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Catholic School Matters

March 5, 2024

CatholicSchool Matters March 5, 2024
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The Eclipse is Coming

The following guest blog is submitted by our STREAM consultant, Rachel Zeller, who can be reached at rzeller@buffalodiocese.org. The included picture was generated by Ideogram, a new AI program which generates images from prompts. Try it!


Readied with plans to talk about things like Light, Prisms, Rainbows and Noah's Ark with my second-grade STREAM class at St. Peter's school in Lewiston this past week, before I knew it, the proverbial monkeys had taken over the zoo. Indeed, I was bombarded with questions about the upcoming solar eclipse, a topic which was NOT in my lesson plans but was one in which I was delighted to explore along with them. (This may be my favorite part about teaching STREAM: when unrelenting curiosity arises, more often than not I am able to indulge my students' eagerness to learn!)


You've probably heard, there's going to be a solar eclipse on April 8 this year, and Western New York is right along the path of totality. According to a report on WKBW-TV, this is serious business, with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz even considering a county-wide shut-down, just as though we might expect for a snowstorm. “The traffic is going to be horrible," Poloncarz warns according to the report, adding, “Your best place to watch the eclipse is probably at your home, as long as you have a clear view of the sun it doesn't matter where you are."


This astronomical event may very well create a tremendous opportunity for Catholic school educators to capitalize on STREAM Project-Based Learning. Though due to Easter, our students will not be in school that Monday, there are many resources we can tap - locally and beyond - which can bring STREAM PBL into your schools and classrooms.


What if the educational teams in your school could do one better than just have a science unit that addresses the Solar Eclipse? What if there was an integrated and immersive experience wherein the students get a full and well-rounded STREAM education that meets standards and promotes student engagement? And now, hear me out… what if EVERYONE in the building had Total Eclipse Fever?


For example: Science and Math combine with learning experiences that include Next Generation "Earth's Place in the Universe" (ESS) and Math topics such as time, representing & interpreting data, ratios & proportions, modeling, and geometry. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE…We can also throw Religion into this mix! I'll get you started with a few articles and sites that reference where the Bible talks about Eclipses, religious and cultural significance of eclipse events, and how science has used the Bible determine datelines of early references to their existence. (Added bonus: Community, Career & Civic (C3) Social Studies standards can also fit in here):



Curriculum Extension teachers can catch Eclipse Fever as well. For example, art teachers could refer to Alma Thomas' work "The Eclipse" to inspire projects for students at any level. Music can also join the art party, exploring songs that reference these celestial events (Pink Floyd, anyone?) or even better, show your students this NatGeo article about how scientists are now able to include the visually impaired in experiencing an eclipse by creating a way hear it. And, I don't know who needs to read this today, but let this be a loving reminder that writing and performing are also valid art forms.


To tie this all together in to a PBL experience, Technology and Engineering become a natural fit (although it could be argued that those elements are already organically present.) For example, students could be assigned a project where they must create their own representation of the eclipse. It could be done as any kind of project they choose (creating a 3-d replica, a musical or artwork piece, poetry or a story, an experiment), but it must include a journal that illustrates how they've applied the Engineering Process (Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test, Improve). Technology would be a natural element to this if students are able to use personal learning devices such as Chromebooks for research, but could also include robotics, video documenting, graphic design, and more.


The beauty of using this "All Hands on Deck" collaborative PBL model, is that it allows great opportunities for students to deep-dive into a topic in a way that allows instruction to meet multiple learning standards (thereby saving time!), makes room to be adaptable for differentiated learning strategies, and creates memorable, immersive learning from many angles - all while encouraging students to chart their own path in their learning. Educators need only make a few adjustments to make this a successful and beneficial learning experience.


MORE RESOURCES




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

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Office Updates

  • Save the date for the Diocesan Track Meet at St. Francis High School on May 13th and 14th. More details to come. There are no rain dates this year.

  • We will be holding a Diocesan 7th and 8th Grade Dance on May 3rd, at St. Gregory the Great from 7-10pm. Proceeds will benefit BISON Fund. More details will be forthcoming, but please let me know ASAP if you would like to be on the committee for this fun activity. We need lots of chaperones and helpers!

  • Our Science Fair is this weekend - March 9th - EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

  • Information here on the Diocesan Art Fair May 14th & 15th. This is a printable flyer.

  • The Character Virtue for March is Sacrifice. Please submit your names here by April 5th. March Principal’s Meeting is on March 7 at St. John Vianney. Breakfast and lunch will be provided this day. Take a peek at the agenda.


Here's the link to the Office Blog
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Academic Corner

I have embarked on a journey to visit schools and engage in discussions centered around STAR data, aiming to foster school-wide improvement and enhance instructional design and intervention planning. These conversations have been immensely fulfilling, prompting me to delve deeper into the interpretation of STAR reading and math data.


Initially, my focus as a teacher revolved around analyzing proficiency scores. However, I have come to appreciate the significance of utilizing STAR data to measure student growth, a facet I now deem more crucial than fixating solely on proficiency. Consider a scenario where 10 out of 17 students meet proficiency standards but exhibit no growth. It illustrates the potential pitfall of merely meeting minimum expectations to ensure all students pass.


In Catholic Schools, I believe our overarching goal should be the pursuit of academic excellence. This entails not only meeting standards but continually challenging students to realize their full potential and unearth their God given talents. During discussions with one principal, the topic of motivation arose, highlighting the importance of aligning learning tasks with students' abilities and readiness to prevent disengagement.


I pose a challenge to our courageous school leaders, exceptional teachers, and dedicated staff: How can we leverage STAR data not just to attain proficiency levels but to craft learning tasks and experiences that ignite critical thinking, foster creativity, and cultivate joy for every student? This endeavor aligns with our mission to nurture the holistic development of each individual, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves.


Principal 1-1 Meetings:

Purpose: to review school wide data to inform curriculum development and professional development plans for 24-25 and to discuss strategies for sharing data with stakeholders to achieve academic excellence. These meetings will also serve as a component of your self study as part of the Middle States Accreditation process.

My goal is to complete meetings by 3/29/24. Principals if you have not scheduled your 1-1 meeting with me yet please do so by clicking the links below:


Book time with Gajewski, Julie: STAR Data Discussion Microsoft Teams Meeting

Book time with Gajewski, Julie: STAR Data Discussion in Person Meetings


STAR Survey

Please complete the STAR survey linked below so we may have a clear picture of where we are in the implementation process. We will share the overall results of the survey at the principal meeting March 7. STAR Survey


STAR Windows

Fall: September 6-27

Winter: January 8-29

Spring: May 20- June 10


NYS TESTING

Test Administration Schedule

Monday, April 8 – Friday, May 17

Make-ups must be given within the testing window Must be completed by Friday, May 24*
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Chris Riso on Government Services

3/5/24 Government Services Update for Board Chairs, Chaplains, Pastors, & Principals

3/9/24 CIDEL “Call to Leadership” Event: Free - Register by 3/5

3/11-12 Mandated Services Data Entry Sessions (Optional)

3/15/24 Last Day to Submit Erie 1 BOCES Textbook Requisitions

3/18/24 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


NYSED Mandated Services Update: Remember, there are only 19 school days until the 4/1/24 Mandated Services claim submission deadline, so if you have not started working on your claim I would encourage you to start this week. At this point, your school should have your payroll and benefits reports from your Business Manager and have updated your school-specific Excel spreadsheet with those amounts while also updating the “Days in the School Year” and indicating the staff members participating in each Mandate. Once your Excel spreadsheet is accurate and complete, you can work on the additional sections on “Form 2” and then begin to enter your claim online at the NYSED Business Portal. If you have not yet opened your 2023 claim online yet, please do so this week - you can enter the information later. Remember, I am hosting Mandated Services Data Entry Sessions 3/11 & 3/12 for those who have completed their Excel spreadsheets and “Form 2” and want to enter the data online with me nearby for questions. If you ask, I can look your claim over once it has been entered online (but NOT submitted!) on the NYSED Business Portal. So far I have reviewed 8 claims, all which have been submitted and approved; that leaves 43 schools left to assist in the next 4 weeks so I really need you to enter your claim online on your own or at a Data Entry session (but do not submit) by 3/18/24 and then send me an email to request a review. Any reviews left until after that date may result in insufficient time to correct any areas of concern prior to the submission deadline.


NYSED Safety Equipment Funds: NYSED should be releasing the NPSE forms and allocations some time this week. I saw a draft of some information going out that should really assist you with your planning, with examples of eligible and ineligible projects for both previously-allowable projects and the new “NPSE Building Repair & Remediation” category being added for Year 10.


Public School District Nonpublic School Meetings – Please Share Dates: Often at this time of year public school districts will hold individual or district-wide Title services or nonpublic school meetings regarding Federal funds, Special Education, and Health Services. As you are notified of these meetings, please consider sharing the invitations with me so that I might arrange to attend and support your school.


Government Services Quarterly Update via Microsoft Teams, 3/5/24: Later today, March 5th at 3:15pm, I will host the third quarterly online Government Services Update for school board chairs, principals, business managers, chaplains, and pastors. This quarter’s meeting will cover: advocacy, nursing, and planning for 2024-25 Title services. Our first two meetings lasted about 40 minutes so I hope those invited can carve out some time to attend. Invitations to the meeting along with the Microsoft Teams link were sent out on 2/29/24. FYI - the last meeting is planned for 6/13/24 at 3:15pm.


Erie 1 BOCES Leadership Retreat Aug. 1-2: Erie 1 BOCES is offering a Leadership Retreat on August 1-2 at the Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville. Join the Instructional Coaching Group's Amy Musante as she leads a full-day session on evidence-based strategies to grow as educational leaders. As part of this professional learning experience, participants will identify beliefs about leadership, reflect on their own practice, and explore a variety of ways to build trust with staff. Following opportunities for team discussion and an evening of relaxation, inspirational speaker Duncan Kirkwood will lead Day 2 with a presentation on Resilience for Leaders. This is not part of the Title IIa Consortium but, per Mary Jo Casilio, Catholic (Nonpublic) schools pay the $350 listed cost, not the higher charter school cost. Cost covers full retreat agenda, all three meals on Thursday, August 1st, and breakfast and lunch on Friday, August 2nd. Click here for more information and to register.


Previous posts from Mr. Riso

Articles for Your Reflection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWK63J4PYLQ&t=3s
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Catholic School Matters Podcast

The Catholic School Matters podcast is back on the air!. A new episode dropped yesterday which serves as the second of the "Innovation Spotlight" series. 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. 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:

  • 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.

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Catholic School Matters

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

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My Last 5 Books

  1. Richard Rohr on Transformation: Collected Talks (1998) by Richard Rohr

  2. The Equality Machine: Harnessing Digital Technology for a Brighter, More Inclusive Future (2022) by Orly Lobel.

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

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

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


          Click this link for a full list of my professional reading

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          Past Issues of Catholic School Matters

          Feb 27, 2024 "House of Belonging"

          Feb 13, 2024 "Introducing Julie Gajewski"

          Feb 6, 2024 "Catholic Schools Week"

          January 30, 2024 "Catholic School Week Surveys"

          January 23, 2024 "St. Benedict & Intentional Community"


          For previous newsletters, click this link

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          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!

          Timothy Uhl
          Timothy is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters