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We need YOU to support the Be The Light Campus Master Plan, championing our school's mission and values. This ongoing initiative allows us to not only build upon but also expand essential improvements, like the ones seen below, that significantly enhance the daily experience for our students and families.

Your support is key to advancing Be The Light next steps: HVAC 2, Cafeteria Expansion, and STEM Expansion. Every gift, no matter the size, shapes the future of Saint Francis DeSales High School.

PowerSchool Mobile App - GPA Not Updating

We are aware that the Student GPA is not updating in the PowerSchool Mobile App. This is a PowerSchool issue that they are aware of and they are working on a solution. The Student GPA is still updating properly through the web based portal. You can log into desales.powerschool.com to view the current GPA. 

Long Term Substitute Position at SFD

We are currently looking for a long term substitute teacher for a part-time position in our Business Department to teach Accounting. If interested, please contact Vice Principal Jim Jones at jones@desales.co or 614-267-7808 ext. 409.

Stallions in the Spotlight

Congratulations to senior Rebecca Fekru who received a full four-year scholarship to Boston University through the QuestBridge National College Match. Rebecca currently holds an executive officer position for the following SFD clubs: World Cultures Club (President), S.O.B.E. (Vice President), Junior State of America (Vice President), and Student Council (Senior Class Vice President). She is also a Student Ambassador. Outside of school, Rebecca enjoys being a teacher for her church’s children’s ministry. She explained, “this is the most important activity that I do because I get to serve my Ethiopian-Christian community, and I get to serve God by sharing my faith with the younger generation.”

Members of the girls wrestling team took a quick break at a tournament this past Saturday to get a photo with SFD alum, and 1974 State Champion, Andy DiSabato.

Four Italian III students -- Matthew Bogue, Olivia Smith, Keymarra Draper, and Bella Brader -- entered a contest earlier in the year in which they created an original comic strip depicting the theme of "sustainability" from excerpts of Italian short story writer, Italo Calvino. This afternoon, via Zoom, these students were recognized among the winners by the Italian consulate in Detroit, Allegra Baistrocchi. Our SFD students competed against college students, and were the only high school students to participate.

Sophomore Biology students recently shared a presentation on a cell that they researched and designed to fight off infections. Using what they learned in class, as well as from academic journals, they chose all the organelles that would make up their perfect cell.

Good luck to senior Arabelle Gilmartin and junior Grace Castellano who will be performing in upcoming performances of the New Albany Ballet's Nutcracker.

Great job to the SFD Concert Band who spread some holiday cheer with their music last week.

French Exchange Program This February -- Host Families Needed!

Our annual exchange program with our sister school in Normandy, France -- Institution Saint Joseph in Le Havre -- will be taking place this year from February 16 - March 1, 2024.

We are currently looking for families who are willing to host a student (or two) in their home during their visit. Students do not need to be enrolled in French at DeSales in order to host a student, as all students have a good proficiency in English. 

In addition, there is no fee associated with hosting a French Exchange student; all that needs to be provided is a place to stay, meals with your family and a sack lunch on most days. The exchange students will report each day to DeSales with your student and depart with them at the end of the day.

This is a wonderful opportunity for your student and your family to make a connection and learn about another culture. Please contact Mrs. Heather Evans if you are interested in hosting a student at evans@desales.co or your student can see her in room 121 to receive the necessary paperwork.

Photos of the Week

Beautiful scenes from last night's Christmas in the Courtyard event. For more photos, please visit our school's social media @sfdstallions!

Important Information from our Counseling Department

Fall Testing Day Follow Up

This past October, the freshmen, sophomore, and junior classes participated in a day of standardized testing. The juniors and sophomores took the PSAT/NMSQT while freshmen took the PreACT 8/9. 

• Scores for the PSAT/NMSQT can be accessed through a student’s CollegeBoard account: https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home. Students who do not already have a CollegeBoard account will need to create one. Please do not create a second account! Students are encouraged to reach out to their school counselor should they encounter any access difficulties. 
• Students who took the PreACT 8/9 will receive a hard copy of their score report in their English classes this week. They should be bringing this home along with their test booklet. These materials can be used to improve their skills and prepare for the ACT. 

Please refer to the following resources for more information by clicking here.

Junior Parents -- Please Save the Date: January 11, 2024

The Saint Francis DeSales High School Counseling Department invites the parents/guardians of current juniors to attend our annual Junior Parent Night which will take place via Zoom on Thursday, January 11th at 7:00pm. This presentation will provide information on steps to prepare for the college application process including building a college list, making the most of campus visits, and understanding the components of the college application. While geared toward juniors, all are welcome to listen in! The Zoom link will be shared after Christmas break. 

Summer Enrichment Opportunities

There are many enrichment programs available for students to explore their academic and career interests in the summer. Most programs require students to apply/register, and some fill up quickly. Students and families are encouraged to refer to our Summer Enrichment Listing to learn about opportunities available. Check back often as the listing will continue to be updated through the end of the school year.

We had a blast at the Father Daughter dance, and hope you did too! The energy everyone brought to the room was amazing and a perfect way to celebrate that special bond between the young ladies of SFD and the person accompanying them. 

The SFD Mothers Club will be sending an email to those that purchased tickets with a link to the professional pictures and the videos from the 360 booth so you can download and share as you see fit. 

Thank you again to everyone that attended and helped make the evening a success!

And, don't forget the Mother Son dance on Sunday, February 4. To purchase tickets, visit https://rb.gy/4s9c34. 

March for Life Trip

Only 9 spots left!

Only 9 spots remain for the next March for Life Bus Trip to Washington, D.C. on January 18-19, 2024, so please register soon: March for Life 2024. The trip includes tickets to the two-day Life is VERY Good events sponsored by the Diocese of Arlington, dinner Thursday evening, breakfast and lunch Friday and a one-night hotel stay. The registration fee for the trip is $180 and is non-refundable. We have a Stallions for Life spirit shop open until December 22nd: https://2horseapparel.com/stallionforlife/shop/home. All items will be delivered to school after Christmas break. Please include student names on all orders. Contact Molly Kraker at (614) 353-5686 or mollykraker@columbus.rr.com or Colleen Mascarin at 614-378-7266 or mascarin@desales.co with any questions regarding the trip.

A Letter from Bishop Fernandes

Last week we shared Bishop Fernandes' vision to build a robust culture of life and a civilization of love in our Diocese. 

As the season of Advent begins, we journey with the Blessed Virgin Mary, an expectant mother who faced many challenges, toward the celebration of her only begotten Son. Although many in our Diocese were discouraged by the vote this past November, our commitment to accompanying women and their children continues. In these days that have followed the ballot initiative, some women have contemplated terminating their pregnancies. With renewed effort, we need to make abortion unthinkable, and the birth of a child not to be seen as a burden but a blessing. Click here to continue reading.

Final Reminder: SwiftK12 School Notification System

To guarantee the notification system SwiftK12 is used efficiently, we are asking our families to provide, at a minimum, one point of contact, preferably a text enabled device, to receive any urgent communications from SFD. SwiftK12 allows our school to send messages using phone, email and SMS text messaging.

Please note: this service will be a primary source to communicate school closings as schools in the Diocese of Columbus will not be included on news outlets moving forward.

A message with detailed directions on how to ensure you are signed up to receive messages via the Swift K12 system was sent last week. Click here to view the message.

2023-24 Winter Sports Program

The 2023-24 Winter Sports program is now available online! Click here to view program. A link will also be on stallionpride.com throughout the entire winter season.

Nurse's Notes

2023-2024 Sick Policy 

Sick children often expose other students and school staff members to illnesses and germs. These illnesses are disruptive to the educational process and to other children and their families. Students who are ill should be kept home to help control the spread of germs. Please follow the guidelines linked here to help keep our school safe and healthy.