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In This Issue
Quick Links
DC Dining
Tricks, Treats, & Tacos 
Yearbooks
Caught Being Good
Ryan P.
`1B
Sophia L. 1B
Dee A. 1B
Zara L. 4B
Important Dates
November
21 - 25
Thanksgiving Break
December 21 - January 3
Christmas Break
January 18

MLK Holiday
February 20

President's Day
April 13 - 21

Easter Break
May 29

Memorial Day
June 16

Last Day of School
October 26, 2016
Dear St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Families,

One of my favorite activities is to observe students at work in their classrooms.  I try to visit at least one class every day.  I am happy to see the students adjust to their new teachers, routines, and grade level expectations.  Transition is a natural part of the educational program. Their success is a product of hard work, appropriate support, and maturity.  Our goal is to prepare students to handle the increased expectations for critical and creative thinking while developing effective communication and collaboration skills. As I visit classrooms, it is amazing to see the growth from one grade level to the next.  When our students graduate and go to high school, I can no longer observe them in the classroom, but I continue to gather information about their progress. 

Over the past several weeks, I spoke with several St. Francis graduates about their transition to high school. I felt great pride listening to our graduates represent their high schools at the High School Information Sessions held in September and talking to those who stop by to visit. I recently attended a middle school collaboration meeting at JSerra Catholic High School where I had time to talk with two graduates from the class of 2015, Isabella Sills and Kristiana Duran. Both are sophomores and have made the major adjustments to high school, but they quickly add that the demands have increased significantly. When asked about what St. Francis did to prepare them for the demands of high school, they mention strong organizational and time management skills, high expectations, and quality teachers.  Despite the increased demands, both are thriving and stretching their boundaries by taking challenging classes and participating in extracurricular activities.  Isabella is part of the Engineering Magnet Program and Kristiana is in the Business Magnet Program. They have demanding schedules that include Honors and AP classes and activities that require long days, often arriving at school before the sun comes up to attend practices and meetings.  

Every graduate with whom I spoke had their own story about course load, extracurricular and cocurricular activities, and of course, the social activities.  When speaking with our graduate s , I am impressed by their presence.  They are articulate, poised, and confident.  Just as impressive is their excitement about the things they are doing and the people they meet.  High school is a dynamic period of growth very different from elementary and middle school.  In order for students to be successful in high school, students must have a strong academic foundation, strong school/life skills - organizational, time management, multi-tasking, as well as strong personal characteristics - perseverance and a positive attitude.  Based on what I've seen from our graduates, a St. Francis education prepares our graduates to be successful in all these areas.  This is due to strong teachers and programs as well as a strong partnership between school and home.  As the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child." We've got a beautiful village!

Tom Waszak
Principal
SCHOOL NEWS
Red Ribbon Week - October 24 - 28
Red  Ribbon Week is helping citizens across the country come together to keep children, families and communities safe, healthy and drug-free.  To show our support, St. Francis students and faculty will be participating in activities that highlight our commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
  
Thursday, October 27


St. Francis Wolves are a Winning Team Against Drugs

Students can wear a favorite sports team jersey with uniform bottom to support SFA's unified team spirit in being healthy and drug free.

Friday, October 28


St. Francis Students Say: Stomp Out Drugs!

Students can wear 'special shoe' today to show their commitment to healthy and drug free lives.  "Special shoes' include any color athletic shoe, boots (i.e. Uggs), or comfortable shoes (like Toms). Students must wear socks and have closed toe shoes.
Halloween Costume Parade - October 31
Please join us for our annual Halloween Costume Parade, on Monday, October 31 beginning at 8:45 am on the basketball courts.  
 
Guidelines:
  • Students should arrive on campus already dressed in costume.
  • Costumes should be modest - skirts no shorter than fingertips with long shorts/leggings under the costume. (no short, tightly fitting shorts)
  • T-shirts should be worn under costumes that are immodestly cut on the sleeves and neckline.
  • No ghoulish, evil, bloody, violent costumes or profane or vulgar language displayed on costumes.
  • No clown costumes.
  • Props that are not weapons may be carried only during the parade.
  • No weapons, swords, guns etc. at all.
  • Heads and masks may only be worn during the parade.
  • Minimal makeup appropriate to your costume may be worn.  Makeup may not cover the entire face. 
  • Hairstyles and accessories should be appropriate to the costume.
  • Tennis or athletic shoes should be worn all day for safety reasons.
No Show Choir on Halloween!
Show Choir is cancelled on Monday, October 31 due to Halloween activities that may be taking place that day.
Personalize Your Yearbook!
Make your student's yearbook one-of-a-kind by personalizing the cover with a name and icons.  

Deadline for Personalized books: January 31, 2017.
 
All orders must be completed 
online (no orders accepted through the front office).
 
Share your photos with the Yearbook Committee! Upload your class and event photos from the first day of school, sports, field trips, etc. to our Josten's school website at www.replayit.com.  Be sure to choose St. Francis of Assisi (Yorba Linda) to upload to the correct school.
 
Current price:  $40.00
After  November 19, 2016: $45.00

*Fees apply to personalized books.  
Visit the Josten's website for more details.
No School on November 4
School will be closed on Friday, November 4 due to a teacher in-service day.   Extended care will not be available.  Please be sure to make arrangements for your student(s).
LITTLE LAMBS NEWS
Pre-K A and Pre-K B will be having their Center Day together on  Friday, October 28.  If you would like to sign up to help, let your child's teacher know.
 
Pre-K will be participating in the all school Halloween parade in the morning on  Monday, October 31.  Student's may wear their costumes to school with closed toed shoes. They may stay in their costume all day or change if they would like.  Please do not have them bring any separate pieces to their costumes that may get lost or ruined.
 
Class party times and details are in each classroom.

NO SCHOOL and No Extended Care on  Friday, November 4.  
SPORTS NEWS
Basketball Tryouts
If your 5th-8th grader has not signed up for basketball tryouts and would like to participate, please email Blake Wayre at bwayre@sfayl.org or stop by the Athletics Office as soon as possible.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Boys A and B Football and Girls A Volleyball Teams all played for League Titles today! Congratulations to all our athletes on their success.
FUNDRAISING NEWS
Tricks, Treats, and Tacos - Tonight!
Tricks, Treats, and Tacos
Wednesday, October 26 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
in the St. Francis of Assisi Courtyard
 
Tricks, Treats, and Tacos is an annual family event that brings the whole St. Francis Community together for Halloween fun and festivities.  Children are encouraged to come in their costumes and bring a bucket/bag for trick-or-treating across campus.  Don't miss dancing to the DJ's tunes and other fun activities in our courtyard!
 
Tasty treats and glow sticks will be available for cash purchase.

All proceeds support the 8th grade class.
Scholastic Book Fair - November 3, 7, & 8
Get Hooked on Books at our Fall Book Fair November 3, 7, and 8!

Arrgh you ready for the Fall 2016 Book Fair? Take the leap this fall with our Bookaneer Book Fair: Where books are the treasure! 

We are excited about reading with swashbuckling new titles from Scholastic and other popular publishers.

The Book Fair helps SFA stock up on resources to enrich your children's education. It also provides kids access to more books. More books means more choice, which means kids get to read the books they want to read. The right book can ignite a passion for reading.  
Wise Guys Dining Out - November 6 - 10
Dining Out Fundraiser
Monday, November 6 through 
Thursday, November 10

Help us raise funds for our Tuition Assistance program by dining out at Wise Guys Pizza in Yorba Linda November 6 - 10. Print and bring the flyer below to have 20% of your purchase donated to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School.  

Student Council Food Drive - November 9-16
Student Council will be collecting non-perishable food items to donate to our three parishes for their respective outreach programs.  

This is a great opportunity for the school community to come together to make a difference for our neighbors in need during the holidays.  

Collection bins will be placed in front of the school.  Thank you for your support!
In-N-Out Family Lunch - November 16
Annual Family Lunch
Wednesday, November 16 
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
St. Francis of Assisi Playground

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School families are invited to enjoy a picnic style lunch together as the In-N-Out Burger truck visits campus to deliver meals that have been pre-ordered through the St. Francis Academic Decathlon Team.  Proceeds are used to support the team as they prepare for the annual Academic Decathlon.

DC Dining - November 2 - McDonald's
As part of the fundraising efforts for our Annual 8th Grade East Coast Study Trip, SFA offers lunch from a variety of local food vendors each Wednesday.  Next week our vendor is McDonald's.

Orders are due  8:00 am on Monday, November 1 in order to accurately tally the number of meals needed. 

DC Dining Season Pass Order Form
Scrip Schedule
The Scrip program is the only mandatory fundraising program at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. 

There is a $250 family profit obligation. The $250 scrip participation fee is added to FACTS tuition accounts at registration, and Scrip purchase profits will be applied as a credit to the participation fee. 

50% of purchase profits beyond the $250 fee will be returned to you in the form of tuition balance reductions! It's a perfect way to reduce your tuition at no cost to you!

Current Scrip Schedule:
Order By:

Receive By:
11/12

11/16
11/26

11/30
12/3

12/7
12/10

12/14
12/17

12/20
1/7

1/11
 
If you have any questions or need help getting started please feel free to contact Michelle Molendyk at  scrip@sfayl.org .
VOLUNTEER NEWS
We Love Volunteers!
Thank you to the parents and staff who volunteer to help with the Mixed Bags fundraiser Ice Cream Party last week!


We are in  need of volunteers to help at our Fall Book Fair.  Please email bookfair@sfayl.org to find out how you can help!


Check out a full list of school opportunities available on our  SignUp.com  page or visit our website for more details about volunteering.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Rosary Academy
Information Night
Please Join Us!
Thursday, October 27 6:30 pm. 
Ruffier Family 
Chloe '18

15830 Youngwood Dr.
Whittier, CA 90603

You are cordially invited to a Rosary home information night. These evenings are hosted by current Rosary families and open to prospective 6th, 7th, and 8th grade young ladies and their parents.

We hope you have an opportunity to attend and discover the invaluable academic, spiritual, and extra-curricular opportunities that Rosary Academy offers. 


If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions Department at 

Go Royals!
St. Martin de Porres
Trunk or Treat
Friday, October 28
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
St. Martin de Porres Parking Lot
 
The Ministry of Moms (M.O.M.) from St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church invite St. Francis families to join in the 5th Annual Trunk or Treat event!
 
Volunteers and donations are needed!  Please contact  mom@smdpyl.org to find out more!
 
For more details visit  www.smdpyl.org/mom.
 
Servite High School
Credo 5K
Saturday, October 29
8:00 am
St. Juliana's Church - Fullerton 
 
The  Servite Cross Country Friars  invite all students, teachers, alumni, and kids to lace up their sneakers and join us for our annual Spooktacular Credo 5k!   

This wonderful community event is an opportunity for runners and walkers to come together to support the Cross Country and Track  teams at Servite.  Mark your calendars for 
Saturday, October 29 at 8:00 am. The event will take place at St. Juliana's Church in Fullerton. Costumes are welcome!

Contact Megan Morris at   megrunfar@earthlink.net  with questions.  

Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available at   www.servitehs.org/credo5k.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School | 714-695-3700 | webmaster@sfayl.org | http://www.sfayl.org
5330 Eastside Circle
Yorba Linda, CA 92887