September 28, 2023
SFDS Update #4 2023 (Week of October 1st 2023)
Dear Academy Families,
Next Wednesday 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.
Please see below for some information on the upcoming weeks at the Academy.
The Tablet Fundraiser for Catholic Schools: The Tablet Fundraiser for Catholic Schools started on Monday and runs until Friday, October 6th.
Tablet Fundraiser for St. Francis
We’re excited about this campaign because our school and students will directly benefit. This campaign will also support The Tablet’s work in reporting important news for Catholics. We believe it’s a win, win, win!. You’ll be happy to know that our school can apply all of our students’ sales toward our DeSales Technology Grant requirements. Our participation in the DeSales Technology Grant in the past was one of the main reasons we were able and still are able to provide a device to all students in our school. We hope that all of our families participate in this fundraiser, as it helps us keep technology current in our school building.
Each family that purchases or sells one subscription will be entitled to a dress-down ticket to be used during the Month of October or November. We will have a list of all subscriptions at the end of the fundraiser.
Help us reach our goal of 375 subscriptions sold to help us continue to keep our 1:1 Ipad/Chromebook program up to date.
Share the above link with family and friends.
Remember to share the following information with the subscriber and remind them to enter it when placing their order to ensure your school and child gets the proper credit for the subscription:
The student's first name
The student's last name
The student's grade
Franny Fun Run: We ask you to join us in supporting our 4th Annual Franny Fun Run/Walk Fundraiser . We hope you can help, volunteer, and enjoy this wonderful school event! Our challenge of $65,000 in donations is attainable if everyone can do their part.
Any family that meets a goal of $60, regardless of the number of children they have in the Academy, will get a free dress-down day ticket to be used in (November/December) for every student in their family.
This year we have set the family goals as follows:
• Families with one child in the Academy: $60 per family
• Families with two children in the Academy: $120 per family
• Families with three or more children in the Academy: $150 per family
All families that meet their family fundraising goal will get a fun-run t-shirt for each child in their family.
Additionally, new this year, families that reach $250 in total donations will receive a complimentary course sign that will be displayed along the route the morning of the race and outside of the Academy for one week following the event.
Step 1: on September 26th, our families, received an email providing a link to your family's web-based donation page. If you did not receive your link via email, please search your family's page here: https://independent.pledgebrite.org/fund/frannyrun23
Step 2: Share your donation page via Facebook, Twitter, and Social Media. Also, use the email and text link on the invite and reach out to as many family and St. Francis De Sales Catholic Academy friends requesting their support. Donations are made via a secure credit card site. We will continue to accept cash or checks, and send them to school in an envelope, Attn: Franny Fun Run. Please include the family's name with the donor’s name and if available email.
Step 3, check-in often and follow SFDS and your family's progress as we strive to reach and surpass our goal of $65,000!
We have already raised over $11,000.
Parking around the School: In recent updates, we have asked all of our families to please be mindful when parking around the school. We do ask that all families avoid parking their cars in the driveways of our neighbors. The reality is that just one car parked in a driveway is reason enough for the traffic division to be called and ticket all cars parked in a Do Not Park Zone. The local precinct wants to work with the school and church yet will not be able to if neighbors' driveways continue to be blocked. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this matter.
I-Ready: This past week, all students completed the I-Ready diagnostic test. Starting on Monday and continuing on Tuesday all students in Grades 1-8 will be sent home with their I-Ready beginning of the-year diagnostic test in Reading and Math.
Our Kindergarten students will take their diagnostic test during the week of October 10th.
FACTS Gradebook: As we finish the 1st month of the school year please if you haven't already, log on to the parent portal of FACTS to check on how your child is progressing this year. This is a great way to see if your child is missing any assignments. You should have already received usernames and passwords. Please contact the main office via email at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Uniform Shoes: Shoes for the winter uniform must be black leather dress shoes with black rubber soles. They can be tie or slip ons. Please see the following suggested shoe styles for boys and girls in grades 1-8. The links are only to serve as samples of approved styles. If you have questions regarding shoe styles, please email Mrs.Hayes at [email protected]. As always, the uniform is up to the discretion of the staff and administration of St. Francis de Sales. Black sneakers and/or black moccasins are not part of the school uniform. Families may be asked to purchase new uniforms and shoes, if they do not follow the uniform policy.
In Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten students wear sneakers all year long. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Black Leather Mary Janes (Girls Only)
Lockdown Drill: This week we will be having our second lockdown drill of the school year. Please have a conversation with your children on the importance and reason for these important drills.
8th Grade High School Information: Just a quick reminder for our 8th-grade families that high school information is being updated regularly on our website. Many schools are advertising open houses that will occur during the month of October and some this weekend. Please make sure you are checking the "High School Information and TACHS Info" section on our website.
Also yesterday the academy pushed the extension "Proctorio" on all school devices. Just a reminder this extension is needed to take the TACHS exam. Please begin to have a discussion with your child this weekend of what device he or she will use for the TACHS exam next month. Please note that the device must meet certain requirements and have a working microphone and camera.
Special Lunch: Just a reminder that Chicken Finger Orders are due by Thursday 10/5/23. Please click below for more information.
Chicken Finger Day Form (Grades 1-8)
Enrichment Programs: Over the last weeks we have sent out information about Chess program from Chess Nuts, Abrakadoodle Art and The Paul Effman Band. This Monday we begin our Chess Nuts program.
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 11th. 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
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
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.
Rosary Rally: Bishop Brennan has again asked that we join with other dioceses throughout the country by hosting a Rosary Rally. Our school-wide Rosary Rally will be on Wednesday, October 18th at 1:15pm. Students in grades one through eight will be participating in this very special service. Students are asked to bring their rosary beads for this special service.
Confirmation: On Thursday, October 19th 2023, many members of St. Francis de Sales 8th Grade will be blessed by the Holy Spirit. Due to the ceremony on 10/19 being at 1pm and 4pm, the 8th Grade class is off on Thursday 10/19. The rest of the school has an early dismissal at 12pm.
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.
VIRTUS Training: 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.
Have a great weekend. We hope to see you at mass this weekend!