October 2025 Updates

Superintendent's Conference Day October 20th

Check your e-mail for upcoming details!

Teacher Spotlight

Jaime Beck

STEM Teacher at Truman Road Elementary School

Jaime Beck serves as the STEM teacher at Truman Elementary in the Lackawanna City School District. Lackawanna is proud to be a Woz Ed Pathway District, meaning that all students across the district participate in STEM classes using the Woz Ed curriculum. This curriculum provides high-quality, hands-on lessons in areas such as AR/VR, coding, drones, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering, and more.

At the elementary level, students explore topics including directional and colorful coding, building structures with various materials, investigating online safety, experimenting with robotics, and learning about a wide range of STEM careers. Students attend STEM twice in each six-day cycle, providing consistent opportunities to engage in multiple styles of learning that complement both their homeroom and special area classrooms.

Currently, first-grade students are working with Cubelets—magnetic cubes that combine to form robots. Through this activity, students learn that robots are machines that sense, think, and act. Visual supports and “I can” statements are posted around the learning space to ensure understanding, while flexible, safe areas allow students to explore collaboratively.

Kindergarten students are beginning their introduction to algorithms. Together, they discuss real-life step-by-step routines such as making a sandwich or coming to school, which sets the foundation for directional coding. This learning leads to the Osmo program on the iPad, where students guide a character through a forest to a treasure chest using coding tiles, reinforcing their understanding of sequencing and problem-solving.

In PreK, students are introduced to Indi, a robot car. They explore how Indi works both inside and out, make predictions about how different colors will direct its movement, and quickly recognize connections to everyday life—for example, green means “go” and red means “stop.” One of the class favorites is the purple tile, which tells Indi to celebrate by spinning in a circle.

Through these experiences, students are exposed to new and exciting technologies—often for the very first time. Ms. Beck finds joy in watching their eyes light up as they make discoveries. The Lackawanna City School District’s commitment to the Woz Ed curriculum ensures that students not only learn STEM concepts but also gain memorable, hands-on experiences that will spark curiosity and a love of learning for years to come.

Standards Based Report Card

Standards-Based Report Cards Our elementary schools (Pre-K–5) will continue using a standards-based report card. This year, report card committees collaborated to identify the essential standards in ELA and Math that will be reflected on the report card. BOCES is currently working on the updated format, and we anticipate having a draft ready to share by the end of the month. Standards-based report cards provide families with a clearer picture of student learning in relation to grade-level expectations. Instead of a single overall grade, students are assessed on individual standards, allowing both strengths and areas for growth to be highlighted. This approach also supports targeted instruction, promotes consistency across classrooms, and strengthens communication between school and home. Students’ academic progress will be reported using the following indicators: In addition, students will receive feedback on effort and habits of success using the following indicators:

In addition, students will receive feedback on effort and habits of success using the following indicators:

APPR, Grants, & Professional Development

Principal, Lisa Blake

Teaching is an art, science, and a craft, but it is also a tool for equity and a powerful engine for societal change.

~Lacey Robinson

New Teacher Academy

Opening Day in the Lackawanna City School District was nothing short of electric, as educators, staff, and leaders gathered to launch the new school year with renewed energy and purpose. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and the excitement reached a crescendo as nationally renowned educator and author Jimmy Casas took the stage as the keynote speaker. Known for his transformative work in school culture and leadership, Jimmy set the tone for the day with a powerful message rooted in his book Culturize. He challenged everyone in the room to embrace the mindset of being “culturizers”—those who relentlessly uplift, inspire, and build a culture of excellence through intentional relationships and unwavering belief in every student’s potential.

Drawing from his podcast The Interview Chair, Jimmy shared real stories of vulnerability, growth, and leadership, reminding the audience that the most impactful educators are those who lead with authenticity and heart. His message resonated deeply: culture isn’t built by programs or policies, it’s built by people. With humor, humility, and passion, Jimmy encouraged the Lackawanna team to reflect on their “why,” to model the behaviors they wish to see, and to never underestimate the power of one caring adult. As the day unfolded, his words became a rallying cry for the district: to be bold, to be better, and to be the difference.

To continue the momentum forward throughout the school year, our new teachers will have monthly opportunities to engage with the book, Culturize, at our monthly New Teacher Academy (NTA) after school sessions beginning this month, Thursday October 23, 2025!

All meetings will be held in the Middle School Library from 3:45-4:45.

NTA dates for the school year are included below:

November 20
December 11
January 29
February 12
March 19
April 23
May 14
June 11

Mentoring

The Lackawanna Mentoring Advisory Committee (MAC) has significantly enhanced the process of pairing mentees with mentors by implementing a more structured and thoughtful approach. Central to this improvement was the establishment of the MAC itself, a dedicated team focused on overseeing and refining the mentoring program. The MAC is comprised of the following members: Kim Pulinski, Heather Kwiatkowski, Bonnie Benoit, Heather O’Connor-Monti, Ellen Nicometo, Julie Andreozzi, Jennifer Springer, Lisa Blake, and Betsy Giangreco. To ensure mentors are well-suited for their roles, MAC introduced a formal Mentor Application, allowing individuals to express interest and share relevant experience. This was followed by personalized Mentor Interviews, which helped assess compatibility, communication style, and mentoring philosophy.

On Monday, October 6, 2025 two Mentor Training sessions (for Mentors ONLY) will be held. See details below:

Middle School & High School Meeting Details:

When: Monday, October 6, 2025
Who: ALL BOE APPROVED MENTORS - Everyone who interviewed this summer
Where: Middle School Library
Time: 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Materials to Bring: Laptop, pens, and paper
Questions or Concerns?
Email: lblake@lackawannaschools.org
Call: 716-821-5610 Ext. 7723

Truman & MRE Meeting Details:
When: Monday, October 6, 2025
Who: ALL BOE APPROVED MENTORS - Everyone who interviewed this summer
Where: Truman Stage
Time: 3:35 PM – 4:05 PM
Materials to Bring: Laptop, pens, and paper
Questions or Concerns?
Email: lblake@lackawannaschools.org
Call: 716-821-5610 Ext. 7723

All Mentors will receive a copy of the Lackawanna Mentor Handbook (TY Heather Kwiatkowski & MAC). This document provides clear expectations, best practices, and resources for Mentors to use while supporting their Mentee throughout the school year. Throughout this process we have created a more intentional and informed matching process, resulting in stronger, more effective Mentor-Mentee relationships and support for the Mentors and Mentees.

New York State Title Grants

New York State Title Grants continue to support the academic success and well-being of our students. These federally funded programs such as Title I, II, III, and IV provide vital resources that enhance instruction, support professional development for educators, and expand access to services like literacy programs, technology integration, and social-emotional learning. Of note, these grants benefit not only students in our public schools, but also eligible Lackawanna students attending private schools both within and beyond our district boundaries. By fostering equity and opportunity, Title Grants help ensure that every child regardless of background or school setting has the tools they need to thrive. We remain committed to using these funds to uplift all learners and strengthen our shared educational community.

Below is a breakdown of the four major New York State Title Grants and how each one supports Lackawanna students in both public and eligible private schools:

Title I – Improving Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged

Purpose: Provides funding to schools with high percentages of students from low-income families.

Impact: Supports reading and math interventions, after-school programs, summer learning, and family engagement efforts.

Reach: Benefits students in public schools and eligible private schools, helping close achievement gaps and promote equity.

Title II – Supporting Effective Instruction

Purpose: Focuses on improving teacher and principal quality through professional development.

Impact: Funds workshops, coaching, and training to enhance instructional practices and leadership.

Reach: Helps educators in both public and private schools stay current with best practices, ultimately improving student outcomes.

Title III – Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students

Purpose: Supports programs for students who are English learners (ELs) or recently immigrated.

Impact: Provides resources for bilingual education, ESL instruction, and cultural integration.

Reach: Ensures EL students in public and participating private schools receive tailored support to thrive academically and socially.

Title IV – Student Support and Academic Enrichment

Purpose: Offers flexible funding to improve academic achievement and promote well-rounded education.

Impact: Can be used for STEM programs, arts education, mental health services, technology access, and school safety initiatives.

Reach: Encourages innovation and holistic development for students across public and eligible private schools.

These grants work together to create a more inclusive, supportive, and high-quality educational experience for all students, regardless of where they attend school. In order to secure the funding within each of the Title Grants, our District completes what is called a New York State’s Title Grant Consolidated Application. This application serves as a critical blueprint for how our district will allocate federal funds to support academic achievement, equity, and student success across all schools. By aligning our goals with the priorities outlined in Titles I through V, we ensure that our programs are responsive to student needs and compliant with state and federal guidelines. Your input not only strengthens our application but also helps shape the educational opportunities we provide to every learner in our community.

Professional Development

Professional Development Month by Month Fridge Flyer

Welcome to the comprehensive Lackawanna City School District Professional Development Fridge Flyer Month by Month Calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. This dynamic calendar framework is designed to support building principals, teachers and staff with an at a glance view of the meaningful professional learning experiences planned throughout theschool year. Our district's commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence is reflected in this structured approach to professional development planning.

This PD Calendar spans the full academic year from September 2025 through June 2026, accommodating bothdistrict and building-specific initiatives. Please note, all RED FONT events are still being finalized. The goal in using a fridge flyer format was to ensure an easy to read and systematic framework for coordinating professional development activities across all four of our schools: Truman Elementary School, Martin Road Elementary School, Middle School, and High School while avoiding scheduling conflicts! Each monthly section includes dedicated space for PD dates and specific events, ensuring seamless coordination and communication across our district.

APPR

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Literacy, ENL and World Languages

Eileen Crumb, Principal

Literacy K-12

A big thank you to our testing teams for successfully benchmarking students in grades K–6 with our new screening and progress monitoring tool, DIBELS! These teams worked efficiently to test every student and analyze the data to form instructional groups. Students in grades 7–12 will use IXL as their screening tool this year, and our Middle School will also incorporate Lexia PowerUp as both an assessment and intervention resource.

At the elementary level, students receive tiered interventions during WIN (What I Need) time. Small-group instruction began the week of September 29th, and we are excited to launch Tier 3 instruction using Orton Gillingham this year. The progress monitoring schedule for grades K–5 is available here: DIBELS Assessment Schedule K-5

At the state level, NYSED is currently reviewing literacy requirements and developing a P–20 Literacy Initiative to ensure educators are equipped to provide high-quality, research-based, culturally responsive instruction. Our district shares this commitment and remains dedicated to giving every student access to strong literacy instruction while fostering a culture of reading and writing excellence.

You can read the NYSED Literacy Briefs here:

Brief 1: Science of Reading: What is it?

Brief 2: Science of Reading: Debunking Common Myths

Brief 3: Science of Reading: The Role of Writing

Brief 4: Science of Reading: The PreK Years

Brief 5: Science of Reading: The Elementary Years

Brief 6: Science of Reading: The Secondary Years

Brief 7: Science of Reading: Leading for Literacy

Partnership with RBERN

This year, our district will partner closely with RBERN to provide both on-site and off-site professional development. The RBERN professional development catalog can be found here: RBERN PD 2025-26

RBERN consultant Ann Henry will be working directly with co-teaching pairs to support explicit vocabulary instruction, writing, and project-based learning.

A survey to gather interest in participating will be shared soon—stay tuned!

The NYSED Office of Bilingual education and English as a new language mission is to ensure that all New York State English Language Learners (ELLs) attain the highest level of academic success and that all Multilingual Learners (MLs) achieve the highest level of language proficiency in English and in one or more other languages. Their blueprint for ELL and multilingual learners' success can be found here: Blueprint.

World Languages

We are excited to introduce half-year Spanish and Arabic exploratory courses for students in grades 4, 5, and 6 this year!

Research shows that early exposure to world languages provides significant cognitive, academic, and cultural benefits. These include stronger problem-solving and critical thinking skills, higher achievement across subjects, enhanced literacy, and a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures.

The NYSED Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages shares this vision, working to promote the teaching and learning of multiple languages and cultures alongside English. As part of this effort, they are offering the following webinar: Webinar - Getting the Most out of the Revised WL and NYSSB Websites

The Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) presents this first webinar in the 2025-26 school year: Getting the Most Out of the Revised World Language and NYS Seal of Biliteracy Websites. This webinar is offered free of charge for world language educators and administrators working and studying in New York State educational institutions. 1 hour of CTLE credit is offered. For more information and to register, please visit our website: https://www.nysed.gov/world-languages/webinars.

ELA, Social Studies and Library Media Science

Carmelina Persico, Principal

News from the Department of ELA

We are in the process of training our teachers in Power Up as a resource to support RTI at the middle school. Power Up is proven to maximize student learning through a personalized experience that addresses individual skill gaps and impacts reading proficiency and academic success. This targeted approach allows each student to make literacy gains quickly and develop the reading and critical thinking skills necessary to meet the demands of secondary curriculum.

At both the middle and high schools, we have shifted away from iReady to IXL as our main diagnostic tool. IXL is a personalized learning platform that helps students build proficiency in math, language arts, science, and social studies through interactive, standards-aligned practice. It offers real-time analytics, adaptive skill recommendations, and progress tracking to support differentiated instruction and close learning gaps. Teachers can use IXL to reinforce classroom lessons, assign targeted skills, and monitor student growth with actionable insights.

The MS ELA Department will be working with E1B this year to support curriculum and instruction across our middle-level ELA classrooms. This support will allow for reflection of our data, curriculum, and practices to ensure alignment across the District and to the standards. Learning about the Science of Reading in the adolescent years is also a focus as we collaborate to develop systems that improve reading outcomes for our students.

HS ELA will see a shift to the new 11th grade Regents exam in June of 2026. We will be engaging in doing a crosswalk between current and new standards and exam format as part of our focus this year.

K-12 Social Studies Updates

The Social Studies Department is engaging in a district-wide PK-12 curriculum review this year. We have enlisted support from E1B for conducting this reflection and how we can work towards helping to improve outcomes for our students.

Our SEAL of Civic Readiness is alive and well and we are taking initial steps to create opportunities for alignment in our middle school. Some of our teachers are participating in the consortium to help springboard our learning. This is a great opportunity for our students!

This year, in accordance with New York State requirements, we are recruiting students to serve as an EX-OFFICIO Student Board member. Applications were distributed to our students, and we are eager to select and appoint one in the very near future. This opportunity will allow our students to be actively engaged in their school community by amplifying their voices. The practice of including student members on our School Board not only builds habits and skills of civic engagement but also ensures that the perspectives of our students are part of an inclusive, well-rounded decision-making process.

The League of Women Voters will be coming to our High School this month to speak to our students in our Participation in Government courses. The League of Women Voters for Buffalo-Niagara has a long history of working with high schools across our region to offer presentations on the importance of democracy, voting rights, civic responsibility and how students can join our grassroots effort to register voters by creating their own voter registration event in their school.

School Library News!

Our school librarians have been engaged in discussion with one another as a stand-alone department as we aim to take a close look at our school library programs. Most recently, we are involved in self-reflection at both the school and district levels using The NYSED School Library Program Rubric as our tool. This tool will serve to guide meaningful change and student success in our programs. Initial discussions have highlighted our desire to increase the number of students who regularly frequent the library, increase access to books, both physical and digital collections, and increase the opportunities to engage families with our school library programs as well. Our goal is to make the library the intellectual and creative heartbeat of our schools!

Recognizing National Heritage Months is vital for honoring the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions that shape our society. These observances create space for reflection, education, and celebration—allowing communities to share their stories, preserve traditions, and foster mutual respect. By acknowledging heritage months, we promote inclusivity and deepen our understanding of the rich tapestry that defines our national identity.

This National Heritage Months' Calendar provides an outline of the various cultures and ethnicities we recognize by month for your reference. Please keep it handy!

STEAM and CTE

Jennifer English, Principal

Exciting Math Updates Across the District

This fall, the Lackawanna City School District is proud to announce several important updates to our PK - 5 math programming that will help support students from our youngest learners to those needing targeted interventions.

Number Worlds at Martin Road Elementary: Martin Road Elementary is launching Number Worlds as a Tier 3 math intervention program. Designed for small groups, Number Worlds helps students close gaps by building strong foundational number sense and problem-solving skills. Each lesson is hands-on and interactive, giving students daily opportunities to strengthen their confidence in math while targeting specific learning needs. This program will be embedded during Math WIN (What I Need) time, ensuring that students receive the extra support needed to master essential math concepts.

Building Blocks in Pre-K at Truman: At Truman Elementary, our youngest learners will begin using Building Blocks, a research-based early childhood math program that aligns with New York State Standards. Building Blocks introduces Pre-K students to math through engaging, playful activities that integrate counting, shapes, patterns, and spatial reasoning into everyday experiences. The program lays the groundwork for mathematical thinking, giving students the tools they need to thrive as they progress through elementary school.

A Shared Math Vision: In addition to new programs, district and building administrators are partnering with math coaches to create a Math Vision for Lackawanna City Schools. This shared vision emphasizes high expectations, grade-level standards-based instruction, and student perseverance through meaningful problem-solving. To support this, our team will be conducting Data Collection Walks across all grade levels. These walks will focus on non-classroom specific trend data, helping us better understand strengths and areas of need. The insights gathered will guide future professional development plans, ensuring teachers receive the resources they need to help every student succeed in math.

Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to building strong mathematical foundations, fostering confidence, and ensuring that all students can achieve success in mathematics.

NYS Math Numeracy Briefs

NYS is working to implement the Numeracy Briefs over the next year. They are a series of eight guidance documents released by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) as part of its Numeracy Initiative. The purpose of the briefs is to highlight evidence-based features and best practices of effective mathematics instruction, with the aim of supporting educators in PreK-12 to improve students’ numeracy (mathematical literacy). They are aligned with New York State’s Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards, and the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework.

Main Takeaways for Teachers from the NYS Numeracy Briefs

The New York State Numeracy Briefs provide clear, research-based guidance to strengthen mathematics teaching and learning. For teachers, the key messages are:

Brief 1: The Research Base for Mathematics Teaching and Learning
Brief 2: Debunking Myths about Mathematics Teaching and Learning
Brief 3: High-Leverage Mathematical Content
Brief 4: High-Leverage Instructional Practices
Brief 5: Assessments of and for Student Learning
Brief 6: The Role and Challenges of Using Representations
Brief 7: Understanding, Using, and Modifying Curriculum Materials
Brief 8: The Role of Leadership

Math Article of the Month
Why Do We Focus on Fluency In Math?

WozEd

On October 29, 2025 administrators from the district will be traveling to Salamanca City School District to see how they implement WozEd throughout their district grade levels and their buildings - using it to help reinforce science standards. We are working to refocus our vision for WozEd district wide.

The WozEd program provides hands-on, project-based STEM learning experiences that directly align with the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards, which are adapted from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These standards emphasize not only content knowledge but also the application of science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and inquiry-based learning. WozEd kits and curriculum are designed to help students engage in authentic scientific processes such as asking questions, analyzing data, and designing solutions, supporting teachers in delivering instruction that meets state expectations.

Lackawanna City School District is proud to be recognized as a WozEd Pathway District, demonstrating a district-wide commitment to providing students with high-quality STEM opportunities across grade levels. This designation reflects LCSD’s focus on building coherent, future-ready pathways for students that are both standards-aligned and designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills essential for college, career, and lifelong success.

Individual Arts Assessment Pathway

The Individual Arts Assessment Pathway (IAAP) is a 4+1 graduation pathway option now available at our high school. Students may select the artistic methods, media, or forms they wish to use in consultation with their arts teachers, allowing them to design a pathway that reflects their own artistic and research interests.

By participating in the IAAP, our students gain access to a meaningful graduation option that not only recognizes their talents in the arts but also prepares them for future educational and professional opportunities in creative fields. Our arts faculty are prepared to guide students through this process, ensuring that their collections meet state-developed IAAP criteria while also celebrating their unique artistic voices.

The IAAP has been piloted in New York State since September 2022, and in the 2025–2026 school year, our high school is among those approved to offer this exciting pathway. This opportunity positions our students at the forefront of arts education innovation, giving them a rigorous and rewarding way to showcase their learning and creativity as part of their graduation requirements.

Did you Know?

MST Standard 5 and the NYSSLS are mutually reinforcing. Together, they prepare students to think critically, design creatively, and solve real-world problems. Educators can integrate them through project-based learning, STEAM initiatives, and CTE pathways, ensuring students experience science and technology as interconnected disciplines rather than as isolated content areas.

Launching the PK–12 AI Innovation Team

The Lackawanna City School District is proud to announce the launch of the PK–12 AI Innovation Team, a districtwide committee dedicated to exploring and shaping the role of artificial intelligence in education. This team will bring together teachers, administrators, and parents to help guide how AI can be used responsibly and effectively across all grade levels.

The work of the AI Innovation Team will begin with a focus on School AI, a platform that will be introduced to our High School staff on October 20, 2025, during Superintendent’s Conference Day. School AI is designed to support educators in lesson planning, instructional design, and student engagement, and will serve as our starting point in learning how AI can enhance teaching and learning.

As the committee grows, it will explore a variety of platforms and tools to identify the most promising ways to integrate AI into classrooms. This includes developing AI-infused instructional strategies, ensuring ethical and responsible use, and creating opportunities for students to engage with AI concepts, careers, and real-world problem-solving. By strategically embracing the future of education, the AI Innovation Team will ensure that our students are not only users of AI but also critical thinkers and responsible digital citizens prepared for a technology-driven world.

Parents are welcome to join this committee, bringing valuable perspectives as partners in shaping how we prepare students for the future. Together, we will take meaningful steps toward building a district where AI enhances learning opportunities for every student.

More information will be coming soon!