|
2017 - 2018
School Year
|
Sept.
4
|
Labor Day
Holiday |
| Oct. 6 |
Fall Fest |
|
Nov.
20 - 24
|
Thanks-giving Break |
|
Dec.
25
- Jan. 5
|
Christma
s
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 |
|
|
|
 |
August 30, 2017
Dear St. Francis of Assisi Parents and Guardians,
The 2017-2018 school year has officially started! Last Thursday, the Spirit Committee hosted a wine and cheese social during which new parents met mentor parents, faculty, and staff on a pleasant summer evening in our courtyard. On Friday, the faculty and administration attended the Back to School Convocation with their elementary, middle, and high school colleagues from throughout the Diocese of Orange and on Saturday, teachers put final touches on their classrooms in preparation for the opening of school. The first day of school was filled with an energy different from any other day, as students and parents made the annual trek with wagons and backpacks filled with school supplies. After delivering children to the classrooms, parents gathered in the Glynn Center to reconnect with friends and meet new families. Mass, celebrated by Fr. Fred, was the highlight of the day. It was a great day to be at St. Francis of Assisi School!
I would like to welcome everyone to the new school year, and especially our new students and their families. Eighty new students in preschool through 8th grade and thirty-eight families are new to the St. Francis school community. They are joining an amazing, fun, family-friendly, faith-filled community made up of parents and educators who partner to create a safe, nurturing, and academically stimulating environment for our kids. I had a chance to personally greet our new families and, based on first impressions, they are a welcome addition to our school community.
From gathering school supplies to reviewing school policies, I know you have spent time preparing your students for the first day of school and for a successful school year. This is a great opportunity for parents to talk to their children about their hopes for the school year and set goals for their educational journey, this year and beyond. Here are some tips to ready your children for an excellent school year.
-
For young students, find ways for your children to feel comfortable leaving you. Students are expected to line up with their class and walk to class without parent help by the second week of school. Develop a daily ritual. Most students learn to say good-bye quickly, whereas others experience anxiety going off on their own. Talk with your children about their worries. Calm their fears by explaining that everyone is starting in a new classroom. Make sure your facial expressions, tone, and words communicate confidence in their ability to overcome any challenge they may face. Adjusting to new surroundings and making new friends is an important part of their growth.
-
Help your children learn how to express their needs and feelings. Explain to them the importance of asking questions when they are unsure about something or when they are experiencing difficulty with their school work or with peers. Responding to difficult and uncomfortable situations will help them learn how to be an advocate for themselves.
-
For older students, discuss the importance of managing their time, developing positive peer relations, and setting goals. During the early adolescent years, parents and families can greatly influence the growth and development of their children. These are fascinating, confusing, and wonderful years. It is critical to partner with your child's teachers and their friends parents. As students advance, they must take ownership of their schedule, academic progress, and peer relations as they learn to balance school work with activities and family needs.
Working together, we can navigate the twists and turns, ups and downs of a new school year. Thank you for all you've done to prepare your students for the opening of school. Your support and cooperation contributed to a very smooth start.
These are special moments with your kids, enjoy them! Wishing you a blessed school year filled with rich, meaningful experiences and great memories.
Tom Waszak
Principal
|
Employment Opportunities for 2017-2018
|
Extended Care Aide
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is seeking Extended Day Care Aides, for both our morning and afternoon programs.
This is a part-time position.
Monday through Friday
7:00 am - 8:00 am and 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
Hours will vary - (Minimum Days 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm)
Please submit references and resume to:
|
As part of our fundraising efforts for the Annual 8th Grade East Coast Study Trip, a variety of food vendors offer fun lunch options for only $5.00 each Wednesday. Parent volunteers collect and tally orders at the start of each week, arrange for pick-up or delivery of meals, and handle distribution from the kitchen during lunch period.
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.
|
Save the Date for Fall Fest 2017!
Friday, October 6 |
Francis' Fury Friends - Pet Supply Drive
October 2 - 6, 2017 |
As part of their annual Christian Service Project, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School fifth graders will be collecting pet food, toys, and gently used blankets and towels during
the first week of October to donate to OC Animal Care, Orange County's open admission animal shelter. The organization strives to save the lives of all healthy, treatable, and manageable dogs and cats in the community by hosting monthly adoption events, recruiting volunteer foster caretakers, and partnering with local non-profits and rescue groups. St. Francis students hope to improve the lives of the animals cared for at the shelter and allow more animals a chance to be adopted.
The project coincides with St. Francis' annual Blessing of the Animals event held each year on
October 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment, and our school's namesake.
Donations to Francis' Furry Friends can be dropped off at school
October 2 - 6, 2017.
|
|
| Volunteer Opportunities for 2017 - 2018! |
Fall Fundraisers are approaching quickly and we need your help!
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 (Mrs. Field's Cookie Dough and Yankee Candle sales) and Fall Fest volunteers.
Want to make an immediate and lasting impact here at SFA?
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!
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.
Please contact Admissions Director, Tammy Clarida with any questions regarding volunteer opportunities.
|
On-site Volunteer Fingerprinting
September 20 |
Save the date! St. Francis will be offering on-site fingerprinting for our volunteers on September 20, 2017 from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm in the new Innovation Center (Library). More information and will be coming soon.
|
| 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.
|
| 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/
|
| Volunteer at the San Antonio Fiesta! |
San Antonio Fiesta
Pre-sale Tickets |
Download the form below and return it with payment to the school office by Wednesday, September 13 to take advantage of special early bird pricing on ride tickets for
San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church's Annual Fiesta set for September 15 - 17, 2017.
Tickets will NOT be delivered to St. Francis. All tickets MUST BE picked up at the will-call table, located in the Hospitality Booth at San Antonio Church no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, September 15, 2017. ID is required for pickup.
|
| 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.
|
Our Lady of Fatima Presentation at St. Martin's
September 11, 2017 |
Would you like to know more about Our Lady of Fatima?
Join Fr. Sy on
Monday, September 11, 2017 at 7:15 pm at St. Martin De Porres' Parish Hall.
|
| Us In The Son Christmas Concert 2017 |
Help bring the spirit of Us In The Son to the holiday season and stay in touch with your friends, volunteers, and counselors this winter by signing up to participate in a special Christmas recital at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.
|
JSerra is excited to announce our upcoming home football game on Friday, September 1! Tickets are free for prospective students. We will have games, food, giveaways, and more. The tailgate starts at 5:00 pm and kick-off is at 7:00 pm. We can't wait to see you on our campus! Go Lions! Visit our website at: http://www.jserra.org/athletics
|
|
|
