MARCH 17, 2021
What's Up at SFX....
WE HAVE AN EARLY BIRD RAFFLE WINNER!
Who won the $1000 SFX Parish School Early Bird Raffle Drawing? Watch and you will find out! 
Congratulations to our Early Bird Winner! 
Buy YOUR tickets by April 28th! Grand Prize Drawing on April 30th!
ST. PATTY'S DAY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
Oh, what a grand time was had in Early Childhood. Counting Lucky Charms, making hats and Leprechaun Traps! They tried their best to catch a leprechaun but once again, the crafty little leprechauns snuck in and left the classrooms a mess!
The 8th Grade Class SFX took part in a Virtual Field Trip to the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Students participated in a powerful learning experience that is related to the Social Studies, Religion, and Literature curriculums, as well as the 8th Grade service theme of Social Justice. We were incredibly fortunate to have a Holocaust survivor, Mr. Ben Goldwater, speak to us about his experiences. He urged the 8th graders to avoid apathy and always speak for those whose voices may be hushed.
SFX 6th graders learned about the ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius. They created a comic strip using a technology tool called “StoryBoard That” to explain some of Confucius' teachings of peace, picked their favorite quote of Confucius & made a poster explaining the meaning of the quote and how it related to their lives. They're also each working on writing a fictional narrative by first using a story map. So far, their imaginations are running wild, so we are anticipating very creative stories!
The second graders would like to thank Fr. Bill for coming to the classroom and explaining Reconciliation to the students.
Parents... WE NEED YOUR INPUT! Survey ends Friday!
Our district has chosen to provide the 5Essential parent survey. If at least 20 percent of SFX parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
TRAVEL OVER SPRING BREAK

As soon as you know your travel plans, please contact Mrs. Hoffman in the school office if you will be traveling for Spring Break. mhoffman@sfxlg.org


Come join our FSA Board!

Here are our openings:

Vice President
Secretary

The Family & School Association (FSA) is the SFX parent organization whose goal is to help advance the Catholic education of our children and to promote the spirit of St. Francis Xavier School by providing a supportive link between families and SFX school. The FSA achieves this goal by sponsoring educational and recreational events for school families.

Interested? Questions? Please reach out to Katie Adams katiesargent9@gmail.com
Each Pride Pack comes with an SFX lawn chair with carrying bag, a plush navy SFX blanket, a lawn sign and a deck of SFX playing cards. The Pride Packs will be ready to pick up after Spring Break. More details about pick up will follow. All items come in the bundle; we are not taking a la carte orders at this time. Order HERE by 3/19.
Looking for a unique way to give back to SFX?
Join the School Advisory Board!
Final applications due March 31, 2020
Interested in giving back to the children of SFX Parish School? The SFX School Advisory Board is accepting applications for a three-year term on the Board. Wonder what the main functions of the School Advisory Board are? Below is a listing of the School Advisory Board primary responsibilities:
 
The SFX School Advisory Board is comprised of SFX school parents and/or parishioners who meet with the Principal and Pastor regularly to:

●     Develop, formulate, and adopt policies which govern the operation of the School
●     Review and advise on the annual budget and determine sources of funding for the School
●     Provide counsel and advise on the operation of the School
●     Participate in the school's development, student recruitment efforts, and long-range plans
●     Assist in achieving the goals & objectives of the SFX Elementary School 3-Year Strategic Plan
●     Promote the School and support the School's public relations and marketing efforts
Curious? Want to know more about how the application process works? Below are some common questions people have about becoming a board member.
 
Q. Do you have to have experience on a board or a job in education?
A. NO, you do not have to have prior experience on a school board or experience in education to apply.

Q. How much time is this commitment?
A. We meet once per month plus 1-2 supplementary meetings each month. Plan for approx. 4 - 6 hours per month.

Q. Do you have to have a child at the school to apply?
A. NO, we also encourage parents (guardians) of a Religious Education student, young adult parishioners and alumna/alumnus of SFX. Candidates need not be parents of SFX students.

Q. How does the application/selection process work?
A. There is a one page application, 1-2 face-to-face meetings with the members of the Board and then the Board votes on the slate of applicants.

Q.  I’m considering applying but I am still uncertain. What if I want to know more before I apply?
A. You can talk to the School Board President, Katy Newcomb katynewcomb@hotmail.com, or members of the School Board selection committee Katie Kanzer k.f.kanzer@gmail.com (773) 860-5283; or Jim Schaeffer (312) 953-0353, before you formally submit your name to the process. 

***** FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE 3/31/2020 *****

To receive an application, for more information regarding the application process and timing, please contact School Board member Jim Schaefer (312) 953-0353. 

The application and more detailed information about the Board can be found on the St. Francis Xavier School Website. Please remember that all submissions for candidacy are valued and will be reviewed. We look forward to receiving your application!

Please remember that all submissions for candidacy are valued and will be reviewed. We look forward to receiving your application!
How to get Tax Return Tuition Credit info from FACTS:

Step 1: Sign in at https://online.factsmgt.com
Step 2: Select 'View Details'
Step 3: Select 'View Payment Summary' (Page will open in another window or tab)
Step 4: Select the year & then 'Print'

These statements can be used to fill out the Illinois Receipt for Qualified Education Expenses for your Illinois tax return and/or, in the case of PreSchool, the Child and Dependent Care Expenses form for your Federal tax return.
Every child deserves the chance to succeed. Empower Illinois wants to make that possible by helping Illinois families find the best education for their child. In late 2017, the Illinois Legislature created the income-based Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program to ensure all children have access to a quality education. This scholarship program makes K–12 private schools an option for thousands of kids.
These scholarships provide children and their families with opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available. Scholarships are based on financial need. Let us make a difference in your child’s life.
Please follow this link for additional information: https://empowerillinois.org/

Application Reminders
The application is a two-part process
• Part one is a brief reservation form which will timestamp applications
• Part one of the application is available at: https://reservation21.empowerexchange.org/
• Families will be notified when they may complete part two which is accessed here: EmpowerXChange portal https://app.empowerillinois.org/sign-in
• Families are encouraged to submit their application ASAP
• Families who intend to complete the FACTS Management Tuition Assistance application are also encouraged to complete the Empower Illinois application.
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR NEW FAMILIES

If you know a new family interested in enrolling* their children, please have them contact Mary Tassi at enrollment@sfxlg.org or 352-2175 ext. 331.

*We currently have a short waitlist in PS3 and 5th Grade for 2021-2022
SFX Parent Rosary

DATE: Thursday, 3/18
TIME: 8:20am

JOIN US IN-PERSON & SOCIALLY DISTANCED:

PLACE: Mary Garden on the Spring Ave side of the church (inclement weather? We will gather in the church.)

If you know in advance that you will be joining us, please register on the parish website for: "Rosary--Thursday."

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044daaa72ea2f94-community1 If your schedule changes, or the morning routine goes smoother than expected, or you realize it's Thursday, or you just forget to register? No problem! Join us! We'll mark your info when you arrive. (required by Archdiocese for contact tracing, if necessary)

JOIN US VIRTUALLY: If you are interested in praying together virtually, click on the zoom link:

Questions? Contact Katie Kanzer at k.f.kanzer@gmail.com
LAST SHOP-4-SFX ORDER BEFORE EASTER! ORDER BY FRIDAY 3/19!

Your normal purchases could be helping SFX earn tuition credit for your family or another family!  Vendors offer the cards at a discount, and SFX gets the difference as profit.  

Your family has the option of getting 40% of the profit back as a tuition credit, or you can choose to send your credit to another family or return it to the school.  

You can find a current Order Form on the SFX School Website at Shop4SFXLG.com
March 8- March 19
5-ESSENTIALS Survey

March 15th - 26th
SFX Virtual Book Fair

Friday 3/19
Pride Pack Orders Due
Shop4SFX Orders Due

April 2 - April 11
Easter Break

Monday 4/12
FULL Time BASE registration at LGPD

Monday 4/26
PART Time BASE registration at LGPD

Friday 4/30
NO-GIVEBACK GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE DRAWING
Let an individual Teacher, Staff or Administrative Team Member know that they are appreciated!

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 a student or on your family in a special way.
The following is shared community news. Content shared is informational and does not serve as a recommendation or endorsement by SFX School or Parish. 
Support SFX on Amazon Smile!

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to SFX!


Bookmark the link! Your purchases can make a difference!

Here's a suggestion to help SFX TWICE as much!
(EASY AS 1-2-3)...

1). PURCHASE AMAZON GIFT CARDS FROM SHOP4SFX
3) LOAD THE GIFT CARDS ONTO YOUR AMAZON ACCOUNT... Whenever the mood strikes you to shop, you'll be ready!
Shop for SFX !
a SCRIP Fundraising Program


Place your order today at www.ShopwithScrip.com or on the RaiseRight App

Need to enroll?

1)  Email our coordinator at ShopforSFX@sfxlg.org to receive our enrollment code.

2)  Go to www.ShopwithScrip.com and click on Join a Program.

3)  Enter a user name, password, and your account information. Fill in the validation, click Register, and you can start earning money for SFX!

Questions? Email us at ShopforSFX@sfxlg.org