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2020 - 2021
School Year
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Feb 15
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No School -
Presidents' Day
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Mar 15
| Spring Conferences | |
Apr
2-9
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Easter Break
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May 3-7
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May the Course Be With You
Golf Tournament
and Auction
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May 31
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No School - Memorial Day
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Last Day of School Preschool/PreK
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Jun 18
| Last Day of School K-7 |
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Sofia B.
Charlotte M.
Isabella O.
Mikayla C.
Harlow Y.
Nixon A.
Triston C.
Caden B.
Jacob B.
Aden P.
Lily S.
Ella W.
Brooke F.
Autumn K.
Blake S.
Keira O.
Grant J.
Luke Z.
Luke A.
Harrison G.
Liam V.
Presley B.
Autumn K.
Cayden S.
Harlow Y.
Nixon A.
Madeline M.
Aubrey Z.
Abigail H.
Grace H.
Isabella O.
Charlotte M.
Blake S.
Ella W.
Emma P.
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1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
1B
KA
KA
3A
KA
1B
1B
1B
1B
KA
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Help Fill SFA's Online Bookshelf!
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February 10, 2021
Dear St. Francis of Assisi School Parents and Guardians,
One of my favorite ways to start the day is to arrive before anyone else, sitting in the silence, collecting my thoughts, spending time in prayer, pausing to start the day in the stillness and beauty up here on campus. There is so much work listed on my daily action plan. However, with each new school day, an adventure awaits and invites me on different paths with students, teachers, and parents. No two days are alike when you work in education. At the end of the school day, I once again pause and reflect on the day's accomplishments and remaining tasks. Every Wednesday, I take a moment to pause and reflect on what is on my heart to share with the community. Pausing, or taking a moment to suspend action, is an important practice in my daily life and one I encourage you to try over the next few weeks.
As a Catholic Christian, we are invited to pause every Sunday and spend just one hour with Christ at Mass. We have 168 hours in every week. How are we spending the other 167? When I map out a week to see how my time was spent, many hours are here at school. I imagine many of you can say the same about your work. How many of the remaining hours do you dedicate to caring for your children? How many hours or should I say minutes do you have for yourself?
This week I invite you to pause. Be intentional about allowing God's grace to be present in your pause. Give yourself this gift, whether it is three minutes or 10 minutes, this simple action can have a significant impact. To help you with this invitation, I am sharing a few tools that I enjoy and feed my soul. There is an app in both the Apple and Android store called, "One Minute Pause" by Ransomed Heart, that sets a timer and guides you through several peaceful pauses during the day. You can subscribe to receive a daily email for a 3 Minute Retreat or receive an inspirational message from Bishop Barron - Daily Catholic Gospel Reflection. In January, a new podcast was launched by Ascension Press to make it easy to read the bible in a year. Fr. Mike Schmitz provides a daily 20-minute scripture reading and reflection, connecting the Old and New Testament. What a great way to spend time in the car traveling to and from SFA. It's not too late to subscribe and enjoy the Fr. Mike Schmitz, Bible in a Year Podcast. I would love to hear about what you try for your pause and the impact it has on your week!
May you feel God's grace in these sacred moments,
Jeannette Lambert
Principal
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SFA Golf Tournament - Tickets Are Going Fast!
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Tickets Sales for our May the Course Be With You Golf Tournament began Monday, February 8th.
A limited number of golfers are able to participate in the event. Be sure to set a reminder in your calendar app to make your purchase and secure your spot in what is sure to be the biggest community event of this school year!
We will also be selling tickets to our post-tournament, "Jedi Master Winners Reception," for any non-golfers.
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Buy Your May The Course Be With You Pennant!
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 Purchase a personalized pennant for your child, family, or business and join in the May the Force Be With You fun!
Pennants are $15 / each. Order due by March 24, 2021.
Our Golf and Auction Committee will have individual pennants made and post them in front of the school as part of our Star Wars / Golf themed celebration.
Submit your order form to the front office or send to fundraisers@sfayl.org.
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Online Book Fair - February 1 - 14!
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 We are excited to announce that our Online Book Fair has "launched!"
The Fair will run February 1-14, which is perfect timing since we will be participating in a Read-A-Thon Fundraiser during Read Across America Week (aka Dr. Seuss Week) the first week of March.
Books ordered during the Online Book Fair should take 3 days to process and up to 10 days for delivery, which means our students will receive them just in time for the Read-a-thon! All proceeds benefit our classroom libraries.
Visit our Online Book Fair today! |
The First Annual SFA Read-A-Thon is Coming!
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 You may have heard from your excited children that SFA is planning to host a Read-A-Thon fundraiser March 1 - 12!
Mr. Walswick has been visiting classrooms throughout the week to explain how the program will work and showcase all of the enticing prizes for our students. We are trying to raise funds for a part-time Librarian at SFA and we thought this would be a fun, safe, and appropriate way (reading to raise money for a librarian) to reach our goal of $19,000.
Students won't start logging minutes read until Read Across America Week (think Dr. Seuss's b-day) at the beginning of March, but they can register on the Read-A-Thon website and start taking donations at any time.
More information can be found here.
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Share Your Love of Reading - Become a Guest Reader for Read Across America Week!
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 One of the fun extensions of the Read-a-thon is our online library of read alouds.
Anyone can record themself reading a book out loud and then submit it using the link below. Our tech team has created an adorable graphic of a bookshelf with all the book covers.
During the Read-a-thon teachers, students, and families will be able to click on any of the books to hear stories read out loud. Listening to stories counts toward our reading goals! It is a win, win.
We are hoping to fill all our virtual book shelves:
- Books by Dr. Seuss
- Books read by our Family and Friends
- Books read by our SFA Teachers and Staff
- Books read by our Community Leaders
- Books read by our Alumni Students, families and staff
Submissions are due by February 15th.
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Re-enrollment Deadline - Friday, February 12
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Our re-enrollment deadline for the 2021-2022 school year is quickly approaching. If you have not re-enrolled your child, please be sure to do so before Friday, February 12.
If you need assistance or would like to change the primary parent on your FACTS account, please email mkaufman@sfayl.org.
Below is a chart that lists important dates related to re-enrollment and applications for the 2021/22 school year. Click here to read the full letter.
RE-ENROLLMENT & APPLICATION TIMELINE
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Date
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Activity
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Fee
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January 19, 2021
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Re-enrollment opens for current SFA students
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$150 Non-refundable Hold Fee
(will be used as initial deposit toward Enrollment Fee)
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January 25, 2021
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Sibling Applications open
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$100 Application Fee
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February 1, 2021
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Outside Applications open
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$100 Application Fee
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February 8, 2021
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Sibling Applications Deadline
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Early Childhood Notification letters begin
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February 12, 2021
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Re-enrollment Deadline
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February 16, 2021
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K-8 Notification letters begin
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Tuition Assistance Portal opens
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March 5, 2021
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Tuition Assistance Portal closes
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March 19, 2021
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Balance of Enrollment Fee due for returning students
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$350 charged through FACTS
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March 22, 2021
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Tuition Assistance Notification letters begin
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March 31, 2021
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Application Fee increases
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$125 Application Fee
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S.E.E.Ds for Growth - Child and Adolescent Mental Health
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As we approach almost a year of living through the pandemic, it is important to address the mental health toll these past 11 months have had on young people. Unfortunately, depression, anxiety, and youth suicide have been on the rise over the last few years and continue to worsen throughout the pandemic.
As parents and caregivers, these statistics and data can be overwhelming and worrisome; However, one of the most important things you can do is to educate yourself on some of the signs and symptoms related to child and adolescent mental illness. In addition, reach out to your child's teacher, pediatrician, a therapist, or our school counselor if you are concerned about your child. You can also find a plethora of mental health resources on CHOC's Mental Health Toolkit page and our counseling website.
Finally, please consider joining us for the educational training, "Anxiety, Depression, and the Impact of COVID-19", on March 23 hosted by our School Counselor, Kelli McCarty, MA, LMFT and presented by CHOC Pediatric Psychologist, Dr. Sarah Ruiz.
Anxiety, Depression, and the Impact of COVID-19 - Parent Presentation
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
A Child and Adolescent Mental Health expert from CHOC Children's Hospital of Orange County will give a presentation about mental health awareness, signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression in children/adolescents in the context of COVID-19, as well as provide strategies parents/teachers can use to support their children at home/in the classroom. In addition, we will focus on signs and symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in the context of COVID-19.
Parents of Children in Kindergarten through 8th Grade are encouraged to attend this 50 minute Educational Presentation + 10 Minutes Q & A.
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| Uniform Outlet - Friday, February 19 |
Please stop by the Uniform Outlet on Friday, February 19 to bolster your child's wardrobe with gently worn uniforms donated by fellow SFA families.
Donations are very much appreciated to keep the free uniform opportunity available. If you would like to drop off uniforms that your child has outgrown, please do so prior to the exchange date.
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| Camp Wolfpack is Back in 2021! |
We are excited to announce that SFA's Camp Wolfpack is ON for the Summer of 2021!
The program will offer five weeks of learning and fun. Families can sign up for one week or all five!
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SFA Vignette Interview Series
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With over twenty years of education and character building, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School has influenced countless journeys. Every Monday, we will be highlighting community members whose personal and professional trajectories have been impacted by their experiences at SFA. This vignette interview series captures their unique perspectives and demonstrates how a foundation of faith empowers our students and inspires us all as we Dare to Dream!
SFA alumnus and seminarian, Dcn. Michael Fitzpatrick, recalls the warm welcome he received when starting school at St. Francis and how that experience still positively affects him today. "I remember how friendly the people were at St. Francis. I think it speaks to the ethos of the school. They're trying to create an environment where people see Christ in each other."
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Golf Tournament & Online Auction - Sponsorship and Donation Opportunities!
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Many of sponsorship opportunities for SFA's "May the Course be with You" Golf Tournament and Online Auction have SOLD OUT!!!
If you have been thinking about sponsoring this event or contributing as an underwriter or donor don't delay! Turn in your Sponsorship and Underwriting Form ASAP. There are limited opportunities to get your business or family name in front of our community at what is sure to be the social event of the year!
REMAINING SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: "Droids" - Hole Sponsorships (multiple available)
UNDERWRITING OPPORTUNITIES:
Wine
Players Gift
Promotion
Catalog
Raffle
Sponsorships can be submitted via email to fundraisers@sfayl.org or in person by dropping the form off at our front office during school hours.
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Thank you very much for sponsoring St. Francis of Assisi's "May the Course Be With You" Golf Tournament and Online Auction. The success of the event is dependent on generous supporters like you!
- CLJ2 Real Estate Inc (Zepeda Family) - "Jedi Master" Winner's Reception Dinner Sponsor
- Firearms Training Associates (Durham/Murphy Family) - "The Force Awakens" Welcome Breakfast Sponsor
- The Campbell Family - "Rebel Alliance" Cocktail Sponsor
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The Healy Family - "The Force" Lunch Sponsor
- B and B Plumbing (John Family) - "Mellinium Falcon" Golf Cart Sponsor
- Zarate Family - "Lightsaber" Tee Flag Sponsor
- Alliance Funding Group - "Mos Eisley Catina" Drink Cart Sponsor
Waterheater Warehouse - "Mos Eisley Catina" Drink Cart Sponsor
- Rock Jock 4x4 - "Mos Eisley Catina" Drink Cart Sponsor
- Murdock Family - "Mos Eisley Catina" Drink Cart Sponsor
- Arena Public Affairs - "Droids" Hole Sponsor
- Cleboski Family - "Droids" Hole Sponsor
- Yoo Family - "Droids" Hole Sponsor
- La Reina Markets - "Lightsaber" Tee Flag
- Lombardi Family - "Droids" Hole Sponsor
- Foye Family - "Droids" Hole Sponsor
- Mater Dei High School - "Droids" Hole Sponsor
- Hamra Family - Underwriting
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Auction Donations Needed!
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 To make the Auction portion of our "May the Course Be With You" fundraiser a success we need tangible items for the silent and live auction.
Please consider donating items as a family or as a business that will generate a high level of bidding participation:
- Access to timeshares or vacation homes - i.e., Big Bear, Mammoth, and Palm Springs
- Rounds of golf at a golf course - i.e., Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach, and Pelican Hill
- Experiences with small groups - i.e., virtual wine tasting and painting parties
- Wine, champagne, or premium liquor
- Gift certificates to restaurants, retail stores, and/or spas * Electronics or sporting equipment
- Tickets to sporting events, theater, and/or cultural events - i.e., Angels, Ducks, and Pantages Theater
We will be setting a table up each Friday during carline for convenient drop off of auction donations. Please be sure to fill out our Donation Form and attach it to your donated item(s). |
Thank you for your generous support of our May The Course Be With You Online Auction! Your donation makes our event a success.
| Avalon Bagels to Burgers | | Double Tree - Doheny Beach | | Morris Family | | Kelly's Korner Travern | | Cleboski Family | | Wise Guys | | Craftsman Pizza | | Illusion Magic Lounge | | Sky Zone | | Bower's Museum | | Fit Body Boot Camp |
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| Spoiler Alert - It's Loved Forever! |
Buy your 2020-2021 Yearbook Today!
Hand-written notes from classmates. Actual PRINTED photos. The chance to look back at outdated hairstyles. All this and more is why there's nothing like a yearbook.
Even during these unusual times, the SFA yearbook team is working hard to create a yearbook that is one-of-a-kind and reflects the unique moments that students are experiencing this year.
Click here to purchase a book designed by students for students.
The cost for a 2020-2021 yearbook was included in class fees for 8th Grade students. It is not necessary to purchase a yearbook for students in the class of 2021!
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The Yearbook Staff is looking for additional photos in the following categories:
- Outside of SFA
- Talent - Piano players, Dancers, Singers, etc.
- Sports - Ice Skaters, Baseball, Softball, etc.
- Philanthropy-in addition to @ school projects: NYM, NCL, Scouts, etc.
- Passing Time: Board Games, Puzzle Making, Video Playing, etc.
Please submit your pictures to photos@sfayl.org no later than Friday, February 26th! |
Shared Responsibility Reminder
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As a reminder, St. Francis requests that families screen their students for symptoms of COVID-19 at home before arriving at school each and every day. Anyone with a fever of 100.4° F or greater within the past 24 hours must stay home as well as fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, new loss of taste or smell, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, fatigue, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose, nausea and vomiting. In addition, anyone with recent close contacts within the past 14 days with known or suspected COVID-19 positive cases must stay at home. Personal illness, quarantine, COVID-19 illness, and symptom-related absences will be excused.
This shared responsibility is critical to our ability to keep our school open for hybrid learning. In support of this partnership, the school will send out regular reminders to families periodically. Please report your student's illness with details of all symptoms to their school Covid Coordinator. A school staff member will follow up on all students that are at home with COVID-19 symptoms.
Lastly, it is important to note that a student who is sent home, stays home, or has been exposed to COVID-19 and is at home in quarantine, will be able to access live classroom instruction from home if they are healthy enough to participate. Thank you in advance for your commitment to this shared responsibility. |
| 6th Grade Families - Immunization Requirement |
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TDap immunization is needed before your child enters 7th grade. Once this requirement has been met, please be sure to forward documentation to the SFA office. We will need this information prior to the start of the 2021 - 2022 school year.
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Support our school for FREE! Use AmazonSmile when you shop!
What you need to do:
2. Select "Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School" as your charitable organization [or simply click this link:
3. Shop Your Heart Out
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to assist SFA. Let's make our dollars really count. Every little bit helps!
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The St. Francis of Assisi Scrip Program is a major fundraiser used to reduce tuition costs for families at SFA. The scrip program provides families the ability to purchase retailer gift cards through various providers. Those retailers then rebate a percentage back to the school to pass on to each buyer.
The SFA Scrip Program will run on a yearly basis from April 1 through March 31 and will operate weekly throughout the school year with minor deadline and delivery changes due to holidays and vacations. Participants must check the school newsletter for updated order and pick up schedules.
Please download and return the attached Scrip delivery form.
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| National League of Young Men |
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