My Dear Friends and Family,
I offer you the following this Christmas season.
Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Robert Louis Stevenson
My our Savior watch over you and your family this season and the whole year through.
In His Name,
Scott
Friday, December 19, 2014
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Hello Friends,
I recently had the pleasure of reading an article that I felt was especially appropriate to share at this time as we begin the holy season of Advent. It was written by Glennon Doyle Melton, author of the New York Times Bestselling Memoir CARRY ON, -WARRIOR, and it is entitled:
A Time of Waiting
It seems that as the world becomes supposedly less complicated through
technological advances, we still find ourselves waiting. Waiting for that
package to arrive that we ordered online in record speed. Waiting in line at
the self-checkout station at the supermarket, designed to eliminate waiting.
Waiting for the phone to ring, or the text to come. It never ends. Researchers
tell us that the average person will spend 5 years of his or her life waiting
in line, 2 years playing telephone tag, and six months sitting at red
lights. That is over 7 and a half years of waiting, at best doing nothing, or at
worst experiencing great aggravation! The bottom line is that even in our
fast-paced world, with postmodern conveniences, we are all waiting for
something.
In the month of December we spend time preparing children for concerts,
decorating classrooms and hallways, making preparations for Christmas at
home, shopping, baking, attending parties and sharing joy. As you know,
Advent is the time for waiting, praying, and preparing ourselves for the
birth of Christ. By taking a step away from the hustle and bustle, asking
kids to slow down and reflect on what the birth of Christ means to them, the
world and our faith, such a richness will be added to this time of waiting.
God Bless You All,
Scott
I recently had the pleasure of reading an article that I felt was especially appropriate to share at this time as we begin the holy season of Advent. It was written by Glennon Doyle Melton, author of the New York Times Bestselling Memoir CARRY ON, -WARRIOR, and it is entitled:
A Time of Waiting
It seems that as the world becomes supposedly less complicated through
technological advances, we still find ourselves waiting. Waiting for that
package to arrive that we ordered online in record speed. Waiting in line at
the self-checkout station at the supermarket, designed to eliminate waiting.
Waiting for the phone to ring, or the text to come. It never ends. Researchers
tell us that the average person will spend 5 years of his or her life waiting
in line, 2 years playing telephone tag, and six months sitting at red
lights. That is over 7 and a half years of waiting, at best doing nothing, or at
worst experiencing great aggravation! The bottom line is that even in our
fast-paced world, with postmodern conveniences, we are all waiting for
something.
In the month of December we spend time preparing children for concerts,
decorating classrooms and hallways, making preparations for Christmas at
home, shopping, baking, attending parties and sharing joy. As you know,
Advent is the time for waiting, praying, and preparing ourselves for the
birth of Christ. By taking a step away from the hustle and bustle, asking
kids to slow down and reflect on what the birth of Christ means to them, the
world and our faith, such a richness will be added to this time of waiting.
God Bless You All,
Scott
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Dear DeSales Family,
Well, usually at this time of year I write about impending snow and how we can tell it is about to make an appearance, but, as we have seen this week, we already have been visited by the white splendor that makes Western New York so special. OK, so maybe I am understating the monster that some are calling "Snowvember." Yet, let us remember that we are blessed that it has missed us and also let us keep those who have been buried by the snow in our prayers. As such I feel that it is a great time to re-visit both winter and regular school safety concerns.
Ø Please remember that all of our little ones walk through the parking lot in some form or fashion and they do not always look before moving on. As a rule make sure that you enter and exit the lot through the designated lanes and that you adhere to a maximum speed of no more than five miles per hour.
Ø Please allow some extra time for students to get into class in the morning as they are wearing a few more clothes, and so is everyone else in the school. If you have never seen an elementary school hall the day of a first real snow, it looks as if a tornado has hit with kids and clothes everywhere.
Ø With the previous in mind, please be sensitive to the time of teachers immediately before and after school. The time is designed for daily preparation and brief student questions. Unfortunately, they often do not have time to accommodate drop-in parent conferences. It is always best to either call, e-mail, or drop a line to schedule a conference. As a school, it is our goal to reply to all communication, at the latest, in 24 hours.
Ø In the rare case that DeSales Catholic School is going to close because of inclement weather we will publicize this on all major television stations and, in all instances, if the Lockport City School District is closed because of inclement weather, DeSales is closed.
We have been hearing growing concern about driving in and around DeSales. Over the years we have discussed many of the different rules and regulations of traffic safety as they apply to the roads around DeSales and, while I am happy to bring them forward again, the most important issue at stake here is the safety of our children.
Ø Please remember that passing a school stopped school bus, even with a permanent divider in the road is illegal.
Ø The streets around DeSales Catholic School are designated as a school zone and, as such, reduced speed is very important.
Ø When entering and exiting the parking lot, please make extra sure that there are no children present as little ones tend to hide behind bushes and such and rarely look before running.
It is only through working together and with the guiding grace of our Savior that we can continue to ensure the safety and well-being of our future.
Stay Warm,
Scott
Well, usually at this time of year I write about impending snow and how we can tell it is about to make an appearance, but, as we have seen this week, we already have been visited by the white splendor that makes Western New York so special. OK, so maybe I am understating the monster that some are calling "Snowvember." Yet, let us remember that we are blessed that it has missed us and also let us keep those who have been buried by the snow in our prayers. As such I feel that it is a great time to re-visit both winter and regular school safety concerns.
Ø Please remember that all of our little ones walk through the parking lot in some form or fashion and they do not always look before moving on. As a rule make sure that you enter and exit the lot through the designated lanes and that you adhere to a maximum speed of no more than five miles per hour.
Ø Please allow some extra time for students to get into class in the morning as they are wearing a few more clothes, and so is everyone else in the school. If you have never seen an elementary school hall the day of a first real snow, it looks as if a tornado has hit with kids and clothes everywhere.
Ø With the previous in mind, please be sensitive to the time of teachers immediately before and after school. The time is designed for daily preparation and brief student questions. Unfortunately, they often do not have time to accommodate drop-in parent conferences. It is always best to either call, e-mail, or drop a line to schedule a conference. As a school, it is our goal to reply to all communication, at the latest, in 24 hours.
Ø In the rare case that DeSales Catholic School is going to close because of inclement weather we will publicize this on all major television stations and, in all instances, if the Lockport City School District is closed because of inclement weather, DeSales is closed.
We have been hearing growing concern about driving in and around DeSales. Over the years we have discussed many of the different rules and regulations of traffic safety as they apply to the roads around DeSales and, while I am happy to bring them forward again, the most important issue at stake here is the safety of our children.
Ø Please remember that passing a school stopped school bus, even with a permanent divider in the road is illegal.
Ø The streets around DeSales Catholic School are designated as a school zone and, as such, reduced speed is very important.
Ø When entering and exiting the parking lot, please make extra sure that there are no children present as little ones tend to hide behind bushes and such and rarely look before running.
It is only through working together and with the guiding grace of our Savior that we can continue to ensure the safety and well-being of our future.
Stay Warm,
Scott
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Looking Forward in Reverse
Dear Friends,
I am often asked “Dr. Fike, why should I send my child to DeSales and have to pay tuition when I can send my child to public schools for free?” This is a question that I both dread and look forward to at the same time. I dread it because it forces me to “brag” about the incredible accomplishments that our students realize on a daily basis, but I look forward to it for the very same reasons and today, of all days, it seems apropos to speak about the value and beauty of a DeSales education. However, not as you might expect, with me going on about the variety and depth of offerings at DeSales, but, as the song goes, “looking forward in reverse.”
Now, you may ask why today, well, that is the easy part. This evening we celebrate the induction of our second class into the DeSales Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame at the Classics V. The Hall of Fame inductees embody the teachings of the school's patron, St. Francis de Sales, as they excel in their professional, volunteer and family lives. Bearing the motto "enshrining our past, ensuring our future," induction into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame serves as the highest honor bestowed by Desales Catholic School. This year’s inductees, Mary Carol (Bracken) Marotta - St. Joseph's Academy, 1950, the late Sr. Mary Loretto (Loretta Hamm) - St. Joseph's Academy, 1926, David R. Kinyon - DeSales High School, 1968, William A. Kirsch - DeSales High School, 1950 and, inducted together, the late Jim and Jack Mullane - DeSales High School, 1950, represent some of the very best of what a DeSales education can lead to.
As the principal here at DeSales, but more importantly as the parent of a current student and alum, I want to know that the education that my children and yours are receiving is going to prepare them for: Are we laying a solid foundation for their future? I know that the answer is yes because all I have to do is look at what has been accomplished by the 2014 DeSales Distinguished Hall of Fame Class to know that yes, DeSales is the Start of Something Great.
God Bless You All.
In His Name,
Scott
I am often asked “Dr. Fike, why should I send my child to DeSales and have to pay tuition when I can send my child to public schools for free?” This is a question that I both dread and look forward to at the same time. I dread it because it forces me to “brag” about the incredible accomplishments that our students realize on a daily basis, but I look forward to it for the very same reasons and today, of all days, it seems apropos to speak about the value and beauty of a DeSales education. However, not as you might expect, with me going on about the variety and depth of offerings at DeSales, but, as the song goes, “looking forward in reverse.”
Now, you may ask why today, well, that is the easy part. This evening we celebrate the induction of our second class into the DeSales Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame at the Classics V. The Hall of Fame inductees embody the teachings of the school's patron, St. Francis de Sales, as they excel in their professional, volunteer and family lives. Bearing the motto "enshrining our past, ensuring our future," induction into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame serves as the highest honor bestowed by Desales Catholic School. This year’s inductees, Mary Carol (Bracken) Marotta - St. Joseph's Academy, 1950, the late Sr. Mary Loretto (Loretta Hamm) - St. Joseph's Academy, 1926, David R. Kinyon - DeSales High School, 1968, William A. Kirsch - DeSales High School, 1950 and, inducted together, the late Jim and Jack Mullane - DeSales High School, 1950, represent some of the very best of what a DeSales education can lead to.
As the principal here at DeSales, but more importantly as the parent of a current student and alum, I want to know that the education that my children and yours are receiving is going to prepare them for: Are we laying a solid foundation for their future? I know that the answer is yes because all I have to do is look at what has been accomplished by the 2014 DeSales Distinguished Hall of Fame Class to know that yes, DeSales is the Start of Something Great.
God Bless You All.
In His Name,
Scott
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Dear Friends,
Wow, what a week this has been. There are so many different, really cool experiments going on in all of our classes that I just had to tell you about them as well as share a few other things.
If you ask any educator why they entered the field, they will most likely tell you they became a teacher because they wanted to see that “ah ha” moment on a child’s face. That moment when everything just clicked and they figured out the answer to a problem. Well, that is what learning is all about and exactly what happened in Mr. Welt’s science class; a lot of “ah has.” Our middle school students were giving a variety of different products (tinfoil, paper plates, paper towels, and masking tape) and asked to create a cooler to see how long they could keep an ice cube from melting when placed in front of a heater. Well, after twenty minutes two young ladies ended up with very little water in their “cooler” and a whole lot of ice. Check out our Facebook page to see some of the fun.
With the sudden resignation of our Spanish teacher we began an immediate search for someone to fill this position. It is my pleasure to announce that we have found just the person to lead our Spanish program through this year, Miss Alexis Targus ’06. Miss Targus is a certified teacher with extensive college training in Spanish, including study abroad in Spain. Please join me in welcoming her back to the DeSales family.
Finally, last month I spoke about my project for this year, Walking in St. Francis’ Shoes, and am happy to announce that this month’s character trait that teachers are looking for is Responsibility. As a reminder, teachers will be looking for students who go above and beyond. Students who are “caught” will receive a DeSales Dollar to deposit, with their name on it, in a fishbowl in the Main Office. This month’s winner will receive an “I Tunes" gift card.
In His Name,
Scott
Wow, what a week this has been. There are so many different, really cool experiments going on in all of our classes that I just had to tell you about them as well as share a few other things.
If you ask any educator why they entered the field, they will most likely tell you they became a teacher because they wanted to see that “ah ha” moment on a child’s face. That moment when everything just clicked and they figured out the answer to a problem. Well, that is what learning is all about and exactly what happened in Mr. Welt’s science class; a lot of “ah has.” Our middle school students were giving a variety of different products (tinfoil, paper plates, paper towels, and masking tape) and asked to create a cooler to see how long they could keep an ice cube from melting when placed in front of a heater. Well, after twenty minutes two young ladies ended up with very little water in their “cooler” and a whole lot of ice. Check out our Facebook page to see some of the fun.
With the sudden resignation of our Spanish teacher we began an immediate search for someone to fill this position. It is my pleasure to announce that we have found just the person to lead our Spanish program through this year, Miss Alexis Targus ’06. Miss Targus is a certified teacher with extensive college training in Spanish, including study abroad in Spain. Please join me in welcoming her back to the DeSales family.
Finally, last month I spoke about my project for this year, Walking in St. Francis’ Shoes, and am happy to announce that this month’s character trait that teachers are looking for is Responsibility. As a reminder, teachers will be looking for students who go above and beyond. Students who are “caught” will receive a DeSales Dollar to deposit, with their name on it, in a fishbowl in the Main Office. This month’s winner will receive an “I Tunes" gift card.
In His Name,
Scott
Monday, September 22, 2014
Dear DeSales Family,
Well, if you have taken a look at our website lately you will undoubtedly notice that something is amiss. Apparently we have been bitten by a little bug, a virus if you will. Our website has decided that all published material looks better in lower case and some of the material that has been saved to blogs have not been recorded/published; mine in particular as I see that three are missing. So, in case you missed it, I am going to put together an entry that will cover some of the more practical items.
It has come to my attention that some of you, OK, maybe more than some, were not aware that we at DeSales have moved from our historic four quarter marking periods to trimesters. This is a decision that we as a faculty looked long and hard at and, at the very end of last year, decided to make the leap. The biggest reason, among many discussed, was that it would offer the students more time to improve their grades if they were to receive a mid-making period notice that indicated some need for improvement. As we have in the past, all of the end of marking period dates, as well as the mid-trimester dates is published on the Global calendar on our website.
At the beginning of the year Mr. Paul Schuster, our Director of Religious Education and Middle School Religion teacher challenged each faculty member to dedicate themselves to some form of a service project this year as we embark on the new evangelization of the Catholic Church. I felt that it would be best for me to look forward with a stance firmly in the past. With that being said, I went back to our patron saint, St. Francis DeSales. The following six tenants are recognized by the Oblates as central to St. Francis’ life:
• The recognizable call to holiness for all people in all walks of life
• The necessity of living in the "present moment" as the privileged opportunity to know and live
God's will
• The goodness of creation
• The centrality of love and freedom in one's relationship with God and the world
• The sanctity of the "ordinary" done "passionately well"
• The gentleness, humility, optimism and joy that come from living in truthfulness
With these in mind, I have decided that my project this year will be to catch students walking the path that St. Francis has blazed for us. Starting in October, students who are “caught” going above and beyond will be rewarded with a DeSales Dollar, created by our very own Mrs. Kruse. The student will them be instructed to put his/her name on the back and deposit the DeSales Dollar into a fishbowl located in the Main Office. At the end of each month I will draw out a winner and that student will win a gift certificate.
Peace,
Scott
Well, if you have taken a look at our website lately you will undoubtedly notice that something is amiss. Apparently we have been bitten by a little bug, a virus if you will. Our website has decided that all published material looks better in lower case and some of the material that has been saved to blogs have not been recorded/published; mine in particular as I see that three are missing. So, in case you missed it, I am going to put together an entry that will cover some of the more practical items.
It has come to my attention that some of you, OK, maybe more than some, were not aware that we at DeSales have moved from our historic four quarter marking periods to trimesters. This is a decision that we as a faculty looked long and hard at and, at the very end of last year, decided to make the leap. The biggest reason, among many discussed, was that it would offer the students more time to improve their grades if they were to receive a mid-making period notice that indicated some need for improvement. As we have in the past, all of the end of marking period dates, as well as the mid-trimester dates is published on the Global calendar on our website.
At the beginning of the year Mr. Paul Schuster, our Director of Religious Education and Middle School Religion teacher challenged each faculty member to dedicate themselves to some form of a service project this year as we embark on the new evangelization of the Catholic Church. I felt that it would be best for me to look forward with a stance firmly in the past. With that being said, I went back to our patron saint, St. Francis DeSales. The following six tenants are recognized by the Oblates as central to St. Francis’ life:
• The recognizable call to holiness for all people in all walks of life
• The necessity of living in the "present moment" as the privileged opportunity to know and live
God's will
• The goodness of creation
• The centrality of love and freedom in one's relationship with God and the world
• The sanctity of the "ordinary" done "passionately well"
• The gentleness, humility, optimism and joy that come from living in truthfulness
With these in mind, I have decided that my project this year will be to catch students walking the path that St. Francis has blazed for us. Starting in October, students who are “caught” going above and beyond will be rewarded with a DeSales Dollar, created by our very own Mrs. Kruse. The student will them be instructed to put his/her name on the back and deposit the DeSales Dollar into a fishbowl located in the Main Office. At the end of each month I will draw out a winner and that student will win a gift certificate.
Peace,
Scott
Friday, September 5, 2014
Dear Friends,
Well, the first week of the year is behind us and we have welcomed many new faces to the school as well as all of our returning friends. Throughout the summer we have been busy hiring many new teachers. While I was able to introduce a number of them to you before, I am going to list them all for you now so you have their names in one place. Please take the time to stop by and give them a genuine DeSales welcome.
Mrs. Webster ~ First Grade
Miss Trombitas ~ Third Grade
Mrs. Rahill ~ Library
Mrs. Deegan ~ AIS Literacy
Mrs. Kowalski ~ AIS Math, Grade 8 Math
Miss Rarick ~ Music
Mrs. Mongeon ~ Spanish
Ms. Pelligra ~ Technology Integration Specialist
As I wrote last month, one of the many fond memories that I have from my elementary years are the many different clubs that I could join to explore different opportunities; those not normally available to me. Now, with some creative scheduling, we have been able juggle the schedule such that on non-Mass day Wednesdays we will use the last period of the day as a time when clubs can meet and students can still go home on their regular bus. The above teachers, as well as our returning veterans, are already busy brainstorming different clubs that they want to offer. Look for more to come on this soon.
Finally, as I am sure you have heard, NYS recently released the long awaited test result from last year and, while we at DeSales did very well as compared to our local districts, as well as the state, we are already working to improve and help our students to expand their capabilities. Parents of students in grades 4 – 8 look in the mail over the next couple of weeks for student reports and a detailed explanation of what exactly those numbers 1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 mean and just how seriously to take them. (You can get a brief preview of my thoughts if you look back at my blog from January 22nd of this year.)
As always, if you have any questions or just want to stop by and share your thoughts, please feel free to do so.
God Bless You All,
Scott
Well, the first week of the year is behind us and we have welcomed many new faces to the school as well as all of our returning friends. Throughout the summer we have been busy hiring many new teachers. While I was able to introduce a number of them to you before, I am going to list them all for you now so you have their names in one place. Please take the time to stop by and give them a genuine DeSales welcome.
Mrs. Webster ~ First Grade
Miss Trombitas ~ Third Grade
Mrs. Rahill ~ Library
Mrs. Deegan ~ AIS Literacy
Mrs. Kowalski ~ AIS Math, Grade 8 Math
Miss Rarick ~ Music
Mrs. Mongeon ~ Spanish
Ms. Pelligra ~ Technology Integration Specialist
As I wrote last month, one of the many fond memories that I have from my elementary years are the many different clubs that I could join to explore different opportunities; those not normally available to me. Now, with some creative scheduling, we have been able juggle the schedule such that on non-Mass day Wednesdays we will use the last period of the day as a time when clubs can meet and students can still go home on their regular bus. The above teachers, as well as our returning veterans, are already busy brainstorming different clubs that they want to offer. Look for more to come on this soon.
Finally, as I am sure you have heard, NYS recently released the long awaited test result from last year and, while we at DeSales did very well as compared to our local districts, as well as the state, we are already working to improve and help our students to expand their capabilities. Parents of students in grades 4 – 8 look in the mail over the next couple of weeks for student reports and a detailed explanation of what exactly those numbers 1 ~ 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 mean and just how seriously to take them. (You can get a brief preview of my thoughts if you look back at my blog from January 22nd of this year.)
As always, if you have any questions or just want to stop by and share your thoughts, please feel free to do so.
God Bless You All,
Scott
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Dear DeSales Family,
Can it be? Summer is half over already? This is that bitter sweet time for me as summer is coming to an end, but school is starting. Even as a child I looked forward to the Fall as it meant that I was going to see all of my friends again as well as find out who my teacher was going to be. Well, it seems that little has changed for me; I still look forward to Fall and I still get to see all of my friends. So, as we move steadily though August I wanted to reach out and let you all know about some of the changes that will greet you when you come back in September.
When you arrive in September you will be greeted by a host of new faces in our school. While we are still working on a few more positions we currently have the following people joining our family:
Mrs. Webster ~ First Grade
Mrs. Rahill ~ Library
Mrs. Deegan ~ AIS Literacy
Miss Flynn ~ Spanish
This year we also have quite a few physical changes to our school. The Spanish room will be moving up to the third floor joining Mr. Wilson’s health classroom and the Math AIS room. This will allow us to move our library next to the art room and expand it into a multi-media center as well. The great part about this is that we can now open the library up to so much more use, especially during our bi-weekly club time.
One of the many fond memories that I have from my elementary years are the many different clubs that I could join to explore different opportunities; those not normally available to me. Well, one of the biggest obstacles that we have faced is that we do not have a late bus available to help students take advantage of these clubs. So, with some creative scheduling, we have been able juggle the schedule such that on non-Mass day Wednesdays we will use the last period of the day as a time when clubs can meet and students can still go home on their regular bus. Some of the clubs already being talked about are science Olympiads and a photo journalism club. (Look for more on this in mid-September as we are looking at an October start for this program.)
Additionally, we are making some changes to our daily schedules to continue to exceed the expectations placed on schools today in literacy and math. This year will see daily, dedicated literacy blocks in Kindergarten through grade five of 60-90 minutes. These times will allow for an even deeper exploration of the worlds that abound in literature as well as the chance to provide differentiated challenges to each student. What about the middle school you may ask? Well, worry not as our middle school students will all have a writing/literacy lab worked into their schedule to allow them to get even more time to explore and refine just like their younger classmates.
In the same vein, as we have our advanced math and science courses available for grade eight students we are going to be offering elementary based, accelerated programs in math for those students who really need that extra challenge to excel. These opportunities will be held within the classroom with students moving through developmentally appropriate groups that challenge them to push their bounds and reach their innate potential.
Finally, and I am sure you have been asked this question from your children, as I know mine has asked me, who will be my homeroom teacher for next year? Well, sorry, but I was sworn to secrecy until the opening picnic on Wednesday, August 27th at 6:00 PM. So please do not attempt to bribe me with homemade cookies I cannot be tempted.
God Bless my friends and enjoy the last few weeks of summer fun. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Peace,
Scott
Can it be? Summer is half over already? This is that bitter sweet time for me as summer is coming to an end, but school is starting. Even as a child I looked forward to the Fall as it meant that I was going to see all of my friends again as well as find out who my teacher was going to be. Well, it seems that little has changed for me; I still look forward to Fall and I still get to see all of my friends. So, as we move steadily though August I wanted to reach out and let you all know about some of the changes that will greet you when you come back in September.
When you arrive in September you will be greeted by a host of new faces in our school. While we are still working on a few more positions we currently have the following people joining our family:
Mrs. Webster ~ First Grade
Mrs. Rahill ~ Library
Mrs. Deegan ~ AIS Literacy
Miss Flynn ~ Spanish
This year we also have quite a few physical changes to our school. The Spanish room will be moving up to the third floor joining Mr. Wilson’s health classroom and the Math AIS room. This will allow us to move our library next to the art room and expand it into a multi-media center as well. The great part about this is that we can now open the library up to so much more use, especially during our bi-weekly club time.
One of the many fond memories that I have from my elementary years are the many different clubs that I could join to explore different opportunities; those not normally available to me. Well, one of the biggest obstacles that we have faced is that we do not have a late bus available to help students take advantage of these clubs. So, with some creative scheduling, we have been able juggle the schedule such that on non-Mass day Wednesdays we will use the last period of the day as a time when clubs can meet and students can still go home on their regular bus. Some of the clubs already being talked about are science Olympiads and a photo journalism club. (Look for more on this in mid-September as we are looking at an October start for this program.)
Additionally, we are making some changes to our daily schedules to continue to exceed the expectations placed on schools today in literacy and math. This year will see daily, dedicated literacy blocks in Kindergarten through grade five of 60-90 minutes. These times will allow for an even deeper exploration of the worlds that abound in literature as well as the chance to provide differentiated challenges to each student. What about the middle school you may ask? Well, worry not as our middle school students will all have a writing/literacy lab worked into their schedule to allow them to get even more time to explore and refine just like their younger classmates.
In the same vein, as we have our advanced math and science courses available for grade eight students we are going to be offering elementary based, accelerated programs in math for those students who really need that extra challenge to excel. These opportunities will be held within the classroom with students moving through developmentally appropriate groups that challenge them to push their bounds and reach their innate potential.
Finally, and I am sure you have been asked this question from your children, as I know mine has asked me, who will be my homeroom teacher for next year? Well, sorry, but I was sworn to secrecy until the opening picnic on Wednesday, August 27th at 6:00 PM. So please do not attempt to bribe me with homemade cookies I cannot be tempted.
God Bless my friends and enjoy the last few weeks of summer fun. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Peace,
Scott
Friday, June 6, 2014
Our Responsibility for a Child's Love
Friends,
Recently we have seen in the news the tragic story of two 12-year-old girls in Wisconsin that were charged Monday, June 2nd with attempted murder after luring a classmate into the woods and stabbing her 19 times. I know that you all join me in praying for the recovery of not only the injured young lady, but the two youngsters who were charged in this case. The girls believed fictional online stories from the website www.creepypasta.com to be real, reportedly telling investigators that they plotted to murder this classmate, then travel to “Slenderman’s castle,” which they thought was located in Wisconsin Nicolet National Forest. Now, I have visited this website and looked into its founding and discovered that it was initially set up to offer a venue for up and coming writers to practice
Why do I bring this particular case to light you may ask, well, more and more often we are hearing of circumstances where children are being led astray by on-line ramblings, television dramas, societal strangers, etc? While I, as well as many others, are not and may never be privy to the complete truths in in this particular case it is up to all of us to remain constantly vigilant in our journey with children. The global reach of media outlets is a wonderful boon that provides ready resources, but it can also harm. As I have over the past few months I urge parents to ask, know and go. Ask what your children are doing, all the time. As a child every night I can remember hearing the television say to my mom, it’s 11 o’clock, do you know where you children are; I modify that to add not only know where, but what they are doing all the time. And, finally, visit the sights and sounds of their life so you can feel comfortable with what they are taking in and don’t be hesitate to go there repeatedly.
There is nothing as pure as the innocence of a child. Laughter, smiles and love, we are all better because of their presence in our life, let’s do everything we can to keep in around forever.
Peace,
Scott
Recently we have seen in the news the tragic story of two 12-year-old girls in Wisconsin that were charged Monday, June 2nd with attempted murder after luring a classmate into the woods and stabbing her 19 times. I know that you all join me in praying for the recovery of not only the injured young lady, but the two youngsters who were charged in this case. The girls believed fictional online stories from the website www.creepypasta.com to be real, reportedly telling investigators that they plotted to murder this classmate, then travel to “Slenderman’s castle,” which they thought was located in Wisconsin Nicolet National Forest. Now, I have visited this website and looked into its founding and discovered that it was initially set up to offer a venue for up and coming writers to practice
Why do I bring this particular case to light you may ask, well, more and more often we are hearing of circumstances where children are being led astray by on-line ramblings, television dramas, societal strangers, etc? While I, as well as many others, are not and may never be privy to the complete truths in in this particular case it is up to all of us to remain constantly vigilant in our journey with children. The global reach of media outlets is a wonderful boon that provides ready resources, but it can also harm. As I have over the past few months I urge parents to ask, know and go. Ask what your children are doing, all the time. As a child every night I can remember hearing the television say to my mom, it’s 11 o’clock, do you know where you children are; I modify that to add not only know where, but what they are doing all the time. And, finally, visit the sights and sounds of their life so you can feel comfortable with what they are taking in and don’t be hesitate to go there repeatedly.
There is nothing as pure as the innocence of a child. Laughter, smiles and love, we are all better because of their presence in our life, let’s do everything we can to keep in around forever.
Peace,
Scott
Monday, May 12, 2014
Our Digital Footprint
The idea of social media has been around for longer than all of our current students have been alive: it has only been over the past several years that society has really embraced it, turning to the collective pages of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vine and so many more to express their opinions about everything. While these venues can be a cathartic way to express thoughts, share ideas, and reach out to friends, a disturbing trend of “cyberbullying” is becoming more and more prevalent.
Formally cyberbullying is defined as bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.
Cyberbullying is different than conventional bullying because students cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night. Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source. Finally, deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent.
DeSales is dedicated to maintaining the safety of all of our students at all times, but we need your help. Please be diligent in learning about your child’s digital footprint now and understand the rules and age restrictions of the various social media outlets, but, most importantly, monitor their social media pages. Rest assured that if we are made aware of any issues, we will immediately bring them to your attention so we can all work together to protect our children.
Thank you for your help in this and all that we do at DeSales. Your support is greatly appreciated.
God Bless,
Scott
Formally cyberbullying is defined as bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.
Cyberbullying is different than conventional bullying because students cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night. Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source. Finally, deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent.
DeSales is dedicated to maintaining the safety of all of our students at all times, but we need your help. Please be diligent in learning about your child’s digital footprint now and understand the rules and age restrictions of the various social media outlets, but, most importantly, monitor their social media pages. Rest assured that if we are made aware of any issues, we will immediately bring them to your attention so we can all work together to protect our children.
Thank you for your help in this and all that we do at DeSales. Your support is greatly appreciated.
God Bless,
Scott
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Over the Easter break a good friend of mine told me about the Palm Sunday service he had attended, his wife was the pastor. He said that his wife related the story of how our Savior entered Jerusalem on a His humble donkey and that what we often failed to remember was that, at the other end of the city, Pontius Pilot entered to much fanfare. My friend’s wife asked her congregation who they would have rather greeted. I have been thinking a great deal about that over the past few weeks as we have enjoyed the most holy time of the year.
Now, as a faith based person, who uses the teachings of Christ to try to live his life, the answer would seem to be evident and easy. However, I have often said to my students that it is not our words, but our actions that portray the real answer that we live. As such, after much thought, I have come to the answer that I must ask myself each day, am I all that Christ has called me to be?
I share this introspection with you all as my daily reflection cannot be just a personal calling, but a professional search as well to all of us here at DeSales. And, upon my initial reflection, especially after attending an exceptional National Catholic Educational Association conference in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania where the best and brightest Catholic educators gathered and many were honored, I realized that while we at DeSales, parents, students, faculty, staff and volunteers, are all exceptional; we have room to grow. We know that our name is known here in western New York; we have the potential to become the program that other Catholic schools throughout the nation look to for guidance. Over the next year we are going to be looking to all of our family, young and seasoned, alum and enrolled, employed and volunteer to help answer the question, are we all that Christ has called us to be? We are a unique and talented family with many gifts that can only help every one of us to succeed to be all that Christ has called us to be. Offer your gifts, share your talents, and help us lead the way for generations to come.
Now, as a faith based person, who uses the teachings of Christ to try to live his life, the answer would seem to be evident and easy. However, I have often said to my students that it is not our words, but our actions that portray the real answer that we live. As such, after much thought, I have come to the answer that I must ask myself each day, am I all that Christ has called me to be?
I share this introspection with you all as my daily reflection cannot be just a personal calling, but a professional search as well to all of us here at DeSales. And, upon my initial reflection, especially after attending an exceptional National Catholic Educational Association conference in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania where the best and brightest Catholic educators gathered and many were honored, I realized that while we at DeSales, parents, students, faculty, staff and volunteers, are all exceptional; we have room to grow. We know that our name is known here in western New York; we have the potential to become the program that other Catholic schools throughout the nation look to for guidance. Over the next year we are going to be looking to all of our family, young and seasoned, alum and enrolled, employed and volunteer to help answer the question, are we all that Christ has called us to be? We are a unique and talented family with many gifts that can only help every one of us to succeed to be all that Christ has called us to be. Offer your gifts, share your talents, and help us lead the way for generations to come.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Dear Friends,
When I started in professional education 20 years ago, the worst thing we as teachers had to worry about was a student skipping class or the occasional fight, but that all changed almost 15 years ago when the unthinkable happened in Littleton, Colorado. Since that day, all too many times, violence has erupted in schools and we have been forced to change our thinking on how we can keep students safe in our halls. We are very fortunate that at DeSales we had the privilege to have members of the United States Air Force conduct a threat assessment of our school and programs and, as a result we have created a School Safety Committee whose sole purpose is the improve the safety of all who enter our halls. Our School Safety Committee has been very busy indeed re-vamping our Incident Response Plan, recommending the unification of our school locks, the installation of a camera based security system and scheduling a First Responders Drill here at DeSales.
One of the greatest tools that we have as a school is education. I know that sounds redundant, but the more we inform our students and drill them in proper practice in the event of an emergency the more efficient they will be. To that end, over the rest of this year and moving forward we will be, just as we do fire drills, practicing lockdown and lockout drills. The lockdown and lockout procedures, as well as all of our school safety procedures, are outlined in our Incident Response Plan (IRP) that is posted in each classroom. If you would like to look over this policy or you have any questions about it please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will be happy to review the IRP with you. The next two recommendations from our School Safety Committee were modifications to our facility.
If you were to walk down the halls of the school, stop at and want to enter any of the 100 plus doors within the building there would be a myriad of keys to search through. As a result, DeSales has purchased two master key systems that will allow for a unification of locks that have the potential to help first responders in the event of an emergency. The exterior doors will be on one master key system and the interior on a separate system. Each of the doors in the building will have both a master key that will only be in Mr. Rich’s and my possession as well as an individual key that can only open that door held by the teacher whose room it is.
At the same time that we are installing those locks we are working with Amherst Alarm to install a 16 camera observation system throughout the campus. Initial designs for the system call for the installation of eight exterior and eight interior cameras that are strategically placed in pre-determined locations. These cameras are all wired into a one terabyte recorder and viewable on two 42” monitors placed in the Main and Principal’s Offices. Due to our current working relationship with Amherst Alarm we were able to secure an excellent system that is expandable to 36 cameras and will allow us exceptional coverage of our campus.
Finally, thanks to Chief Sherriff’s Deputy and DeSales dad Mr. Steven Preisch, DeSales Catholic School in conjunction with the Niagara County Sherriff’s Department and local first responders, will be conducting an active shooter drill on April 16th at 9:00 AM. This drill is designed to help local first responders hone their skills as well as acquaint them with our campus. There will be more information to follow on this drill so please stay tuned.
In conclusion, I wanted to share a quick reflection with you. Many years ago I heard a colleague say that his job as a teacher was to make sure that every child he interacted with was safe and I could not agree more. Every day I want your and my children to come to DeSales and know that they are safe and they are loved.
As always if I can answer any questions about this or anything please give me a call or just stop by.
Peace,
Scott
When I started in professional education 20 years ago, the worst thing we as teachers had to worry about was a student skipping class or the occasional fight, but that all changed almost 15 years ago when the unthinkable happened in Littleton, Colorado. Since that day, all too many times, violence has erupted in schools and we have been forced to change our thinking on how we can keep students safe in our halls. We are very fortunate that at DeSales we had the privilege to have members of the United States Air Force conduct a threat assessment of our school and programs and, as a result we have created a School Safety Committee whose sole purpose is the improve the safety of all who enter our halls. Our School Safety Committee has been very busy indeed re-vamping our Incident Response Plan, recommending the unification of our school locks, the installation of a camera based security system and scheduling a First Responders Drill here at DeSales.
One of the greatest tools that we have as a school is education. I know that sounds redundant, but the more we inform our students and drill them in proper practice in the event of an emergency the more efficient they will be. To that end, over the rest of this year and moving forward we will be, just as we do fire drills, practicing lockdown and lockout drills. The lockdown and lockout procedures, as well as all of our school safety procedures, are outlined in our Incident Response Plan (IRP) that is posted in each classroom. If you would like to look over this policy or you have any questions about it please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and I will be happy to review the IRP with you. The next two recommendations from our School Safety Committee were modifications to our facility.
If you were to walk down the halls of the school, stop at and want to enter any of the 100 plus doors within the building there would be a myriad of keys to search through. As a result, DeSales has purchased two master key systems that will allow for a unification of locks that have the potential to help first responders in the event of an emergency. The exterior doors will be on one master key system and the interior on a separate system. Each of the doors in the building will have both a master key that will only be in Mr. Rich’s and my possession as well as an individual key that can only open that door held by the teacher whose room it is.
At the same time that we are installing those locks we are working with Amherst Alarm to install a 16 camera observation system throughout the campus. Initial designs for the system call for the installation of eight exterior and eight interior cameras that are strategically placed in pre-determined locations. These cameras are all wired into a one terabyte recorder and viewable on two 42” monitors placed in the Main and Principal’s Offices. Due to our current working relationship with Amherst Alarm we were able to secure an excellent system that is expandable to 36 cameras and will allow us exceptional coverage of our campus.
Finally, thanks to Chief Sherriff’s Deputy and DeSales dad Mr. Steven Preisch, DeSales Catholic School in conjunction with the Niagara County Sherriff’s Department and local first responders, will be conducting an active shooter drill on April 16th at 9:00 AM. This drill is designed to help local first responders hone their skills as well as acquaint them with our campus. There will be more information to follow on this drill so please stay tuned.
In conclusion, I wanted to share a quick reflection with you. Many years ago I heard a colleague say that his job as a teacher was to make sure that every child he interacted with was safe and I could not agree more. Every day I want your and my children to come to DeSales and know that they are safe and they are loved.
As always if I can answer any questions about this or anything please give me a call or just stop by.
Peace,
Scott
Monday, February 3, 2014
Dear Sixth Grade Families,
Over the past four years we have found it beneficial to re-configure the master schedule for different sections of our students and, with the start of the third marking period, we have done so again.
As I was explaining this change to our sixth graders this morning the question was asked if this had something to do with behavior and I told them it most certainly does not, but has to do with increasing the interaction within their class and raising the levels of cognitive output. Research and practice tells us that when students are in the same learning environment with the same social surroundings that learning tends to stagnate and the expansion of the mind does not progress as rapidly as it has the potential to. In short, if we do not constantly change and challenge, we run the risk of not reaching our potential and that is just not acceptable.
In closing, I know that some of our students may have been moved to a different section and that they may be frustrated because they are no longer in all their friend's classes, but this change is designed to help them grow. If you have any questions about this schedule change, or anything, please do not hesitate to give me a call, drop me a line or just stop by.
Yours in Christ,
Scott
Over the past four years we have found it beneficial to re-configure the master schedule for different sections of our students and, with the start of the third marking period, we have done so again.
As I was explaining this change to our sixth graders this morning the question was asked if this had something to do with behavior and I told them it most certainly does not, but has to do with increasing the interaction within their class and raising the levels of cognitive output. Research and practice tells us that when students are in the same learning environment with the same social surroundings that learning tends to stagnate and the expansion of the mind does not progress as rapidly as it has the potential to. In short, if we do not constantly change and challenge, we run the risk of not reaching our potential and that is just not acceptable.
In closing, I know that some of our students may have been moved to a different section and that they may be frustrated because they are no longer in all their friend's classes, but this change is designed to help them grow. If you have any questions about this schedule change, or anything, please do not hesitate to give me a call, drop me a line or just stop by.
Yours in Christ,
Scott
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Dear DeSales Family,
Throughout much of last and this year, we have all heard a great deal of noise about CCLS (Common Core Learning Standards) and the New York State Assessments and what they are "subjecting" our student to. As some of you may know I have spent a good deal of my professional career looking at the impact that high stakes assessments have on students, faculty and administrators and thought a little insight here may be helpful before we get into the testing season.
Within the past 10 years, there has been greater reporting of the expected quality and rigor of education that students are receiving presented to society. Today’s school students are expected to pass yearly tests in math and English in order to demonstrate a continuing improvement in student achievement. What has not been prescribed is how these improvements will happen, what exactly “improvement” means, or what the factors are that determine this progress. There is no account made for the existence, or lack thereof, of local capacity, in the form of financial, material, and human resources. Yet, we are expected to foster school-based improvement through a myriad of programs to help meet performance criteria established under CCLS and NYS assessments.
The tests leave too many students behind because of their attempt at standardization of learning do not take into account daily concerns that influence the lives of our children; family, athletics, dance, bullying, etc. I firmly believe that we do need to challenge our students to constantly push their mental envelope and it is through rigorous curriculum matched with well-written assessments that we can accomplish this.
However, that is not to say that we remove the goofy from education. I have fond memories of singing and dancing with my former students to help them learn. Good education is done by feel and reading your students and change daily, it is not, for the most part, prescribed and rote, but lived. In short, there needs to be a happy medium between what is seen as the expectation under CCLS and what is used to help our children achieve greater heights than we previously thought possible.
Finally, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently wrote that, under Canon Law, it is our duty "to be both academically excellent in every way and deeply infused with and focused on encounter with the person of Jesus Christ and fostering a life of virtue." Moreover, they state:
The claim of opponents that CCLS are less rigorous is simply mistaken.
Compared to most previous state standards, CCLS require more higher level
thinking, both analysis and synthesis; more problem solving; more careful
argument tied closely to textual evidence; more reading, writing, speaking, and
listening; and deeper understanding of mathematical concepts to support problem
solving in new situation. These are skills all children need . . .
In short, while the CCLS and NYS assessments have been seen rather dismal press, they represent a solid foundation that we can build from; providing opportunities for students and educators to grow from if followed in their pure, intended form. It is only when they are corrupted from their intended educational views and taught in prescribed manners that we see the ratcheting up of everyone’s stress level.
I hope that helps.
Peace,
Scott
Throughout much of last and this year, we have all heard a great deal of noise about CCLS (Common Core Learning Standards) and the New York State Assessments and what they are "subjecting" our student to. As some of you may know I have spent a good deal of my professional career looking at the impact that high stakes assessments have on students, faculty and administrators and thought a little insight here may be helpful before we get into the testing season.
Within the past 10 years, there has been greater reporting of the expected quality and rigor of education that students are receiving presented to society. Today’s school students are expected to pass yearly tests in math and English in order to demonstrate a continuing improvement in student achievement. What has not been prescribed is how these improvements will happen, what exactly “improvement” means, or what the factors are that determine this progress. There is no account made for the existence, or lack thereof, of local capacity, in the form of financial, material, and human resources. Yet, we are expected to foster school-based improvement through a myriad of programs to help meet performance criteria established under CCLS and NYS assessments.
The tests leave too many students behind because of their attempt at standardization of learning do not take into account daily concerns that influence the lives of our children; family, athletics, dance, bullying, etc. I firmly believe that we do need to challenge our students to constantly push their mental envelope and it is through rigorous curriculum matched with well-written assessments that we can accomplish this.
However, that is not to say that we remove the goofy from education. I have fond memories of singing and dancing with my former students to help them learn. Good education is done by feel and reading your students and change daily, it is not, for the most part, prescribed and rote, but lived. In short, there needs to be a happy medium between what is seen as the expectation under CCLS and what is used to help our children achieve greater heights than we previously thought possible.
Finally, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently wrote that, under Canon Law, it is our duty "to be both academically excellent in every way and deeply infused with and focused on encounter with the person of Jesus Christ and fostering a life of virtue." Moreover, they state:
The claim of opponents that CCLS are less rigorous is simply mistaken.
Compared to most previous state standards, CCLS require more higher level
thinking, both analysis and synthesis; more problem solving; more careful
argument tied closely to textual evidence; more reading, writing, speaking, and
listening; and deeper understanding of mathematical concepts to support problem
solving in new situation. These are skills all children need . . .
In short, while the CCLS and NYS assessments have been seen rather dismal press, they represent a solid foundation that we can build from; providing opportunities for students and educators to grow from if followed in their pure, intended form. It is only when they are corrupted from their intended educational views and taught in prescribed manners that we see the ratcheting up of everyone’s stress level.
I hope that helps.
Peace,
Scott
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)