Leading with Faith

ASAP PDF/Copy of each Signed “Written Affirmation” form sent to C. 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

Substantial Equivalency Update: I received some unfortunate news last week. The Renaissance STAR, MAP, and iReady assessments were officially rejected on the updated “Approved Assessments” listing posted on the SE website; these assessments have this note as of 9/12/24: “Does not meet qualifications for Assessment Pathway”. This means that schools that chose the Assessments Pathway will be evaluated based on your NYS Elementary Assessment results and cannot use the other assessments.

Government Services Quarterly Updates via Microsoft Teams: This school year I will again host quarterly Government Services Updates for school board chairs, principals, business managers, chaplains, and pastors. These will be Microsoft Teams meetings tentatively scheduled for 10/17/24, 1/15/25, 3/5/25, and 5/21/25 at 3:15pm. I will send out an invitation and Teams link for the Fall meeting soon.

NCEA Survey Due 9/27/24 based on 9/13/24 Enrollment: Thank you in advance for completing your online NCEA report in Google Sheets by the 9/27/2024 deadline. Please email Laurie Wojtaszczyk at LWojtaszczyk@buffalodiocese.org if you need help accessing your Google Sheet. Once we review your completed submission in early October we may email you asking for clarification on some of the information in your report.

RISE Conference: Registration has begun for the 40th Annual Religious and Independent Schools Educators (RISE) conference taking place in-person at the Albany Marriott Hotel (189 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205) from 8:00am on November 12th to Noon on November 13th. There is a $200 cost to attend this conference but two free nights at the hotel for 11/11 & 11/12 are included for each participant if reservation is made before 10/21 (I think); the conference costs (registration, travel, meals) are Title IIa eligible. This is an excellent professional development opportunity for you and your teachers. Here are the links for more information: RISE Conference | nyscirs. To register, go to the RISE 2024 Conference Registration Form. For assistance with registration, email nyscirsevents@gmail.com.

Voter Registration Ends 10/26/2024; Encourage Staff and Families to Register and Vote: As Election Day (11/5/24) approaches, I just wanted to remind you to encourage the adults in your school community to register to vote by the 10/26/24 deadline and then vote in the coming election. Elected officials can tell if a person has voted in an election and by doing so you add additional weight to any emails you might send to them with your opinions on Catholic School concerns. Information on voter registration can be found here, https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html, and at your county Board of Elections (https://www.elections.ny.gov/CountyBoards.html).

NYSED Pesticide Notification: Please be sure to follow the NYS “School pesticide neighbor notification” law found here. A portion of the law is:

“(b) Notification procedures. Schools shall establish written pesticide notification procedures to provide information on pesticide applications at relevant facilities according to the following provisions.

(1) The school shall provide written notification to all staff and persons in parental relation at the beginning of each school year or summer school session. If a child enrolls after the beginning of the school year or summer school session, written notification shall be provided to the person in parental relation within one week of such enrollment. Such written notification shall include at a minimum the following information:

(i) a statement that pesticide products may be used periodically throughout the school year or summer school session;

(ii) a statement that schools are required to maintain a list of staff and persons in parental relation who wish to receive 48-hour prior written notification of pesticide applications at relevant facilities, and instructions on how to register with the school to be on such list for prior notification; and

(iii) the name and phone number of a school pesticide representative who may be contacted to obtain further information.”

STREAM: A Holistic Approach to Education: Academic Excellence

The academics department is committed to fostering a dynamic and innovative learning environment that equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century. One of our primary goals is to reimagine science instruction by aligning our curriculum with the Next Generation Science Standards. Through a comprehensive review of teaching and learning practices, we aim to create a more engaging and effective science education experience. We are fortunate to have already implemented a STREAM approach, which provides a solid foundation for our ongoing work in science curriculum mapping.

STREAM, a holistic approach to education, combines Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math. By integrating these disciplines, STREAM schools provide students with a well-rounded education that is relevant, interdisciplinary, and community-focused.

Unlike traditional STEM programs, STREAM incorporates religion into the curriculum, reflecting the Catholic values of our schools. This holistic approach ensures that students receive a comprehensive education that not only prepares them academically but also spiritually.

STREAM education emphasizes real-life application through hands-on projects, technology integration, and career connections. By connecting academic concepts to practical experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of the material and develop essential skills.

Furthermore, STREAM promotes interdisciplinary connections, encouraging students to explore concepts across different disciplines. This approach fosters deeper understanding and helps students see the interconnectedness of knowledge.

By partnering with local businesses, STREAM schools create authentic educational opportunities that expose students to various career paths within the STREAM fields. These partnerships not only enrich the students' learning experience but also contribute to the economic growth of the community.

STREAM is more than just a new curriculum; it is a philosophical framework that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the 21st century. By embracing STREAM, Catholic schools in Buffalo can provide their students with a comprehensive, relevant, and innovative education that prepares them for a bright future.

Seeking STREAM Consultant

Passionate educator needed to inspire the next generation. Develop curriculum, coordinate X-STREAM games, and foster STREAM learning. Apply today! Employment

STREAM Grant Deadline Extended!

Great news! The deadline to apply for the STREAM Grant has been extended to October 15th.

eSchool is offering a training for eSD Basics on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The training is for non-teaching staff who are new to eSchoolData or anyone who needs a refresher. Please contact Alexis Knavel if you have any questions. aknavel@e1b.org

Enrollment forms were sent out to all of the schools last week. For September please use your enrollment as of Friday, September 13th. Every month going forward (with the exception of October and November) you will use the 1st of the month for your enrollment numbers.

NCEA forms were sent out last week to the principal and anyone who was designated to assist them on the school contact form we sent out. The anchor date for this year is Friday, September 13th for enrollment and staff counts. There were a few changes to the forms this year but should be easy to complete. If you have questions or need assistance, give me a call. If you’re new to your position I’m happy to hold a Teams or in-person meeting with you if you would like additional guidance.

Coaching for leadership development requires an understanding of current leadership styles, and a desire by the client to grow and expand capacity over a full-range leadership continuum that extends from laissez-faire leadership through transactional leadership, all the way to transformational leadership.

Laissez-faire leadership is characterized by the absence of transactions with followers. According to Hoy and Miskel (University of Michigan, 2008), laissez-faire leaders avoid expressing their views or taking action on important

issues; fail to make, or at least delay, decisions; ignore responsibilities; provide little or no feedback; and allow authority to remain dormant. Laissez-faire leadership is considered to be passive or non-transactional in nature, and is essentially the avoidance or absence of leadership.

Transactional leadership is characterized when leaders motivate followers by exchanging things they want (such as new instructional materials, increased planning time to implement new programs, etc.) for performance desired by the leader. Transactional leaders actively monitor the performance of their followers and take corrective action as problems become apparent. They are vigilant in ensuring that standards are met. For the most part, transactional leadership is very effective, and in fact, practiced by most of us all or part of the time.

Transformational leadership is an expansion of transactional leadership, a leap beyond simple exchanges and agreements, to a level of idealized influence which builds trust. The establishment of trust is the basis for garnering acceptance of the often radical and fundamental changes in the ways individuals and organizations do their work. Transformational leaders are characterized by their conviction about important matters; their high standards of ethical and moral behavior; their willingness to share risks with followers amid goal attainment; servant leadership (considering the needs of others over their own); and the ability to use power to motivate others toward their mission, vision, and cause. Transformational leaders are admired, respected, and trusted. They are role models. Their followers identify with them and want to emulate them. This fundamental trust in and commitment to their leaders inspires vision and confidence among individuals and enables an organization to pursue ambitious goals. Transformational leaders inspire followers, stimulate creativity and innovation, and challenge them to reconsider their own perspectives and assumptions for the sake of personal and organizational growth.

As we embark upon our journey into the future, we must all strive to be transformational and to inspire a culture of transformational leadership.

Wishing a blessed week to all our readers!

Welcome to our 4th year of the Character awards! September is: Welcoming: Being friendly and kind to everyone, making sure everyone feels included, just as Jesus did. Please fill out this Character award form by October 4th to let us know your September student selection.

Bowling rosters are due to Nancy before the first match which is Tues. 9/24.