August 23, 2022

Opening Day: Tomorrow!

We are very excited to welcome all students back for the 2022-2023 school year. Please take a moment to review a few details pertaining directly to our Opening Day.

Start time: 7:44am - Students will report to Homeroom.

Students are permitted to be out of uniform on the first day of school (see “out of uniform” policy in Family Handbook); however, they will receive a free t-shirt upon arrival to school in the Little Theater lobby, and are expected to wear the shirt provided for them. All t-shirts are a lightweight purple t-shirt. Freshmen - please wear your God is Indeed Here t-shirts to school; if you did not receive a t-shirt at the Class of 2026 Orientation, stop by the Little Theater lobby to pick one up.

Lunch will be provided at no charge for each student.

More information regarding Opening Day was also emailed to students today.

New Protocol for All Visitors

We are implementing a few new security measures this year to enhance the safety of our students and staff. Please review the following:

All visitors must enter the school through the main entrance (entrance closest to Karl Road).
Visitors will receive an ID badge upon entry at the Welcome Kiosk.
Visitors are required to check out at the Welcome Kiosk before departing to return their ID badge.

Parent Drop Off and Pick Up Traffic Pattern

Please enter the lot on the NORTH Side of the building ONLY. Follow the one-way road around to the south side of the building and pull up as far as you can to drop off students in the designated drop off area past the theatre entrance. Students may enter at the main front entrance or walk back to the theatre doors. Parents will then exit the south driveway onto Karl Road.

Stallion Way is ONE-WAY IN BOTH LANES for STUDENTS ONLY in the morning and ONE-WAY OUT IN BOTH LANES for STUDENTS ONLY in the afternoon until 4pm. It should not be used by parents at any time during the school day until after 4pm.

Back to School Form - Final Reminder

If you have yet to do so, we ask that you complete the Back to School Form located in your PowerSchool Parent Portal before your student arrives to school tomorrow. You can find all of these forms under the "Forms" tab in your portal at desales.powerschool.com.

Student Parking Pass Information

Seniors will be able to buy their parking passes on Monday, August 29th starting at 6:30am. Juniors will be able to buy their passes on Tuesday, August 30th starting at 6:30am. Sophomores can buy their passes Wednesday, August 31st starting at 7am. Passes will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Spots will not be sold after school or at any other time during the day that week.

To buy a pass:

Bring your driver's license. No passes will be sold without showing a valid driver's license.
Bring a PAPER COPY of the Parking Form (linked here). No digital forms will be accepted.
Bring a check made out to St. Francis DeSales High School in the amount of $50 or $50 cash, exact change please.

Students also received this information in an email from Mr. Steller this morning to their desales.co email address.

Stallion in the Spotlight

Senior Richael Saka was named a finalist for the Desire To Inspire Scholarship. The voting round is currently underway until August 28th. Click here to vote for Richael.

Career Opportunities at SFD

We are currently accepting applications for a Testing Room Coordinator, Grounds Crew Team Member, and a Night Shift Maintenance Employee. To learn more about these career opportunities and/or apply, please contact Assistant Principal Jim Jones at 614-267-7808, ext. 409 or jones@desales.co.

Review Family Handbook Changes Here

Last One! Summer Reading Challenge - Location #8

For those of you who have been keeping track of where Mr. Garrick is doing his summer reading, here is the eighth location. Can you guess where he was reading? Students - listen during morning announcements this week with directions on how to submit your answers to all the Summer Reading locations; those with the correct answers will be entered into a prize drawing.

Now Showing: Homecoming 2022

Decoration Committee

If you would like to be a part of the Homecoming Decoration committee (open to all students), please sign up here. First meeting will be after school on September 1st!

Parent Volunteers

We are also looking for parent volunteers to help at the dance on Saturday, September 17. Click here to check out the volunteer opportunities.

Traditions Mass and Breakfast

Help us kick off Homecoming weekend by joining us for Traditions Mass and Breakfast on Friday, September 16. We encourage students to invite a family member or family friend who has graduated from DeSales to share in this special morning. Please RSVP here!

Upcoming Events

First Day of School

When: August 24

Dismissal at 1:30pm

Students who ride the Gahanna bus will have transportation to Gahanna Lincoln High School at 1:30pm; from GLHS they will will need to arrange for a ride home. Students who ride Columbus City buses will need to arrange another ride home at the early dismissal time.

School Picture Day

When: August 25

To order pictures online, visit mylifetouch.com; Picture Day ID: EVT8JSNXS

All students are to be in the official school uniform for Picture Day (not the warm weather uniform).

Back to School Night

When: August 31 beginning at 7pm

You will have the chance to walk your son or daughter’s schedule, meet their teachers, and learn about all of the great activities taking place at Saint Francis DeSales High School this year.

Eucharistic Adoration

When: September 2

Where: SFD Chapel

See how to sign up in section below.

Generosity Meets Gratitude Breakfast

When: September 2 at 8:45am

Where: Cafeteria

Invitations were mailed home to *2022-23 scholarship recipients and their families earlier this summer. *excluding Merit Scholarship winners. Contact Karen Cofojohn at cofojohn@desales.co if you have any questions or still need to RSVP to the breakfast.

Fall Awards Assembly

When: September 2 at 9:45am

Where: Gymnasium

Stallion Golf Outing -- Rescheduled Date!

When: September 18

Where: The Links at Echo Springs

To view the 2022-2023 school calendar, visit www.sfdstallions.org/calendar.

Eucharistic Adoration

We are happy to announce that Eucharistic Adoration will begin this school year on Friday, September 2nd. Eucharistic Adoration is one of the best and easiest ways you can support the mission of the school!

As in years past, Eucharistic Adoration will be held in the chapel beginning with Mass at 7:00 a.m. followed by Eucharistic Adoration with Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament throughout the school day. The devotion will conclude with Benediction at approximately 2:40 p.m.

Italy Trip 2023

Enrollment for the 2023 Italy trip is open. The trip will take place June 7-16th, 2023. If your student is interested, take a moment to look over the details here. There will be a meeting for any interested families on Wednesday, September 7th at 6pm in the Little Theater. Contact Antonella Iacobone at iacobone@desales.co or Tracey Moose at moose@desales.co with any questions.

Senior Headshot for the Yearbook

Seniors: If you haven't already had your senior headshot taken by Prestige Portraits, please take the opportunity to call them at 800-736-4775 and schedule an in-studio session for your yearbook headshot. There is a make-up senior picture day scheduled on November 30 at the school, but we highly encourage you to get your headshot taken before then. Reasons to not wait until they come to school:

You can schedule a studio session when it works for you.
If you don't like your photo, you can retake it at school. If you wait until November, you will not get a chance to redo.
Your makeup and hair can be fresh for the photo.
It will guarantee you have your professional picture ready for the yearbook.
You will get to pick the photo you like best verses Prestige Portrait sending us the photo they choose.

A Stallion Lives Here

Is your son or daughter an athlete or a thespian? Maybe a National Honor Society member? Let the world know that your home is the home of a proud Stallion. Orde r your "A Stallion Lives Here" sign today. Order deadline is Friday, September 23.

Nurse's Notes

CLASS OF 2023 PARENTS AND STUDENTS:

*All rising seniors are required to submit verification of a second dose of the MCV4 (meningococcal) vaccine prior to the start of their senior year. It is a requirement for all incoming seniors in Ohio. Families can email the verification information to school nurse Kelli Fitzpatrick at fitzpatrick@desales.co, have the pediatrician fax a copy to the school at (614) 265- 3375, or bring in a hard copy.

Spiritual Reflection

Therefore, when you make ready to pray, you must say with your whole heart, "God is indeed here." ~St. Francis de Sales