A message was sent to all families on August 14 which included a link to the 2020-21 Family Handbook as well as information regarding the Back to School Form located in your PowerSchool Parent Portal. The Back to School Form includes important emergency contact information as well as the compliance form for the St. Francis DeSales High School Family Handbook and media release form.

The Back to School Form must be completed for each student by tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26.

After receiving the Governor's directives regarding high school sports, we are excited to announce that all of our fall athletic teams have officially kicked off their seasons. At this time, spectators will be limited at our home events to only family members of participating athletes; only students who have siblings competing in said contest will be able to attend. Currently we are working to install new cameras in the gymnasium as well as in Alumni Stadium to live stream all athletic events. Once cameras are fully operational, we will send directions on how to take advantage of this opportunity.

Behind these masks are the smiling faces of our new faculty and staff members! Please help us welcome social studies teacher Annie Aumiller, full-time school nurse Kelli Fitzpatrick, part-time school nurse Ellyn Wirth, advancement officer Phil Kraker, and ELL tutor John Holbrook (not pictured).

Annie Aumiller, Social Studies Teacher: I will be teaching US and World History, and I am eager to begin working with, and getting to know the students here! I am a 2019 graduate of Miami University, and prior to my time at DeSales I worked as an intervention aide at my alma mater, Olentangy Orange High School. I'm excited to begin my first year as a social studies teacher and ready to join my students in the classroom.

Kelli Fitzpatrick, School Nurse: I graduated from SFD in 2003. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Otterbein University, I worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for 12 years, and was a clinical instructor at Mount Carmel College of Nursing and Columbus State Community College for a year. I then transitioned to something completely new and was a nurse at Nationwide Insurance providing clinical support and promoted employee wellness and safety. I’m also a certified CPR instructor through the American Red Cross. I missed working with kids and have a passion for teaching, which helped make my decision to become a school nurse a natural fit. It’s exciting for St. Francis DeSales to have a full-time nurse and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the family (again)!

Ellyn Wirth, School Nurse (PT): I am starting my 4th year as a licensed school nurse, employed by Columbus City Schools. Prior to my work in the district, I was an ER nurse, a nurse in the Vascular Thoracic Surgical ICU step-down unit at Riverside Hospital, and a critical care nurse in Vascular Interventional Radiology. I was raised Catholic and am excited to be joining the DeSales team this year!

Phil Kraker, Advancement Officer: I am excited to volunteer at Saint Francis DeSales to help further the mission of the school. As a parent of three SFD alumnae and parent of a current member of the Class of 2024, I highly value a St. Francis DeSales education and the impact this institution has on its students. After a 30 year career in business, I believe it is time to redirect my energies to my Catholic faith and Catholic Education to help the future of our community and country. I am blessed to be able to be part of the St. Francis DeSales High School team.  

This summer Principal Garrick reinforced the school's commitment to further enhance an environment of inclusivity by establishing the Office of Diversity and Student Equity. Heading up this new office is business teacher and alumnus, Darrien Scott '13. As the director, Mr. Scott will act as a change-agent by providing leadership for diversity, equity and inclusion-based programming, education and initiatives throughout the school. He explains, "I am most excited about having this new position at my alma mater because it is an opportunity to create positive change within the community that has given so much to so many. The position gives our school the opportunity to listen, learn and grow together."

SFD has also partnered with Seed the Way, LLC as part of our commitment to sustain more equitable and anti-racist policies, spaces and systems. Our partnership will have an enormously positive impact on our students' ability to lead effectively in an ever changing world. To that end, because diversity is always evolving, the Office of Diversity and Student Equity will mirror its dynamic nature, demonstrating that an equitable learning environment benefits everyone.

Senior Maura Mascarin was selected to be in this summer's All-Ohio State Youth Choir. With the cancellation of the Ohio State Fair this year, the choir went #VirtuallyAmazing. They recorded multiple songs for their Youtube Channel, including the song included today.

Even though we will not be able to meet in person for the annual Grandparents Day breakfast and Mass, we still want to do something special for our students and their grandparents! This fall, on October 22 and 23, we will hold a Grandparents Day Mass. Mass will be streamed live in order for our grandparents to celebrate with our student body.

In early October, we will send each grandparent an invitation to join us for this virtual event.

Please take a moment today to submit your student's grandparent's mailing address. We would also like to display photos of our students with their grandparents on our Grandparents Day webpage; if you have a photo to share, please email a copy to cofojohn@desales.co.

Please submit address and photo by October 1, 2020. 

Watch for an email in your inboxes this Friday with important 'Welcome Back' information!

If you believe your student has the desire to continue their athletic career collegiately at the Division I, Division II, Division III or NAIA level, it is never too early to start the recruiting process! On the school’s athletic website you will be able to find the steps you and your athlete will need to complete in order to begin this process. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Carli Urcheck at 614-267-7808 ext 430 or at urcheck@desales.co. Website Link: www.stallionpride.com/college-recruiting

Please refer to www.sfdstallions.org/path-forward for the latest announcements and updates.