Dear Academy Families,

As we now enter the third week of Lent we at school continue our Lenten journey of giving alms with our annual collection of mite boxes for the Propagation of Faith. We sent each student home with a mite box and asked that they be returned no later than Friday, March 31st. It is not about how much is given in the box, it is about the children learning to give a little bit to those who are less fortunate than we are. Every penny is helpful. 

Also starting this past week all grade levels began to pray the Stations of the Cross in our church. Speaking of the Stations of the Cross, many of our 7th-grade students and faculty members have been working very hard to produce this year’s Passion Play.  It will take place on Tuesday, April 4th.

Finally, we want to wish good luck to many of our second-grade students who will be receiving their first Penance this Saturday at Blessed Trinity Parish. We ask that you keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers as they continue on their spiritual journey and prepare to receive the Eucharist for the first time. A special thank you to Mrs. Gannon, Mrs. O’Malley, and Mrs. Troia for preparing the students for this sacrament. 

Onto another busy week at the Academy…..

Report Cards and Family Teacher Conferences: Please note that all report cards are digitally distributed on Wednesday, March 22nd at 3 pm via the FACTS Parent Portal. 

All conferences are in person and will take place on Thursday, March 23rd  from 12:45 pm-2:45 pm and 6 pm-7:30 pm. Thursday, March 23rd is a 12 pm half-day for students and there is no after-school available on this day. 

On Monday, March 13th we will send out information on signing up for time slots for conferences in Grades Nursery-Grade 4. All families will have until Monday, March 20th to sign up for the conferences on Thursday, March 23rd. 

Family Survey: In an effort to improve system practices, Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Academy will be conducting two surveys over the next six weeks.  We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete these surveys. 

The first survey we are opening up is the Catholic Identity Defining Characteristics Parent and Community Survey. This survey measures Catholic school effectiveness in relation to the (nine) Defining Characteristics of Effective Catholic Schools that define the Catholic character schools. We appreciate your time and your responses. Please note that the responses from these surveys are helpful for the academy to make decisions for the future. Thanks again.

In order to complete the survey, please click the link below

Catholic Identity Defining Characteristics Parent and Community Survey

This survey will be open for three weeks until 3/30. 

Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous.  Your honest opinion is appreciated. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Dress Down Friday 3/17: Next Friday,  March 17th students can dress down for $1 and are encouraged to wear Green. As many of us know Father Jim recently was told he had to have another Kidney transplant.  Thankfully a donor has been found, and his surgery will be in the upcoming months.  All money raised that day will be donated to the Columbia Nephrology Program in honor of Father Jim. Thanks to Anthony in Grade 8 for this great idea and for supplying the school green ribbons for World Kidney Day March 9th. 

Babysitting Night: The Graduating Class of 2023 will be organizing a fun night for our Kindergarten through 3rd-grade students. This SFDSCA 8th Grade Babysitting Night allows you to enjoy two and a half hours kid-free on Friday, March 31, 2023, from  6 pm-8:30 pm. Open to kids Kindergarten- 3rd grade. This opportunity is open to SFDSCA families ONLY.

Your children will be supervised by school staff,  8th-grade students, and 8th-grade parent volunteers (VIRTUS trained). Children will be treated to a movie, games, crafts, and organized sports and activities. We will provide the children with a snack (drinks and chips, etc.). Please be sure your child has dinner prior to coming.

The fee is $20 for the first child and for each additional child is $5. Please submit the form below and send in payment separately to the main office. in an envelope marked “8th Grade Babysitting Night”.

Babysitting Night Registration Form

Please RSVP BY March 24th. We cannot accept registration after the 24th for planning reasons. You will NOT be able to register the night of the event.

Calendar Changes and Additions: As we move into the final trimester of the 2022-2023 school year there are some calendar changes and additions that we wanted to make all families aware of so that they can prepare accordingly. 

1. Early Childhood Step-Ups: One of the events we always look forward to each June is our Early Childhood Stepups. This year our Stepups are scheduled as follows:

   • Nursery AM- Wednesday 6/14 at 8:30 am in the Small Hall

   • Pre-K Step Up- Wednesday 6/14 at 10 am in the School Gym

   • Nursery PM- Wednesday 6/14 at 11:30 am in the Small Hall

   • Kindergarten- Thursday 6/15 at 10 am in the School Gym

2. Last Day of School: The last day of school is scheduled presently for Friday 6/23. However, due to the fact we did build into the calendar one traditional snow day that has yet to be used, there is a strong possibility that the last day of school may be moved to Thursday 6/22. A final decision will be made after Easter Recess. 

Lenten Service Project: We are partnering with the Life Center in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and the Women’s Center at St. Rose of Lima.  The mission of both organizations is to help women in crisis choose life by providing aid to mothers and their newborn babies.  The Life Center currently is in need of assistance for a woman who is expecting twins at the beginning of April. In order to gather supplies, each grade will be asked to donate a specific baby product or a monetary donation to be used to purchase a designated item. The collection began on Monday, March 6th, and will run till Friday, March 24th. Please email Mrs. Hayes [email protected] with any questions. Below are the items each grade is asked to donate. Thank you in advance for your support.

Nursery and Pre-K  - Baby Soap

Kindergarten -  Baby Wipes

1st Grade - Baby Lotion

2nd grade  - Baby Formula 

3rd Grade - Diapers (Newborn or Size 1, 2 & 3) 

4th Grade - Onesies (Newborn or 3-6 months Gender Neutral)

5th Grade - $5.00 for each student to purchase 2 Pack n Plays

6th Grade -$5.00 for each student to purchase an Infant Car Seat

7th Grade - $5.00 for each student to purchase a double stroller

8th grade - $5.00 for each student to purchase an Infant Car Seat

Quarter Zip Sweatshirt Sale: We have received a new and final shipment of SFDSCA Quarter Zip Sweatshirts. If you would like to purchase one, please fill out the form below with your name and preferred size and we will be happy to accommodate you.  

1/4 Zip Sweatshirt Order Form

The sweatshirts are $40 each.  Sizes will be distributed first come – first served.  Thank you in advance for your understanding.

SAVE THE DATE

Easter Recess: This year St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy breaks for Easter Recess starting on Wednesday, April 5th and returns from break on Monday, April 17th. 

Sweetheart Dance: Please save the date for Friday, April 21st (6:30pm-8:30pm) for this year’s Sweetheart Dance. This will be an opportunity for the girls of our school to have their Sweetheart (Dad, Uncle, Grandfather, etc) join them for a special night out.  We will be in touch in early April looking for volunteers for this event.  Thank you in advance for your support.

Summer Uniform:  Starting on Monday, May 8th students can begin to wear their summer uniforms. This is just a reminder if anyone needs to purchase summer uniforms you should think of ordering them soon. 

Golf and Tennis Outing: Please save the date of Friday, May 19th for our annual golf and tennis outing.  This is a great day to get out on the course and courts to support our great Academy.  Additional details are forthcoming. 

Have a great weekend!