Dear Academy Families,

We began organizing Catholic Schools Week for the 2022-2023 school year as soon as we returned to school in January. With our re-registration and new registrants, we're also starting to think about next year. While it is vital to plan for the future and look ahead, it is also crucial to enjoy the present and live in the moment. Now that I'm a father of two, I can honestly state what you all know so well: “they grow up far too quickly.” Because it feels like the month of January has flown by, I felt compelled to pause and think on everything that we have here at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy. 

The theme this year, “Ignite the Catholic Imagination,” captures the spirit and mission of what our Catholic schools are all about. What is accomplished in each Catholic school is a great gift to the Church, to the Diocese, to families and to local communities throughout the Rockaways.  The contributions that our faculty and staff make so selflessly are the building blocks, not only of the future but of the present! I am most grateful to them for their great work and to our parents and benefactors for their sacrifice, trust, and confidence in us. And to our precious students who are your life’s work, may God love and protect them!

We are extremely fortunate.

Onto the rest of the week here at the Academy….

Catholic Schools Week: A few weeks ago we shared on our website and social media accounts this year's schedule for Catholic Schools Week. 

On this link, you will find order forms and registration forms for various events. 

Just a reminder that next Friday, February 10th is a 12 noon dismissal for all students. Also, next Friday all students can wear their favorite sports jersey and all students are asked to bring in a canned good for the “SOUPer Bowl of Caring” All donations are going to the St. Rose of Lima Food Pantry.

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

I-Ready: On Monday and Tuesday of next week all of your children in Grades K-8 will be sent home with their I-Ready mid-year diagnostic test in Reading and Math. Please remember that these results are just a snapshot and one piece of the puzzle they are not the entire picture of where a child is as a learner. 

The I-Ready Diagnostic will provide results that help us identify your child’s strengths and determine the next steps for instruction. We look forward to sharing these results with you now and at the end of the year in June providing a learning experience that will engage your child while teaching important skills and concepts. If you have any questions about I-Ready, please do not hesitate to contact the classroom teacher or the school.

You will notice on your child’s Reading report that they have been given a Lexile Level. A Lexile measure is a valuable tool for teachers, parents, and students. It serves two unique functions: it is the measure of how difficult a text is or a student’s reading ability level. The Lexile Framework was developed by MetaMetrics, an educational assessment and research team, funded originally by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 

Discuss these results with your child, celebrate their strengths and progress and collaborate with them on planning how they will reach their goals. Please remember that national Norms are percentiles, comparing each student's performance with that of a nationally representative sample of students in the same grade level who took the test at the same time of year. For example, a student who has a Norm of 60% on the test scored better than 60% of a nationally representative group of students who took the test. 

St. Jude’s Math-a-thon: It is that time of year that St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy participates in St. Jude’s Math-A-Thon program. Many children are helped by the generosity of our school community. This year you can do your donations online and order your prizes online and have them delivered to your door or you can send in your donations to Mrs. Foti and she will take care of the paperwork and get the prizes sent to the school. All money is due by Wednesday, March 1st. All students who participate will receive a dress-down ticket to be used in March/April.

You can also easily register online by clicking below. This is a great way to raise money via Social Media

2023 St. Jude's Math-a-thon

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity to children in need. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Foti at [email protected] .

Last Call for 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 February 26, 2023. 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 have received an email on how to apply for their child for the 2023-2024 school year which officially opens for registration on February 10, 2023. 

St. Vincent De Paul Service Reminder: All students in Grades 6-8 are required to complete community service each trimester.  We are now halfway through the second trimester so it is the perfect time to make sure we are all working towards our required hours.  In 6th grade students must complete three hours each trimester and 7th and 8th grade students must complete 5 hours of service each trimester. Any questions please reach out to Mrs. Hayes at [email protected]

Card Party Update: Pack your bags, find your passports and get ready to go AROUND THE WORLD at the annual SFDSCA Card Party this year!  The Academy Family Association is excited to announce the 2023 event for Saturday, March 25th.   Tickets for the Card Party will be sold online beginning at 12:00PM on Wednesday, March 1st.  In order for us to make this event a success, we will need your help.  Please click the link below for 5 ways that you can help make the event a huge success!

https://stfrancisacademybh.org/card-party-2023-around-the-world

Financial Aid for the 2023-2024 School Year: 

SAVE THE DATE 

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. 

Have a great weekend!