxophone, he was kind and generous with his time and an absolute joy to be around. The students loved his sound so much, we often had the problem of way too many students signing up for Alto Saxophone! I will especially remember our trips to schools like St. Joseph’s in Auburn, St. Francis-St. Stephen in Geneva, St. Mary Our Mother in Horseheads, All Saints in Corning, and Immaculate Conception in Ithaca. Harry's stories and sense of humor made our long drives on those trips not just pleasant...but something I actually looked forward to every year! Our "mini tour" of Catholic Elementary Schools was such an adventure, especially in the days before GPS Navigation systems. We got lost often and placed friendly wagers on what time we would arrive at our destination. Often, Harry would pick up the bill for lunch...and he was working for ME! Who does that?! Harry Fackelman. That's who! Local gigging musicians have long been familiar with his personality and kindness, but he truly was more than a flexible, first call woodwind specialist at Shea's, or a jazz band, or a church group. He was an educator, mentor and one of the nicest people to those lucky enough to cross paths with him. I miss Harry very much.” - Jeff Walling, Band Director, St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, Buffalo, NY

As a result of Harry’s positive impact, children at every school that he visited made the life changing decision to learn to play a musical instrument. Hundreds of accomplished student musicians went on to perform in church and school band performances as well as the highly competitive All-County and All-State ensembles. Many of these students then continued their music studies in high school and college, and some are now enjoying opportunities to perform at Carnegie Hall as well as prestigious music tours in Europe. Harry also inspired student musicians to establish their own successful teaching careers in music education.

“Harry was my saxophone professor at SUNY Buffalo State and the reason that I started teaching privately in my freshman year. He also inspired me to play double woodwinds in ensembles. Today, I enjoy teaching instrumental music at several Western New York Catholic schools as well as at a local music studio. Harry kindly helped me achieve both teaching positions. I remember walking into my lessons with him and often discussing how teaching was going. Every time that I encountered an issue, he was there to offer advice and support. To this day, I still use some of his teaching guidance in my lessons and Catholic school band rehearsals. I will always be so grateful that I had the opportunity to study with Harry.” – Julianna Ellis, Catholic School Instrumental Music Director, Buffalo, NY

As a Catholic School Instrumental Music Director myself, I was also blessed to share exciting music education opportunities with Harry for 20 years. In addition to the school band recruitment assemblies that we shared through Paul Effman Music, Harry also performed with our students at school band concerts, including the Western New York Catholic School Honor Band concerts lead by Mr. Jeff Walling, which were held annually for 17 years at Immaculata and Mount St. Mary Academy.

As a co-director, having Harry on stage with us always brought a great sense of comfort and joy to me personally. If Harry was there, you just knew that our sound would be complete and that the event would be a great success while impacting students in positive ways. He was always so happy and eager to help everyone around him. I don’t ever remember a time that he didn’t say “yes” when asked to join us. His daily schedule was often filled with long hours of teaching, rehearsing, traveling, and performing, yet he still found a way to help us and unite us.

Further, Harry was an outstanding role model for our Catholic school children and is now greatly missed by students of all ages. Everything that he did was done with the highest level of professionalism and kindness. He provided a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow as the best musician and person that you could be. And throughout his courageous battle with cancer, he expressed concern about his inability to attend this year’s Catholic school music events and looked forward with great hope that he could return next year. He always thanked us for the opportunity to perform at the Catholic schools and frequently mentioned that the Fall was just not the same without performing at our schools.

This month and throughout the school year, I have included special moments in rehearsals to honor Harry and reflect on the music, memories, and important life lessons that he left us. It is difficult to imagine that Harry will never be with us again at another school band assembly or concert, or that we’ll never get to hear him perform live again. The loss of Harry will impact hundreds of us for years to come, and is evident by the outpouring of heartfelt condolences shared online and in person throughout the international music community. Our hope is that we will continue to remember and honor this extraordinary and humble man who gave so much to our community, especially to the young children within our Catholic schools and music programs.

Music will always be an essential part of Catholic education. Our school musicians are the future of the sacred music that we require and enjoy each week at mass and many other important Catholic events. We are so grateful for the time that we had with Harry, for all the ways that he so selflessly served and helped us to grow our Catholic school music programs, for the young lives that he changed for the better, and for the outstanding role model that he will continue to be for all of us. Despite having cancer, Harry’s final message to me remained full of faith, hope, and gratitude. He kindly thanked me for my prayers while sharing how much he valued the power of prayer. His very last words were to “enjoy this beautiful day.” In Harry’s honor, may we unite and find the beauty within each day granted before us by our Almighty God, continue to embrace the power and wisdom of prayer, spread kindness and generosity wherever we go, and treasure the everlasting gift of music. Thank you, Harry, for your gift of music. Thank you for the gift of you.

Weekly Virtual Principal Meetings

Meeting Details:

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

• Platform: Microsoft Teams (link sent by Laurie)

STAR

It’s time for the STAR quotes to be completed for the next 2 year cycle of our programming. Our STAR Essentials is now becoming STAR Comprehensive which will include all of the following:

• STAR Reading

• STAR Reading CBM

• STAR Math

• STAR Math CBM

• STAR Early Literacy

• STAR Custom

• STAR Spanish

• STAR CBM Lectura

If you use Freckle and Laleio those will have separate quotes sent out shortly.

SCIENCE FAIR

Our Science Fair will be held this Saturday as part of the X-STREAM Games & Expo at St. Joseph's Collegiate, 845 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo

Participant Set-Up: 8:30-10am in the Art Room - If you only need a few minutes to set up, you are welcome to come closer to 10am. Those who need more set-up time I am happy to welcome you into the Art room starting at 8:30am.

Discussion Session & photos of projects with students: 10am-1pm broken down by categories as follows: (slightly changed from previous LWF)

• Life Science 10am-10:30am

• Earth & Space Science 10:30am-11am

• Engineering 11:45am-12:15pm

• Physical Science 12:15-1pm

Students will need to be with their projects during the allotted time for their specific category. They may leave once I have had a chance to come and discuss their project with them. They are welcome to walk around the X-STREAM Games or participate in other events as well. If the student is needed in another X-STREAM event area during the assigned discussion time, I am happy to set a separate time with them to discuss their project.

Please note that we may have tables in the hallway or a classroom next to the art room if we need additional space for all of the Science Fair projects. That will be communicated Saturday morning with signage in the area.

I look forward to seeing all of our young scientists on Saturday!

Multi-Age Classrooms Part 2: A “How To” for Teachers

Teaching a multi-age classroom presents unique challenges and opportunities. Here's a "how-to" guide, incorporating a workshop model and adherence to standards:

Key Principles:

• Differentiation is Essential:

• Recognize and embrace the wide range of abilities and developmental levels.

• Perform pre- and post-testing to group students accordingly into lessons or units of study.

• Provide varied learning experiences to meet individual needs.

• Flexible Grouping:

• Utilize diverse grouping strategies:

• Age-based groups for targeted instruction.

• Ability-based groups for focused skill development.

• Mixed-age groups for peer learning and collaboration.

• Groups should be fluid, changing based on learning goals.

• Standards-Based Instruction:

• Align instruction with relevant standards for each age/grade level.

• Identify overlapping standards and create integrated learning experiences.

• Fostering Independence and Collaboration:

• Cultivate a classroom culture where students take ownership of their learning.

• Promote peer tutoring and cooperative learning.

• Creating a Supportive Community:

• Build strong relationships among students of all ages.

• Encourage empathy, respect, and a sense of belonging.

Workshop Model:

The workshop model provides a structured framework for differentiated instruction:

1. Mini-Lesson (Whole Group):

• Introduce a concept or skill relevant to the standards.

• Provide clear explanations and examples.

• Adapt the mini-lesson to address the diverse needs of the students.

• This can be done with a whole group, or broken into smaller age based groups, depending on the subject matter.

2. Independent Work/Small Group Instruction:

• Students engage in differentiated activities based on their individual needs and learning goals

• Create work plans or passports for each child including these “condiments”:

• Mustard - Work that must be done

• Ketchup - Work that need to be completed in order to catch up

• Mayo - Work that may be chosen from centers or projects

• Pickles - Pick from other teacher-defined work or activities

• The teacher circulates, providing support and targeted instruction to small groups or individuals.

• During targeted instruction, it is important that the teacher not be interrupted. Have a rule: “Ask 3 [other students, for help] before me.” Or wear a hat when you can’t be interrupted. 🙂

• Sample activities:

• Older students might work on more complex tasks or projects.

• Younger students might focus on foundational skills or hands-on activities.

• Small group instruction can be used to target specific standards related to each age group.

3. Sharing/Reflection (Whole Group):

• Students share their work and reflect on their learning.

• This provides opportunities for peer feedback and reinforcement of concepts.

• This can be done with the entire class, or with smaller groups of students, depending on the activities that were completed.

Adherence to Standards:

• Curriculum Mapping:

• Create a curriculum map that outlines the standards for each age/grade level.

• Identify connections and overlaps between standards.

• Plan integrated units that address multiple standards.

• Differentiated Assessment:

• Use a variety of assessment methods to monitor student progress.

• Provide differentiated assessments that align with individual learning goals.

• Use formative assessment to inform instruction and adjust grouping.

• Individualized Learning Plans:

• Develop individualized learning plans for students who need additional support or enrichment.

• These plans should outline specific goals and strategies for meeting individual needs.

Practical Strategies:

• Learning Centers:

• Create learning centers that offer a variety of activities at different levels.

• Provide clear instructions and materials for each center.

• Peer Tutoring:

• Pair older students with younger students for peer tutoring.

• This benefits both the tutor and the tutee.

• Project-Based Learning:

• Engage students in project-based learning activities that allow for differentiation and collaboration.

• Projects can be designed to address multiple standards and learning styles.

• Utilize Technology:

• Use educational technology to provide differentiated instruction and personalized learning experiences.

Important Considerations:

• Classroom Management: Establishing clear routines and expectations is crucial for managing a multi-age classroom.

• Time Management: Planning and organization are essential for effectively managing time and delivering differentiated instruction.

• Collaboration with Parents: Communicate regularly with parents about their child's progress and the unique aspects of the multi-age classroom.

By implementing these strategies, teachers can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that meets the needs of all students in a multi-age classroom.

Have a safe and blessed week!!

Important Track Meet information

The following items will be sent to each school once registration has been received, Qualifying Cards, Official Rosters and Official Schedule.

Please remember when you send in your track registration to indicate on the form which day you would like your school to participate. There is a limit of 14 schools per day.

We request that all schools report to the track meet by 10:00 AM. STARTING TIME FOR ALL MEETS WILL BE AT 10:15 am SHARP. THE MEET SHOULD END BY 12:30 -12:40 PM.

Contestants may participate in two(2) events - one of which must be a Relay. Please make sure children are wearing proper attire suitable for weather conditions of the day. NO SPIKE SHOES OF ANY TYPE MAY BE WORN.

1. Qualifying Cards - The card should be filled out with all the information for each event that the student will be participating in - one card per student. You may check off more than one vent on the same card. (For Example: if the student is entered in a relay and a dash, both events may be checked on one card.) The card must be secured by a safety pin to the back of the contestant's shirt or jacket.

2. Official Roster -(Girls & Boys)- one of each is to be returned to the Department of Catholic Schools by Tuesday, May 2, 2025. Note that the students participating must be the correct age as of January 1, 2025.

3. There will be a refreshment stand available at the track.

4. Please note: Each school must have sufficient adult supervision to oversee the conduct of their students. Students must be supervised at all times. One of the greatest difficulties with the Track Meet is cleaning up carelessly discards papers, bags, etc. Please bring plastic bags for your students to dispose of their trash. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

5. Official Schedule - Please make sure that you verify that your school is listed on the correct date.

6. Events Taking Place: Relays: 400 m relay, one entry per school per age and gender group (10u, 12u and 14u). Dashes: 100m, one entry per school per age and gender group (9u, 10u, 11u,12u,13u, 14u and 15u). Softball Throw: (13u, 14u and 15u) one entry per school per age and gender group. Long Jump: (13u and 15u) one entry per school per age and gender group.

Bowling: There are two more weeks left for our elementary bowling league. I will need to know the names of the students who will be participating in the Championship Tournament. As a reminder each school may only send 1 student per each grade (5 & 6, 7 & 8). Please email me this information no later than Wednesday, April 2nd - ndiberardino@buffalodiocese.org.

The Championship Tournament will take place on Saturday, April 5th at Classic Lanes, 1840 Military Road, Buffalo, NY - starting promptly at 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Please arrive at least 10 minutes earlier to check in.

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

The 2025 X-STREAM Games are this Saturday!

✋High School Volunteers
If you know any high school students who could use volunteer hours (or just like engineering or creating), we are seeking a few volunteers to assist with Science Scrimmage and the Makerspace. They can see the details and sign up on this Sign-Up Genius!

📅 Event Schedule & Map
Be sure to check out the event schedule and event map to get familiar with where and when each competition is happening. Students participating or competing should come right to the registration table when they arrive to check in.

🍕 Concessions
The St. Joe’s Science Olympiad Team will be running a concession stand from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM with pizza, pop, water, and candy available for purchase. (Water will be $1, everything else $2-3.)

👕 Show Your School Spirit!
Students should wear their school uniforms to proudly represent their schools throughout the event. Let’s see that school pride!

📸 Capture the Memories - and share them with us! We want to see all of the day’s fun! You can take us in any of your pictures or videos on Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to use the hashtag #2025XSTREAMGames so we don’t miss a thing!

See you at the games!