|
2017 - 2018
School Year
|
April 30
|
Teacher Retreat - No School |
| 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
|
|
| Dalton |
3B |
| Kaito |
2B |
| Christian |
KA |
| Nate |
KA |
|
|
|
 |
April 18, 2018
Dear St. Francis of Assisi Parents and Guardians,
I wish to thank all the parents who attended last Thursday's General Parent Meeting. I was pleased to see many new families in attendance. My goal is to create an experience that is both meaningful and informative by providing an overview of the state of the school that includes school activities and key metrics measuring school vitality - budgets, fundraising, enrollment, school-wide testing results, and so on. Additionally, the emphasis for all parent events is about building quality interpersonal relationships that nurture community and promote the village that forms the spiritual, intellectual, physical, psychological, social, moral, and religious capacities of each child.
The report of findings submitted by the WCEA/WASC accreditation team provides evidence that our school is very healthy. The Visiting Committee identified our vibrant Catholic identity, the robust implementation of technology, the strong communication between all stakeholders, substantial fundraising in support of school initiatives, and the implementation of school-wide security enhancements among the list of significant accomplishments. The team also observed a dedicated and talented faculty who support strong student achievement and personal growth by continuing to introduce new methods and ideas to promote student learning. The Visiting Committee supported critical goals identified by the school to support high achievement of all students. Our Action Plan includes the following goals: Establish Professional Learning Communities (PLC) among the faculty to allow for collaboration time. Integrate strategies and activities to integrate the Spirit of St. Francis into everyday culture. Incorporate data driven assessment and instructional strategies across the grade levels. Implement additional diagnostic assessments to better monitor student strengths, challenges, and progress. Further integrate national technology standards and research based instructional strategies.
In their summary thoughts, the Visiting Committee described St. Francis School as a wonderful community of faith. Community is one of the most frequently used words when I ask current and former parents and students what they like best about St. Francis School. I am very proud that community is a hallmark of our school. Community is the heart of a thriving school and it is a distinguishing mark of a Catholic school. The Catholic philosophy of education places a high value on the quality of interpersonal relationships in the school community. That being said, I left Thursday's General Parent Meeting wondering how can we increase participation in school activities that promote community? On average, 15% of our families attend the General Parent Meeting. Attendance at Fall Fest and the Auction Gala is better, in the neighborhood of 35%, but, I would like to grow these numbers. I would like to hear your thoughts on how we can improve parent attendance at school functions. You can contact me at twaszak@sfayl.org.
Parent involvement is a key ingredient for a successful student. We best serve our children when we form a collaborative partnership that provides an exceptional educational experience within a faith filled environment. Parent involvement is also a key ingredient for a thriving school community. I work with parents on projects that directly impact our children's experience at school.
P
arents also support day to day activities such as carline, field trips, hot lunch program, and yard supervision, that ensure the safety and well being of our students while enriching their lives.
Every day I see parent volunteers positively impacting the success of our students and our school. If you are currently volunteering in any capacity at school, thank you! Information about volunteer opportunities will be provided in the weekly newsletter. Please consider how you can serve the school community by getting involved. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people while supporting our school. There is something that fits everyone's skill set and needs. No matter how small or large your contribution, your efforts are greatly appreciated and needed!
Tom Waszak
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REMINDER!
Online Registration has begun and closes on April 23 at midnight. Registration and class fees will be due either April 23 if paid by cash or check or May 10 if paid by FACTS. Those not registered by the deadline of April 23 may be subject to loss of continuing enrollment for the 2018/2019 school year.
Register here. |
| 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 as well as a
brief description of the event for the coming school year. Get a jump start on those service hours and sign up today for the opportunity that works for you! Please consider how you can serve the school community by getting involved and staying
connected. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people while supporting our school. After you have signed up, you will be contacted by the event chairperson to give you details and answer any questions. Please take a moment to check it out and sign up today!
Key positions taking place early in the school year include: morning carline monitors, new family mentor, 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 events: 2019 Auction Chairperson (to shadow 2018/2019 Chairperson), Development Committee Chairperson, Marketing Committee Members and Yearbook Editor. Have questions or want to discuss the opportunities in more detail, please reach out to Tammy Clarida for assistance at tclarida@sfayl.org.
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. Thank you for your support of our school. It takes a village to make things happen! |
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.
|
| Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week |
Let's TACO 'bout how much we love our SFA teachers and staff! Gracias to all families that turned in donations to help make this an extra special week. We are still accepting donations this week if you haven't had a chance to send in your form. Please contact your classroom representative to find out ways that you can get involved. Viva SFA!
A copy of the form is attached
here.
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| 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
|
Make plans to join us at our Spring Book Fair held in the Seamus Glynn Center May 1-3.
Students will be visiting our Paws for Books themed store to browse and make purchases with their classrooms
Tuesday, May 1 - Thursday, May 3
.
|
Lost and Found items will be on a table in the courtyard starting at noon on Wednesday and all day Thursday of this week - this includes jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters, lunch boxes, water bottles.
Please look through and claim your items before they are donated at the end of the week. Thank you!
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Camp Wolf Pack Summer Camp
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|
Camp Wolf Pack information has been updated on the school website
to include camp registration fees and our new on-site field trips.
|
| 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. |
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Pre-K Calendar Highlights
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Thursday, April 19
|
Pre-K A & B 1st SFA Mass, 9:30am
*We will be walking down with our 4th Grade big buddies |
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| Servite HS Priory Leadership for 2018-2019 Installed |
Congratulations to SFA Alumni! Chase Coleman (Treasurer General), Brandon Leo (Manettus Prior) and Joey Lutfi (Sub Prior) were named to
the new priory leadership for the 2018-2019 Academic Year at Servite High School.
The Priory Leadership Program is a comprehensive, hands-on leadership experience. The intent is to give students the opportunity to learn and practice leadership through peer accountability and increased responsibility in all components of the student experience.
|
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, April 25, we will be serving Panda Express.
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Orange County Catholic Fundraiser
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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.
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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.
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| 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
.
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| Santa Margarita Catholic High School - Upcoming Events |
Rosary Academy - Upcoming Events
|
Rosary Academy will host Preview Day & Athletic Open House on Sunday, April 22, 2018, from 11am to 2pm for girls in grades 4th-8th grades. Activities include student-led campus tours, meet coaches and faculty, a free taco-lunch, and more! Please register at www.rosaryacademy.org/previewday.
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Nike Girls Volleyball Summer Camp
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