Dear Academy Families,

In the month of December, we spend a great deal of time preparing children for Christmas shows, decorating classrooms, and making preparations for Christmas at home by shopping, baking, attending parties, and sharing joy. As you know, Advent is a time for waiting, praying, and preparing ourselves for the birth of Christ. By taking a step away from the hustle and bustle, and asking children to slow down and reflect on what the birth of Christ means to them, the world, and our faith, such richness will be added to this time of waiting.

Please take a look below to see what is going on for the week of December 5th here at SFDS.

 Report Cards and Parent-Teacher Conferences: Please note that all report cards (PK-Grade 8) are digitally distributed on Tuesday, December 6th at 3 pm via the FACTS Parent Portal. Nursery Progress reports will be sent home with your child on Tuesday, December 6th. This year all conferences 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. Just a reminder that Wednesday, December 7th is a 12 pm half-day for students and there is no after-school available on this day. 

Nursery-Grade 4

Please click here for Nursery-Grade 4 Appointments until Sunday, December 4th. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/?go=c.SignUpSearch&eid=0DCACFDFFFCDFB63&cs=09B7BAAE8FBB8B137B7964735BB49BCD

Please visit the website listed above for your child’s class to sign up for a time for your conference. You will need to enter your name and email address. Please sign up by Sunday, December 4th. We will assume that families not signed up by December 4th are not attending parent-teacher conferences. You will not be able to confer with your child’s teacher that afternoon or evening.

Grades 5-8

Please note in Grades 5-8 your child has 4 to 5 teachers.  The 5th-6th grade teachers have 120 students while the 7th and 8th-grade teachers have 122 students. 

In Grades 5-8 please feel free to go to your child’s individual teacher(s) at the assigned times (Tuesday, December 6th from 6 pm-7:30 pm and on Wednesday, December 7th from 12:45 pm-2:45 pm.) You will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Historically, the afternoon session has shorter wait times. We will do our best to accommodate all those families that need to meet with their child’s teacher(s). As always all teachers are always available to answer any questions you may have via email. 

One final note, please do not get caught up in the grades your child has earned, but rather try to work with the school on areas of concern. This will help your child’s progress in school which is our mutual goal. 

 $25,000 Raffle: This weekend the $25,000 raffle will be drawn.  For those who bought a ticket (tickets are sold out) the drawing will take place at the Wharf on Sunday, December 4th from 4 pm-6 pm.  Thanks again to all who continue to support our academy.

 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. 

Advent Service Project for 4th and 5th Graders: Our Franny Friendship Committee is hosting an Advent service opportunity for 4th & 5th Graders on  Monday, December 5th from 2:45-4:00 pm. Students will be making cards and ornaments for elderly parishioners in our community.

If your child is interested in this service opportunity, please click the link below to register. 

https://forms.gle/ZwRErgRNQURsgDhD6

 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 will be closed. 

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.  

Sibling Registration Intent Form: Our school year is rapidly moving along. We can hardly believe that Christmas is almost here. As we begin to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, we want to ensure that our plans maximize the benefit to your child/children. We have just completed a period in which our current Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten families filled out a letter of intent for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes for next school year.

We ask that if you have any sibling (brother or sister) of a current student here at St. Francis who plans on attending St. Francis in 2022 as a new Nursery, Pre-K, Kindergarten or Grade 1-7 student please complete the form below by Monday, December 19th. After that, we will be opening registration to the public in the Winter of 2023 (If space allows)

https://forms.gle/PZ5k5NZZRz1JtuCZA

Please note we anticipate having waiting lists in some grades for next year. (Grades 1, 4, 6, and 7 especially) This intent form is for planning purposes only and does not guarantee your registration for the 2023-2024 school year.  

2023 Christmas Show: It is amazing that we only have three more weeks of school until Christmas. Two weeks ago a letter and order form went home about the Christmas Show. For another copy of the letter and order form please click here. Orders are due on Wednesday, December 7th. 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. The dress rehearsals for both shows will take place on Tuesday, December 20th. 

SAVE THE DATE 

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

Christmas Boutique: The Christmas Boutique for our students will be from December 14th- December 15th. Please see below the schedule of when classes will be attending.

Dress Down Day: Friday, December 16th 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, December 16th in the afternoon.

Have a great weekend!