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In This Issue
Quick Links
Important Dates
2017 - 2018 
School Year
Nov. 16 - 17
Parent - Teacher Conference
Days
Nov.
20 - 24


Thanks-giving Break
Dec.  25
- Jan. 5
Christma
Break
Jan. 12
No School - Teacher In-service
Jan. 15 MLK Holiday
Feb. 19
Presidents 
Day 
March 10 Auction Gala
March 29 - April 6
Easter Break
May 28 Memorial Day
June 15 Last Day of School
Caught Being Good!

Kelsey G. 8A
Lilianna S. 2B
Nicholas F. 2B
Julius E. 1B
Kate M. 1B
November 1, 2017

Dear St. Francis of Assisi Parents and Guardians,

Our journey toward re-accreditation reaches a milestone next week as the WCEA/WASC accreditation team visits St. Francis of Assisi School on November 7, 8, and 9.   
 
The purpose of accreditation is to support an ongoing cycle of quality whereby schools demonstrate the capacity, commitment, and competence to support high quality student learning and ongoing school improvement.  The accreditation process assists schools to continually strive for excellence through the  ongoing self-evaluation of programs.  The action plan created , as a result of the accreditation process , is part of our annual goals and impacts student learning in the classroom. Despite the continual self evaluative nature of our school culture, things ramp in preparation for the accreditation process.  Every six years, the school community conducts an in-depth  self-study and hosts a three day visit by an accreditation team composed of educators who are trained evaluators from other schools with educational expertise.  Next week, we will welcome our Visiting Committee for the three-day visit portion of our accreditation process.  During their time at St. Francis of Assisi, the Visiting Committee will validate who we are as a school community.

The journey of the accreditation process started over one year ago for our faculty and staff.  The self-study process, led by Mrs. Kwan, Mrs. Coad, Mrs. Montelli, and Mrs. Watanabe, included hours of evaluation of our programs and analysis of survey data.  During this process, we have identified our strengths and areas to focus on for professional development and resources over the next few years. During their visit, the committee will see that our students are quickly becoming faith-filled Catholics, responsible citizens, active life-long learners, and confident communicators.  The mission and philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi School as a caring community dedicated to developing each student to reach his/her potential spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.

Throughout their stay at St. Francis School, the Visiting Committee will visit classes and meet with students and our pastors. On Tuesday evening, they will meet with parents from the Parent Advisory Board, and sub-committees. Wednesday and Thursday they continue with visits as they write their report. The Visiting Committee will present their report to faculty and staff on Thursday afternoon. You can read more about the Accreditation Process by following the Link to Western Catholic Accreditation Association (WCEA) http://www.westwcea.org .

The accreditation process supports our commitment to ongoing improvement and yields useful outcomes that include implementation of an action plan for the next six years.  I am grateful for the opportunity to engage in this reflective process.  It's been a lot of work, but it will bring about growth and positive change while validating the great work being done at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School!

Tom Waszak
Principal 
SCHOOL NEWS
Notice of School Calendar Change!
Instructional School Day
Friday, November 3 (noon dismissal)
 
Non-Instructional Faculty In-service Day
Friday, January 12 (student free day)
Fall Fundraiser Survey
Thank you for supporting St. Francis of Assisi's fall fundraising efforts - the Cookie Dough / Yankee Candle Drive and Fall Fest.  Both activities were very successful thanks to your generous support.  All funds raised from the proceeds of these activities support our students. 

We would like to evaluate the effectiveness of our fundraising efforts so we would appreciate your feedback to help plan activities that are appealing to our school community.  Please click here and complete a brief Fall Fundraiser Survey by Thursday, November 2.  Thank you for your support!
Veteran's Day Prayer Service
November 10
U.S. Service Veterans and those currently serving our great Country are invited to attend Community Prayer on Friday, November 10 at 8:05 am in the St. Francis courtyard.
 
This invitation is open to family members including parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. We will pray over our guests in thanksgiving for their service.  Please send in the name and branch of service of each veteran planning to attend to Allison Clewett by Wednesday, November 8. 
 
All students, faculty and staff are also invited to bring a photo to Community Prayer of someone in their family (living or passed) that serves or has served in the military.
 
Red, white, and blue uniform add-ons (hair bows, belts, socks, etc.) will be allowed on this day.
Extended Day Care During Parent - Teacher Conferences
Please be advised that on Parent - Teacher Conference days, Thursday, November 16 and Friday, November 17, Extended Day Care will be available 7:00 am - 6:00 pm.  

Check-in and check-out will be in the Extended Day Care room for these two days only! 

We will be providing lunch for the children for a fee of $5.00, on both Thursday and Friday.

Please contact Mrs. Dean with any questions or concerns.
DC Kidsitting During Parent - Teacher Conferences
Students from grades K - 7 may drop-in for kidsitting in the Seamus Glynn Center during conferences for a donation to our East Coast Study Trip.  Parents and 8th grade students will entertain your students so you can enjoy your conference kid-free!  

Hours for kidsitting are:
Thursday, November 16:
7:10 am - 3:40 pm

Friday, November 17:
7:10am - 2:00 pm

Family Advent Event
December 7
Please save the date for our annual Family Advent Event hosted by the Catholic Identity Ministry on Thursday, December 7, 2017.

More details to follow in next week's Thursday Folder!

Holy Family Pilgrim Statue
During this morning's Mass it was announced that St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in conjunction with our Catholic Identity Ministry has initiated a new pilgrim statue that will journey home with a family in week-long increments.

Each Friday at our Community Prayer Service, a new family will take home the Holy Family statue, along with a book of reflections and a journal to guide your family in discussions about the Holy Family and the role of each person in your family. It is our hope that these discussions bring your family a greater understanding of the importance of the Holy Family and your family unit as well.
 
To sign up for a week with the Holy Family Statue please click on the link below.

Order Your Yearbook Today!
Online ordering of 2017 - 2018 Yearbooks is now open!  The cost if ordered today is $40.00

The price goes up to $45.00 on November 19

The final date to personalize yearbooks is January 31, 2018. The final date to order yearbooks online is May 15, 2018.

Click here to place your order!
LITTLE LAMBS NEWS
Pre-K early dismissal this Friday, November 3 is 11:30 am - 11:50 am.
 
Brown Day is  Monday, November 6.  Please have your students wear brown.
Parent - Teacher Conferences November 16-17
There is no school on Thursday, November 16 and Friday, November 17 for Parent-Teacher Conferences. If your child is registered for extended care, please email Mrs. Martinson so she can send you a confirmation form for parent conference days.
SPORTS NEWS
Basketball at SFA
If your son or daughter is interested in playing basketball for SFA and didn't sign up in PE class, please contact Coach Blake.
FUNDRAISING NEWS
Angel Bin Shoe Fundraiser
November 1 - 15
Our second collection period for our Angel Bin Shoe Drive began today, Wednesday, November 1 and runs through Wednesday, November 15.  Please place all donated shoes in buns located by the entrance gates.  Our final collection window will be Monday, January 15 - Wednesday, January 31.  All shoes are accepted in pairs.

Student Council Food Drive
November 6 - 15
The annual Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive benefits our three parishes (Santa Clara de ASisi, St. Martin de Porres, and San Antonio de Padua).

Students are asked to bring the following:

Pre-K canned vegetables
Kindergarten boxes of jello
First Grade rice
Second Grade boxed potatoes
Third Grade Top Ramen and macaroni and cheese
Fourth Grade canned pumpkin and canned apples
Fifth Grade canned and packaged soups
Sixth Grade packaged pasta and sauces
Seventh Grade canned gravy and cranberry sauce
Eighth Grade packaged stuffing

Thank you for your support!
In-N-Out Family Lunch
Tuesday, November 14
Our annual In-N-Out Family Lunch Fundraiser benefitting the Academic Decathlon Team is just around the corner.  Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 14 and then print and submit your orders as soon as possible!



Volunteers Needed for Santa's Secret Shop
November 27 - 30
Calling all elves!  Volunteers needed at our Christmas Shop!
 
St. Francis students will be participating in Santa's Secret Shop the week after Thanksgiving with set-up on Monday, November 27 and shopping days  Tuesday, November 28 - Thursday, November 30.   This year the Shop will be open after school on November 28 and 29 until  3:30 pm.  
 
Santa's Secret shop is wonderful opportunity for students to experience the joy of choosing their own Christmas presents for family and friends.  The cost of items range from .50 to $20.00.  All proceeds go directly back to our Pre-K program at St. Francis.  In past years funds from the event were used to purchase a new sandbox and ball toss for the playground.  
 
If you are able to donate your time, please access the link below to sign up for one or more shifts that would fit your schedule.
 
 
If you have any questions please let me know and thank you in advance for volunteering your time.

Thank you,
Lindsey Campbell
Santa's Secret Shop Co-Chair
DC Dining
Trimester 1
Below is an order form for DC Dining for Trimester 1 at St. Francis.  You may fill out the entire form at once, or print and order on a weekly basis.  If you are ordering weekly, please be sure to turn the form and payment in to the office by Monday of the week you are ordering a meal.  Next week we are serving Subway.

VOLUNTEER NEWS
Join the Development Committee!


Are you interested in being a voice on our campus for Fundraising activities?  The Development Committee is looking to add a few more parent volunteers to our team.  

We're flexible with time commitments.  We meet one day a month right after drop off from 8:00 am - 9:30 am

Please consider volunteering to this important committee.  The funds raised during these events support our children's Catholic Education.

Please reach out to Tawna Khamo for additional questions or to join.  [email protected]
COMMUNITY NEWS
Santa Clara de Asis - Children's Faith Formation
Volunteers Needed!
JSerra High School Upcoming Events

11/12  - Athletic Open House
Shadow Days- ongoing

For more information please click 
Santa Margarita Catholic High School Upcoming Events
Servite High School - Upcoming Events

1. Athletics Open House
Monday, November 13, 2017
Starts at  6:30 pm in the gym



2. Discover Servite Open House
Sunday, December 3, 2017
From  12:00 pm - 4:00 pm



3. Yorba Linda Admissions In-Home Information Night
Tuesday, November 14 
From 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. 

Prospective students and their parents are invited to spend an informative evening learning more about Servite High School through one of our information nights. Meet current students, parents, faculty and administrators in the comfort of a Servite family's home. While you get to know the Servite community, your son will have the chance to spend time with current students. Hosted by Sprenger, Arrington, and Mercado families in Yorba Linda on Tuesday, November 14 from 6:30 pm -8:30 pm. Click here to RSVP


4.   Shadow Days  

For students interested in experiencing Servite first-hand, a Shadow Day can be arranged. This gives them a glimpse of "a day in the life of a Friar." They do this by attending classes, exploring our campus, and spending break and lunch with their host. A brief presentation and campus tour is also offered for interested parents once the Shadow students head to their first class around 9:00 am. You may sign up by completing an inquiry form HERE .

5.  Application Process 

Servite High School is accepting applications for the Fall of 2018. You may find details regarding the Application process by clicking HERE .
Cornelia Connelly School Open House
Sunday, November 19
Mater Dei High School Visit Day
Tuesday, November 7
Mater Dei Admissions Information
Admissions Applications
Available now at  www.materdei.org/admissions
 
7th and 8th Grade Visit Day -  November 7
Come as an individual attendee or with your school
*Students who come as an individual attendee must have an adult chaperone with them
 
Family Campus Tours - Year-Round

Shadow Program - September - May
Visit  www.materdei.org/shadowprogram
Rosary Academy Open House
November 12
St. Lucy's Christmas Boutique
November 5, 2017



St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School | 714-695-3700 | [email protected] | http://www.sfayl.org
5330 Eastside Circle
Yorba Linda, CA 92887