Leading with Faith

2/3/25 Last Day to Submit Buffalo Public Schools Textbook Requisitions

2/28/25 HS Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE) Nominations Due Online (Post)

3/5/25 Quarterly Government Services Update at 3:15pm

3/8/25 CIDEL “Call to Leadership” - Free Professional Development

3/14/25 Last Day to Submit Erie 1 BOCES Textbook Requisitions

3/17/25 Save Mandated Services Claim online for C. Riso Review

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

3/31/25 NYSED Elementary School AIS Claims Due

4/1/25 Online 2021-22 Mandated Services Claim Due to NYSED

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

Executive Budget Update: Governor Kathy Hochul released her proposed $252 Executive Budget proposal for 2025-26. Her proposal offers mixed news for religious and independent schools. We have yet to determine whether the $228,380,000 proposed for Mandated Services/CAP expenses is sufficient to reimburse schools for 100% of their current school year costs. The MST Grant Program increased by $10 million while the Elementary AIS program could be decreased by $500,000 and all funding for immunization reporting has been removed; the Governor proposes an additional $136 million to ensure free meals to all children attending schools participating in the federal school lunch program; proposed funding for Teacher Centers decreases by $7.1 million; and all other programs have proposed funding at previous levels: NonPublic Safety Equipment (NPSE), Art/Music Grant Program, Textbooks, Computer Hardware, Computer Software, and Library materials. Now we need to work to ensure our priorities are included in the final budget to be passed by 4/1/25 so look for advocacy emails from me and the NYS Catholic Conference and be sure to participate in any “Action Alerts”.

NYSED Safety Equipment and AIS Funds: We are still waiting for updated NonPublic Safety Equipment (NPSE) grant allocations and Year 11 forms to be released by NYSED. When this information is released it will be found on their website here. I also wanted to remind you that March 31, 2025 is the deadline for purchasing supplies or paying for and completing projects under the NPSE program for reimbursement this school year. If you plan to apply for 2024-2025 reimbursement, please make sure all work has been completed and paid for by March 31st. Failure to pay for and complete projects by the deadline means that you will not be able to submit for reimbursement until next year’s 2025-2026 forms are made available by NYSED closer to December 2025 for reimbursement after 3/31/2026. I hope to send out an email in the next two weeks with more information and rough estimates of your available NPSE funds (along with an estimate of available Year 8 AIS funds for the elementary schools) but please email me if you have any questions.

Mandated Services Funds Owed for 2022-23: You may recall that NYSED still owes our schools 5% of our 2022-23 Mandated Services claim amounts (submitted 4/1/2024). These remaining funds will most likely be paid to you after April 1, 2025. If you have not yet requested your 2023-24 Excel spreadsheet to begin working on this year’s claim, please email me.

Federal Education Tax Credits: As a follow up to last week’s call for advocacy on the Federal Education Tax Credits, please see this - ECCA 1-page summary 1-6-25.pdf- for more information on the proposed Education Choice for Children Act (ECCA). Contact me if you have any questions about this bill.

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week: "United in Faith and Community"

We are thrilled to be celebrating Catholic Schools Week, a time dedicated to highlighting the unique value of Catholic education. This year's theme, "United in Faith and Community," perfectly captures the essence of our schools.

As we approach the upcoming school year, our schools are actively engaged in enrollment planning. We understand the importance of helping families find the best educational fit for their children. Our diverse network of Catholic schools offers a range of options, from the intimate setting of smaller schools to the robust academic programs of larger institutions. We are committed to providing a Christ-centered education that nurtures the whole child, incorporating elements of Classical education and ensuring a supportive learning environment for all students.

Developing an Enrollment Plan

To effectively plan for the upcoming school year, each school is currently setting enrollment goals. These goals are tailored to the unique character, identity, and needs of each individual school community.

Key considerations in developing an effective enrollment plan include:

• Understanding Community Needs: What are the educational and social needs of the families in our surrounding community?

• Defining School Identity: What makes our school unique? What are our core values and how do they translate into the classroom?

• Assessing Facilities and Resources: Do our facilities adequately support our educational programs? Do we have the necessary spaces for science labs, art studios, and other specialized learning environments?

• Evaluating Program Strengths: What are our most successful programs? What class sizes will best support these programs and ensure optimal learning experiences for all students?

• Meeting Individual Learner Needs: How can we best meet the diverse learning styles and needs of each student within our classrooms?

Next Steps:

A critical focus for Principals this month is student retention and recruitment. Identify students who would thrive in your unique learning environment and proactively engage with their families.

To assist in developing and implementing effective enrollment plans, our office offers dedicated support. Please do not hesitate to contact us for guidance, resources, or to discuss your school's specific needs and challenges. We have enrollment planning templates and resources available.

CSANNYS Leadership Program Available:

CSAANYS will be facilitating the Discerning Leaders Program beginning in January. This program is designed to help teachers who may be thinking about or interested in Catholic school leadership and may not have already started graduate school. We all know that finding candidates for Catholic school principal positions is becoming increasingly difficult. We also know that our best school leaders come from within our ranks. Through this seven-session virtual program, we can provide teachers with the understanding, knowledge, and resources needed to make informed decisions about their future careers.

Registration is currently open, and an allowable expense for Title IIA or IV - https://link.edgepilot.com/s/88ec7389/oCITEArn5UK4vtjipAxZAg?u=https://dlprogram.cheddarup.com/.

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: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 - Enrollment Plan

Elementary school secretaries and administrative assistants are the unsung heroes of our schools! Their primary function is to support the school's administrative and operational needs, allowing teachers and administrators to focus on instruction and student learning. Their importance cannot be overstated:

• The Hub of Information: They are the first point of contact for parents, students, and visitors. They possess a wealth of knowledge about school policies, procedures, and personnel.

• Smooth School Operations:

• Attendance & Records: They meticulously track student attendance, manage student records, and assist with data entry, ensuring accurate information for the entire school.

• Communication Central: They handle a high volume of phone calls, emails, and messages, effectively communicating information to and from parents, teachers, and administrators.

• Event Coordination: They often play a crucial role in planning and coordinating school events, from parent-teacher conferences to school-wide celebrations.

• Supply Chain: They manage school supplies, order materials, and maintain inventory, ensuring that classrooms have the resources they need.

• Teacher Support: They provide invaluable support to teachers by:

• Assisting with photocopying and other clerical tasks.

• Preparing materials for classroom instruction.

• Helping with communication with parents regarding student progress.

To effectively delegate to these capable and essential staff members:

• Prioritize:

• Identify key priorities: Work together to prioritize tasks and ensure that the most critical needs are addressed first.

• Avoid micromanagement: Trust their judgment and allow them to work independently as much as possible.

• Clear Communication:

• Provide clear instructions: When delegating tasks, be specific and provide clear instructions, timelines, and desired outcomes.

• Regular check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins to provide updates, answer questions, and ensure tasks are on track.

• Empowerment:

• Delegate authority: Allow them to make decisions within their scope of responsibility.

• Recognize and appreciate their contributions: Acknowledge and appreciate their hard work and valuable contributions to the school community.

• Invest in Professional Development:

• Provide opportunities: Offer opportunities for professional development to enhance their skills and knowledge.

• Support their growth: Encourage their professional growth by providing opportunities for advancement within the school system.

By effectively delegating and appreciating their contributions, you can create a more efficient and supportive work environment for your school's administrative staff.

Have a blessed and safe Catholic Schools Week!!

Mark your calendars! The Annual Elementary Track Meet will take place this spring on Monday, May 12, 2025 and Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at St. Francis High School in Hamburg. More information will be forthcoming in February.

Virtue/Diocesan Character Trait

Month of January - Gratitude/Determination - Deadline February 14th.

Definition –Seeing everything as a gift and working hard and not giving up.

https://forms.gle/vC7dEccHKjvGrTYe8

Spring Bowling: Please let me know if your school is interested in participating. The season will start at the beginning of March 2025. Deadline is February 3rd.

Bowling Registration Form

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

Empower Young Voices Through Public Speaking: A STREAM Opportunity