Dear Academy Families,

As we break for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You. In a special way,  thank you to all the parents who volunteered and gave us help when needed and a thank you to all our families for your continued support and constant sacrifice to give your children a Catholic education. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

This weekend we begin the beautiful season of Advent. Advent has a twofold nature: It prepares us for Christmas when we recall Christ’s first coming among us, and it is also a time when we look forward to His second coming at the end of the ages. Advent is the season of joyful expectation. As a school community, we will be exploring many avenues during Advent amidst the frantic energy of preparing for December 25. How wonderful it is that as Christians, we do not liturgically celebrate Christmas until December 25 and after, giving us the opportunity to focus our attention on the true meaning of the season! Of course, there will also be opportunities to have fun as well with the return of our Polar Express, making ornaments for our Christmas Tree in the lobby, and making Christmas crafts as well. 

This past Monday the youngest child in each family was sent home with a Family ADVENTure Bag. This bag was filled with many fun things families can do together to keep their focus on Jesus. We do ask that you share photos with us at [email protected] as your family does some of these activities at home during the advent season. 

Please take a look below to see what is going on for the week of November 28th here at SFDS.

 Report Cards/Parent Teacher Conference: Please note that all report cards are digitally distributed on Tuesday, December 6th at 3 pm via the FACTS Parent Portal. 

This year all conferences will be done in person and will take place on Tuesday, December 6th from 6 pm-7:30 pm and on Wednesday, December 7th from 12:45 pm-2:45 pm. Wednesday, December 7th is a 12pm half-day for students and there is no after-school available on this day. 

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 Tuesday, December 6th from 6 pm-7:30 pm and on Wednesday, December 7th from 12:45 pm-2:45 pm.

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. 

Graduation and Makeup Pictures: On Tuesday, November 29th, the 8th grade will be taking their individual graduation pictures. All 8th-grade students are to be in full winter uniform.  Graduation gowns and mortarboards are provided by the company. Our gentlemen need to bring a white, button-down dress shirt.  A tie is not necessary.  (The shirt may be brought on a hanger). 

Also if your child in Nursery-Grade 7 was absent on the original picture day, please know your child can dress up or wear their uniform for their makeup picture on November 29th. 

Student Illness: As the colder weather begins, we see more and more children who become ill. A child who is sick will not be able to perform well in school and is likely to spread the illness to other children and staff. If your child is ill, before sending them back to school please clear it with your child's pediatrician. Please call the school's nurse or main office if you have any questions or concerns.

Chicken Finger Days: A reminder to all those families that have ordered Chicken Fingers for their child for lunch that the next round of Chicken Finger Days is next week. Students in Grades 1-4 who ordered chicken fingers will receive them on Tuesday 11/29. Students in Grades 5-8 who ordered chicken fingers will receive them on Wednesday 11/30.

Toys for Tots: With the Christmas season approaching, and 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 host our annual Polar Express Night in the school gym on Friday, December 2nd. We will be having two sessions this year. The 1st session will be 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!

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10. This will cover admission, Oreo cookies, hot chocolate, and a special treat. If your child has an allergy and cannot have these items please email  Dr. Scharbach at [email protected].

To help accommodate all children we are asking that this be a drop-off event. (Children Only)

Parents, please take a few minutes to go over these basic etiquette guidelines with your child(ren). It is our hope that by following these guidelines, everyone’s movie-going experience will be a good one.

1. We do not talk during the movie.

2. Refrain from getting up and down. People behind us are trying to watch the movie and too many trips to the bathroom, drinking fountain, etc. is distracting and unnecessary. This will also help eliminate many spills on the floor.

3. Running will not be tolerated.

4. Enjoy and have fun!

Early Childhood Registration: We are beginning to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year.  In the past few weeks, 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. 

2023 Christmas Show: It is amazing that when we return after Thanksgiving we only have four weeks of school until Christmas. This week a letter and order form went home about the Christmas Show. For another copy of the letter and order form please click here. Any questions about tickets please call the office. Any questions about costumes or dress please contact your child's teacher directly. To take another look at the information posted about costumes please click here. Information about dress rehearsals will be in next week’s update.   

SAVE THE DATE 

2nd Grade Proximate Prep: For those students who are receiving the sacrament of Penance and Communion at SFDS Parish there is a parents-only meeting on Monday, December 5th from 6:30-7:30 PM in Church. Blue folders will be given out at that time, which contain all the information you will need for your family to prepare for this special time in your children’s faith journey. 

 Immaculate Conception Day: Thursday, December 8th is a Diocesan Holiday for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is a Diocesan Holiday so just a reminder that St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy is closed. 

 SFDS Parish Tree Lighting: Please save the date for Wednesday, December 14th at 6 pm as St. Francis de Sales Parish lights its Christmas Trees, Angels, and Nativity. We hope you join us for this great tradition. 

 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. 

 Dress Down Day: Friday 12/16 is a $1 dress down day. All students are encouraged to wear Red and or Green, or wear an ugly holiday sweater. All money raised is going to a family in need. 

 Christmas Craft Day: Every year, students, 5th through 8th grade, prepare a craft activity to create, with students in Pre K-4th grades.  This year the entire school will be partaking in this activity on Friday 12/16 in the afternoon.

Have a great Thanksgiving!