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2017 - 2018
School Year
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August
28
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First Day of School |
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Sept.
4
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Labor Day
Holiday |
| Oct. 6 |
Fall Fest |
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Nov.
20 - 24
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Thanks-giving Break |
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Dec.
25
- Jan. 5
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Christma
s
Break
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| Jan. 15 |
MLK Holiday |
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Feb. 19
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Presidents
Day
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| March 10 |
Auction Gala |
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March 29 - April 6
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Easter Break |
| May 28 |
Memorial Day |
| June 15 |
Last Day of School |
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June 21, 2017
Dear St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Families,
My plan was to use this newsletter message to share highlights about the close of the school year, but I will put that off until next week because I am inspired by Father's Day to talk about the lasting impact my father had on me. I hope to honor all of our fathers and to shed light on my leadership style and how I interact with your children. My father passed over 30 years ago so I did not have the benefit of his guidance as an adult, but he influences everything I do, every day.
My parents were children of immigrants from Poland and Germany who came to the United States in the late 1920's/early 1930's to leave the economic instability and political uncertainty of Europe to build a new future. Unfortunately, they arrived during a time of economic crisis in the United States, but they found a foothold in the large Polish and German enclaves of Chicago. Similar to all immigrants who take risks for a better future, they had to overcome great obstacles. My parents were formed by immigrant parents who survived the transition to a new country and culture, the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, and war. As you would expect, my parents were impacted by these experiences which influenced how I was raised.
My father was a great listener but he had little patience for excuses.
He had c
lear expectations for behavior, attitude, and productivity that were communicated in a loving and supportive manner. Praise was given for accomplishing something, not for showing up. Mistakes and failures were viewed as opportunities for growth that lead to teachable moments, reinforcing something we did right, improving something we did OK, and correcting something we did not do well. His mantra was, "What did you learn? How can you do this better?" He had a positive attitude and focused on the good in people. I was held accountable for my actions and never allowed to blame another for a problem even if it was not my fault. His attitude was, "Figure it out because life is going to throw you unexpected curve balls."
I am sure his parenting style is similar to others, but his personal story is what made a lasting impression on me. He was injured in the Korean Conflict, but he never blamed the lasting impact of the injuries on the health issues that persisted for the remainder of his life. He wanted more than the factory job that was the normal path for his peers, so he studied engineering at night. Once he earned his AA degree, he accepted a position in the growing aerospace industry and moved his family from Chicago to Southern California. He never let me use my physical disability (congenital nystagmus) as an excuse for anything. He suffered from rheumatoid arthritis that limited his movement, and yet, he never complained or let it get in the way of being active. He instilled a strong work ethic in my brothers and me, and whether at work or play, he taught us to give our best effort.
As a result of my upbringing, I strive to honor my father by being on time, responsible, positive, energetic, empathetic, forgiving, and by demonstrating good character and by learning from mistakes and helping others do the same. My favorite "dad" lesson was to make things better as a result of my involvement. My father gave me the greatest gift anyone can give another person, he believed in me. That's a gift I try to pass forward to my children and yours.
Tom Waszak
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Camp Wolf Pack - STEM Challenge provides students entering Kindergarten through Grade 8 with opportunities for safe risk-taking, exploration, discovery, and growth in a nurturing, supportive, and inclusive school community during the summer months. Our goal is to develop minds while creating memories that last a lifetime!
Week 1: Transportation
June 26 - 30
Week 2: Space Mission
July 5 - 7
Week 3: Sports
July 10 - 14
Week 4: Robotics and Circuits
July 17 - 21
Week 5: STEM Tales
July 24 - 28
Week 6: Carnival
July 31 - August 3
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Vicki Marsha Early Bird Uniform Sales
June 10 - 30 |
Please watch the sports section of our eNewsletter and
www.sfayl.org for tryout dates for Fall sports. Most likely tryouts will take place the week of August 21.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our dining out fundraiser on May 16 at Islands Restaurant. We received a check this week for $323.81 which will benefit Tuition Assistance. Your participation in this event made a difference!
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Order By:
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Receive On:
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| June 24, 2017 |
June 28, 2017 |
| July 15, 2017 |
July 19, 2017 |
| August 5, 2017 |
August 9, 2017 |
| August 26, 2017 |
August 30, 2017 |
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We are seeking Mentor Families in ALL grades to WELCOME new families to St. Francis of Assisi for the 2017-2018 school year. You don't need to possess an in-depth knowledge of everything about our school or have all the answers, just a willingness to share the warmth of our SFA community.
What does a Mentor Family do?
- Email or phone your new SFAYL family in early August to welcome them and answer any questions they may have regarding uniforms, hot lunch program, carline, etc.
- Invite your new family and attend the New Parent Wine and Cheese Social on Thursday, August 24.
- Be available to answer questions as the school year goes on and make sure they know about upcoming events like Tricks, Treats and Tacos and Auction.
Our Mentor Families are important ambassadors to our school and truly represent the heart-and-soul of all that makes St. Francis special. We need loving, welcoming families to be part of this ministry. It's a fun and easy way to get volunteer hours credit as well. If you would like to be part of this special ministry, please visit signup.com or contact Lisa Bryson ([email protected]) or Lisa Fowler ([email protected]).
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| Volunteer Opportunities for 2017 - 2018! |
Don't delay, sign up today! The SignUp.com link for Volunteer Opportunities for the 2017 - 2018 school year is now live on the SFA website
(
under Support SFA / Volunteer)
. It includes all of the school-wide volunteer positions available for the coming school year. Get a jump start on those service hours and register today for the opportunity that works for you! When the time is right, you will be contacted by the event chairperson to schedule your shifts. Please take a moment to check it out and sign up today!
Key positions taking place early in the school year and requiring attention include: morning carline monitors, being a mentor family, Kona Ice helpers, Fall fundraiser and Fall Fest volunteers. Want to make an immediate and lasting impact here at SFA? We are looking for key people to help Chair and oversee the following essential programs: Carline, Spring and Fall Book Fair, Fall Cookie Dough and Yankee Candle Fundraiser. Have questions or want to discuss the opportunities in more detail, please reach out to Tammy Clarida for assistance.
Classroom related opportunities will become available when classes are assigned in August. Every SFA family is required to complete twenty (20) Volunteer Service Hours each year. Families log their hours in the
Sycamore Parent Portal as they are completed. Volunteer Service Hours began accumulating on
April 1 for the 2017 - 2018 school year.
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It's Carline Recruitment Time!
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Are you a morning person? (It's okay if you're not); Do you have a great wave? Would you like to see a lot of smiling faces in the morning? If you said yes to any of these questions, then come join the SFAYL Carline Crew.
We need to have our Carline Crew members in place before the end of the year. We have several outgoing 8th grade parents that need to have their spots filled. Come joining the Carline Crew -- you won't regret it!
It's only 1 day a week (unless you'd like to do more) from 7:35 am - 8:05 am. Bring your friends, make it a class challenge and have your grade work the same day. We need 40 people to fill all the spots to make the carline work most efficiently. Training is provided, and volunteering for carline will get you 10 steps closer to Heaven!!!
If you would like to help out next year, please contact our new Carline Chairperson, Susan Katsaros at
[email protected].
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| Class Representatives Needed |
As we approach the 20th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School we are expanding the scope and scale of our Alumni Association. Going forward, each graduating class will have a Chairperson. The role does not require an excessive amount of time or work. We would simply like to streamline our communication with our alumni and be sure we are providing beneficial experiences. Having a point person for each class will help us maintain a good understanding of interests and needs.
If you would like to represent your class, please contact SFAYL Communications Coordinator,
Allison Clewett.
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| Register On Our Alumni Directory |
If you have graduated from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School and would like to stay up to date on all our alumni events and activities, please take a moment to register on our Alumni Directory using the link below. If you have already registered, but your contact information has changed, please take a moment to update us.
http://www.sfayl.org/apps/directory/
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| Calling All St. Martin's Parishioners! |
We are looking for a few fun SFA families to help out St. Martin's during
Oktoberfest weekend - September 22, 23, and 24, 2017
.
We already have quite a few St. Francis families participating so you would be with family! Everyone
can be involved and help support by captaining one of our many carnival game booths.
Responsibilities include:
- Ensuring volunteers are running booths appropriately (you do not need to find your own volunteers!)
- Maintaining stock of prizes in the game booth
- Managing end of night closure
- Booth Captains do not need to actually volunteer in the booth.
For helping out, you will receive free meal tickets as well as limited ride wristbands that work for
Saturday from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm (good deal!),
and some free T-shirts.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Pete Belinsky at [email protected] by June 30.
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| Summer Guitar Classes at St. Francis |
Mr. Parke will be offering guitar and ukulele classes at St. Francis this summer. If you are interested in registering for a session (or five), please contact Mr. Parke via email at
[email protected].
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| Santa Margarita High School Summer Camps |
There's still time to register! Santa Margarita Catholic High School's nationally-recognized athletic program invites your children to participate in the Eagle experience this summer through a variety of camps!
Camps take place on the school's beautiful 42-acre campus, which offers state-of-the-art athletic facilities rivaling the nation's top universities. Under the direction of award-winning coaches, youth camps are designed for young athletes in elementary through high school who are looking to learn new skills while having fun. Visit www.smhs.org/summercamps to register.
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Click
here to learn more and register.
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Mater Dei Summer Program and
Admissions Information |
Summer Camps
Robotics, Performing Arts, Athletics
Register Online!
Summer School
Incoming Freshmen can sign up today!
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| Rosary Academy Summer Programs |
Five different Summer programs have something for every age! Click
here to learn more and register.
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