Leading with Faith
March 4, 2025
by Chris Riso
3/5/25 Quarterly Government Services Update at 3:15pm
3/8/25 CIDEL “Call to Leadership” - Free Professional Development
3/10/25 Mandated Services Data Entry Session at Immaculate Conception
3/11/25 Mandated Services Data Entry Session at St. Amelia
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 (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
4/1/25 Parent Requests for 2025-26 Transportation Due to Public School Districts
NYSED Mandated Services Update: Remember, there are only 20 school days until the 4/1/25 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 official payroll report and benefits summary 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 2024 claim online yet, please do so today - you can enter the information later. Remember, I am hosting Mandated Services Data Entry Sessions 3/10 & 3/11 next week 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 4 claims and two have been submitted and approved; that leaves 44 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 3/17/25 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. I anticipate that requests for reviews will increase over the next week, so get your request in soon. Please email me if you have any questions about the Mandated Services process.
Transportation Requests Due to Public School Districts on April 1: Parents of Catholic school students must request transportation services directly from the public school district in which they live. The deadline for submitting written requests for transportation is April 1, 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year. Failure to submit a request by this deadline might lead to the suspension of bus privileges for those families or denial of busing for any new students. Administrators are urged to remind current parents of the necessity to meet this deadline and to alert parents of prospective and newly-registered students of this requirement as well.
Government Services Quarterly Update via Microsoft Teams, 3/5/25: Tomorrow, 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 2025-26 Title services. Our first two meetings lasted about 45 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 2/27/25. FYI - the last meeting is planned for 5/21/25 at 3:15pm.
NYS Catholic Conference Catholic Education Testimony: Jim Cultrara presented testimony before the NYS Legislature on behalf of all Catholic Schools on 1/29/25. This testimony explains our position on the funding for many of the programs which our students benefit from, from Instructional Materials funding to AIS, Mandated Services, NonPublic SafetyEquipment (NPSE), and MST & Art/Music Salary Reimbursement. The testimony also asks for a fix the the June 1 Special Education request deadline, expansion of the 15 mile transportation range, and inclusion of our schools in new programs meant to support student mental health needs. If you are interested, please see the full testimony here:
NYSCCSS Elementary Secondary Education Testimony 2025.pdf
Erie 1 BOCES Leadership Retreat July 31 to Aug. 1: Erie 1 BOCES is offering a Leadership Retreat on July 31st and August 1st at the Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville. “This year's retreat is designed to inspire, challenge, and equip leaders with future-focused strategies to engage students and create new pathways for success. Expect to leave with fresh ideas, actionable takeaways, and renewed inspiration to support your staff and students in the year ahead! Retreat will feature a keynote address and related workshops from the Internationals Network on "Transforming Assessment: Experiential Learning and Practical Applications for Educational Leaders." All meals are included (breakfast, lunch and dinner on Day 1, breakfast on Day 2).” This is not part of the Title IIa Consortium but, per Mary Jo Casilio, Catholic (Nonpublic) schools pay the $375 listed cost, not the higher charter school cost. Click here for more information and to register or email Mary Jo Casilio at mcasilio@e1b.org for more information.
by Julie Gajewski
Student Enrichment: Critical Mental Health Training: Suicide Prevention for School Staff
As we enter the Lenten season, a time of reflection and care for others, we want to reinforce our commitment to the well-being of our students. Recognizing that mental health is paramount, we are offering vital training to equip our staff with the tools to support students in crisis.
We are pleased to announce that we have secured FREE "Suicide Safety for School Staff (SST)" Train-the-Trainer workshops, provided by the Suicide Prevention Center of New York. This program will empower your school crisis teams to deliver essential suicide prevention training to all staff members.
Program Overview:
This 6-hour Train-the-Trainer workshop will certify participants to facilitate 60-90 minute suicide prevention training sessions for school staff. The training will cover:
The critical importance of suicide prevention.
Identifying characteristics of at-risk students.
The educator's role in intervention and support.
School referral procedures.
Available school and community resources.
Who Should Attend:
School Crisis Teams (Principals, Assistant Principals, Teachers, Counselors).
Each school is encouraged to send a team of 2-3 participants.
Important Information:
Participants must attend the entire 6-hour session to receive certification.
This training does not offer CTLE credits.
Registration must be done by March 14th.
Register your team of 2-3 people here: Suicide Prevention Training Registration Form
Why This Training Matters:
Our students' safety and well-being are our top priorities. This training will provide your staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and respond to potential suicide risks, creating a safer and more supportive learning environment for all.
We strongly encourage your participation in this essential training.
NCEA Lenten Resources
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. NCEA is pleased to offer Lenten resources that enable Catholic school educators to guide their students during this season of prayer and penance. Filled with research-based strategies, publications, websites and technological tools, these resources will provide insight and best practices for Lent.
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: Please note: There will be no virtual meeting this Wednesday. We will meet in person on Thursday of this week.
by Laurie Wojtaszczyk
Open House Lead Cards
If any lead cards were returned to your schools during open house, please forward them to me. You can scan them in and email them or type up the information from the cards into an email. Please return them by March 7th so we can have our drawing on March 15th. Thank you!
TEENAGERS – YOU’RE INVITED . . .
Young people in grades 8-12 are invited to No Matter WHAT: A Day for Catholic Teens on Sunday, March 30th from 12-5:30pm at Hilbert College in Hamburg! (5200 South Park Ave., Hamburg) Gather with teenagers from across the Diocese of Buffalo for an interactive day with national speaker Paul J. Kim! The day concludes with Mass with Bishop Michael Fisher. The cost is $25 and includes lunch. For more information or to register, click this link or scan the QR code below. This will be an experience you won’t want to miss! Pre-registration is required by March 17, 2025.
Science Fair - St. Joseph’s Collegiate institute, March 29, 2025
Parents should read this helpful rule guide first, and then feel free to sign up their Scientists as early as possible before March 21st. We need a minimum of 10 Scientists in a category to hold the judging for that category. If less than 10 sign up for a category then that category will be an exhibition of experiments. We currently only have 5 total students signed up over 2 different categories. Please get those registrations in as early as possible.
The four categories are:
Life Science (all animal, plant and human body experiments)
Physical Science (matter and structure, electricity, magnetism, sound, light, or anything else that shows how something works)
Earth and Space Sciences (weather, Geology, space)
Engineering (applying scientific principles to manufacturing and practical uses in mechanical, chemical, electrical, photographic, sound or environmental engineering, etc.)
Art Show - Notre Dame Academy, May 13-15, 2025
The 35th Annual Diocesan Art Exhibition will be held at Notre Dame Academy, 260 Okell St, Buffalo. All schools are welcome to attend. You can find more information and sign up through this link or scan the QR code on the attached information sheet. Your school must register by April 18th, however early registration is highly encouraged.
by Mary Jo Aiken
ENROLLMENT! ENROLLMENT! ENROLLMENT!
An effective elementary school plan for assuring re-enrollment and attracting new enrollment requires a multi-faceted approach focusing on showcasing the school's strengths and building strong relationships with families. Here's a possible plan:
I. Re-Enrollment Strategies (Keeping Current Families Engaged):
Early Bird Re-Enrollment Period: Offer incentives for early re-enrollment, such as waived fees, priority class selection, or special events. This encourages families to commit early.
Proactive Communication: Don't just send a re-enrollment form. Start communicating about the upcoming year early. Highlight exciting programs, curriculum updates, and extracurricular opportunities. Use newsletters, emails, social media, and even short videos.
Gather Feedback: Conduct surveys or focus groups with current families to understand what they value about the school and identify areas for improvement. Show that their opinions are valued.
Personalized Outreach: For families who haven't re-enrolled by a certain deadline, make personalized phone calls or send emails to address any concerns and answer questions.
Showcase Successes: Regularly share student achievements, teacher spotlights, and school event highlights through various channels. This reinforces the positive impact of the school.
Family Events: Host engaging family events throughout the year, like open houses, curriculum nights, or fun community gatherings. These events foster a sense of belonging and strengthen the school community.
Address Concerns: Be responsive to parent concerns. Establish clear communication channels and ensure that concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
II. New Enrollment Strategies (Attracting Prospective Families):
Targeted Marketing: Identify the demographics of families in the school's catchment area and tailor marketing efforts to their interests. Consider local publications, online advertising, and community events.
Compelling School Website: Ensure the school website is up-to-date, easy to navigate, and showcases the school's unique features, programs, and values. Include testimonials from current parents and students.
Social Media Presence: Actively engage on social media platforms. Share photos, videos, and stories that highlight the school's vibrant learning environment and positive culture.
Open Houses and School Tours: Offer regular open houses and school tours. Make these events engaging and informative, allowing prospective families to experience the school firsthand and interact with teachers and staff.
Information Packets: Prepare comprehensive information packets for prospective families, including details about curriculum, extracurricular activities, school policies, and enrollment procedures.
Community Outreach: Participate in local community events, fairs, and festivals to raise awareness about the school and connect with prospective families.
Referral Program: Encourage current families to refer new families by offering incentives. Word-of-mouth marketing is often very effective.
Partnerships: Build relationships with local preschools, daycare centers, and community organizations to reach potential families.
Highlight Unique Programs: If the school has specialized programs (e.g., STEM, arts, dual language), emphasize these in marketing materials and during school tours.
Streamlined Enrollment Process: Make the enrollment process as smooth and user-friendly as possible. Offer online enrollment options and provide clear instructions.
Follow-up: After initial contact, follow up with prospective families to answer any questions and provide additional information.
III. Continuous Improvement:
Data Analysis: Track enrollment trends and analyze data to identify what strategies are working and where improvements can be made.
Regular Review: Regularly review and update the enrollment plan to ensure it remains relevant and effective.
Staff Training: Provide training to school staff on how to effectively communicate with prospective families and promote the school.
By implementing a comprehensive and proactive plan, you can effectively retain current families and attract new students, ensuring a thriving and vibrant school community. Go get ‘em! 🙂
by Nancy DiBerardino
Boys Scout of America: The Boy Scouts of America National Religious Relationships Committee is inviting Scouts & youth across the world to join Scouting to again read sacred tests of their own faith on May 1, the U.S. National Day of Prayer, or anytime that week it is convenient. Scouting held this event in 2024, but this year is inviting all youth to participate. More information can be found HERE.
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 at the beginning of March.
Virtue/Diocesan Character Trait - Awards will be handed out at the March Principals Mtg.
Month of February - Reverence/Inclusion - Deadline March 14, 2025
Definition – Showing your deepest respect for things of God & making sure everyone feels value and part of the group. https://forms.gle/vC7dEccHKjvGrTYe8
by Stephanie Genco
Important Upcoming STREAM Dates - Mark your calendar!
Friday, March 7 - The absolute last day to get X-STREAM Games registrations in!!
Monday, March 10, 2:45-3:45pm - X-STREAM Games Volunteer Meeting, Option 1 - LINK
Tuesday, March 18, 2:45-3:45pm - X-STREAM Games Volunteer Meeting, Option 2 - LINK
Friday, March 28, 3-5pm - X-STREAM Games Set-Up at St. Joe’s Collegiate
Saturday, March 29, 10am-2pm - X-STREAM Games!
Monday, April 7, 2:45-3:45pm - X-STREAM Games Debrief Meeting (open to all) - LINK
X-STREAM Games Event Details, Registration, & More → STREAM Website
Think it would be fun to judge an event this year?
We’d love to have you there to play creative games, hear about awesome inventions, listen to passionate talks, or view thought-provoking artwork. Judges & volunteers can share their availability and events of interest on this volunteer form.
Aside from X-STREAM Games…
We’ll be spending time April-June on:
Learning more about how STREAM works in your school and how we can support you through resources, professional development, and more
Building our Community Partnerships, relationships with organizations around WNY that want to support the education and principles important to STREAM through programming and field trips
Planning fun activities and learning opportunities for next year!
Stephanie will be reaching out to Principals & Coordinators to set up times for school visits during those Spring months.
by Lisa Benzer
We are embarking on the holy season of Lent, which commences on Ash Wednesday, March 5th.
“Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return”. These are the traditional words that we will often hear when the priest/ deacon traces the sign of the cross upon our foreheads.
What does this blessing signify?
Let’s recall the Book of Genesis, when Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, enjoyed the Divine Life with the Sacrosanct Trinity. Adam and Eve were tempted, and in the process, decided to follow their human wills instead of abiding in God’s Divine Will. As a result, mankind became tainted by Original Sin and concupiscence. Mankind, once created for immortality, was at that moment subjected to death. Jesus’s Incarnation is about our salvation. Due to Jesus’s Passion, Death and Resurrection, our death is not final. We understand as Catholics, that our bodies will be resurrected like Jesus, on the last day! Jesus cleared the way for humanity, so that we may always live!
The ashes drawn upon our foreheads, in synchronous motion with the sign of the cross, along with this recited blessing, serves to remind us that we are indeed mortal, and in Adam we are dust. If it were not for Jesus’ saving power through His Paschal Mystery, we would remain in the dust of our own sin, and if we remained in such a state then unto dust we shall return.
This act of humbly receiving ashes during Ash Wednesday, reminds us that God has given HOPE to humanity through Jesus Christ! We accept our nothingness and in receiving our ashes we resign ourselves to Christ… to the very Will of the Father. In the act of turning to our loving Father, during this time of Lent, we recall our need for contrition and repentance. Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving help us to understanding that to live holy lives, and authentically bear witness to the Gospel message, we are in desperate need of God’s grace!
CCC 412 “But why did God not prevent the first man from sinning? St. Leo the Great responds, ‘Christ’s inexpressible grace gave us blessings better than those the demon’s envy had taken away.’ And St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, ‘There is nothing to prevent human nature’s being raised up to something greater, even after sin; God permits evil in order to draw forth some greater good. Thus St. Paul says, ‘Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more’; and the Exultet sings, ‘O happy fault,… which gained for us so great a Redeemer!’”
Oftentimes the word “Lent” can conjure up memories of our own childhood when we gave up chocolates, candy or a favorite TV show. We teach our children that in the act of denying oneself, we create more space for Jesus to work within us. If we constantly give in to the distractions and temptations of the world, then how much time can we really give to Jesus? Jesus wants to be loved, Jesus wants our company, Jesus wants our trust, Jesus wants our attention and our thanksgiving. Lent is a time of emptying oneself, so that Jesus can fill us up with the very things we lack! Maybe this Lent is a time for SILENCE- less phone, more prayer. Maybe it’s a time of LISTENING- less talking and more listening with the heart. Maybe this Lent is about spending our TIME more freely to help others.
Which areas of your life is God calling you to let go of, so that you can make more room for Him? Please take a look at this Lenten newsletter and feel free to incorporate some of these ideas with the children and parents in your school.
Lisa Benzer and Julie Gajewski are working to synergize effort to increase Catholic Identity in parish and school communities. We want to hear your ideas and share ways that we can help in this collaborative effort to discuss some of the ways that principals and DRE’s can become a resource to one another. We will have a Sign-Up Genius appointment calendar available to you by the March 25th newsletter, so that Principals and DRE’s can sign up for 20 minute virtual check-ins, or 1 hour in- person visits to your location. We want to hear more about the great work that you do!
Lenten Blessings!
Lisa Benzer, Director of Faith Formation
Important Dates
March 28 - Diocesan Wide 8th Grade Retreat, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 3148 Abbott Rd., O. Park
March 29 - X-STREAM Games & Science Fair & Expo, St. Joseph's Collegiate, 845 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo
March 30 - No Matter WHAT: A Day for Catholic Teens, Hilbert College, 5200 South Park Ave., Hamburg
May 13-15 - Diocesan Art Show, Notre Dame Academy, 260 Okell St., Buffalo