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In This Issue
Quick Links
Important Dates
2017 - 2018 
School Year
March 29 - April 6
Easter Break
May 28 Memorial Day
June 15 Last Day of School
Caught Being Good!
Sarah  KA
Isabella 1A
Ryder 1A
March 21, 2018

Dear St. Francis of Assisi Parents and Guardians,

As school administrators, teachers, and staff, we work tirelessly to ensure the safety and dignity of our students.  Our ministry extends beyond the lesson plan and academic excellence. Our primary objective is to educate the whole person.  We want to provide our students with the necessary tools and resources to develop their God given talents and become the best person they can be.  During the Lenten season, we are focusing on being kind to one another so that everyone can experience the presence of God's love in our words and our actions.  

During Lent, the SFA Student Council is leading a "kindness challenge."  The challenge is communicated during daily announcements and in class activities and discussions. Students are reflecting on the meaning of kindness and writing their thoughts on posters displayed around school.  On Friday, the Mayor of Anaheim, Tom Tait, visited St. Francis School to speak with our 3rd - 8th grade students about the importance of being kind to one another.  Mayor Tait talked about his efforts to promote a culture of kindness throughout the city of Anaheim. He emphasized the power and potential of goodness that would come if everyone is kind to one another. Mayor Tait was very happy to see how St. Francis School was embracing kindness, and he was impressed with the many acts of kindness, big and small, taking place at our school.
Earlier in the week, the 1st - 8th grade students attended an anti-bullying performance entitled, The Power of One. The Power of One is a series of skits performed by actors who use boxes, colors, and masks to portray what bullying is, what can be done about it, and how every child has the power to deal with bullying when they see it.  The Power of One performance:
  • Defined bullying
  • Explained the roles in bullying:  bully, target, bystander, and upstander
  • Showed examples of different types of bullying: physical, verbal, exclusions, and cyber bullying (5 - 8th only).
  • Alerted children that targets need help and shows them how to be upstanders rather than bystanders
  • Provided solutions to bullying including proactive behavior that reduces the likelihood of bullying, reporting bullying, and assisting the target
  • Emphasized the need for individuals to take action to make their school a safer, better place
  • Referred children to teachers, parents, and adults for further assistance and instruction
The actors take the stage as presenters.  They start a dialogue with the audience and work out a definition of bullying that is along the line of (but not limited to): hurtful, purposeful, and repeated behavior by one person towards another where the intent is to cause harm and isolation.  The actors explain to the audience that they will be acting out skits that will allow the negative effects of different types of bullying, the roles that people play that make bullying possible, and what each child can do to prevent bullying from happening in our school.

As ministers to the Gospel and guardians of our Catholic identity, we strive to work in partnership to create a faith-filled culture that integrates kindness as an essential part of the formation process.  That is the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School!


Tom Waszak
Principal 
SCHOOL NEWS
Scrip Update: Toys R Us
Toys R Us has officially filed to liquidate and close all U.S. stores. A spokesperson for Toys R Us stated on March 15, 2018 that they will accept gift cards for the next 30 days. Any remaining scrip Toys R Us cards should be used immediately while they can still be redeemed.  We cannot accept returns.  
Thank you!
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week will be here before we know it! It is taking place May 7-11, 2018. To kick things off, a Donations Request Form is being sent home in your child's Thursday folder this week. 100% of the donations go toward making the week extra special for all teachers and staff at St. Francis. This includes meals, treats, the Appreciation Luncheon and a special gift card gift for all.
 
Please return the form with your donation and if you can, volunteer to help your classroom with one of the daily activities. Cash or one check per family is preferred, made payable to St. Francis of Assisi School.
 
A copy of the form is attached here.
Musical Production, Aladdin Jr.
The DVD's are currently in the editing room and we anticipate delivery in the next few weeks.  Every family that participated in this production will receive 1 DVD (cost included in your registration fee). All DVD's will be distributed at the cast party.
 
All photos that were taken by Artistryfoto are now ready online for ordering.  Please logon to http://www.artistryfoto.com/, choose "View Photos" and login with the password:  abu18  

Our cast party date has been set.   Monday, March 26 from 12 - 1 p.m.  we will celebrate all of our actors by serving them lunch and dessert in the Seamus Glynn Center and will recognize all of their special efforts on this fantastic play!   Please do not send your student with food on this day. 
CHARTING THE COURSE - SFA 2018 AUCTION 
We need your help! The night of the Auction Gala a basket was mistakenly taken by a family who was not the rightful winner. If you are in possession of the Viva la Italia by 4B basket, we either need it returned or paid for in the amount of $430. We appreciate your assistance!

Auction Baskets still available! Check out all the items on the Auction Website under the "Highlights" tab.  You must be a registered bidder to purchase a basket.
 
Does your child want to enjoy a delicious lunch with their teacher? Many classes have teacher luncheon spots open. Check out the Auction website to purchase.
 
All items are available until Friday, March 23 at 10:00 am.
Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dance
Please Save the Date for the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dances at St. Francis of Assisi school.  All proceeds from this event benefit the Fr. Seamus tuition fund and it is a great family event!  If you would like to help with the dances by donating your time or an in kind donation please see the  signup.com link.

Thank you,
Amanda Douglas and Annie Grand
Co-Chairs
Catholic Identity Lenten Event
Attention - The event scheduled for March 23 has been canceled.
VOLUNTEER NEWS
Important Reminder- Check your Service Hours!
The annual period for 2017- 2018 Service Hours ends March 31, 2018. Each family is expected to complete 20 hours of service each school year. You can check the amount of service hours that you have for the current school year in the Sycamore portal. If you do not complete 20 hours of service by March 31, 2018, you will be billed at the rate of $15 per hour on your FACTS account in April.
Jump Rope for Heart
Hello St. Francis of Assisi Parents,
 
We are proud to partner with the American Heart Association to help kids and adults with special hearts. Our donations will save lives by supporting doctors and scientists in the OC and beyond. Our goal this year is to have all students sign up online and take a heart healthy challenge. This year we have set a goal to have our BEST year ever and raise $13,000 to help kids with special hearts. The class with the highest donations will get a Pizza Party with Coach Nieto!
 
Please sign up your child(ren) to help by visiting:


and select the SIGN UP option.

Our Jump Rope for Heart event/donations are due on March 27th. We are looking forward to it! Thank you for supporting this event!
Items Needed for Jump Rope for Heart
Mrs. Nieto is looking to borrow any stilts, Pogo Sticks or unicycles for Jump Rope for Heart.  

Please contact her at  jnieto@sfayl.org if you are willing to loan yours for the event on  March 27
Camp Wolf Pack Summer Camp

Reminder: Parking Lot Safety Concerns
When dropping off your students, please be sure you have pulled up to the red curb or a carline supervisor before opening your car door to let out your students.  Students are getting out of the cars in the middle of the parking lot which compromises their safety!
ALEKS After School 
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. 
Enrichment Programs
Session Three (6 weeks):
February 12 - March 23

Order Your Yearbook Today!
Online ordering of 2017 - 2018 Yearbooks is open at a cost of  $45.00.   Order now to avoid the final price increase!

The final date to order yearbooks online is  May 14, 2018 .

Click here to place your order!
Yearbook Help Needed
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.  
LITTLE LAMBS NEWS
Pre-K Calendar Highlights
Friday, March 23 11:30 am - 11:50 am 
Pre-K Early Dismissal
Wednesday, March 28 Pre-K Easter Celebrations
Wednesday, March 29
Easter Break Begins
Monday, April 9 School Re-Opens
FUNDRAISING NEWS
2018 DC Dining
Please order DC Dining for Trimester 3 at St. Francis. Please be sure to turn the form and payment in to the office by Monday of the week you are ordering a meal. Next week, March 28, we will be serving Subway.  

Orange County Catholic Fundraiser
In an effort to support the critical mission of our schools to educate and form young Catholics - The Orange County Catholic newspaper is launching a winter fundraising program, February 19 - April 30th.  This program will enable individual students or classes to raise needed funds for their Catholic school and enable highly engaged schools to generate significant in-kind advertising support on Catholic radio, in the OC Catholic newspaper, and on the OC Catholic website and mobile application network.  The monies generated will support the educational ministry of our school.

Amazon Smile

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.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Knights of Columbus Fundraiser



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 .
Santa Margarita Catholic High School - Upcoming Events
 
Nike Girls Volleyball Summer Camp
 
Camp Information
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School | 714-695-3700 | webmaster@sfayl.org | http://www.sfayl.org
5330 Eastside Circle
Yorba Linda, CA 92887