BFSA Beacon
Shining a light of hope through our students' service and activities
Student Handbook
The student handbook is now availableClick on the button below for your copy or visit the BFSA webpage.
Message from Mr. Reese
Dear Blessed Francis Seelos Academy Families,

Wow! It has been a crazy winter so far with the temperatures going up and down. Even with all of the challenges the weather and schedule changes have delivered, we have been able to accomplish so much! I am so impressed with the school community’s successes and good news highlighted in our newsletter. We are looking forward to continuing the journey with you and your children as we begin to prepare for Easter during the season of Lent. Please join us at mass or attend Stations of the Cross with your children! We will be getting those dates and times out soon. Thank you for your continued support and being part of our school family!
In the Classroom
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Catholic Schools Week began on Sunday, January 27 and was briefly interrupted by school closures for frigid, snowy weather. Photos of the many fun activities and service projects at the K-8 campus are hanging in the school.

The 4 year-old preschool classes also participated in Catholic Schools Week activities, such as"dress your best" and "crazy hat day".
CELEBRATING 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL
Monday, February 11 was the 100th day of school at the K-8 campus. The kindergarten classes dressed as if they were one hundred years old. They incorporated the number into their day by reading 100th day stories, counting to one hundred by tens and fives, completing a one hundred day fitness challenge, and writing what they would buy with one hundred dollars.
SNOWMEN
With all of the cold weather, the kindergarten classes participated in a 'snowpeople' contest. The kindergarten students used their creativity to make 'snowpeople' ranging from characters, animals, to our very own priest, Father Freedy.

Our winners from Mrs. Gurney's class were Jackson Milton , Arianna Lheureau , and Jackson Hawes . In Ms. Bachman's class, Jack Ries , Cora Cole , and Isabella Vasquez were the top three winners.

 Father Joe's response to the contest: " I was pulling for Fr. Snow to be one of the winners. Glad it provided some fun for the kiddos!"
SOCIAL STUDIES CROSS-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY
First grade will create their very own Blessed Seelos Academy grocery store.  The BSA-Market will be a mini grocery store in our classroom.  The students will totally run the store. They will take turns doing various jobs, such as, shopper, cashier, bagger, and shelf stocker.  Reading, Math and Social Study skills will be highlighted.  The students will identify the value of a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter.  Students will be able to identify and combine coins with total values up to one dollar.
Additionally the students will be introduced to various social study concepts:  Making choices, goods and services, buying and selling, spending and saving, and jobs people do.
At the BSA-Market students will apply their skills to real life situations.  At the end of March we will run a “Blue Light” special. In conclusion the BSA-Market will donate the proceeds to a charitable organization.  Surely we have the best deals in town! 
SCIENCE IS FUN!
Ms. Murrin’s third grade science students recently presented their science experiments to their class.  The students were given three weeks to do any science experiment of their choice. They were excited about doing the experiments and did a great job on their presentations.
THE MOUSE GETS THE CHEESE
Fourth grade has been working on coding skills with the aid of Robotic Mice. Using different skill-leveled layouts the students programmed each mouse to find the cheese. After practicing and developing these skills, the fourth grade helped teach the first and second grades to do it as well.

Room 208 was also buzzing with activity when the students used circuit boards to play the tune "happy birthday”, caused bells to ring, lights to flash, and even sent a helicopter-like fan flying into the air. 
WTAE VISIT
WTAE's chief meteorologist Mike Harvey and Jason from the Carnegie Science Center visited  Blessed Francis Seelos Academy on January 23 to provide a lesson on weather. They were greeted with a $520 donation to Project Bundle-Up from our students.
HAVE YOU VISITED THE BFSA WEBPAGE LATELY?
There are many additions to the webpage including a new section titled “Document Library” that contains important policies and forms such as the "Dress Down Day Policy” and Volunteer Clearance Requirements”.  
MORE COMPUTER CLASSROOMS
Did you know that Seelos Academy now has 120 Chrome Books? We are currently working on an upgrade to the wireless internet system to implement the new chrome books. With this addition to the school computer lab, the school now can run FIVE computer labs simultaneously on the K-8 campus.
Faith In Action
PRESCHOOL'S CARE NOTES
 The preschool classes made cards that were included in the bagged meals for the homeless during Catholic Schools Week. The cards read “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The children made crosses on the front of each card. 
VALENTINES FOR VETERANS
 Grades K-4 created Valentines’ for Veterans during Catholic Schools Week. Grades 5-8 donated items for bagged meals that were packed by the eighth grade students and donated to St. Mary of Mercy’s Red Door Program.
FUN SNACKS FOR FOCUS
Seventh graders took part in a backpack program from FOCUS Pittsburgh during Catholic Schools Week. They added some love and creativity to weekend snacks, making robots, snowmen and puppies out of regular lunch-sized snacks. From researching ideas to implementation and clean-up, students took ownership of this project and took time and care to make each snack look perfect. 
Activities and Athletics
"ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE"
On February 7 th , Seelos students had the opportunity to take the stage and experience the excitement of performing live at Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest. Leading up to the live performances, Pittsburgh Public Theater coaches came to Seelos and worked with students on interpreting their monologue or scene, blocking, and any props to help really bring their sceneto life. 

English teacher Anna DePalatis graciously gave of her time as the faculty sponsor and the coaching was generously covered by the Learning Enrichment Fund. 
 
Participating students included: eighth grade: Lauren Rajasenan, Bella White, Caroline Marschke, seventh grade: Anastasia Davis, Alex Brown, Mary Narvett, sixth grade: Sydney Rovnan, Emily McLaughlin, Megan McLaughlin, Alex Aiello, Bianca Udrea, fifth grade: Abigail Brown, Liliana Davis , fourth grade: Grace Chrobak .
Top: fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grade at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. Above: Eighth graders Caroline Marschke, Lauren Rajasenan, and Bella White participating in PPT Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Competition
PENNSYLVANIA JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
Congratulations to all of the seventh and eighth grade students who competed at the PJAS 85th Annual Region 7 Competition on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Duquesne University. Of the 31 students attending this Competition, 16 placed FIRST, 13 placed SECOND, and 2 placed THIRD. Additionally, our students brought home 5 Awards from the Competition.  Amelia Perri in Grade 7 won an award in Biology along with the Stars of Science Medal. Brendan Maddigan in Grade 8 won the Director's Award in Earth/Space Science and the Duquesne University Excellence in Science Award. Hayley Baranowski in Grade 8 also won the Duquesne University Excellence in Science Award. Again, congratulations to all of our students who participated for their exceptional achievements at the Competition.

The State Competition will be held on May 19, 20, and 21 at Penn State University. There, all of the first place winners will have an opportunity to compete with other first place winners throughout the State of Pennsylvania. Our students will begin preparing for the competition beginning in March.
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THE ZOO IS COMING TO BOTH CAMPUSES, FAB LAB RETURNS
In February, a Pittsburgh Zoo Program is coming to both the K-8 and Early Childhood Center campuses.

The very popular Fab Lab will return to the K-8 campus in May.

Both programs are funded by the Seelos Academy Learning Enrichment Fund and are provided at no cost to the school or school families.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPS
Congratulations to the Varsity Girls on their Tournament Championship. On Sunday, February 10, they won first place at the St. Malachy Brian and Brandon Bomber Classic Tournament. Team members are Aislin Daugherty, Allison Feczko, Merideth McCalmont, Jordan Quatchak, Emma McCosby, Lauren Mihm, Jordan Quatchak, Amelia Perri, Sydney Very, and Abbie Voettiner.
ANNUAL ERIE BASKETBALL TRIP WAS FUN FOR ALL
Continuing a long-standing tradition, BFSA varsity basketball teams trekked north to Erie to participate in a weekend of basketball, fun and fellowship. The sole varsity girls’ team and two varsity boys’ teams participated in the weekend tournament at gyms around the Greater Erie area. Following seven games, heavy snow squalls, a pizza party and a visit to Splash Lagoon, the players and their families were tired but thoroughly enjoyed the competition and camaraderie. 
Varsity Girls
Varsity Boys Blue
Varsity Boys White
NEW "DECORATIONS" IN THE RYAN CENTER
If you have not stopped in the Ryan Center recently, be sure to peek in to see the new banners. Coordinated by Athletic Association Vice President Marc Pasquinelli, the banners are blue with athletics’ championship years highlighted in grey or white lettering. The grey lettering indicates the years of the championships prior to the school merger. The white lettering marks the onset of BFSA championships beginning last year and moving forward. The single banner above the stage marks the state championship of a Saint Alphonsus boys’ basketball team. All of the players’ names are included. The banners represent the best of both legacy schools while celebrating the recent and future accomplishments of Seelos Academy. Go Saints!
Fundraising
HOW CAN I AFFORD CATHOLIC EDUCATION?
Click the button below for information on reducing your tuition bill through financial aid, grants, and tax credits.
GIFT CARD PROGRAM
Families earn tuition credit by purchasing gift cards through the school. The program generates additional revenues used for the operational costs of Seelos Academy. Order online at bfsafundraising.com, at either campus office, or Sign up for ShopwithScrip and make gift card purchases from your phone on demand. For more information, contact Sue Dudkowski .
AMAZON SMILE!
Blessed Francis Seelos Academy receives cash back from Amazon Smile! Simply log in to your Amazon account and type "Amazon Smile" into the Amazon search engine. Select Blessed Francis Seelos Academy as your designated charity that will receive 0.5% of each of your eligible Amazon purchases. If you have any questions, please send them to  Tara Aiello .
BOX TOPS
Clipping and submitting Box Tops is an easy way to help earn money for Seelos Academy. This fundraiser has netted thousands of dollars over the years. For more information, contact Michelle Martin .
CHICK-FIL-A
Save your Chick-Fil-A receipts from the Wexford and Cranberry locations and return to school. Through store credit earned for reimbursed receipts we are able to provide food items for the school community, including our annual 8th grade picnic and teacher luncheons.
LEARNING ENRICHMENT FUND
The Seelos Academy Learning Enrichment Fund provides financial support to the faculty and school for professional development, classroom materials, and school-wide programming. If you would like to donate to the fund or sponsor the annual golf outing, the fundraiser for the Fund, please contact Lisa Riley or Kevin Riley. You can also contact Lisa or Kevin if you would like to be part of the Learning Enrichment Committee or volunteer at the golf outing.
FISH FRY
Preparations for the Saint Alphonsus 2019 Lenten Fish Fry are under way. Proceeds are split equally between the parish and the school. There are several different sponsorships available and opportunities for families to get involved. Please visit: www.tinyurl.com/StAlFishFry19   
Share Your News
Your help in making the newsletter as informative, colorful, and entertaining as possible is always appreciated. Any member of our school community can share news, so please do!

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