January 19, 2023
SFDS Weekly Update #19- 1/19/23
Dear Academy Families,
This Tuesday, January 24th is the Feast Day of our school’s Patron Saint: Saint Francis de Sales.
Born in France in 1567, Francis was a patient man. He knew for thirteen years that he had a vocation to the priesthood before he mentioned it to his family. When his father said that he wanted Francis to be a soldier and sent him to Paris to study, Francis said nothing. Then when he went to Padua to get a doctorate in law, he still kept quiet, but he studied theology and practiced mental prayer while getting into sword fights and going to parties. Even when his bishop told him if he wanted to be a priest that he thought that he would have a miter waiting for him someday, Francis uttered not a word. Why did Francis wait so long? Throughout his life he waited for God's will to be clear. He never wanted to push his wishes on God, to the point where most of us would have been afraid that God would give up!
This weekend, we ask St. Francis de Sales to pray for us.
Onto the rest of the week here at the Academy….
Catholic Schools Week: Earlier this week we shared on our website and social media accounts this year's schedule for Catholic Schools Week. More information will be coming in the next few weeks about the dress-down days and events of the week.
On this link, you will find order forms and registration forms for various events.
6th Grade Open Gym on 2/10/23 Registration Form- Due 2/3/23
Pre-K and Kindergarten Art and Craft Project (2/13/23) Sign-Up Form- Due 2/8/23
Grades 1-5 Radio Bingo (2/14/23) Sign-Up Form- Due 2/8/23
On Wednesday 2/15 All students are asked to wear a St. Francis de Sales Shirt (2023 CSW Shirt or past CSW Shirt). If a student does not own a CSW Shirt, they can wear their Gym Shirt.
To order a CSW T-Shirt please click the form below. All orders are due by 1/26/23
https://forms.gle/P4J7NqaptXbiMa1z6
Part of Catholic Schools Week will include a pajama day for all grades. PK-4 will be on Friday, February 17th and Grades 5-8 will be on Thursday, February 16th. SFDS pajama pants are not required but are a good way to show school spirit.
To order SFDS PJ Pants please click the form below.
Pajama pants will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once they are sold out, they will not be reordered. As each size sells out, it will no longer be available on the form.
https://forms.gle/mRYAKSXUosC6cg9S8
I-Ready Diagnostic Test (Week of 1/23): All students in Kindergarten-8th grade will be taking the second round of the diagnostic test during the week of January 23rd. Students will complete both the i-Ready Math Diagnostic and the Language Arts i-Ready Diagnostic. This will be the second time that the students are taking the diagnostic test and we look forward to sharing their results and growth with you once we have completed the test for all students.
For those who are not sure, i-Ready is an online program for reading and mathematics that will help your child’s teacher determine your child’s needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows your child’s teacher to meet your student exactly where they are and provides data to increase your student’s learning gains.
Learn more about i-Ready by watching this video!
How can parents help their child prepare for an iReady assessment?
It is important for parents to encourage their children to try their best on the assessment. Since iReady is a general measure of student ability in mathematics, students perform best on the assessment in the same way they perform best in school—when they have had plenty of rest, attend school regularly, and have eaten.
Encourage your student to take each lesson and quiz question seriously. Emphasize “thinking before clicking,” because just clicking through will not be a productive use of their time nor reflect what your student actually knows. Remind your student to read passages in their entirety, use paper and pencil to solve math problems, and use the tools that appear at the bottom of the screen in some lessons.
FACTS Gradebook: As we are now almost ½ way through the 2nd trimester of the school year please if you haven't already, log on to the Family 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. Please contact the main office via email at [email protected] if you have any questions. Please remember you can also look at the yearly calendar and your tuition balance through the FACTS parent portal as well.
Talking with Your Children About Keeping Safe: In light of the climate we live in, it is important to make children aware of the fact that not all adults are helpful or kind. The children need to know some basic safety precautions and what actions to take if approached by a stranger. It is equally important to define strangers so that they are not lured by someone familiar, but who in fact is unknown to you.
Please discuss the following safety precautions with your child and the actions he/she should take if approached. Use it to open lines of communication or discussion. It is important to keep open the lines of communication.
Don't go near the car.
Don't ever go into a stranger's car.
Do walk away from the person's car..
Don't talk to the person. It is not the time to be polite or give directions.
Don't wear clothing with your name showing.
Do get the attention of other adults by making noise or yelling.
Do get to the nearest available house.
Do travel in groups to and from the bus stop or school.
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Do let a responsible adult know that you have been approached as soon as you can.
First Penance: Good luck to many of our Saint Francis second graders who will be receiving first Penance this Wednesday, January 25th at 6:30 pm at St. Francis de Sales Parish. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers as you continue your spiritual journey and prepare for receiving the Eucharist for the first time
Re-Registration 2023-2024: St Francis de Sales Catholic Academy’s administration and staff are already looking ahead and making plans for next school year. In preparation for the start of 2023-2024, please take time now to complete your child’s re-enrollment for next year. This form is due on Friday, February 3rd, and the $200 re-registration fee per student is due on Sunday, February 26th.
To Re-Register please follow the steps below:
Please go to www.factsmgt.com
Select Parent Log In from the menu bar and FACTS Family Portal from the drop-down menu.
Type in your username and password. If you have forgotten your username or password, please click on the link provided.
After logging in, click on Apply/Enroll in the left menu.
Click on the Enrollment/Reenrollment link.
Our Online Enrollment system will open with a link to the enrollment packet. The online process should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Your information will be saved if you need to quit and come back later. All re-registration fees will be paid via the FACTS Tuition portal. All fees will be due on 2/26/23. If you have your account set to automatic withdrawal the fees will come out of your account 2-3 business days before.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Mrs. Kenny at 718-634-2775 or [email protected].
Please note that all families that have a sibling (brother/sister) and filled out the intent form to register for the next school year will be receiving an email prior to February 6, 2023 with a link to the registration portal for the 2023-2024 school year which officially opens on February 10, 2023.
Junior High Math Bee: Congratulations to Lucas Allen, Matthew Mandala, and Brady Gallagher on being this year’s winner, runner-up, and third-place winner in our Annual Junior High Math Bee. We wish good luck to Lucas he goes on to the Diocesan Math Bee on 1/24.
Financial Aid:
SAVE THE DATE
Family Life Week: In two weeks in Grades 5-8 we will be taking a special moment out of our religion curriculum to look at Family Life. All schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn are mandated to teach this curriculum which focuses on God’s gift of Family, of Self, of Life, of Love, and of Community. We ask that you continue the conversation at home in regards to the Church’s teaching in regards to living a healthy and holy family life.
Mid-Winter Recess: Just a reminder that from February 20th-February 24th St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy will be closed for Mid-Winter Recess.
Card Party Save the Date:
Have a great weekend!