Inspiring Innovation From Classrooms to Competitions

Inside a gym buzzing with excitement, two Erie Catholic teams—Saint Jude’s Raider Robotics and Saint George’s LEGO Lancers—joined 25 other groups from across the region to compete in FIRST LEGO League’s regional tournament. The energy was contagious as students huddled over their robot tables, coaches leaned in with encouragement, teams cheered loudly for one another, and kindness flowed as freely as the creativity on display. For many of our students, this was their first time ever competing in an event like this. Yet from the opening round, it was clear they were not only prepared, but they were also ready to soar. Saint Jude’s Raider Robotics quickly realized they were holding their own against teams with years of experience. Their determination paid off as the Raiders earned second place with 335 points in the Robot Competition, a remarkable accomplishment for a first-year team navigating their first official meet. As their coach shared, they didn’t know what to expect walking in, but they left knowing they belonged. “We knew the competition was experienced and we didn’t have any idea of what to expect at the tournament,” said Brian Rehrig, parent and coach for the Raider Robotics team. “It was a pleasant surprise and testament to the team’s hard work to compete with the other teams so effectively.” Just a few tables over, Saint George’s LEGO Lancers were having a standout day of their own. Made up mostly of fifth- and sixth-graders, the Lancers earned second place for their Innovation Project, taking home a LEGO trophy that will soon find its place in the campus's display case. Their robot performance was equally impressive, tying for 8th place overall and scoring 230 points. “One of the judges came up to me afterward to say how impressed he was with the team and how strong our trajectory looks going forward,” said Kevin Miceli, parent and coach of the LEGO Lancers. “We’ve got our sights set on states next year!” This season’s FIRST LEGO League challenge was built around the theme “UNEARTHED℠,” inviting students into an archaeological-inspired adventure that connects the past with the future. Teams explored how artifacts, innovations, and discoveries from long ago can inform and inspire the solutions of tomorrow. While each campus celebrated its own achievements, the weekend was also a testament to what is possible when our system and parents come together to invest in hands-on learning. Parents volunteered hours after school and PTOs helped get things off the ground. Families rearranged schedules to get children to practices and competitions. And through it all, the system’s commitment to STEAM learning created space for students to explore robotics, coding, engineering, and teamwork in ways that strengthen both confidence and academic growth. According to the MIT Media Lab, research consistently shows that hands-on, experiential learning can increase retention by up to 90% and robotics in particular strengthens problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and mathematical thinking. Meanwhile, programs like FIRST LEGO League are linked to increased confidence, teamwork skills, and long-term interest in STEM. These opportunities align beautifully with how children at this age learn best: through doing, experimenting, collaborating, failing safely, and trying again while surrounded by adults who believe in their potential. “Opportunities like FIRST LEGO League make challenging students in new ways accessible even to our youngest learners,” said Lisa Panighetti, Vice President of Academic Affairs for Erie Catholic. “It gives students a chance to explore, imagine, build, and work together in ways that reflect the very best of what we want for them academically and personally.” FIRST Lego League has programming for preschool through eighth grade. Erie Catholic will continue exploring how to widen these opportunities within Erie Catholic, ensuring more of our students can participate in this kind of joyful, meaningful learning. Congratulations, Raider Robotics and LEGO Lancers teams! Thank you for representing your campuses with joy and humility. We can’t wait to see what they dream up next season!

The Erie Catholic School System is expanding its Erie Knights Lacrosse program to include all K-8 grade levels within the system, now including kindergarten through second graders. Since its launch five years ago, Erie Catholic Knights Lacrosse has steadily strengthened in participation, coaching, and vision. When the program first began, the long-term goal was always to create an athletic pathway that would eventually welcome students of all ages. That vision now becomes reality as Erie Catholic introduces the sport to its youngest learners at a time when lacrosse is experiencing unprecedented interest across the country. “We are so excited to continue growing lacrosse at the youth level as this has been the goal since we started this program,” said Andrew Smykowski, coach for the team. “It’s been great to get lacrosse in front of as many boys and girls as possible. It is truly for everyone and we want to share that in a fun, fast paced environment that focuses on the development of our students.” Over the past two decades, lacrosse has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing team sports in the United States, with national participation more than tripling since the early 2000s. This trend is especially strong at the youth and scholastic levels, where more families seek sports that blend conditioning, skill development, strategy, and teamwork. This national surge underscores that Erie Catholic is not simply expanding a program—it is opening the door for students to participate in a sport whose momentum and appeal are rising across the country. “Athletics help form confident and capable students,” said Travis Washko, president of Erie Catholic. "Providing our youngest students the opportunity to experience a sport like lacrosse allows them to grow in ways that support their whole development.” Lacrosse supports coordination, balance, and spatial awareness while also encouraging communication, cooperation, and confidence, which is developmentally aligned with how younger children learn best. National youth clinics show that roughly 85% of new players are experiencing lacrosse for the first time in early elementary grades, demonstrating how well the sport fits the needs and interests of young learners. “Beginning with foundational skills is fundamental to athletic success as our students move on to competitive programs,” said Tanner Verplancke, athletic director at Erie Catholic. “It creates a natural and healthy developmental pathway that benefits students in athletics and in the classroom.” Students interested in playing may attend an upcoming clinic before season registration begins in March. For more information, parents may download the information flyer in PlusPortals or reach out to Coach Smykowski directly: andrew.smykowski@cathedralprep.com.

Middle school students from the Erie Catholic School System and Mother Teresa Academy came together this week for the annual Great Mass, a longstanding Catholic Schools Week tradition that brings students, teachers, and clergy together in shared worship. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Lawrence Persico, along with parish pastors from each campus, and Erie Catholic’s chaplain, Fr. Kevin Holland. Held during Catholic Schools Week, the liturgy offers students a chance to unite as one community in prayer, reflection, and celebration. Erie Catholic President Travis Washko said the gathering reflects the momentum he’s seen building across the system. “As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, I’ve been reflecting on the remarkable movement already underway throughout our schools,” Washko said. “In these first months, I’ve seen a community ready to come together in new ways.” This year’s national theme—Unity in Faith and Community—aligns closely with Erie Catholic’s priorities. “The theme feels especially fitting as we step into a new era as a system,” Washko said. “This is a time when our shared Catholic identity guides us, our collaboration strengthens us, and our mission calls us to move forward together.” A central focus of Catholic Schools Week is service, something Washko says is rooted deeply in Erie Catholic’s culture. “Service isn’t just something we do—it’s a way of life we form in our students. You can see it when students support each other, when families rally around someone in need, and when our schools and parishes work side by side. That spirit of compassion and love is the heart of Catholic education.” The Great Mass also marks a moment of looking ahead. Erie Catholic will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in Fall 2026, a milestone that will shape the future direction of Catholic education in the region. These next years will define how Erie Catholic strengthens its Catholic identity, deepens unity across campuses, and ensures every child entrusted to us grows in mind, body, and spirit. Throughout the week, each Erie Catholic school has been celebrating the daily themes highlighted nationally by Catholic Schools Week. These include days dedicated to celebrating parishes, community, students, the nation, vocations, faculty and staff, and families. Classrooms across all five campuses have participated in activities ranging from special prayer services and service projects to classroom reflections and schoolwide events. The intention of each theme is to help students understand the many people and partnerships that shape their education and to recognize the ways Catholic identity is lived out in everyday school life. About Catholic Schools Week Catholic Schools Week is a national celebration held each year to highlight the value of Catholic education in the United States. According to the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), the week recognizes the faith formation, academic excellence, and community service that define Catholic schools. Events often include Masses, open houses, service projects, and activities that honor students, families, educators, parishes, and local communities. To learn more, visit ncea.org .

As Christmas approaches, the Advent season invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for what truly matters. At Erie Catholic, this time of year offers a meaningful opportunity to give thanks for the gift of community and the shared mission that unites our system. Advent is a season rooted in hope, anticipation, and quiet preparation. Across every campus, these values come to life each day as students grow not only in knowledge and skill, but in compassion, generosity, and faith. Our classrooms, hallways, and prayer spaces reflect a commitment to educating the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—while helping students understand the deeper meaning of the season. The Christmas story reminds us that God chose to enter the world in humility and love, bringing light into the darkness and hope to every home. This message sits at the heart of Catholic education and guides our work as we partner with families to form young people who are grounded in faith, kindness, and service to others. This season is also a time of gratitude. We are thankful for the dedicated faculty and staff who serve our students with care, the families who place their trust in our system, and the broader community that supports Erie Catholic through prayer, encouragement, and engagement. As we look toward the new year, we do so with optimism and purpose. Important work is underway to strengthen our system, deepen connections across our campuses, and ensure that every student and family feels supported, valued, and proud to be part of Erie Catholic. May this holy season bring peace, joy, and rest to all those we serve. From all of us at Erie Catholic, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year filled with hope and promise!

Throughout October, Catholics around the world honor Mary, our Blessed Mother, through the devotion of the Holy Rosary. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and draw closer to Jesus through the eyes and heart of His mother—a gentle reminder that prayer connects us, strengthens us, and brings peace to our hearts and homes. Last week, the Erie Catholic School System came together as one faith-filled community to pray the Rosary virtually. From classrooms across all five campuses, students, teachers, and leaders joined in prayer, each taking a decade of the Rosary as we lifted our intentions to God. The virtual Rosary was a beautiful expression of unity where voices, young and old, came together in rhythm and reverence. Each decade was led by a different campus, creating a living example of what it means to be one system rooted in faith and love for Christ and His Mother. “As our students prayed, they were reminded that every “Hail Mary” is a small act of love, a chance to quiet our hearts, to listen, and to grow in faith together,” said Travis Washko, president of Erie Catholic. “These moments, though brief, form the foundation of a lifelong relationship with God.” The Power of the Rosary at Home The Rosary is sometimes called “the Gospel on a string.” Each decade invites us to meditate on the life of Jesus and Mary—His birth, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection. Praying it together as a family can be a meaningful way to bring faith into daily life. Here are a few ways families can keep the spirit of the Rosary alive at home: Start small: Pray one decade together before bedtime or dinner. Even a few minutes of prayer can bring peace and closeness. Make it meaningful: Invite each family member to share an intention for their decade, like someone they want to pray for or something they’re thankful for. Create a sacred space: Light a candle or place a small statue or image of Mary nearby to help center your family in prayer. Pray on the go: The Rosary can be prayed in the car on the way to school, while taking a walk together, or wherever your day takes you. As the final prayers echoed through our classrooms, the quiet reverence of our students lifting their voices together served as a powerful reminder of who we are and what binds us. In a world that moves quickly, moments like this slow us down and re-center us on what matters most. May the peace of the Rosary continue to fill our hearts and homes long after October ends, reminding us that when we pray together, we grow together in faith and love as one Erie Catholic community.

There’s no better time to experience the heart of Catholic education than during Discover Catholic Schools Week, and no better place to do it than right here at Erie Catholic. Starting Saturday, November 15th, our campuses will open their doors to welcome prospective families, alumni, parishioners, and supporters of Catholic education for a first-hand look at what makes Erie Catholic special. Whether you’re exploring Catholic education for the first time or returning to the halls that helped shape who you are, these open houses offer a meaningful way to reconnect, rediscover, and be inspired. Experience the Erie Catholic Difference Faith and learning go hand in hand at Erie Catholic. Our students thrive in an environment built on academic excellence, moral development, and a strong sense of community. Visitors will have the chance to tour classrooms, meet teachers and principals, talk with current families, and see how we nurture the whole child in mind, body, and spirit. Each school has its own unique personality and strengths, but they all share the same mission: to prepare students to lead lives of faith, integrity, and service. A Celebration for All Who Believe in Catholic Education Discover Catholic Schools Week isn’t just for prospective families; it’s a celebration for everyone who believes in the power and purpose of Catholic education. Alumni can stroll through familiar hallways and see how their alma mater continues to grow. Parishioners and supporters can witness the impact of their generosity in the smiles of our students and the vibrant learning taking place each day. When you walk through our doors, you’ll see more than classrooms. You will feel a sense of belonging, purpose, and hope for the future. Join Us: Register Today We invite you to visit one or more of our Erie Catholic campuses during Discover Catholic Schools Week. Come see how faith forms the foundation of everything we do and how it continues to transform lives every day. To view open house dates, times, and locations, visit eriecatholic.org/open-house. Come discover Catholic education. Come discover Erie Catholic.

Pictured: Third-grade students at Saint Jude have chosen to dedicate ten minutes of their recess each day to prayer after learning about Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati.

In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Erie Catholic continued a tradition of gathering together with pets, families, and members of our school campus communities for a special pet blessing. With joyful hearts (and some wagging tails), families brought their animal companions to receive a blessing from our campus pastors. After the prayer, each pet received an individual blessing a sign of our interconnectedness with all of creation. A Saint Who Saw All Life as Sacred The Feast of St. Francis, celebrated each year on October 4th, to honor Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was known for his deep humility, joyful spirit, and reverence for all living things. He saw every creature as a reflection of God’s love, referring to animals as brothers and sisters and the earth itself as our shared home. Bringing this teaching to life in a school setting helps students understand that faith extends beyond the classroom. It teaches them to recognize God’s presence in everyday experiences and to approach the world with kindness and responsibility. Living Our Faith in Everyday Ways At Erie Catholic, our mission is to form students in mind, body, and spirit and that means making space for faith in the rhythms of daily life. The Pet Blessing is a wonderful example of that. It invites students and families to connect what they learn about saints, Scripture, and Church teaching to something tangible: the unconditional love of a pet, the joy of shared community, and the sacredness of creation. Celebrate the Spirit of St. Francis at Home Here are a few simple ways your family can honor the legacy of St. Francis and live out our Catholic values this week: Bless Your Pets at Home: If your child has another pet at home or simply wants to revisit the experience, take a moment to say a prayer together for your family pets. Encourage your child to say what they’re thankful for about their pet and ask for God's continued care over them. Spend Time in Creation: Take a family walk, visit a local park, or simply sit outside and notice the beauty of nature. Talk about how St. Francis saw every part of creation as a reflection of God’s love. Be of Service to God's Creatures: Donate gently used towels or pet food to a local animal shelter or consider collecting items from neighbors, friends, and family to give to a shelter in need. An act of stewardship and compassion aligns perfectly with Catholic Social Teaching. Read Together: Share a story about St. Francis or animals in Scripture. Use this as a chance to talk about how we’re called to love and protect all living things. Say the Prayer of St. Francis Together: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace...This prayer is a powerful way to reinforce the values of empathy, peace, and humility at home. By bringing these small acts into your family life, you’re helping your child grow in faith and character—living out the message of St. Francis in everyday ways. In Closing We are grateful to our campus pastors for sharing in this wonderful event for our school communities. Whether a pet was present in person, in a photo, or held close in spirit, we hope this tradition left everyone feeling a little more grounded, joyful, and connected in faith. May we continue to raise children who are kind, compassionate, and faithful toward all of God’s creation.

As we begin a new school year, I am filled with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead for the Erie Catholic School System. First, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to Janice Whiteman, who served as Erie Catholic's transition director since February, for her extraordinary dedication. In this unique role, she provided steady leadership to our principals, helped prepare our campuses for the year ahead, and guided the system with the same passion for Catholic education that has always defined her service. Because of her hard work, Erie Catholic is well-positioned to continue its mission of forming young hearts and minds in faith, knowledge, and service. Now, as I step into my role as president, I look forward to building on that strong foundation. Together with our principals, teachers, and families, my focus will be threefold: to welcome more families into our schools by growing enrollment, to joyfully share the great things happening across all of our campuses, and to listen closely to our parents so we can better understand how to serve the needs of today’s students. But this work cannot rest on our schools alone. The beauty of Catholic education is that it flourishes when it is rooted in the life of the Church and supported by the wider community. To our parents, grandparents, and parishioners: I encourage you to be active participants in this mission. Whether through volunteering in the classroom, supporting events, serving on a parish or school campus committee, or simply sharing your story of why Catholic education matters to you, your involvement strengthens our schools and inspires others to see its value. I also want to extend a special word to our alumni. Erie has a rich history of Catholic education, and while many beloved schools have closed over the years, their legacy lives on in Erie Catholic. This is your home, too. It is a place where you can gather in fellowship, celebrate your roots, and help ensure that future generations of students experience the same blessings you once received. Your prayers, presence, and support allow us to carry forward a tradition of faith and excellence that has shaped our community for decades. When we join together in faith, we not only shape the future of our students, but we also shine a light on the positive impact Catholic education has on our greater community. Our students learn to lead with integrity, to serve with compassion, and to see the world through the lens of faith—gifts that ripple far beyond the walls of our classrooms. Let us begin this school year in prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Catholic education in Erie. As we begin this new year, guide our students to grow in wisdom, faith, and love. Inspire our families, faculty, alumni, and parishioners to work together as stewards of this mission, so that Your presence may be known in our schools and throughout our community. Amen. With gratitude and hope, Travis Washko President, Erie Catholic School System