Dear Academy Families,

Today we celebrated the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus to Heaven at our 10 am school mass. 

“Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs” There is a misconception that this is a sad time as He is leaving the earthly world, but it is a joyful time as we celebrate His triumph over death and return to the Father.

Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit will come upon them to baptize them, allowing them to proclaim the Word of God fully. The Gospel leaves us with an important message about the disciples’ purpose. The disciples were tasked to go into the world and share the Gospel with everyone, “every creature.” Jesus does not tell the disciples that His words only apply to some.  He wants everyone to have the opportunity to hear His words. The Gospel reading demonstrates the need to evangelize not only to Baptized individuals but to all so that they might have the knowledge of Christ to be baptized.

Catholic Schools welcome students of all faiths and cultures, and we believe that everyone should have the experience of knowing and loving Christ, whether they are baptized or not, in the hope that unbaptized students will one day join us in the faith. Like the early disciples, we are blessed with teachers who seek to spread the message of the Gospel to all students. As we end the Easter season, let us thank God for the gift of a Catholic education. 

We also end this week by thanking Mr. Mike Brenna for helping organize this year’s Golf and Tennis Outing. Mr. Brenna, along with the Golf and Tennis Committee of Cass Boggiano, Sean Fitzgerald, Pat Hayden, Jay Youngberg, Lynn Duffy, Meg Riley, and Fran Brenna have put together a great day of Golf and Tennis for tomorrow. Thanks again for all your hard work and support of our Catholic Academy.

Finally, we are all set for our annual Spring Carnival on Friday, May 19th.  With the weather forecast expected to be sunny and cool, with a high of 62, the children couldn't be more excited. Students may want to wear a sweatshirt, especially those 6th-8th graders who are out in the schoolyard most of the day.  

These are just a few reminders to help everyone have a fun and safe day. All students in Nursery-Grade 5 were asked to bring a $1 in for the Carnival, if they have yet to bring that in please send them in with it before Friday morning. 

All students in grades PK-8 can dress down on Friday. Just a reminder that Dress Down Rules are in effect and that no tank tops, flip flops, or short-shorts are allowed. Lunch will be a regular schedule for grades PK-4 on Friday, and our 5th to 8th grade will eat lunch at 12pm.  Snacks can be purchased for $1.00 each.  (water bottles, bags of chips, and ices.) Please send your children in with $1 bills to avoid any change.  

Finally, just a reminder to our 6th-8th grade students who are helping to run Friday's carnival that the schoolyard will be open at 7:30 am on Friday morning to drop off any materials. All students, including our 6th-8th graders, are still required to be in homeroom by 7:55 am. The schoolyard will be closed from car traffic please keep this in mind when dropping your children off on Friday. If you can walk, please do so.

Thank you for all your assistance in helping us have a fun day!

Onto to some important updates for our school for the Week of May 22, 2023  

Family Mass at SFDS Parish: Please see below for details about this special mass 

Grade 8 State Science Exam: Grade  8 will be completing their Science Performance exams on Wednesday, May 24th. We encourage the students to get a good night’s sleep and eat a hearty breakfast on the morning of their exam. 

I-Ready Exams: All students in Kindergarten-7th grade will be taking the third round of the diagnostic test starting on Thursday, May 25th. Students will complete both the i-Ready Math Diagnostic and the Reading i-Ready Diagnostic. This will be the third and final time that the students are taking the diagnostic test, and we look forward to sharing their results and your child’s growth with you once we have completed the test for all students. 

5th- 8th Grade Finals: This is a reminder to the Class of 2023 that Finals begin this week for Grade 8. Please be sure that the 8th-grade students put in the effort needed to do well on these exams.  Starting on Tuesday, June 6th, Finals begin for Grades 5-7. Please be sure that students in 5th-7th grade do not wait until the night before to begin to study for these exams.

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. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81451122002?pwd=d2xvclljTDYwQmZtTG5iRUhsZUJSUT09

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

Upcoming Uniform Swap:

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 7:45 pm, the movie starts promptly at 8:15 pm. Celebrate the start of Memorial Day weekend with us! Snacks will be sold. Don’t forget to bring your beach chair or towel!

Memorial Day Parade: Please save the date for Monday, May 29th and join the Academy community and Franny, our Mascot to march in the Memorial Day Parade. We start the day off with mass at 10:30 am which is followed by a short march to 121st Street at about 11:30am. We would love to see everyone come out for this special event.

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 6:40pm.  

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

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 

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 peek 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.

1/2 Day Dismissal: Friday, June 9th is a half-day. Please remember that dismissal is at 12pm and that there is no after school program on half days. 

8th Grade Graduation Mass: On Friday, June 9th, the 8th grade will kick off their graduation exercises with a Mass of Thanksgiving at 6 pm followed by their Dinner Dance.  A separate email was sent to 8th-grade families with all final details as well.  Please feel free to be in touch with any questions. 

Last Day of School: The Last Day of School will be on Thursday, June 22nd. We will celebrate an End of the School Year Mass at 10am which will be followed by  11am dismissal. All Report Cards will be posted via Email at 11am for Grades 1-7. Any issues please contact your child’s teacher using their email address by Friday, June 23rd. 

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 are scheduled to 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. Pregame activities include the priests taking on the principals in the Collars vs Scholars softball game. There will also be a ceremony celebrating 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 take part 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

Cyclones Ticket 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]

Have a great weekend!