Dear Academy Families,

Thanks to all those who attended last night’s Academy Family Association Meeting. Mr. Ben Tracy spoke to our 6th-8th grade students yesterday about social media safety. Mr. Tracy last night with parents shared his personal experience of being fired as an adult because of Twitter comments he had made while in high school, and the subsequent media frenzy that followed. He shared stats about the trend for colleges and companies to review applicants' social media history, and talked about cyberbullying, social media addiction, and its relationship to mental health and well-being. To those who were not able to join us last night, we do recommend you take a look at some of the resources referenced (https://safesocialnetwork.com/parentresources) and some of Mr. Tracy’s videos to better understand the importance of navigating social media in the year 2022. 

Please note that St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy is closed on Thursday, November 10th for a Faculty Professional Day.  A few years ago, I had the chance to attend an active shooter training from a team of law enforcement individuals out of Boston. Our faculty in the Winter of 2020 had the opportunity to be trained by them, as well. Tomorrow this team will be coming back to St. Francis to do a similar training for our staff. 

To honor all those brave men and women who served in our armed forces, we will be closed on Veterans Day Friday, November 11th. In a special way, we honor all those brave men and women who served in our armed forces this Veterans Day. Please take a moment to watch the following tribute to all those who gave service to our country from our school community. A special thank you to the Franny Friendship Committee for putting this video together. 

We hope our students and families enjoy the four-day weekend!

Now onto some important reminders, news, and events at the academy in the upcoming days….

Early Childhood Registration: We are beginning to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year.  In the past few days, we issued a Google Form of intent for any current Nursery and Pre-K student here at St. Francis who plans on attending St. Francis in 2023 as a Pre-K or Kindergarten student. Those forms are due by Monday, November 28th.  As always, we thank you for your dedication and support of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy. If you have any concerns that we may address, please do not hesitate to call or email us. 

After Thanksgiving,  an email will be sent home to families of current students to see if any siblings will be joining our Early Childhood program. Please fill out all letters of intent as soon as possible, as we will begin open registration in the winter of 2023.  This is especially important to do with our current enrollment numbers. 

Tuition Arrears: This Tuesday, November 15th the 4th tuition payment is due.  Please be mindful to keep your account up to date on FACTS for all tuition or any outstanding fees. Please remember that report cards are not distributed unless your account is up to date as of November 15, 2022. Any issues please feel free to reach out. 

8th Grade Graduation Dinner Dance Meeting: All parents who are interested in helping to fundraise and plan for the Class of 2023 are invited to join the administration on Tuesday, November 15th at 7pm to begin the process of creating committees for this special event. This meeting will be via Zoom.

Saint Francis de Sales is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Time: Nov 15, 2022, 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84801531154?pwd=TVdMcjgxWlRnRkYzR2dRY1ZIMWtZUT09

Meeting ID: 848 0153 1154

Passcode: aXt11g

Proximate Prep (SFDS): St. Francis de Sales Parish will be holding their first Proximate Prep for Confirmation 2023 on Wednesday, November 16th at 6:30 in church. They ask that one parent accompany each candidate for this evening of prayer and information. They will be distributing the “Red Folder” to all of those students who will be making Confirmation in the fall of 2023 at SFDS Parish. 

Christmas Show: Earlier today we posted on our website and social media accounts what costumes are needed for this year’s Christmas Show for students in Grades K-8 on December 20th  and December 21st. Any questions about costumes or dress please contact Mrs. Maureen Hayes at [email protected]

To take another look at the information posted please click here. Information on how to order tickets to this year’s show will be given out next week.

AFA Mass of Thanksgiving: The Academy Family Association would like to invite all families (children and parents) to attend a Mass of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 17th  at 6:30 pm at St. Francis de Sales Church.  We hope that many parents and guardians will be able to attend. 

Little Sisters of the Poor Drive: St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Drive for the Queen of Peace Residence for the elderly poor. Each year we ask classes to bring in assigned personal and food items, which are requested by the Little Sisters of the Poor who care for the residents. If you feel you can donate one or more of the requested items, please send it to school no later than Friday, November 18th.

8th Grade

• Shampoo

• Baby Wipes

7th Grade

• mouthwash 

•  liquid hand soap

6th Grade

• deodorant (roll-on, solid or gel – no spray)

• Body wash

5th Grade 

•  toothpaste

•  bar soap.  (Dove, Lever or Olay)

4th Grade 

• Cake mixes 

3rd Grade

• Canned fruit

• Canned Juice

2nd Grade

• Dry cereals ( NO sugar)

• Oatmeal

1st Grade 

• Soups

• Canned fish (tuna or salmon)

Kindergarten

• Coffee 

• Tea

PreK

• Facial tissue

• Toilet tissue

Nursery

Paper towels

Join the St. Francis de Sales Parish Youth Choir: Open to all students in grades 3 through 8. The choir will meet every Monday afternoon in the church from 4:00-5:00 starting November 21st. ALL ARE WELCOME. A Parent/Guardian must be present at the first practice to register their child.

For more information, please contact the SFDS Parish Music Director, Michael Fontana at: [email protected]

 SAVE THE DATE 

Thanksgiving Holiday: Just a reminder that St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy has a half day on Wednesday, November 23rd with 12-noon dismissal. This is then followed by Thanksgiving Recess on November 25th and 26th. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Dress Down Day (Wear Purple): On Monday, November 28th the school will be having a dress down day. Students are asked to wear the color purple as we start the Advent season here at the Academy. 

Advent Prayer Service: Please save the date of Tuesday, December 6th at 6 pm for a special Academy Family Advent Prayer Service. All Academy Parents and their children are invited to attend this special prayer service as we get ready for the coming of the Baby Jesus. 

Toys for Tots: With the Christmas season approaching, as we look forward to the birth of our Lord, we should remember those less fortunate than us. In the spirit of giving, we are asking that students donate a gift for other children. Please bring in an unwrapped toy or game after the Thanksgiving Holiday. All donations will go to children in need. Thank you for your generosity. All donations need to be made by Friday, December 16th.  

Polar Express: We are so excited to announce that we will have our annual Polar Express Night this year in the school Gym on Friday, December 2nd. We will be having two sessions this year. The 1st session will be only for Kindergarten and 1st-grade students from 4 pm-6 pm. Our second session will be for 2nd-4th graders from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm. We are looking forward to a great night … All Aboard!

Report Cards: Please note that all report cards are digitally distributed on Tuesday, December 6th at about 3 pm via the FACTS Parent Portal. This year all conferences will be done in person and will take place on Wednesday, December 7th from 12:45 pm-2:45 pm and from 6 pm-7:30 pm. On Monday, November 28th we will send out information on signing up for time slots for conferences. All families will have until Sunday, December 4th to sign up for the conferences on Wednesday, December 7th.

Christmas Boutique: We are also happy to announce the dates of our Christmas Boutique this year. The Christmas Boutique for our students will be from December 14th- December 15th. More information to follow closer to the dates. 

Have a great 4-day weekend.