Leading with Faith
September 24, 2024
by Chris Riso
9/27/24 NCEA Form Due via Online Google Sheet based on 9/13/24 Counts
9/30/24 NYSED Art & Music Teacher Salary (AMTS) Grant Submission Deadline
10/2/24 BEDS Enrollment Anchor Date – Count All Staff & Students
10/17/24 NYSED Elementary School AIS Claims Due
by Julie Gajewski
PK-16 Science: Academic Excellence
What is Science?
Science is the process of exploring and understanding the natural world through observation, experimentation, and critical thinking. It's a journey of curiosity and discovery.
The Future of Science Education
In today's rapidly evolving world, science skills are more important than ever. Careers in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), data science, healthcare and technology are growing rapidly, and they demand individuals with strong scientific knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
Our Vision for Science Education
At the Catholic Schools of Western New York, we believe that science education should inspire wonder, foster critical thinking, and prepare students for the challenges of the future. Our goal is to transform science instruction from traditional textbook-based learning to a more inquiry-based approach that emphasizes observation, curiosity, and real-world application.
A Collaborative Approach
To achieve this vision, we're forming a dedicated PK-12 science teaching and learning team. This team will work together to align curriculum, review resources, and reimagine science instruction for our WNY Catholic schools. We're excited to collaborate with educators from across the diocese to create a more engaging and effective science learning experience for our students.
Join Our Team
If you're passionate about science education and interested in helping us shape the future of learning in our schools, please sign up using the form below by October 1. We'll determine meeting times, locations, and frequency based on the team's goals and timeline. Together, we can create a science curriculum that empowers our students to become lifelong learners and innovators.
PK-12 Science Teaching and Learning Team Sign Up
Weekly Virtual Principal Meetings
Calling All Elementary and Middle School Principals
We invite you to join our optional weekly virtual principals' meeting.
Meeting Details:
Time: Wednesdays, 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Platform: Microsoft Teams (link sent by Laurie)
First Meeting: Wednesday, September 25th, 2024
Topic: Discussing the process for upcoming roadmap meetings, and October 11 PD/Catechetical training.
We look forward to connecting with you!
by Laurie Wojtaszczyk
This Friday 9/27, is the end of our Fall STAR Testing window. Thank you for completing your testing on time. It is greatly appreciated.
This Friday 9/27, is the due date for your NCEA forms as well. Chris and I will start looking them all over and reach out if we have any questions. Thank you for completing these on time as well.
It’s never too early to start thinking about the Annual Spelling Bee! We will be holding the Dicosean Spelling Bee on Monday, January 27th at Mount St. Mary’s High School. I have put this year’s study guides into a Google Folder you can all access here. There are study guides by grade level or lists you can use for a school wide Bee.
by Mary Jo Aiken
Great leaders are great listeners!
Communication researchers say that 65% of the messages we send and receive are in the form of metacommunication – messages that come through our body language, forms of eye contact, tone of voice, facial expressions, and other nonverbal signals. The other 35% of messaging is made up of words.
And the ways in which we listen to those messages dictate our responses to others. As deep listeners, we’re tuned in to the speaker’s emotions and conscious or even unconscious beliefs. As expansive listeners, we catch onto the big picture and the interconnectedness of ideas and messages that enable us to identify possibility and potential. Transformational school leaders develop and continuously hone listening and communicating skills to effectively meet the needs of constituents. It doesn’t all come naturally! They use and grow their own deep and expansive listening and communicating skills daily, with students, teachers, and parents.
Kudos to our school leaders who are currently working collaboratively to envision the future! Through practiced listening skills and thoughtful communication they are helping to define the incredible possibilities and potential for Catholic education in Western New York.
Wishing a blessed week to all our readers!
by Nancy DiBerardino
Bowling: The Fall league starts today, Tuesday, September 24th. Invoices for league fees will be sent out after October 1st.
There are just a few reminders:
No bowler can be added to the roster after the second week.
Bowlers should be on time.
Bowlers while waiting for their turn to bowl should not be wondering about the allies or playing arcade games.
Chaperones must stay at the bowling allies for the whole duration while the matches are going on.
Reminder to parents no outside beverages or food should be brought in to the bowling allies.
8th Grade & 12th Grade Masses: Thank to the schools who have volunteered their students to participate in October Masses at the Cathedral. Each Mass will need the following: (2)readers; (4) altar servers (need to bring robes); (2) gift bears and (4) Eucharist Ministers. Later this week I will be contacting schools to fill these slots.
by Lisa Benzer
Hello Friends!
Welcome to another inspiring and fruitful year of catechesis!
Thank you for the great work that you do!
Whether children and families are beginning their Faith Formation year at the Parish or students are embarking on a new year of Religion classes at Catholic Elementary Schools, it is truly an exciting time, and the Office of Faith Formation is here to support you!
My name is Lisa Benzer and I am the Diocesan Director of Faith Formation. It is my humble privilege and great honor to serve Catholic Elementary schools and Parish Faith Formation communities with resources, training, lay ecclesial formation, USCCB updates, workshops that can successfully impact your religion classes and Faith formation programs, as well as the planning and development of diocesan directives and comprehensive policies that support the work that you do!
The Office of Faith Formation and the Catholic School’s Departments have strategically aligned forces to become more synergistic about the way we approach Faith Formation, which is foundational to our mission of holistically educating the entire child and family: body, soul and mind. Our Catholic Elementary Schools serve to remind students and families that they are infinitely loved by God and that they are created with a distinct purpose!
Catholic Elementary School Principals and Directors of Faith Formation are encouraged to gather monthly with Pastors and School Chaplains to augment catechesis through planned Faith- related activities and practices that will enhance the experiences of students and their families.
As the diocesan Catholic Schools and Faith Formation departments align and strategize in a collaborative manner, this active partnership can have significant benefits when paired with the Family of Parishes community, to orient in shared practices, common goals and Faith- related resources, in order to cultivate a plan for vibrant Catholic Identity in our schools!
Together we are stronger! This symbiotic approach aims to unify catechesis throughout our Catholic schools and Faith Formation programs, which can have a profound impact on the Faith lives of our students and their families!
May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and direct you in this plan of Renewal!
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” Matthew 6:33
God bless!
