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N. Chautauqua Catholic begins new chapter

30 years and counting

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl Kindergarten students explore technology in the computer lab, as computer technology is one of the specials that is offered to all students.

Foreign language instruction beginning in PreK. Competitive sports starting in third grade. Eighth grade math students (and some even younger than that) preparing to take the Regents Algebra I exam in June. If you think opportunities such as these are available only at exclusive, expensive preparatory schools in larger cities, think again. Dunkirk’s Northern Chautauqua Catholic School has been offering these opportunities — and more — to all of their students for 30 years, and Principal Andy Ludwig couldn’t be more proud to serve at the helm of such a unique school, the last of its kind in Chautauqua County.

Last month, Sen. Cathy Young issued a proclamation on behalf of the New York State Senate honoring the school for its commitment to Catholic education. The proclamation was timely, as the school recently hosted its open house as part of the 30th Annual Catholic Schools Week celebration. Although rescheduled due to inclement weather, the open house on Feb. 8 was a grand success with nearly 200 people in attendance and an auditorium with standing room only.

Now the only Catholic school in Chautauqua County, NCCS occupies a beautiful, three-story brick building that was originally St. Mary’s Catholic School, the first Catholic school in Chautauqua County. “We’re continuing 165 years of Catholic school here in the city,” said Michele Starwalt, NCCS director of advancement, who explained that NCCS originally occupied the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic School building on Central Avenue, before it outgrew the space.

Increasing enrollment

While enrollment numbers have dipped significantly since the move to NCCS’ current home on the corner of Washington Avenue and Fourth Street, enrollment has increased this year with approximately 100 students total.

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl Teacher aide Becky Eckstrom, whose six children and four grandchildren are NCCS students, captured the spirit of NCCS in this mural that she painted in one of the stairwells.

Four new students have enrolled since Ludwig, a retired Fredonia Middle School principal and former math teacher, became interim principal in November. At the open house, Ludwig announced his intentions regarding his future at NCCS. “I loved being retired and teaching part time at JCC. I loved the freedom I had being retired,” he stated. “But I have fallen in love with this school, and I see the untapped potential here. It’s tremendous…Will I be here next year? You bet I will.”

Families were pleased to hear that Ludwig accepted the permanent position of NCCS principal — a position that has even drawn new families to the school. “I love Andy Ludwig! He was my math teacher,” said one prospective parent at open house, who added Ludwig to the list of reasons to enroll at NCCS.

Starwalt was pleased to share that the current kindergarten class has 20 students — a record for the school. Interest in the PreK three and four-year-old program has increased dramatically, said Starwalt, who recalled the open house when families waited in line in order to tour the classroom. Of the 15 students currently enrolled in the PreK program, 12 attend for the full day, though a half-day option is available to all three and four year olds.

Academics

“What’s really unique about our school is that all of our ‘specials’ are offered beginning in PreK,” Starwalt explained. Yes, even at age three, students begin art, physical education, music, computer technology and Spanish.

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl Fifth and sixth grade students are pictured here participating in Hannah Bena’s music class. In addition to traditional band instruments, Bena also teaches ukulele classes. Currently, students in grades four through eight are preparing for their upcoming production of “Madagascar Junior” in March.

“There is so much research out there that supports foreign language instruction at a very early age,” Ludwig pointed out. NCCS students appear to benefit tremendously from the early instruction. By seventh or eighth grade, most NCCS students who take the state Spanish proficiency examination often test into Spanish 2 or 3 classes when they begin high school — classes that are typically taught at the tenth or eleventh grade levels.

“It’s a misconception that we don’t have highly qualified teachers here,” said Starwalt. “The truth is we do have New York state certified teachers who are highly trained.”

In his welcome address at the open house, Ludwig attested to this fact. “Over the past 50 years, I have watched teachers and learned from teachers. I eventually became a teacher,” Ludwig stated. “And finally, as a principal, I taught and evaluated teachers. I have seen teachers in every phase of their careers. Our teachers are as good as any I’ve ever seen.”

On Monday, math teacher Karen Nalepa will be launching the new STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, arts, mathematics) academy, which includes seven courses to challenge students and promote creative thinking. Nalepa, who joined the faculty last year, feels at home at NCCS, and so does her certified therapy dog, whom she brings to school every Friday much to the delight of her students. “It’s hope,” Nalepa said of NCCS’ role in the community. “These families are our families.”

Educating the whole child

Ludwig and Starwalt emphasize that NCCS educates the whole child academically, athletically and spiritually. Soft skills like kindness, respect, generosity — a “Christ-like attitude,” in the words of Ludwig — are valued just as much as math and English.

The school works hard to teach students citizenship and responsibility by fostering a community in which every student plays a part. “Students in grades four through eight are peer mentors to children in grades Pre K through three,” Starwalt said. “The older students are reading buddies, lunch buddies and Mass buddies. They read to students, help them at lunch, and sit with them at Mass and encourage singing and participation.”

Starwalt addressed one aspect of an NCCS education that many are unaware of. “We welcome students and families from any faith or no faith at all,” she said. “You don’t have to be Catholic to attend our school. Some families simply use us primarily as a private school,” she explained.

Ludwig added that while Mass is part of the school day, “It’s cafeteria-style,” he told the OBSERVER. “Students can certainly participate in the prayers, confession and those traditional aspects of the service. They can participate as they wish. Judeo-Christian values are universal, if you ask me. It’s a tradition of respect, kindness.”

A different approach

Tradition was an important part of Ludwig’s speech during the open house. “Now that I’m here, people ask me…’How do you give a quality education in a school building where everything isn’t brand new and you don’t have the most modern technologies and conveniences?” he said

“You do it with a traditional approach. A traditional approach that wasn’t broken. A traditional approach, that didn’t need fixing. A traditional approach, that you may not find in other schools at this time. It’s the approach that is proven and why our students do so well in high school and college.”

NCCS alumni include Felicia Galardo Nichols, director of nursing at Absolut Care in Westfield; Colleen Hart, administrator of Chautauqua Nursing and Rehab Center; and Dr. Justin Cole, optometrist for the V.A. in North Carolina. Connor Aitcheson is a Spanish education major at SUNY Fredonia who was elected Student Association president last year and is graduating in May. Aitcheson’s involvement with NCCS has continued, as he has helped the school with bilingual marketing materials.

In an interview with the OBSERVER following the open house event, Ludwig discussed the current climate of public education. Over the course of more than 30 years in public education, Ludwig said he watched it become a “data-driven, heavy-handed approach” that he found to be ineffective at best and alienating to students at worst. “They treat kids like robots or data points,” he said of public schools. “But they’re kids. They’re still learning; they’re still growing. We have small classes sizes and individualized attention that you don’t get in public schools.”

Importantly, Ludwig does not spend his entire day in his office or in meetings with other administrators. Rather, with the ring of the bell between each class period, Ludwig is out walking the halls, talking to students and staff. He is also able to do something that he missed in his later years as a middle school principal. “I eat lunch in the cafeteria with the kids every day,” Ludwig said. “They’re great kids. This is how relationships are built within a school — by spending time together.”

Current challenges

Unsurprisingly, the biggest challenge Ludwig faces in his new role is finances. Diminished support from the Diocese of Buffalo due, in part, to expensive priest abuse lawsuits, and smaller enrollment numbers continue to challenge the school. However, support from the community, has been — and continues to be — a vital force in keeping NCCS’ doors open. Last summer’s fundraising goal of $100,000 was met, thanks to NCCS families and generous donors in the community.

The school is grateful for the support of Dr. Michael LaFever, superintendent of schools for the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, who is a regular presence at NCCS. “He has devoted a lot of time, resources and money to us,” Starwalt said. “We’re also very grateful to our devoted board of trustees who work hard to support our school.”

Ludwig acknowledged that tuition, especially for more than one child, is a significant expense and an important choice for families to make. “It is well worth the money,” Ludwig said. “It’s nothing to spend $100 a week to have your kid in hockey or other activities — you’re investing in your child. An NCCS education is a great investment, too, I believe, and we do have scholarships available.”

Starwalt explained, “The Bison Children’s Scholarship Fund along with local and memorial scholarships make NCCS affordable for all families and help to alleviate financial concerns.”

More information regarding programs, tuition and scholarships is available online at www.nccschool.us or by calling the school at 366-0630 for information or to arrange a tour. Students who register for the 2019-20 school year by March 1 will have the $100 registration fee waived, said Starwalt.

Ludwig is hopeful that community members, especially in the Catholic church, can look beyond the current issues in the Diocese and redirect their attention to the local impact their giving can have. “I know it’s frustrating,” said Ludwig. “There’s that concern that your money is going to be paying off a pedophile’s lawsuit. I get it. But when you give to NCCS, you know exactly where your money is going. It’s a local, visible contribution.”

Ludwig added, “Every week, I put two checks in the offering, and one of those is for NCCS. These children are our future. Who’s going to be filling these church pews in a few years if not this younger generation? I’d encourage people to put their money where their mouth is — to recognize the importance of supporting Catholic education.”

Continuing NCCS’ legacy

While some may turn a critical eye to the building, noting, perhaps, its size, a rusty hinge or two, or some dated fixtures, Ludwig and the teachers, students and families of NCCS see something else entirely. Students’ Modigliani-inspired oil paintings, athletic trophies and three-dimensional representations of the spinal cord are proudly displayed in the halls. Photos of NCCS graduates, many who are the parents and older siblings of current students, remind all of the school’s continued legacy. Names of “angel donors,” those members of the community who faithfully contribute to the school, are framed, prayed for and honored.

“NCCS is a lot like our Canonical Administrator Father Dan Walsh,” Ludwig said to the families at the open house. “Like Father Dan, our school is showing its age, but also like Father Dan, our school is strong. Our school has heart and spirit and fire in the belly. And like Father Dan our school has the Lord at its center.”

“I know we’re not a brand new state-of-the-art building,” Ludwig told the OBSERVER. “I know we don’t have every single new tech gadget that’s out there. But did you see the hand-painted ceiling of the auditorium? Look at this architecture. There’s history here — there’s beauty in what this school has done and where we’ve done it. I know it’s not perfect,” Ludwig added. “But I think it’s sort of perfect in its imperfection.”

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