Dear Academy Families,

Congratulations and God bless those children who received First Holy Communion last weekend and this upcoming weekend. 

The Apostle John says“ Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God.”1 John 4:7  The verse from the first letter of Saint John emphasizes the need to love one another without qualification or judgment. The ultimate example of love, aside from the great love of God, is the love a mother (or mother figure) has for a child. When we think of a mother’s love, we think of Mary who is the perfect example of unconditional love for her child. As a mother, she walked the difficult journey of knowing the suffering and challenges that lay ahead for Jesus as the Son of God. Her great love for Jesus and God allowed her to maintain the strength and faith needed to raise Jesus as God intended. This weekend let’s take a moment to give thanks to all the mothers and mother figures in our lives and wish them a Happy Mother’s Day!

During the month of May, a month both named for and dedicated to Mary, our Blessed Mother, we honor her in many ways.  One way is by holding a May Crowning, where our second-grade students will lead us in this beautiful and reverent celebration. Parents of our 2nd graders are welcome to attend (Tuesday, 5/16 at 11 am), yet please note there is limited seating in the back of the church. We ask parents and families to remain seated or standing in the back of the church.  Please do not come up to take pictures during the prayer service.  At the end of the service, we will invite families to come up to take pictures of the children. 

Onto to some important updates for our school for the Week of May 15th, 2023  

State of the Academy: Thanks to all who came out for this week’s State of the Academy. Please click below for the presentation that the Board of Directors gave. 

State of the Academy Presentation

Some of the announcements discussed were next year’s tuition schedule, which can be found by clicking the link below.

2023-2024 Tuition Schedule

Last Tuition Payment: Speaking of tuition, just a reminder that next Monday, May 15th the final tuition payment is due for the 2022-2023 school year.  We ask that all tuition arrears be settled over the next few weeks. We will continue the tuition payment schedule for the 2023-2024 school year from August 2023-May 2024. For any tuition questions, please get in touch with our bookkeeper Marguerite Kazalski at [email protected]. 

Spring Carnival: The National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring our annual Spring Carnival to be held on Friday, May 19th. Nursery through Grade 5 is invited to participate in the activities created and operated by the 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students. Admission to the carnival will be $1.00 per child, and there will be snacks and drinks available for purchase for $1.00 each on that day. To purchase a ticket, please send in a dollar in an envelope labeled with your child’s name and class and the words “Spring Carnival” on it. Tickets will be given to the teachers to distribute on the day of the Carnival. Due to space, and time limitations, this carnival is open to students only. Thank you to Ms. Killian and Ms. Farragher for coordinating this fun event!

Family Survey Results: In an effort to improve system practices, Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Academy conducted a Catholic Identity Defining Characteristics Parent and Community Survey and a Family Survey in the Spring of 2023. 

17% of the families of our school participated in the 2023 Catholic Identity Defining Characteristics Parent and Community Survey

23% of the families of our school participated in the 2023 St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy Family Survey.

Please click here for summarized counts of responses to the 2023 Catholic Identity Defining Characteristics Parent and Community Survey

Please click here for summarized counts of responses to the 2023 St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy Family Survey.

This survey used a Likert scale with the following ratings:

• 5.0: Strongly Agree

• 4.0: Agree

• 3.0 Neutral

• 2.0: Disagree

• 1.0: Strongly Disagree 

We appreciate your time and all your responses. Please note that the responses from this survey will be helpful for the academy to make decisions for the 2023-2024 school year and beyond. 

Golf Outing Raffles and Dinner: This is the last chance to purchase a 50/50 raffle ticket for $50 each--no givebacks, and the winner does not need to be present. Contact Fran Brenna for tickets: 646-644-3741. 50/50 Raffle tickets will also be sold after the 10 am and 12 pm Mass at SFDS Parish this Sunday, 5/14. 

Finally, join us for dinner at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club at 5 pm. Enjoy a full buffet by A&S At the Harbor, Open Bar, Raffles, and a DJ. $100 per person.

Please RSVP by 5/15 to Fran Brenna: 646-644-3741

Thank you, as always, for generously supporting SFDSCA.

Early Childhood Information Nights: On Monday, June 5th at 6 pm, we will host a Pre-K information night.  On Wednesday, June 7th at 6 pm, we will invite our incoming Kindergarten parents to join us for the Kindergarten Information Night. On Monday, June 12th, at 6pm, we will host a Nursery information night. On these evenings, the early childhood teachers will share all the details of what is in store for children entering their early childhood years. Parents will also receive supply lists and summer ideas during this meeting. We hope to see everyone there. 

Upcoming AFA Meeting: The Academy Family Association Executive Board is having its last general meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, May 24th. Some of the topics on the agenda will be an update on Fundraising and a tentative calendar of events for the next school year. 

As another year ends, so do the terms of this year's Executive Board. This is an opportunity for other parents to volunteer to run for one of the four executive board positions. 

The four positions are 

1) President 

2) Vice-President 

3) Secretary

4) Treasurer. 

If you are interested in being a candidate or would like more information about the positions, please email Dr. Scharabch at [email protected] to express your interest no later than Friday, May 19, 2023.  We plan on announcing the slate of candidates at the May 24, 2023, AFA Meeting

St. Vincent De Paul Service Reminder: All students in Grades 6-8 must complete community service each trimester.  We are now halfway through the third trimester so it is the perfect time to ensure 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. This is a requirement for all 8th graders to graduate and receive their diplomas. 

2023-2024 School Year Calendar: A tentative calendar for the next school year has been posted on our website. As always, the calendar is subject to change if necessary. Please periodically check for more details about next year’s school events. 

Catholic Schools Night with the Brooklyn Cyclones: On Wednesday, June 28th, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy is hosting a "School Spirit Night" at Maimonides Park during the Brooklyn Cyclones game. The Brooklyn Cyclones will take on the Jersey Shore Blue Claws that evening. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 PM first pitch, and the front gates will open to the public around 6:00 PM. Visit historic Coney Island and watch the Cyclones take on the Jersey Shore Blueclaws. Pregame activities include the priests taking on the principals in the Collars vs Scholars softball game. A ceremony will also celebrate the Valedictorians and Salutatorians from Catholic schools throughout the diocese.

Students, faculty, staff, family, and friends from St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy are invited to participate in this School Spirit Night!

Tickets are only $15 EACH!  Also, as part of the Brooklyn Cyclones Catholic Schools Night, there's a $20 Ticket Option that includes a DEACON MAC BOBBLEHEAD!

To buy tickets please click the link below

Brooklyn Cyclones Catholic Schools Night Order Form

Here are some more things to look forward to when you show up to the ballpark for the game:

KIDS EAT FREE WEDNESDAY!

-Kids 14 & Under will get to eat for FREE. Upon entry, with a paid ticket, children will receive a voucher for HOT DOG, CHIPS, and FOUNTAIN DRINK!

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Helen Endall at (718)634-2775 via email at [email protected]

Spiritwear: Show support for the Academy by purchasing SFDS Spiritwear! See the form below.  Billing will be done via FACTS. Orders will be fulfilled as forms are received. Please note quantities are limited. 

Spirtwear Order Form

SAVE THE DATE 

Outdoor Movie Night: On Friday, May 26th, we will host an Outdoor Movie Night. This year we will be showing Minions: The Rise of Gru. Admission is $5. Gates open at 7:45pm, the movie starts promptly at 8:15pm. Celebrate the start of Memorial Day weekend with us! Snacks will be sold. Don’t forget to bring your own beach chair or towel!

Class of 2024 Ring/Pin Service: The Class of 2024 (7th graders) will receive their class rings and pins in St. Francis de Sales Church on Tuesday, May 30th, at 7pm. A small reception will follow in the Small Hall. All 7th graders are asked to report to the Small Hall at 6:40 pm.  

Art Night: Please join us on Wednesday, May 31st at 5pm for our annual Art Show! Mrs. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Todd and our students have worked tirelessly in preparation for a truly superb art gallery display. We hope to see many of you there. To get a sneak peak of some of our students artwork please follow our artists on Instagram at (sfds_art)

Spring Concert: Members of the Paul Effman Band, please save the date! Tuesday, June 6th at 7pm is our annual St Francis de Sales School Band Spring Concert.

Last Day of School: The Last Day of School will be Thursday, June 22nd. We will celebrate an End of the School Year Mass at 10am, followed by an 11 am dismissal. All Report Cards will be posted via Email at 11am for Grades 1-7. Any issues, don't hesitate to get in touch with the teacher at their email address by Friday, June 23rd. 

Have a great weekend!