September 23, 2026

Dear Pastors, Principals and EEC Directors,

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of St. Padre Pio, we are reminded of his simple but powerful words: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Those words seem especially fitting at this point in the school year. The excitement of the first weeks has begun to settle, routines are taking shape, and the daily responsibilities of leading our schools and early education centers are very real. In the midst of busy schedules, difficult decisions, and the many needs of those we serve, Padre Pio reminds us to place our trust in God and allow prayer to remain at the center of our work.

Thank you for the countless ways you bring Christ’s love to your communities each day. Your leadership, patience, and faithful presence make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and staff.

As we celebrate St. Padre Pio this week, may we ask for his intercession and embrace his invitation to pray, hope, and trust in God’s providence.

St. Padre Pio, pray for us!

Blessings,



Karen

SEPTEMBER - WISDOM

"For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." - Proverbs 2:6

Reflective Goal: Seeking divine guidance to discern priorities amidst early-year busyness. Weighing short-term operational fixes against long-term spiritual and educational growth for the school community.

September 23: Exercise restraint in speech and written communication, especially during high-stress moments. If a written email exchange on a sensitive topic goes back and forth more than twice without resolution, stop typing. Replace your written response with a phone call or an invitation to meet in person to prevent misunderstandings.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

News, updates & reminders

NCEA DATA REPORT - DUE THIS FRIDAY!



Please complete the below NCEA School Data Collection Report and email it to Lara Young by Friday, September 25, 2026.

NCEA School Databank Completion Guide

2026-2027 NCEA Catholic School Data Collection Form

An email was sent to all Principals and Directors on Friday, September 11, 2026 discussing the DART tool and the NCEA Report. Please refer to the link below for reference when completing your report.

DART and NCEA Data Report

2026-2027 CSO AWESOME REPORT-DUE THIS FRIDAY!

The CSO is requesting that you complete the 2026-2027 CSO Awesome Report to help us better understand the students you serve and how we can provide better support at your school.

Please ensure that the report is completed by Friday, September 25, 2026.

2026-2027 CSO Awesome Report

FEDERAL FUNDING FRIDAYS WITH CATAPULT LEARNING

FIRST FREE WEBINAR IN THE SERIES THIS FRIDAY

Free webinar on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (ET) via Zoom on Title VIII: Consultation Requirements Across ESSA Programs.

Click the link below to register.

Title VIII - Consultation Across the ESSA Programs Registration

Catapult Learning is offering Federal Funding Fridays, a free virtual series designed specifically for religious school leaders. With just four sessions, each aligned with the federal funding calendar, these sessions will help school leaders better understand and navigate available federal programs and funding opportunities.

All sessions are free and held via Zoom, making it easy to participate from wherever you are!

Click below to learn more, explore the topics covered, and register for these valuable sessions.

Federal Funding Fridays - Catapult Learning

VIRTUS MONTHLY BULLETINS UPDATE

Fr. Ken Riley shared an update last week regarding the Virtus safe environment program and the monthly Virtus bulletins. Please click the link below for the email from Fr. Riley for further important information.

Virtus Program and Monthly Bulletins Email from Fr. Riley

DIOCESAN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY

OCTOBER 30, 2026

Principals and Directors: As we get closer to our Diocesan Professional Development Day, I want to share where each of you will be assisting for the day. Please find the information HERE. The schedule for each site is also included! More information will be shared at our Meeting on October 14, 2026

Please click the PD Schedule for the Day below that gives important information for you to relay to your faculty and staff in preparation for the day.

Diocesan PD Day Schedule & Information

DIOCESAN 2026 PD DAY

Dear Principals and Directors:

We will be ordering boxed sandwich lunches from Grandma's Catering for 2026 PD Day. There will be 3 sandwich options, ham, turkey, or roast beef. A few of each kind will be at each location and it will be first come, first serve for choice of sandwich.

For those who have special dietary needs, such as gluten free or vegetarian, there will be a garden salad option. Employees that do not have special dietary needs will receive one of the boxed sandwich lunches. The salad option is only for those with special dietary needs, not as a choice for all employees.

You will need to speak to each of your employees and see if they have one of these special dietary needs requiring a salad as their lunch instead of a sandwich. For these employees that need a salad due to their dietary needs, please provide the name of the employee and the location they will be attending by completing the form below no later than October 2, 2026.



2026 PD Day Lunch Request for Special Dietary Needs

NONPUBLIC REGISTRATION OPENS OCTOBER 1, 2026

The nonpublic registration portal will open on October 1, 2026. To minimize errors and provide training, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will host two webinars on Thursday, October 1, and highly encourages your participation.

For more information and steps for the Nonpublic Registration Form, please click below.

Nonpublic Registration Form and Instructions

The Nonpublic Registration Form must be submitted no later than Monday, November 30, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.

Please contact Rebecka if you have any questions.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCES

Is your school ready to celebrate? The NCEA Sueños & Success Hispanic Heritage Month Marketing Kit was designed especially for Catholic school communities. It offers meaningful and easy-to-use resources that educators can incorporate into classroom lessons, prayer, school activities, newsletters, and social media throughout the month. Inside the kit, you’ll find posters, social media graphics, prayers, faith-based reflections, classroom activities, Marian devotions, printable resources, an English-Spanish glossary, a music playlist, and more. Join Catholic schools across the country as we honor the faith, traditions, stories and dreams that enrich our communities. Click on the link for more information!

Hispanic Heritage Month Resources

THE WAY FAMILY PASSPORT

Dear Principals,

Last week you should have received an email from the Office of Domestic Church & Discipleship with information about The Way Family Passport. Please see the email below for your reference.

The Way Family Passport Email from Kristen Marquis

Below is a suggested message to parents which you can use to invite their participation.

The Way Family Passport Letter to Parents Template

BIST VIRTUAL PARENTING SERIES

As part of ongoing support for families, BIST is offering a Virtual Parenting Series which is a series of training sessions for parents and guardians to support children's developing academic and behavior skills as well as increase consistency between home and school. Please refer to the document below for more information to provide your parents and guardians.

BIST Virtual Parenting Series

BIST INFORMATION

Did you know that we have entered into a consulting agreement with Cornerstones of Care to provide onsite observations and behavioral consultations for our schools?

Our Diocese has access to two days per month of consultation. These consultations are for professional development or to triage a situation. The consultations are scheduled through Rebecka Noel, not directly through Cornerstones of Care. If you are interested, please email Rebecka.

If you are interested in long-term consultation, you may use your Title IV money. The Catholic Schools Office will assist in working with the public school district in your area to enter a contract with Cornerstones of Care on your behalf.

Rebecka is free to speak with Principals/Directors who might be interested in BIST and would like more information.

LUMEN ACCREDITATION DATES AND TASKS

FOR SCHOOLS 2026-2027

Please click the link below to refer to the assignments and due dates for Lumen Accreditation this school year.

Lumen Accreditation Dates and Tasks

Below is the Zoom Link that will be used for each Zoom meeting listed on the Dates and Tasks document above.

Lumen Accreditation Meeting Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 868 8074 6460             Passcode: 326180

CREATION SINGS!

Submissions are due Friday, September 25, 2026.

Creation Sings! is a Youth Art Competition in Celebration of the Jubilee of St. Francis hosted by Catholic Climate Covenant. For more information click below.

Creation Sings!