Dear Academy Families,

Another busy few days have ended here at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy. I hope each of you has a great weekend as we rest up for what should be an exciting week at school. Please see below a few updates for the next few days and some reminders.

I-Ready: This past week, all students began the I-Ready diagnostic test. Towards the end of next week, all students in Grades 1-8 will be sent home with their I-Ready beginning of the-year diagnostic test in Reading and Math. There will be an email that explains the purpose of the exam and the next steps both in the classroom and at home with the I-Ready program. Of course, if you have any questions, please be in touch with your child’s teacher and/or the administration. Our Kindergarten students will take their diagnostic test during the week of October 10th. 

Catholic High School Fair: On Monday, September 25th at 6 pm, we will host our annual High School Fair. Students in grades 7 and 8 and their families are welcome to join us in the gym to meet with representatives from local high schools from Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Long Island.

Go Gold for Childhood Cancer: As many people know, September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. On Friday, September 29th  all students may dress down for $1 and Go Gold for Childhood Cancer. Students are asked to wear gold or yellow shirts on this dress-down day. All proceeds from the dress-down day are going to the annual Catch a Cure 5K Race. Catch a Cure is a community non-profit charitable organization that benefits local families dealing with cancer. If families are around next Sunday, 10/1/23 at 9 a.m. the route runners will be running is on the boardwalk between 116th street and 97th Street. Of course, all are invited to line up along the route to cheer the runners on.   

Last Call for Digital Forms: In the FACTS Family Portal, please make sure that you fill out (new families) or update (returning families) the Demographic, Medical, Custodial, Emergency Contact, and Transportation Forms ASAP. 

We have assembled some websites, information, and digital forms for starting a new school year.  These links, along with the Family-Student Handbook and our Acceptable Use Policy, keep everyone “in the loop.” 

Please note that some forms are optional, and others must be filled out. They are stated next to the name of the form. If you have any questions, please call the main office. We always encourage parent communication and involvement, so please contact us with any concerns or questions.

• Handbook Agreement Form (Mandatory Form)- Past Due 9/15/23

• Height and Weight Form (Please fill out one for each child) (Mandatory Form)- Past Due 9/15/23

• Parish Affiliation Form (Mandatory Form to qualify for affiliated tuition rate) – Due 9/22/23

• Absence Note Form (Please note that a written absent note still needs to be sent into your child’s homeroom teacher to record the absence correctly in FACTS and for our legal records). 

Special Lunch: Just a reminder that next week some of our special lunches will begin. On Mondays moving forward until June, students who ordered a bagel will receive one; on Thursdays moving forward until June,  all students in Grades K-4 who ordered Pizza will receive a pizza lunch; and on Fridays moving forward until Jun all students in Grades 5-8 who ordered Pizza will receive a pizza lunch. If there are any questions, please contact Lisa Hayden at [email protected]. 

Just a reminder that Chicken Finger Orders are due by 10/5/23. Please click below for more information. 

Chicken Finger Day Form (Grades 1-8)

Franny Fun Run: Our 4th annual Franny Fun Run Fundraiser (10/21/23) will kick off next Tuesday 9/26. Please be on the lookout for more information from the Academy Family Association about one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. 

AFA News: Speaking of the Academy Family Association, to access their most recent newsletter please go to our school website and click on the Academy Family Association button.  You can also access the newsletter by clicking here. 

Enrichment Programs: Over the last weeks we have sent out information about some great STEM programs from i-Camp, a Chess program from Chess Nuts, Abrakadoodle Art and The Paul Effman Band.  This Tuesday, 9/26, we begin our Movabale Machine Enrichment Program for Grades K-1. If you are interested in signing up your child for that program, please click here. 

For more information about any of our enrichment programs please click here. If you have any questions, please send an email to Mrs. Endall at [email protected]

We are delighted to share that Paul Effman Music will start again on Tuesday, October 10th. Some very talented musicians joined us today to sample the different instrument options available to our students!

Log on to the Paul Effman website for registration information!

Register online: www.pemusic.com/join

VIRTUS Training: A reminder to all who registered for Monday,  September 25, 2023 training that it will take place at 7pm in the Small Hall. St. Francis de Sales will be hosting another VIRTUS training session onsite on Monday, November 6th at 7pm. You can sign up for this session or any session in the Diocese of Brooklyn by clicking here. 

After completing the VIRTUS Program, we ask that you please bring to the office a copy of your certificate for us to keep track of in our database. We hope that this is not an inconvenience for anyone, but we need to be sure that all adults who interact with students are in compliance.

Absent Notes: As the school year moves forward many times a child may be absent from school for various reasons. Please remember that when a child has been absent, a written excuse is required from his or her parents/legal guardians. Without this written notice please note that your child will be recorded absent without a note on our attendance record. 

SAVE THE DATES

Blessing of the Animals: October 4th is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Saint Francis is remembered as the patron saint of animals and the environment.  Saint Francis of Assisi chose a life of poverty, prayer and peacemaking.  He cared for the poor, the sick and all creation, and founded the Franciscan order. It is customary on the feast day of Saint Francis to bless the animals, in remembrance of his love for all creatures, great and small.  All are welcome to join Saint Francis de Sales Parish or Blessed Trinity Parish for the blessing of the animals on Wednesday, October 4th—more information to follow. 

Columbus Day: Our first day off this school year is Monday, October 9th, 2023, for Columbus Day. The school will be open again on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023. 

Socktober: On Friday, October 20th, don't forget to bring in $1 and wear CRAZY socks as we celebrate the last day of summer uniform. 

Just a reminder that Friday, October 20th 2023 is the last day that students are allowed to wear their summer uniforms. Starting on Monday, October 23rd students need to be in complete winter uniform. For the full uniform policy please click here. Please email Mrs. Hayes at [email protected] with any questions. 

Have a great weekend. We hope to see you at mass this weekend!