November 2, 2022

GREAT NEWS FOR SFX & CATHOLIC SCHOOLS!

There has been a lot of buzz about a recent Wall Street Journal article on Catholic Schools leading the nation in test scores, while making a difference in students' lives. If you have not had the chance to read it, you can read the WSJ article HERE.


AT SFX WE ARE KEEPING UP OUR BLUE RIBBON ACADEMIC STANDARDS!


We are excited to report that the Fall iReady scores at St. Francis Xavier School are once again ABOVE the National Board of Education Blue Ribbon eligibility standards for 22-23 School Year in all grade levels in reading and math! 


We are proud of our hard working students, talented faculty & staff along with our dedicated parents for working as a team to keep our achievement standards high!  St. Francis Xavier School was awarded our 2nd National Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Education in the fall of 2020. Schools are eligible to apply five years after being the recipient of the award.


STUDENT RETENTION RATE AT SFX IS ABOVE THE NORM!


We are PROUD to report that the retention rate at St. Francis Xavier School in grades 1-7 from 21-21 to 22-23 is 96%. This is ABOVE the Archdiocese of Chicago and National norms. The average rate in schools in communities of similar income level as ours' was 92%. The average retention rate for all school in the Archdiocese is 91%


Peace,



Sharon M. Garcia

Principal

At SFX - Everyone has the Chance to Make a Difference!

Parents, Please follow this link for the 2023-2024 Student Re-Registration form*. This form is for re-registration of current students in grades PS3 -7th grade. You may also request a "new student" registration form for children of current families who you'd like registered for the 2023-2024 school year**. Please direct all re-registration questions to Mrs. Peggy Evans at: pevans@sfxlg.org or call her at the school office.


Click here: https://forms.gle/maTxmeALLV4KAfDo7


*Please complete and submit 1 form for each of your students currently in grades PS3-7th no later than Tuesday, November 22nd. If you replied “no” or “uncertain” on your student’s re-registration form you will not be assessed the re-registration fee nor will a seat be reserved for your student in the 2023-2024 grade level count. The non-refundable re-registration fee of $95.00 per student will be billed through your FACTS account in February.


**If you have a child ready to enter Saint Francis Xavier for the first time next year, please request a New Student enrollment form by completing the appropriate questions on the online re-registration form. New student hard copy enrollment forms will be sent home beginning Tuesday, November 8th and we ask that they be returned with original birth and baptismal certificates by Tuesday, November 22nd. Original certificates will be returned to parents. All re-registration questions and questions regarding new students of current families should be directed to Mrs. Evans at pevans@sfxlg.org. 


Open enrollment for families new to St. Francis will begin December 5th.

AROUND SCHOOL...

Parent/adult volunteers can sign up here! Thank you for supporting the arts at SFX! Please contact me with any questions. 

Kate McCormick - SFX 2023 Spring Musical Chair 

SERVICE DAY IS COMING!

Save the Date!

Friday, Dec. 2, 2022


The Service Day team is planning a return to the "traditional" Service Day where students and parent volunteers will travel offsite on field trips into the community in service of others.


Parent volunteer sign up will be sent out in early November. All Service Day Volunteers are required to have completed the Protecting God's Children Program and be in full compliance. We are truly excited to once again be doing "God's Work, Our Hands".

CLICK HERE for VIRTUS; Protecting God's Children Compliance Requirements for Volunteers

Please Note: Any parent wishing to volunteer in the classroom must have records of completion Protecting God’s Children Training (VIRTUS) and the Online Illinois MandatedReporter Training on file with the school office. (Please contact Peggy Evans, pevans@sfxlg.org with questions).**

The 5th grade class is honoring Veterans and Active Service Men and Women by building a brick wall at SFX. Students in grades PS3 - 8 received red paper bricks in their folders yesterday, November 1st. Each student is asked to write a dedication on their brick and return it to school no later than Tuesday, November 8th. Dedications can be the names of family, friends or neighbors who have served in the military. We are hoping for 100% participation.


Students are also asked to donate $1 for the 5th grade to collect and give to a nonprofit military organization. Donations are appreciated but not required.  If you have any questions, please contact Emily Bersnak or Kristy Rhatigan at grade5service@sfxlg.org

HALLOWEEN PARADE & MONSTER MASH BASH!

CHECK OUT THE FUN... CLICK ON THE VIDEO ABOVE!


THANK YOU to Monster Mash Bash chairs Lauren Keach and Cathy Murphy, & Haunted House chairs Meghan Fijal and Colleen Chierici for a FRIGHTFULLY fun night! 



VOLUNTEER HONOR ROLL


Monster Mash Bash: Jennifer Perlongo, Mariya Kuc, Laura West, Angie Fekrat, Stu Smith, Meg Carin, Katie Hogerty, Kat Gould, Sharon Ryan, Janet Meuzelaar, Elizabeth Joyce, Lindsey Mackenzie, Allison Leahy, Nelly Toro, Patty Buenrostro, Michelle Martin, Erin Mogensen, Mark Mogensen, Katie Stritch, Beth Edmonds, Shirley Wachowski, Bob Wachowski, Veronica Ponce, Clare Pasquesi, Karen Donoho, Mike Fitzpatrick, Keli Dudek, Megan Kucia, Joy Cortese, Dub Johnson, Alex Castro,Tom O’Reilly, Patrick McCormick, Jeannette Barnicle, Mike Keach, Jen Roman, Megan Kucia

 

Haunted House: Emily Bersnak, Erin Mogensen, Allison Leahy, Zack Fijal, Jeff Chierici, Tom O’Reilly, Patrick McCormick

You may now register for as many volunteer spots as you would like! Classroom Volunteer Sign-Up Process The sign-up for in-person volunteer opportunities in your child’s class will take place on SignUp.com. Here is the link to all classroom sign ups! https://signup.com/go/snCzOkF This year, all in-class opportunities for grades PK3 - 7th are being handled through this sign-up. There will no longer be paper forms sent by the room parent. In all instances, parents seeking to volunteer in-person must be in compliance with the school’s current requirements. Additionally, records of completion Protecting God’s Children training and the Online Illinois Mandated Reporter Training must be on file with the school office. Click on the following link for more information:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tDscglUOfIUhJ6tjRFt4Cemve4Edoj3d/view?usp=sharing or contact Peggy Evans at pevans@sfxlg.org.

ALUMNI FALCON 5K COURSE RECORED HOLDERS ON THEIR FALCON 5K EXPERIENCES

Whether you run, walk, skip or even try to beat the course records of these SFX '19 & '20 Alumni; (18:15 Male in 2019 and 20:24 Female in 2018), we can't wait to see you all on Saturday November 5th for the 17th Annual SFX Falcon 5K! You can still register at sfxfalcon5K.com

FALCON 5K


THANK YOU!!! to our Sponsors

Gold sponsors - Advocare, CF Lite, City Auto Group, Clarity Therapy, DK Mortgage, Gemini, Highline, IPM, Napleton, Vulcan, Wells Fargo

Silver Sponsors- Ghostlight, Lively, Petty, Pinnacle, The Dental Loft


CHEER Signs Sold OUT! 

Thank you to the Keach, O'Halloran, Nisivaco, Mogensen, Hogerty, Metke, Schaff, Burke, Neilson, Hanson, Lutzow, Quinlan families!

Spot prize for the best sign (including homemade versions) up for grabs!!!


RACE spots still available!  sfxfalcon5k.com

Don't forget to place your Original Works order and/or return your preview magnet! Orders are due back on Friday, November 4th to get a dress down day on November 10th. These works of art make wonderful Christmas and Mother's and Father's Day gifts!!  Please remember not to mix up the order forms and to also fill out the order form with your child's teacher and grade! The order form that arrives with the preview magnet has a specific number that correlates to each child's artwork.  Any questions, please email Liz Musker (liz.musker@gmail.com) or Emily Siffermann (emily.siffermann@gmail.com).

Looking for ways to support SFX as you prepare for the holidays? Here is how you can do it!


  • Buying Gift Cards for teachers, friends or family? Buy them through SHOP FOR SFX! CLICK HERE for Order Form, Calendar of Due/Fill Dates & more! 



  • Your childrens' artwork makes a great gift! Consider buying gifts through ORIGINAL WORKS. Preview magnets and order forms will be sent home the first week of November. Orders will be here in time for Christmas!!


  • SFX SPIRIT WEAR makes a great gift! When you visit our online store between 10/21-11/4 you'll be eligible for a promo code for your holiday shopping!


  • Gifting books, calendars, or puzzles? Buy them at the SFX BOOK FAIR in Joyce Hall on November 8th and 9th or shop at www.abcfairs.com between now and Christmas. 25% of your purchase will be returned to St. Francis.


  • Buying Christmas Cards or photo gifts? Buy them on MINTED and use our school code: FUNDRAISESFXLG. This code provides 20% off at Minted when applied at checkout. and 15% of the net sales from each purchase will be donated back to our school. Tell your friends and family! (please note that the discount excludes fine art prints and wedding stationary.)


  • Download the BOX TOPS app from the App Store or Google Play, & submit photos of your grocery receipts to earn cash for SFX. Make sure you click on BONUS OFFERS

ORDER FROM MINTED... GET A DISCOUNT & HELP SFX! 

We are excited to help fundraise for the school through Minted. Using our unique code FUNDRAISESFXLG, you can get 20% OFF all your Minted card & gift purchases* (including your holiday cards)! For every order placed, Minted will donate 15% back to our school.


To participate, simply visit minted.com and apply code FUNDRAISESFXLG at checkout to claim your 20% discount. It’s that easy! Minted will track every purchase made using our code, and St. Francis Xavier School will get 15% of the proceeds donated back. Please feel free to share this code with friends and family—the more people who shop Minted using our code, the more SFX earns! Questions? Contact Emily Bersnak.

* - Please note that the discount excludes fine art prints and wedding stationery.

Please report absences or early dismissals to attendance@sfxlg.org by 7:45am. Also include your child's teacher.  


All doors close at 8:10am daily for grades K-8. If your child is tardy, they will need to enter the main school doors on Waiola.

Sat Nov 5

SFX Falcon 5K


Tue Nov 8

Book Fair open

8 am - 8 pm


Family Book Fair 

Shopping Night 6 pm - 8 pm


Wed Nov 9

Book Fair

8 am - noon


Principal's Coffee for PS3, PK4 & K Parents 9am

Joyce Hall


Thur Nov 10

Original Works Dressdown 


Tue Nov 15

Pizza Lunch Day


Wed Nov 16

Antonino's Restaurant Fundraiser

4-8pm


Thurs Nov 17

K - Thanksgiving Program

Joyce Hall 

Dress: Sunday Best

Arrival Time: 6:00 - 6:10

Show Time: 6:30


Fri Nov 18

8th Grade Graduation Pictures


Mon Nov 21

In-Person 

Parent-Teacher Conferences

12pm-8pm


Tue Nov 22

Virtual

Parent-Teacher Conferences

12pm-8pm


Tue Nov 29

Pizza Lunch Day


Nov 23, 24,25

NO CLASSES 

Thanksgiving Break


Wed Nov 30

Panera Bread LG Park 

Restaurant Fundraiser

4- 8:00 pm


Fri Dec 3

SERVICE DAY!


Tue Dec 6

Pizza Lunch Day


Thur Dec 8

Crumbl Cookies Store

Fundraiser 4pm,-7pm


Mon Dec 12

Band Concert


Thur Dec 15

Five Squared Pizza Fundraiser Pick-up 4:30pm Parking Lot 


Tue Dec 20

Pizza Lunch Day


Wed Dec 21

NOON DISMISSAL


Dec 22 - Jan 4

Christmas Break

NO CLASSES


Thurs Jan 5

Classes Resume


Sat Jan 28

7th and 8th Grade Social 

Save The Date!


Sunday Jan 29

All-School Open House


Fri & Sat, Mar 3 & 4

HONK the Musical

Fri Mar 3: 7pm

Sat Mar 4: 2pm & 7pm





2022-2023 ACADEMIC CALENDAR

THANK A SFX FACULTY OR STAFF MEMBER!


Click & Clap is our year-round positive recognition program allowing families to acknowledge special moments, and thank a SFX Faculty or Staff member for something they have done that has left a positive impression on your child or on your family in a special way. Click & Claps are shared by Mrs. Garcia with the named faculty or staff member.

Click Here and Bookmark the Link!

PARENT ROSARY

THURSDAYS 8:20am in Mary Garden or Church. Questions: contact Katie Kanzer k.f.kanzer@gmail.com

CURRENT COVID PROTOCOL:

  • For symptoms lasting more than 24 hours, a negative test or doctor’s note is required
  • Home tests may be used
  • A child who presents with symptoms in the morning, must stay home the entire day.


POSITIVE RESULTS:

  • 5 day quarantine
  • Days 6-10 mask must be worn & separation in lunch unless negative test is provided 
  • Archdiocese is notified
  • Families in classroom are notified about a positive classroom case


OTHER PROTOCOLS:

  • Siblings may attend school if they are asymptomatic
  • Windows open, fans on
  • Hand sanitizer is used upon arrival and when entering the lunchroom. 


Questions: Please call the office (708) 352-2175












The following is shared community news. Content shared is informational and does not serve as a recommendation or endorsement by SFX School or Parish. 

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Trinity HS: THE WIZARD OF OZ: Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19 at 7PM and Sunday, November 20th at 2PM


Trinity HS: Register for Entrance Exam

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for the SFX / ST. IGNATIUS MEET AND GREET

Nazareth Parent Speaker Series

LYONS TOWNSHIP HS

Class of 2027 Welcome Letter

2027 Fridge Sheet

Class of 2027 website 

HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS PARISH FALL BAZAAR 

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