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Yearbooks
Caught Being Good
Shawn T.
3B
Shannon W. 2B
Andrew A. 1B
Emerson M. 2B
Important Dates
April 13 - 21

Easter Break
May 29

Memorial Day
June 16

Last Day of School
March 8, 2017

Dear St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Families,

It is our goal to create a healthy environment at school where children and families thrive.  One way I monitor our environment is to find time every day to Interact with students and teachers.  This allows me to keep a finger on the pulse of the school and it is one of the most enjoyable things I do.  Recently, I had the opportunity to observe students participate in special activities outside the classroom.  The experience was rewarding for the students because it is fun to work with classmates and represent their school in a competition and they tried something outside their comfort zone.

On Tuesday, we held our winter sports award ceremony. Over sixty 5th - 8th grade student athletes were recognized for their participation on one of five basketball teams.  All of the teams had successful seasons and finished at or near the top in league competition. The value of playing a team sport is not measured by the team's win-loss record, but by the lessons learned about the game, about team play, and about themselves.  All of our student athletes had to adapt to challenges such as winning and losing, playing or sitting on the bench, and dealing with teammates, coaches, and referees with whom they disagreed.  They also learned how to perform under pressure, overcome mistakes and calls that did not go their way, take criticism, make sacrifices, work together as a team, persevere through challenges, and display good sportsmanship. These lessons create a great foundation for situations they will encounter in life. Congratulations to our student athletes and thank you to the coaches and parents who supported our teams.

Basketball coaches:  Mr. Angcaco, Mr. Condol, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Freeman, Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. Hester,  Mr. Kiely, Mr. Warye, Mr. Waszak, Mrs. Wright.

On Saturday, our Academic Decathlon Team participated in the annual Diocesan Academic Decathlon team competition at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Making its 18th consecutive appearance, St. Francis' Decathlon Team was one of 17 Diocesan schools who took part in the daylong event for middle school students that tested knowledge in eight subject areas: Religion, Current Events, English, Fine Arts, Literature, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, a logic quiz with rigorous thinking problems that included anagrams, cryptograms, Sudoku and more, and a Super Quiz on five academic themes - Fine Arts, Literature, Religion, Science, and Social Studies.

Our decathletes and their coaches have been preparing for the competition since October, reading content materials, practicing, and reviewing study guides while staying current with school work.  Spending a minimum of 3-5 hours per week, they met before school and after school, at lunch, and on weekends. Parents were instrumental in coaching the team by quizzing their decathletes at home. Their hard work led to a strong performance in all event categories.  Four students earned subject area medals with two additional students scoring just out of medal contention in 5th and 6th place. The team placed sixth in the Logic Quiz, considered the most difficult event of the competition.  The highlight of the day was the Super Quiz competition in which all schools answer multiple choice questions on a variety of specialized subjects. A running score is kept making it exciting for the spectators.  Our Super Quiz team answered 40 out of 50 questions correctly, capturing 6th place in this intensely competitive event.  Today I received awesome news about the final team results - St. Francis finished 5th place in the team competition, the best team finish in school history!  Our decathletes, their coaches, and families deserve HUGE congratulations on this fantastic accomplishment!

Decathletes:
Michael C.
Literature,
Logic, Super Quiz
3rd Place Literature
Ciara C.
Writing

Maya D.
Logic, Super Quiz

Gabby D.
Fine Arts, 
Logic, Super Quiz
3rd Place Fine Arts
Mia F.
English,
Logic, Super Quiz

Ryan H.
Current Events, 
Logic, Super Quiz

Joey L.
Math,
Logic, Super Quiz

Jake M.
Science,
Logic, Super Quiz
4th Place Science
Connor M.
Social Studies,
Logic, Super Quiz

Andrew N.
Logic, Super Quiz

Ashley N.
Religion,
Logic, Super Quiz
1st Place Religion

Coaches:
Head Coach: Mrs. Mills
Logic Coach: Mrs. Nguyen (parent)
Subject Coaches: Mrs. Cooper

Mrs. Lodin

Mr. McKay

Mrs. Mills

Mrs. Pigott

Mr. Waszak

Mrs. Watanabe
Super Quiz Coaches: Mrs. Coad

Mrs. Cooper

Ms. Gillespie

Mrs. Lambert

Dr. Maricich (grandparent)

Congratulations to our student decathletes who took a risk to explore and expand their God-given talents and thank you to the teachers, administrators, and parents who support our students on their journey of discovery.

Tom Waszak
Principal
SCHOOL NEWS
2017/2018 Intent to Return
Kindergarten - 7th Grade

If you have not turned in your Intent to Return Forms, please do so as soon as possible!
 
2017/2018 Tuition and Fees will be announced on Thursday, March 30, at the General Parent Meeting.  Registration information will be distributed to all Preschool-7th Grade families at the end of March.  Online registration will be available from March 31 until April 10. Registration and class fees will be due either April 10 if paid by cash or check or April 25 if paid through FACTS.

Thank you,
Tammy Clarida
Director of Admissions
Kindergarten Readiness Screenings
Kindergarten Readiness Screening as well as other important dates are listed below and are held in the Fr. Seamus Glynn Center:
 
Thursday, March 9 at 7:00 pm
Post Screening Results Meeting
 
Thursday, May 18 at 6:30 pm
Kindergarten Orientation
Volunteer Hours Reminder
All volunteer hours for the 2016-17 school year must be entered into Sycamore by  March 31, 2017.  Each family has a 20 hour commitment.  Any unfulfilled hours will be billed to your FACTS account in April at the rate of $12.50 per hour.
Thank You Catholic Identity Ministry!
Thank you to the Catholic Identity Committee for hosting a warm and welcoming Family Lent Event last week.  The evening included a delicious dinner, a beautiful wooden cross for each family in attendance, an interactive, faith-based activity, lots of love, and time focused on a closer relationship with Christ.  A tremendous amount of time and energy was put in to making the gathering special.
WOLF NEWS - Student Report
What Lent is Really About
By: Mia F.


Have you ever really thought about what Lent is really about? Maybe you've always thought of it as that forty-day period where you have to give up soda or chocolate. Maybe all you've really ever payed attention to is the giving up part, and when you get to eat candy or drink soda again. But in reality, Lent isn't just about giving up your favorite food for forty days, nor is it about the candy you get to wake up to on Easter Sunday. Lent is about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us and what we can do to show our love for him and everything he's done for us. Giving up candy or soda is a good thing to give up, but it's good to not do so every year and try to give up something new this Lent.

There are a few things you can give up for Lent that are examples of sacrifices to make to live a more faithful live this Lent and make your relationship with the Lord stronger. One thing you can do is give up electronic devices or TV for Lent. Giving up these things gives you more time to focus on growing closer to God throughout Lent and can also develop better habits after Lent is over.

Even if it's not giving up an object in particular, there are other things that you can do in Lent to show thankfulness and love towards Jesus. For example, you could devote yourself to praying for five or ten minutes every night through all of Lent. This not only strengthens your relationship with God during this time, but also turns into a daily habit that you can keep doing even after Lent. Another way you can show your love for God during Lent is to donate a portion of money or clothes every week or even just a few times this Lent to the poor and those who do not have necessities they need. You could create care packages, help raise money, and donate some things you have that you don't need. This strengthens your relationship with God because it helps you learn about sacrifice and makes you feel good about doing the right thing and want to do these things more.

Lent is a time to grow closer to God and prepare for Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday. Through giving up certain objects or habits for Lent, or even devoting yourselves to something throughout all of Lent, you can better prepare yourselves for Jesus' coming and strengthen your relationship with God for the years to come. It is important to make sure that the sacrifice you make during Lent is meaningful and will help you become closer with Jesus. This Lent, try to think about how you can show God your thanks and develop a firm relationship with the Lord in whatever way you can.
LITTLE LAMBS NEWS
Kindergarten Readiness Screening Results Parent meeting is this Thursday March 9, at 7:00 pm in the Seamus Center.
SPORTS NEWS
Track and Field
The annual PAL Track Meet is coming up soon in May. If you child is interested in participating in Track this Spring, please take a moment to complete a short survey to help us determine how many coaches will be needed and which events we will compete in.  

You will need to fill out a survey for each child in your family who wishes to be a part of the #SFAYL Track team. 

Please contact Coach Blake at  bwarye@sfayl.org if you are interested in coaching this season.   
Coffee Containers Needed!
Mrs. Nieto is in need of large plastic coffee containers with handles for upcoming P.E. activities.  If you have empty containers, please drop them off at the front office.  

Thank you!
FUNDRAISING NEWS
DC Dining - March 15
Wise Guys
As part of the fundraising efforts for our Annual 8th Grade East Coast Study Trip, St. Francis offers lunch from a variety of local food vendors each Wednesday. Next week our vendor is Wise Guys.

Orders are due  8:00 am on Monday, March 13 in order to accurately tally the number of meals needed. 

Thank you for your support!

See's Candy Sales
March 7 - 22
Are you looking for that special Easter candy to fill your Easter baskets or give as gifts this year? Look no further!  Order See's Candies through St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School and help our 7th grade class (Class of 2018) begin earning funds towards their East Coast Study Trip next year! 
 
All candy orders should be submitted to the office by  Wednesday, March 22 to be received in time for Easter Break.  Tables will be set up at dismissal each Tuesday and Thursday beginning  Tuesday, March 7 through Tuesday, March 21 to answer questions and help with orders.
 
VOLUNTEER NEWS
We Love Volunteers!
We are still in need of carline volunteers in the morning.  We need help on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and most especially Thursdays

Please contact Karen Carlos at 
karenccarlos@yahoo.com 
if you would like to help.  Thank you!

Check out a full list of school opportunities available on our SignUp.com page or visit our website for more details about volunteering.
Chairpersons Needed!
Carline Crew
 
Karen Carlos has been the head of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Carline Crew for nearly 15 years now.  With the graduation of her youngest son, Christopher, in June, Karen will be retiring her parking lot wave.  We will need a new Chairperson to fill her shoes for the 2017-2018 school year (and beyond). Ideally this new Chair would have the opportunity to shadow Karen as she carries out her role for the remainder of the school year.  

Please contact Karen Carlos at karenccarlos@yahoo.com if you are interested in learning more about becoming the St. Francis Carline Chairperson.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Diocese of Orange
Subscription Drive - OC Register / OC Catholic

In an effort to support the critical mission of our schools to educate and form young Catholics - the Orange County Catholic newspaper is launching a special subscription program in honor of Catholic Schools Week, January 29 - February 4, 2017.  This program will enable individual students or classes to raise needed funds for their Catholic school and enable highly engaged schools to generate significant in-kind advertising support on Catholic radio, in the OC Catholic newspaper, and on the OC Catholic website and mobile application network.  The monies generated will support the educational ministry of your school.  

Order forms will be sent home in Thursday Folders this week and additional forms are available in the front office.  If you would like to subscribe online, simply click here.

DETAILS:
  • For every one year subscription
    (52 weeks/Sunday only)
    $5.00 will be contributed to your school
  • Subscriptions will cost the subscriber
    $1.00 for the year (52 weeks/Sunday only)
Attention all 7th Grade Boys!
Servite Pre High School Placement Test
The "Pre-HSPT" is designed to benefit 7th grade students by allowing them to practice a scaled version of the Entrance Exam prior to the official admissions process in January, 2018. It is especially valuable in identifying areas that may need some work. Depending on results and interest, Servite may follow-up the Pre-HSPT with enrichment offerings during the summer in order to assist students in preparing for the rigors of high school coursework.

We will be administering Scholastic Testing Service's PHSPT on  Saturday, April 29, from 8:00 am. - 12:00 pm and results will be distributed and explained at our HSPT Information Night on  Tuesday, May 16, at 7:00 pm in the Servite Theater.

A fee of $25 covers the cost of test administration, scoring, and a snack on the day of the exam.   Click HERE to register.   (Please note that results are not used for admissions purposes for the 2018-2019 school year.)
Upcoming Events at Mater Dei High School

Mater Dei High School Admissions
Entrance Exam:

Monday, March 13, 2017, 4:00 pm - 7:45 pm 
(Mater Dei applicants only - registration required).
Saturday, March 18, 2017, 7:45 am - 11:30 am

More information available at  Materdei.org/entranceexam.

Admissions applications f or 2017-2018 school year are available now at www.Materdei.org/admissions .

Athletic Camps
Sign up for Youth and High School Camps
Register online at www.Materdei.org/camps.

More camps will be added in Spring.

Performing Arts Camps
The Mater Dei Academy invites you to be a part of the band!  This program is open to any student learning an instrument in grades 5-8 and of all levels of ability. Students are given the opportunity to participate in a number of performances with the great Mater Dei Band! The Academy is Mondays and Thursdays, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Mater Dei Band Room.  For more information, please contact Associate Director, Taylor Smith at tsmith@materdei.org.

Save the Date!  The Mater Dei Junior High Honor Choir will be performing on Thursday, March 17, 2017 from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at Segerstrom Hall.  For more information on the Junior High Honor Choir and for rehearsals visit materdei.org/performingarts.
Upcoming Activities at Servite High School

Weight Training at Santa Margarita High School


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