One of the initiatives that we continue to update is the monthly principal task list. This list makes everyone aware of the important deadlines and tasks and keeps us all focused on the operational/managerial tasks that are important to keep the lights on. The list is public and I certainly invite any school stakeholder to study it to find out the different demands on a principal.

To that end, this is the principal evaluation period, which traditionally happened between school pastors (or Canonical Administrators) and the principals, although the last time we surveyed principals less than a quarter were actually evaluated. With the advent of the new Operating Principles for parish schools and bylaws for regional schools, the responsibility of the evaluation process lies with the School Boards. This should be completed this month because we ask that any non-renewals of principals happen by April 1st.

The purpose of this process, however, is not to fire principals. Rather it’s to provide feedback on how to improve as well as affirm the strengths of our school leaders. Without feedback, we might never change! Also, most of our principals don’t receive enough positive feedback and appreciation for their hard work. Many are doing yeoman's work, transforming the lives of young people and leading their faith communities with integrity and hope.

This is the memo outlining the process, this is the goal sheet that should have been distributed at the beginning of the year, and this is the evaluation instrument. The instrument can be adapted into a Google Form and our office can assist with this process (by copying and pasting) and the survey can be administered to whichever stakeholder group you’d like–board members, faculty and staff, parish staff, Department of Catholic Schools, and even school parents. The instrument functions like a 360 degree feedback instrument. We can also give you a MS Word version of these documents, if needed.

Previous blogs can be found here. Want to keep up with the conversations surrounding Catholic education? Set up your own Google Alert, subscribe to this newsletter by clicking "follow," or subscribe to the Catholic School Matters podcast.

Dr. Tim Uhl

• The 6/7/8 grade Spring Dance will be held at St. Gregory’s on Friday, May 3rd. Tickets are $25 each (+fees) and can be purchased online through TicketSource through April 26th. There will be no tickets sold at the door. All students MUST attend a Diocesan school - all registrations will be verified through class rosters and Principal approval. Here is a flyer for advertising at your schools. Refreshments will be available for purchase. We are asking each school to send someone to help with either Set-Up, Chaperoning, Security, or Clean-up. Please use this Signup Genius to let us know how your school will help.
• Sign up for the 8th Grade Retreat being held on April 19th at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
• The 34th Annual Diocesan Art Exhibition will be held at St. Mary, Swormville from May 13-15th. Please sign up here and use these posters to advertise in your schools. Entry guideline information can be found here as well.
• X-STREAM Games will be held on May 4th at St. Joe’s. See Rachel’s STREAM Blog for more detailed information. On-Line registration will open for school teams this week. The cutoff for registrations will be Friday, April 12. We will be holding a Science Fair Exhibition during the X-STREAM Games. Registration for that event can be found here.
• NEW DATE for the Elementary Track Meet at St. Francis High School on May 20th and 21st. There are no rain dates this year
• The Character Virtue for March is Sacrifice. Please submit your names here by April 5th.

Here's the link to the Office Blog

Recently, I recounted my experience of starting my teaching career in a high school special education class in Maryland, despite being trained for elementary education. The students, aged 14 to 21, were deemed low-functioning, and my primary task was to keep them safe. However, I discovered that some of them had the potential to graduate with a high school diploma if they passed competency tests in reading, writing, and math. Despite skepticism, I was determined to help them succeed. By assessing their skills, setting goals, involving parents, and focusing on necessary skills, I guided them to pass the exams and graduate with diplomas, significantly impacting their future opportunities. This experience reinforced my belief in setting high expectations based on clear learning targets.

This story underscores why we've opted for STAR assessments. They offer flexibility, time efficiency, adaptive testing, seamless integration with Renaissance programs, comprehensive reporting, cost-effective purchasing, professional development opportunities, intervention strategies, and remote testing options. Regular screening assessments in math and literacy three times a year are crucial for monitoring progress, identifying struggling students early, guiding instruction, ensuring accountability, and engaging parents.

To learn more about STAR assessments please visit Star Assessments - Accelerate Growth in Math and Reading. STAR assessments video STAR Assessments - What is STAR? video

STAR Assessment Timeline and Activities:

1. Complete the survey regarding STAR assessments by 3/27/24.

2. Schedule a meeting and meet with Julie for a discussion on STAR data. All meetings to be completed by 3/27/24.

3. Present and share STAR data insights with teachers.

4. Verify fall and winter data with teachers and correct any errors with Laurie.

STAR Windows

• Fall: September 6-27

• Winter: January 8-29

• Spring: May 20- June 10

NYS TESTING

Resources: Grades 3-8 ELA, Math, Elementary- and Intermediate-Science Tests | New York State Education Department

Information for Practice Tests

Getting Started Tips: I am new to CBT, where do I begin? – Computer Based Testing

Test Administration Schedule

• In Spring 2024, all students in Grades 5 and 8 will be required to take ELA, Math, and Science Tests via CBT. Monday, April 8 – Friday, May 17

• Make-ups must be given within the testing window Must be completed by Friday, May 24*

Science

Explore our science resources, used in schools and available through BOCES support centers. From interactive textbooks to hands-on kits, our curated collection enhances science education. Explore our range of materials to elevate your science curriculum and inspire a deeper understanding of the natural world. Please contact Nancy for information regarding Mystery Science subscriptions.

Previous Academic Corner blogs

3/22/24 Save Mandated Services Claim online for C. Riso Review

4/1/24 Online 2021-22 Mandated Services Claim Due to NYSED

4/1/24 Parent Requests for 2024-25 Transportation Due to Public School Districts

4/15/24 NYSED Nonpublic Safety Equipment (NPSE) Claims Due

4/15/24 NYSED Elementary School AIS Claims Due

4/15/24 Request New 2024-2025 Health Services from District of Location

NYSED Mandated Services Update: We’re in the final stretch! I wanted to remind you that there are only 7 school days until the 4/1/23 Mandated Services claim submission deadline, so if you have not started working on your claim I would encourage you to start this week. See my March 5th post for more information about this process. Unfortunately, 19 schools have not even opened an online claim - please do so today! I am currently reviewing three schools but still have another 25 schools that have not yet requested reviews of their online claims. Please email me if you want me to look your claim over once it has been entered online (but NOT submitted!) on the NYSED Business Portal ASAP, but no later than this Friday, 3/22/24. Any reviews left until after that date may result in insufficient time to correct any areas of concern prior to the submission deadline. Also, please forward to me any “Hold” or “Post Review” emails you get from the state that request follow-up on your end to resolve a claim.

NYSED NonPublic Safety Equipment (NPSE) Reimbursement Update: The forms and allocations still have not been updated on the NYSED NPSE website so you will have to make your best guess as to the funds you have available for reimbursement and complete and pay for any allowable projects based on the documents released by NYSED recently before the 3/31/24 deadline. Based on what is on the website, we can only assume that schools will have until at least 4/15/24 to submit NPSE applications along with invoices and proof of payment.

Previous posts from Mr. Riso

The Catholic School Matters podcast is back on the air! A new episode dropped yesterday which serves as the fourth of the "Innovation Spotlight" series. The dynamic president-principal combo at Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, Chris Rebuck and Dr. Chad Riley, join the podcast to discuss how distributed leadership informs their practice. These podcasts are conversations with exemplars in Catholic education which can show up the bright lights in Catholic education. These spotlights will form part of each chapter of the the upcoming book I'm writing in partnership with NCEA. The book is focusing on innovations in Catholic schools which point to a brighter future. Look for a new spotlight every Monday. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so it will automatically come to you every week.

Previous episodes:

• Kristy Dunn, the principal at St. Theresa's Catholic School in Little Rock, describes how she has guided her school, along with the ACE Latino Enrollment Institute, to transform into a Latino-friendly school which has welcomed a significant number of new students
  
• Jill Annable, the President/CEO of West Catholic HS in Grand Rapids, joins the podcast to discuss the use of the National Standards and Benchmarks in her fantastic school. They form the foundation for school improvement and accreditation
  
• The first podcast is a conversation with Jack Joyce of St. Labre Indian Catholic Schools in Montana. Joyce explores how the schools evangelize their school communities by appreciating and integrating what they already know and experience into the Catholic schools. It's a story of integration and creative catechesis!.

Here is a link to the podcast on Apple Podcasts.

A weekly newsletter of resources to spur enrollment and excellence in our Catholic schools.

Email: catholicschoolmatters@gmail.com
Website: www.wnycatholicschools.org
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Phone: 716-847-5520
Twitter: @WNYCatholicEd

1. More than a Dream: How One School's Vision is Changing the World (2008) By G. R. Kearney.
   

2. Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic--and What We Can Do About It (2023) by Jennifer Breheny Wallace.
   

3. Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things (2023) by Adam Grant

4. Redeeming Power: Exercising the Gift as God Intended (2024) by Ann Garrido.

5. Everyone Who is Gone is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis (2024) by Jonathan Blitzer.

Click this link for a full list of my professional reading

Mar 12, 2024 "Reimbursement Programs"

Mar 5, 2024 "The Eclipse is Coming"

Feb 27, 2024 "House of Belonging"

Feb 13, 2024 "Introducing Julie Gajewski"

Feb 6, 2024 "Catholic Schools Week"

For previous newsletters, click this link

A few years ago I set out to write a book which would explore the challenges of Catholic school leadership. My premise that there are no easy answers and that we have to learn from our (and other's) mistakes in order to form a mindset appropriate for orchestrating conflict proved prescient as we all faced completely new and unexpected challenges in 2020. The book,Orchestrating Conflict: Case Studies in Catholic Leadership is now available on Amazon or on the Barnes & Noble site in print or e-book formats. The book explores issues in Catholic school leadership and the tensions between building community and following Church policies and introduces deliberate practice as a method for leadership formation. Most recently, I have completed a new book proposal so book #2 is underway!