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Finding their wings with plenty of prayer: Angel Campaign is underway at NCCS

Pictured is the Northern Chautauqua Catholic School basketball tournament.

The Board of Trustees of Northern Chautauqua Catholic School announces its 2023 Angel Campaign, the school’s annual year-long drive for donations that continues to grow each year, thanks to the generosity of the surrounding community.

The Annual Angel Campaign is NCCS’ largest stream of private funding through the contributions of individual donors, businesses, and family foundations within the community. Angel donors’ generosity plays a vital role in helping NCCS continue to provide the only option for Catholic education now and for future generations in Chautauqua County.

The school is growing and is poised for continued success. Principal Andy Ludwig is pleased to report that NCCS has surpassed its 2021-2022 enrollment, and welcomed approximately 200 students in grades PreK-3 through eighth grade for the 2022-2023 academic year.

In addition to new families, NCCS welcomed new faculty members to accommodate growing numbers, including a new PreK3 teacher, a new first grade teacher, a new fourth grade teacher, a new art teacher and a new PE teacher. NCCS boasts an exceptional academic program, including STREAM, accelerated math programming, Spanish that begins at the PreK-3 level and life skills. NCCS’ state exam scores are among the highest in the county (NYS Grades 3-8 Math and ELA assessments).

Together with academic excellence, NCCS is proud to offer Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Cross Country, Basketball, and Track to boys and girls in grades 4-8. These athletic programs have been a long-standing tradition in our community. Mighty Monarch athletes have experienced noteworthy success over the last two years, including an undefeated championship girls’ basketball season and a Diocesan championship softball season. Our volleyball team was so large that we had three squads competing in the Diocesan league. The huge NCCS Track Team has also experienced championship success in individual events.

An elementary student works on a project.

The Athletic Department at Northern Chautauqua Catholic School is also excited to announce that our annual basketball tournament is back after a three year pandemic imposed hiatus.

This NCCS tournament tradition was started by longtime beloved NCCS coach Jim Noto. Jim started the Peg Smith Tourney to honor his coaching mentor Margaret Smith, after her passing more than two decades ago. Coach Noto went to be with our Lord in July 2022. The resumption of this tradition and especially this past year’s aptly named Noto-Smith Tournament held special significance for Monarch Nation. The anticipated and successful tournament was Dec. 1 to 4 with teams from Dunkirk, Fredonia, Forestville, St. Peter & Paul Catholic School, Southtowns Catholic School and Buffalo FCA joining NCCS’ JV and Varsity boys and girls teams to play some round ball. NCCS’ own JV Boys brought home the tournament championship in their division.

The school’s music program continues to thrive under the direction of Ms. Janie Villella-Sharon. In November, the fall musical, “Matilda, Jr.” was a great success. Most recently, NCCS students performed in their annual spring musical, “Into the Woods.” Villella-Sharon, as well as band director and musical support Ms. Regan Pieniazek, credit the students for their hard work and dedication to a full length, demanding show that offered five performances spanning three days. Voice and band students also represented NCCS at the CCMTA Solo Fest in February, with more students in attendance than any other local school.

In addition to all that excitement happening inside the building, the playground renovation project is almost complete. Phase I of the school playground revitalization initiative was completed in October 2021 and included the removal of aging playground equipment and the pea gravel playground surface. New equipment, including a teeter totter and new spring riders, were installed, and the pea gravel was replaced with a poured rubber fall-safe surface. Phase II is underway, with the removal of several damaged trees and stone wall barrier last September. Future plans of the project include creating an outdoor classroom and eating area and repairing the outdoor basketball court, which was installed over 25 years ago. Such improvements are a key part of the school’s goal of providing more options for learning, physical education, and recreation. Angel donors’ contributions will allow NCCS to accomplish this goal.

“Over the past five years, a number of miracles both big and small have saved our school and helped to keep NCCS open. Not just open for business, but filled to capacity with God’s amazing children instructed by a dedicated, caring and selfless staff. In order for our school to continue to thrive, the miracles must also continue. Your generous gift to NCCS is the answer to the prayers of a faithful school family that recognizes just how blessed we are to have a Catholic School in our community. Monarch Nation knows that miracles happen every day at NCCS. Will your gift be the next miracle to save Northern Chautauqua Catholic School? Please give generously,” says Ludwig.

Participants in a recent school musical.

Financial gifts in any amount are deeply appreciated and can be made in memory or in honor of loved ones. Past donors have received a donation letter by way of U.S. mail, but donations can also be made securely online through the school’s website www.nccschool.us. NCCS is a registered not-for-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible. You can double or even triple the impact of your donation by finding out if your employer has a matching gift program!

NCCS offers a way for Angel donors to make the school part of their monthly giving.

The 1989 Founders Club, which celebrates the school’s 34-year legacy, is comprised of donors who commit to giving $19.89 or more each month to NCCS. Donations can be made automatically via credit or debit card or by mailing in a check to the school at 336 Washington Ave., Dunkirk, NY 14048. For more information about the 1989 Founders Club, please email the Advancement Team at ncc–advancement@nccschool.us.

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