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In This Issue
Quick Links
Camp Wolfpack
Caught Being Good
Abigail A. 1B
Kaylena N. 5B
Sofia L. 1B
Luke V. 2B
Important Dates
2016 - 2017
School Year
June 16

Last Day of School
2017 - 2018 
School Year
August
 28


First Day of School
Sept.  4

Labor Day
Holiday
Oct. 6 Fall Fest
Nov.
20 - 24


Thanks-giving Break
Dec.  25

 - Jan. 5
Christma
Break
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


June 14, 2017

Dear St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Families,

Last Thursday I had the honor of celebrating the work of the Parent Advisory Board with members of the Board and committee chairs.  The Advisory Board oversees strategic initiatives and collaborates with committee chairs to implement tactical goals throughout the school year.  These committees directly impact major school functions such as fundraisers, marketing, enrollment, budgeting, and technology, while promoting school spirit and preserving our Catholic identity.  The significance of their work on school operations and school culture cannot be overstated and the leadership provided by the PAB and the standing committees are critical to the school's overall success.  

2016//2017 
Parent Advisory Board
2016/2017 PAB
Committee Chairs
Katie Ward - Chair
Catholic Identity -
Kirsten King

Greg Watanabe
School Spirit -
Michelle Leo/
Teresa Bass

Nick Sheremetta
Enrollment -
Tammy Clarida

Bob Hamra
Marketing -
Allison Clewett/
Mark Maricich

Richard Pintang
Development - 
Tawna Khamo

Lisa Alonso
Finance - 
Robert Pechkis

Jenn Bush
Technology - 
Bill Lodin

Ann Cooper -
Faculty Liaison
Volunteer - 
Tracy Foye

I would also like to thank Karen Carlos and Michelle Molendyk for their extraordinary contributions in support of student safety and school fundraising.  Karen coordinates the team of parent volunteers who facilitate morning drop-off and Michelle coordinates the SCRIP fundraising program that generated over $70,000 in 2016/2017.  These activities are critical to student safety and to the school's fiscal health.  Special thanks to Karen who has been working the carline for 14 years. Her third son, Christopher, graduated last week so she has officially retired from SFA carline!
 
These parents are wonderful examples of generosity - giving their time and talent to care for the needs of the entire school.  In particular, I would like to recognize Greg Watanabe and Nick Sheremetta who are finishing their term as members of the PAB.  Greg and Nick have served four years on the PAB, providing valuable input on school operations, school safety, and strategic planning, as well as generously supporting school projects and activities.  They are great examples of commitment and service to the St. Francis of Assisi School community.
 
It is difficult to express in words the depth of my appreciation for parents who serve our school so generously by selflessly contributing their time, talent, and resources to provide critical support for school projects, activities, and initiatives.  Their work contributed to a great school year and they build the foundation upon which our school thrives and moves forward.
 
Thank you to all parent/grandparent volunteers.  It is a privilege to work with you.  I greatly appreciate your support!  

Tom Waszak
Principal
SCHOOL NEWS
Staffing Update
I have mixed blessings to share with the St. Francis School community.  Barbara Plaisted has decided to move to Texas. She has accepted a teaching position in the Diocese of Fort Worth.  Barbara has taught at St. Francis School for 10 years, six in fourth grade and the last four years in 2nd grade.  During those years, Barbara served as an Academic Decathlon coach, directed fourth grade plays, assisted with staff retreats, coordinated May Crowning, and helped prepare second grade students to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.  Barbara has contemplated moving to Texas where she has family and decided the time was right. 
 
I describe this as a "mixed blessing" because I am happy for our staff who are making positive life changes that include advanced education, marriage, retirement, and pursuing new career options, but, on the other hand, I hate losing staff who have made valuable contributions to the school community.  These are positive changes in the lives of our teachers and I will honor their contributions to St.Francis School by building on the legacy of excellence they helped to shape. I am happy to report that we have interviewed several great candidates who will build upon our past successes.  I am very excited and confident about our future with the new teachers who will join us in the fall. Change brings challenges, but it also provides an opportunity to grow and be intentional about planning for the future. I will inform the school community about new teachers and staffing changes as soon as the process is complete.  Look for an announcement within the next two weeks.


Tom Waszak
Principal
Camp Wolfpack



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

Vicki Marsha Early Bird Uniform Sales
June 10 - 30

SPORTS NEWS
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.
FUNDRAISING NEWS
Summer Scrip Schedule

Order By:
Receive On:
June 24, 2017 June 28, 2017
July 15, 2017 July 19, 2017
August 5, 2017 August 9, 2017
August 26, 2017 August 30, 2017

VOLUNTEER NEWS
Mentor Families Needed!
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 (lisabryson@live.com) or Lisa Fowler (farinabean@msn.com).
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.
It's Carline Recruitment Time!
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 susanandmikekats@sbcglobal.net.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Corpus Christi Procession at St. Martin de Porres
June 18
St. Martin's will be holding its second annual Corpus Christi Procession following the 12:15 pm Mass on Sunday, June 18.  All St. Francis students and families are invited to participate.  Please wear school uniforms, spirit wear, or any other top with a St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School logo.  Second graders who just received their first communion can wear their dresses or suits to process between the corpus and the priests.  All the ministries at St. Martin's will be represented.  St. Francis will have its own banner.  

The  procession takes about an hour.  There will be water stations throughout the  procession in case it's really hot.  The  procession starts at the main entrance of the church, goes along Yorba Linda Blvd., up through the parking lot, and back down Fairmont Blvd. with four stops for adoration.  The whole event takes about an hour.  Afterwards, there will be a pot luck luncheon.   Family, friends and parents are invited to attend and participate. 

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 weretotallylost@yahoo.com by June 30.
Servite Summer Program
Click here to learn more and register.


Mater Dei Summer Program and
Admissions Information
Summer Camps
Robotics, Performing Arts, Athletics
Register Online!
 
Summer School
Incoming Freshmen can sign up today!


Rosary Academy Summer Programs
Five different Summer programs have something for every age!  Click here to learn more and register.


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