|
2017 - 2018
School Year
| May 28 |
Memorial Day |
| June 1 |
8th Grade Graduation |
| June 15 |
Last Day of School |
|
|
2018 - 2019
School Year
Important Dates
|
August
27
|
First Day of School |
| Nov 19 - 23 |
Thanksgiving
Break |
| Dec 24 - Jan 4 |
Christmas Break |
|
April 18 - 26
|
Easter Break
|
| May 31 |
8th Grade Graduation
|
|
June 14
|
Last Day of School
|
|
| Gannon |
3A |
| Catherine |
1B |
| Gael |
3B |
| Dalton |
3B |
|
|
|
 |
May 2, 2018
Dear St. Francis of Assisi Parents and Guardians,
By now, new and current families have registered for the 2018/2019 school year. Please know how much I appreciate the sacrifices you make to provide a Catholic education for your children. As a parent of two daughters in college and graduate school, both educated in Catholic schools, I am well aware of the costs associated with private primary, secondary, and college education.
The St. Francis Finance Committee, in collaboration with school administration, has worked strategically to hold tuition increases as low as possible while delivering a superior learning experience through excellent programs, dedicated teachers, and superb facilities. As I shared at the General Parent Meeting, tuition does not cover the cost to educate a student. The K - 8 tuition in 2018/2019 is $7,000.00 which is 88% of the actual cost per student ($7,916.00). The gap is covered by sustainable enrollment and strong fiscal management. The average tuition increase for the past five years has been 3.0%. This compares favorably against the Diocesan average tuition increase of 3.3% over the same period. We do not receive any subsidies from the Diocese or the three parishes.
While maintaining modest tuition increases over the last five years, we are fulfilling our commitment to provide competitive compensation aligned with the Diocesan salary schedule. Additionally, we have improved the value of a St. Francis School education by implementing programs to better meet our students learning needs, including, iPads in all classrooms, 1:1 device program in 4th - 8th grade, iMac computers in the Technology Lab, redesigned Innovation Center and Technology Lab, Digital Media Specialist, Spanish instruction in 5th - 8th grade, dedicated K - 5th science teacher and an increase in the number of instructional aides while improving the safety and security of our school community.
I am pleased to report that the preliminary 2018/2019 budget is balanced. This is based on projected enrollment of 560, an increase of six students compared to this year's enrollment. With our Strategic Plan as our guide, we will continue to create new programs and opportunities that will benefit our students. For example, next year we plan to enhance the science program by purchasing a STEM curriculum and robotics program. We will apply the same fiscal discipline and attention to our mission as we plan for our future needs. I am grateful to the Finance Committee and to my colleagues for their collective expertise and resolve to meet our student's educational needs.
In closing, I would like to reiterate my appreciation for your commitment to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. As your Principal, and as a parent, I can assure you that your investment in a faith- based whole child education is the best investment you can make for your child's future. I see the life changing experience that a Catholic school education provides. In addition, St. Francis School offers a unique opportunity for families to build lifelong relationships in a community that provides spiritual, personal, and academic formation.
Each student will leave St. Francis School with the confidence and skills needed for success in their educational pursuits, career, and in life, while each family will develop lasting friendships.
I feel very blessed to be a part of the St. Francis School community.
Tom Waszak
|
Kindergarten Orientation will be held in the Fr. Seamus Glynn Center Wednesday, May 16 from 7pm - 8pm.
2018-2019 8th Grade Class will be offering babysitting services for a $5 donation for all students current and incoming from grades K-5.
|
| Volunteer Opportunities for 2018-2019! |
Don't delay, sign up today! The SignUp.com link for Volunteer Opportunities for the 2018 - 2019 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: 2019 Auction (will be shadowed by current chair), Development Chair, Box Tops Chair and Yearbook Editor. 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 2018 - 2019 school year.
|
|
Track forms and fees are due by
Friday, May 4.
Next track practice is
Friday, May 11 from 3pm - 4pm
The Track Meet will be at Aliso Niguel High School on:
Saturday, May 19 for grades 1 - 4
Sunday, May 20 for grades 5 - 8
|
|
Thursday, May 10 we will be having our May Crowning Celebration. We are asking each student (2nd Grade NOT included) to bring a flower on Thursday morning. These flowers will be used for each class to make bouquet to shower Mother Mary with flowers.
|
| Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week |
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is
May 7-11!
On
Tuesday, please bring flowers to the lunch tables. They will be collected and arranged into beautiful bouquets for all teachers and staff.
On
Friday, please bring your homeroom "teacher's favorites" to the classroom where a classroom representative will collect them or have a basket for you to put them in. You may also choose to recognize other teachers you have or the staff member/s assigned to your class. A "favorite" may include a hand written note, a special treat or a small gift. It's entirely up to you! It's a personal way to say thank you to those you wish to recognize.
Muchas Gracias for making this such a special week for all of our SFA teachers, staff and administration. Viva SFA!!
|
| Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dance |
Donation opportunities still available for the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dances. Please use
signup.com
to donate your time and/or treasure. All proceeds for this event benefit the Fr. Seamus Tuition Fund.
We look forward to seeing all those attending the dances this weekend.
Thank you,
Amanda Douglas and Annie Grand
Co-Chair
|
Don't forget to visit the "Paws for Books" Scholastic Book Fair. Thursday is the last day to shop!
|
Camp Wolf Pack Summer Camp
|
Camp Wolf Pack Volunteers Needed!
|
|
Camp Wolf Pack is looking for Teen Volunteers to help with our summer of STEM. If you are entering 8th-12th grade, join us and earn service hours.
|
| Vicki Marsha Uniform Sales |
|
Save the date for this year's SFA Outdoor Movie Night! Friday, June 8, we will be showing the movie COCO. Doors open at 6, movie starts at sundown. The Cub Scouts will be providing popcorn.
|
| Reminder: Parking Lot Safety Concerns |
| Drop-off area is from the red curb through the red cone area in front of Pre-K. If your passenger doors are facing Santa Clara Church - you are not at the drop-off zone and your children may not exit the vehicle. |
| The Innovation Center computer lab is open for students in 3rd - 8th grade to work on ALEKS, Mathletics or Reflex on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:50 pm- 3:30 pm. Students must be picked up promptly at 3:30 pm or they will be sent to daycare. |
| Order Your Yearbook Today! |
Final chance to order yearbooks! Order online today for $50.
The final date to order yearbooks online is
May 14, 2018
.
Click
here to place your order!
|
| Have you ever wanted to get involved with the creation of our SFA yearbook? We are looking for a new editor for the 2018-2019 school year. Please email Mrs. Watanabe if you are interested at awatanabe@sfayl.org. |
|
WOLF NEWS - Student Journalism Program
|
A Look Back at the 2018 Winter Olympics
|
A WOLF News Press Corps Report by Student Journalist, Emily E.
With its opening ceremony on February 9 and closing ceremony on February 25, 2018's Winter Olympics have come and gone. The worldwide tradition, comprised of winter-themed sports, is a chance for athletes to represent their countries and compete. Its outcome in Pyeongchang left the world in wonder, and events ranging from new sports to broken records made this year's Winter Olympics one to remember.
|
|
Pre-K Calendar Highlights
|
Friday, May 4
|
Early Dismissal 11:30am-11:50am |
| Friday, May 11 |
Mother's Day Breakfast 7:15am-9:30am |
|
Please order DC Dining for Trimester 3 at St. Francis. Please be sure to turn the form and payment into the office by Monday of the week you are ordering a meal. Next week, May 9, we will be serving Kentucky Fried Chicken.
|
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support our school every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at
smile.amazon.com
, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. Simply click here to begin shopping through AmazonSmile.
|
Santa Clara de Asis - Children's Faith Formation
Volunteers Needed! |
Servite High School - Upcoming Events
|
For students interested in experiencing Servite first-hand, a
Shadow Day
can be arranged. This gives them a glimpse of "a day in the life of a Friar." They do this by attending classes, exploring our campus, and spending break and lunch with their host. A brief presentation and campus tour is also offered for interested parents once the Shadow students head to their first class around 9:00 am. You may sign up by completing an inquiry form
HERE
.
2. Application Process
Servite High School is accepting applications for the Fall of 2018. You may find details regarding the Application process by clicking
HERE
.
|
Nike Girls Volleyball Summer Camp
|
|
|
