June 08, 2023
SFDS Weekly Update #37- 6/12/23
Dear Academy Families,
Congratulations! Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own.
And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.
Dr. Seuss, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"
Congrats to the Class of 2023, who will have their graduation mass on Friday, June 9th at 6 pm and will be graduating next Friday, June 16th, at 6 pm from St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy. We wish them all the best as they move into the next chapter of their lives.
Well, just when we thought the beach construction was the biggest issue of the week, the smoke arrived! I am happy that today was a typical Thursday school day at the academy. We look forward to not having to be concerned about Air Quality forecasts next week.
Just a reminder that Friday, June 9th is a half-day. Please remember that dismissal is at 12 pm and that there is no after-school program on half days.
Nursery Information Nights: On Monday, June 12th at 6 pm, we will host a Nursery Information Night. On this evening, the Nursery 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.
Step Ups: Parents of our Early Childhood students, please note the day, time, and location of your child’s step-ups below. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
Nursery AM: Wednesday, June 14th at 8:30 am in the Small Hall
Nursery PM: Wednesday, June 14th at 11:30 am in the Small Hall
Pre-K: Wednesday, June 14th at 10 am in the Gym
Kindergarten: Thursday, June 15th at 10am in the Gym
2023-2024 School Year: As we come to the end of this school year we begin to share information about the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. On our website, there is a landing page for all information about the next school year (Calendar, tuition, yellow bus, uniform, etc.) In the coming weeks, this landing page will be updated to include information about summer assignments and the first days of school.
I-Ready End of the Year Diagnostic Test: Next week, your child’s i-Ready results from the 2023 Spring Diagnostic Assessment will be shared with you.
i-Ready diagnostic assessments are computer-based assessments that adjust to each child’s mathematics and reading ability levels. If your child took an i-Ready diagnostic assessment this school year, this end-of-year check will start with content based on those prior results and adapt from there. As your child answers each question, the test adapts based upon your child’s responses. The questions become easier if the answers are incorrect and get more challenging as correct answers are provided. All students will see challenging questions. By finding what students can do, and not do yet, the system is able to provide a more accurate description of your child’s instructional level. This type of assessment individualizes every testing experience so that it more accurately measures your child’s ability.
The assessment data is to help understand where your child is in relation to grade-level standards, provide for practice and assignments at your child’s academic level, and monitor academic growth this school year. i-Ready will remain available to students through the end of August. Students and families are encouraged to continue to use the MyPath lessons in i-Ready this summer for one hour each week.
If you choose to continue to use i-Ready in the summer the recommendation is for students to complete up to one lesson per week in reading and/or math. Again this summer work is highly recommended to be done.In August of 2023, the school needs to roll over the i-Ready system and roster students for the upcoming school year. At this time, students will no longer be able to log in. This is a function of the system as we set up rosters for the next academic year. Once the school year begins and the fall diagnostic assessment is administered, each student's MyPath will be re-established.
5th- 7th Grade Finals: Finals continue early next week for Grade 5-7. Please be sure that students in 5th-7th grade do not wait until the night before to begin to study and put in the effort that is needed for these exams.
Schoolyard Parties: As we come to the home stretch of the end of the year we have our end-of-the-year schoolyard parties to celebrate the close of another year of learning. This week Grades 1-7 all have their Schoolyard Parties. Please follow the directives that were given out by the classroom teacher and class parents in earlier correspondences.
Class Placement: Myself, Mrs. Hayes, and our faculty work diligently to make sure each and every child is placed with a teacher that best fits their needs. No matter which class your child is placed in, they are in supremely good hands. Every one of our teachers is intelligent, loving, and hardworking. As stated each year before, we cannot take requests for class placement. Writing emails or making phone calls to request a specific class all receive the same response: we cannot honor any requests for placement and that your child will be in very good hands wherever they are placed. We thank you for your cooperation.
Special Lunches Coming to an End: Just a reminder that Friday, June 16th will be the last Pizza Day for Grades 5-6. We look forward to continuing our Bagel Mondays and our Pizza Thursdays/Fridays, along with our monthly chicken finger days next school year. Stay tuned this summer for more information.
Upcoming Uniform Swap:
SAVE THE DATE
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. We will be saying good luck to Father Jeremy from Blessed Trinity at this mass as well as he moves on to become Pastor of Saint Bernadette’s. 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
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]
Summer Concert: SFDSCA Academy Family Association is hosting an outdoor concert by Due South Band. The concert will be held in the SFDS school yard and gates will open at 6:00 p.m. At 6:00pm, we have invited a local band to kick the night off before Due South Band takes the stage promptly at 7:00 p.m. This event will be a BYOC2 (bring your own cooler and chairs) and is for 21 and older only.
We had a great time at this event last year and hope to replicate the fun! We look forward to getting our Academy families and friends together to celebrate summer. We hope you will join us.
To order tickets please click on the link below.
Have a great weekend!