Friendly Reminder When Driving Through Neighborhoods

A friendly reminder to parents and students to please adhere to the speed limits on Ferris Road and Evaline Drive. The school has received a few complaints from people living in the neighborhoods of cars speeding on these roads before and after school.

Catholic Schools Week Celebrations

Last week we had an opportunity to incorporate a few extra activities to remind us how blessed we are to be a part of the St. Francis DeSales community, and to be surrounded daily by faith, family and tradition.

We shared our gratitude for being a part of the Northland community, spoiled our students with hot chocolate and donut treats, and celebrated our nation by wearing Red, White and Blue. Students also had an opportunity to listen to stories about different vocations from a panel of guest speakers (pictured). They spoke about Priesthood, Religious Life, Marriage and Single Life. We ended our school week with a poem read by sophomore and SFD Writer's Club member Danita Agyeman-Nixon (pictured), celebrating all teachers, the greatest of whom is Jesus Christ. On the final day of Catholic Schools Week we extended a little more gratitude, this time, to our families. We hope you had an opportunity to view the video put together by our Broadcast Journalism class shared with families last Saturday; if not, we invite you to click here.

Stallions in the Spotlight

The University of Dayton Jazz Band stopped by last Friday to perform during lunch periods in the Little Theater.   Performances were open to all students and staff. Members of the DeSales Jazz Band also had the opportunity to speak with the director of the Dayton Jazz Ensemble, Dr. Willie Morris, and some of the members of the ensemble, during their final performance of the day.

Congratulations to senior Margot Nalli who was recognized as Student of the Month by the Westerville Rotary Club for the month of February. 

Last Thursday the Work & Family Life classes competed in their annual chili cookoff. Congratulations to the following student winning teams: 1st Runner Ups: Casandra Cuevas, Kaily Gomez, Aidan Shannon, and Adam Weithman; and the 2023 Champions: Ashley Diaz, Alex Hall, Antonio Jiminez, and Enoch Oye.

Best of luck to sophomore Cassadi Dile as she competes in the Central Ohio Regional Poetry Out Loud Competition tomorrow at the Thurber Center. The competition begins at 6:30pm and all are welcome to attend.

The Business Club is currently offering its annual 4-week Stock Market Challenge for members. The virtual stock simulation game allows students to compete for the top weekly prize as they trade securities to grow their 100K portfolio. Our 1st and 2nd week winners were Aidan Shepardson and Brandon Heil, respectively. 

Thank you to the following students who volunteered their time to be interpreters at the Parent-Teacher Conferences held at St. James the Less school last week: Jason Arrellano, Allison Garcia, Samantha Garcia, Manu Karc, Roselin Maldonado, and Damaris Ortiz Mendez.

Senior Seamus Bonte was selected to represent the CCL conference at the National Football Foundation's 62nd annual Scholar-Athlete banquet. There were high school students representing each Central Ohio athletic conference and each Central Ohio college/university. All of the high school students received a scholarship toward their college tuition.

This past Sunday, 250 DeSales sons and their moms danced the night away at the Mother Son Dance at Villa Milano. Thank you to all that attended, especially to our record 52 seniors who attended!

Winter Sports in Postseason Play

The SFD Swimming and Diving team competes in Sectionals this Saturday; girls compete at Thomas Worthington at 9am and the boys compete at Columbus Academy at 3:30pm.

The SFD Competitive Cheer team qualified for the State Championship this past weekend in the Gameday Building category. You can support them at States on March 4 and 5 at Big Walnut High School.

The Girls Basketball team captured the Central Catholic League title last week -- first time since 2014! Way to go!

Please note: The JV and Varsity Boys Basketball games scheduled for this Friday will take place at Bexley High School; 6:30pm and 8pm start times.

More Stallions in the Spotlight

From the Class of 1964 to the Class of 2022, St. Francis DeSales is proud of each and every one of our alumni! Every month we highlight various alumni who are achieving great things in their personal lives and careers. This month in the Alumni DeTales we learned that a SFD alumna has been named the next drum major at The University of Notre Dame, while another alum was named the next Dean of Students at Harvard. Find out who!

SFD Celebrates Black History Month

All students and staff are invited to join us for this month's Book Club on February 21 featuring Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. The Book Club begins at 3:15pm in the Library Media Center.

The student body will also gather on February 24 for an all school assembly to express the importance of the countless contributions of African Americans to our country, and celebrate these achievements.

Spring ACT Prep Course - Deadline February 9th

To prepare for the March 28th test (given to juniors here at DeSales) and the National Tests (given throughout the year)

We are offering an ACT prep course to juniors, sophomores, and freshmen (in Geometry or higher) to help them prepare for the upcoming Spring tests. Please fill out the registration form (link below) and return the form with the payment ($175) by February 9th to Mrs. Garrick in room 114. Class size is limited to 32 students.

Registration Form Link

College Credit Plus at SFD

If your student is registering for one of our College Credit Plus courses here at school, or if you have any questions regarding the program, there will be an information meeting on Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 pm. This meeting will be held via Zoom (please access the link here) and will focus on the registration and funding process. Please contact your student’s guidance counselor or Associate Administrator Rob Dvorak if you have any questions.

College Credit Plus courses offered at St. Francis DeSales for 2023-24:  

• University of Findlay Calculus 1
• University of Findlay General Physics
• University of Findlay College Writing
• Columbus State Personal Finance 

Class Ring Information for Sophomores

Class of 2025 Students and Parents:

An important milestone and longstanding tradition for sophomores is the opportunity to order a St. Francis DeSales High School class ring.  

On Thursday, February 16, our Jostens representatative, Mike Dillon, will be at our school during lunches to collect orders and double check ring sizes, and deliver the bonus 2025 companion ring with completed orders.

IMPORTANT – Please look in your mailbox for your official class ring packet which will being arriving in the mail this week. This will assist you with determining your ring size and provides instructions on how to complete your DeSales class ring order form. It also highlights the FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE that Jostens is providing to our students this year.

ALL class ring orders are due in-school on THURSDAY, February 16th to receive the FREE CUSTOM GIFT WITH PURCHASE plus BONUS 2025 companion ring.

Below are links to the items that will be included in your packet:

• Order form:  Click here to view the front side PDF version of the order form.  Click here to view the backside PDF version of the order form.
• Custom designs to add to the side of your ring:  Click here to view the PDF version of the DAS flyer.

If you have any questions, please call/text our Jostens rep Mike Dillon at (614) 440–2594 or email at mike.dillon@jostens.com.

Parent Volunteers Needed for Classrooms Monitors

We are reaching out with a request for parent volunteers to serve as classroom monitors for several of our classroom teachers who will be going on various retreats with our students on March 7th, 8th, and 9th. If you are able to help on any of these dates for a partial or full day, please utilize this sign-up tool to indicate your willingness to assist. Furthermore, please reach out to Assistant Principal, Mr. Jim Jones, with any questions. We truly appreciate your consideration of this important volunteer activity. Keep in mind that in order to serve as a classroom monitor, individuals must have a valid BCI/FBI background check and have completed the Protecting God's Children Workshop.

Two Grandparent Days This Spring

Last spring, we were delighted to invite our grandparents back to the building for a

Grandparents Day Mass. This spring we will celebrate two Grandparents Day Masses, as well as a brief reception following each Mass. Below are the dates, designated by classes, of these special days.

• Friday, March 31 at 12:15pm: Juniors and freshmen will invite their grandparents to join us for our All-School Mass. A reception will take place directly following Mass.
• Thursday, May 18 at 12:15pm: Seniors and sophomores will invite their grandparents to join us for our Closing All-School Mass. A reception will take place directly following Mass.

Please note: if siblings are assigned to different days, they can choose the date that works best for their family. A 'guest count' will be taken in Homeroom the week of each event.

Attention: Class of 2024 and Class of 2026

Grandparents Day - Address Request

Our Grandparents Day Mass for juniors and freshmen, and their grandparents, will be held on Friday, March 31 beginning at 12:15pm in the school's gymnasium. A brief reception in the cafeteria will follow Mass. The reception will conclude by 2:15pm.

Please take a moment to submit your student's grandparent's mailing address and/or email address. Click here to submit address. Submit address by Wednesday, February 22. Invitations will be mailed on Friday, February 24. We will send invitations to your grandparents IF you provide us with their mailing address and/or email address.

Nurse's Notes

SICK POLICY: Please click here to review the guidelines we have in place to help keep our school safe and healthy.