Dear Academy Families, 

Summer is now upon us, and I am sure that each of you have some plans to enjoy the weather and the extra time. I pray that you will have some great family time and will return safely and refreshed.  We are blessed to have just finished another wonderful year filled with great memories.

We want to thank you, parents, for your support. We couldn’t teach your students to this degree without a good school/home partnership. The work the students and teachers have done this year was focused on our children, and it makes me proud to be a part of this very special place. We look forward to opening our doors next year to about 640 students. But remember, summer does not mean we take a vacation from the Lord! I encourage you, wherever you may be this summer, to make time to come to Mass on Sundays and to pray every day!

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of the new families who have joined our Academy community, and say welcome back to all who are already part of our Saint Francis family.  We have much to celebrate and look forward to this school year…

This week as you know sadly, we say farewell to Ms. Loughlin and Ms. Kelleher. While we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors, we certainly will miss them here at St. Francis.

We also are saddened to announce that Mrs. Attanasio will not be returning next September either. After 44 years of teaching, many of them in Catholic education, she will take a break from teaching to be with family as she looks forward to the next journey in her educational career. After 6 years of teaching Social Studies, Religion, and ELA to our 5-8th grade students, please join me in saying "Thank you and Good luck." 

Summer Supply Lists and Summer Assignments: 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 that include Supply Lists and Summer Assignments. To access the landing page please click the link below.

Summer Assignments and Supply Lists

As we enter into these much-needed summer months, we want to reinforce that the best thing you can do to prepare your child for the upcoming school year is to make reading a priority and a routine in your home. 

The more your child reads, and is read to, the more your child’s network of knowledge strengthens.  It not only is “preparing them for the next grade,” but also improves their listening skills, builds early literacy skills, and strengthens their ability to make connections, draw conclusions, and better understand the world around them.  Reading with a child each day is an investment for a lifetime.

Recommend Amount of Reading Each Day

Grades PK and K: Read to a child each day/night

Grades 1-2: 20 minutes each day

Grades 3-4: 25 minutes each day

Grades 5-6: 30 minutes each day

Grades 7-8: More than 30 minutes each day

When looking at your summer schedules and trying to balance it all, please remember to make reading a priority.

Please also make note of the following:

• A list of tuition fees for the 2023-2024 school year can be found by clicking Here

• Tuition is due by the 15th of the month, August through May. By taking advantage of the security and convenience of payment processing and information technology offered by FACTS. Tuition payments for the 2023-2024 school year can be paid online, by phone, or by mail. You may also sign up for auto pay as well. Only in an emergency will payment be accepted in the school building and/or rectory. You should have received an email invite from FACTS with information necessary to enroll if new to the school.   Included in the invite will be the website you will need to access. If you have yet to receive this email, please email [email protected] to let her know. She will be sure to respond to your request in a timely fashion. 

• The summer office hours along with the calendar for next year are already posted on our website. Throughout the summer check the calendar for any updates. Although the school office may be closed at times, we are always available with any question or concern through email at [email protected].

• Flynn & O’Hara continues to be our only uniform supplier. If you need anything for next year, I suggest that you visit the store early in the summer to avoid the crowds.  The store location is The Shops at Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Avenue, Lower Level, Glendale, NY 11385. Uniforms can also be ordered online at www.flynnohara.com, or by phone at 718-326-2704

• School will officially begin Wednesday 9/6 for students in Grade 1 – Grade 8.  Children in Kindergarten will begin on Friday 98. Children in the Nursery and Pre-K will begin on Monday 9/11. 

Summer Concert: One Week Away!  Tickets are going fast, don't miss out!

Click below to purchase tickets.

https://ticketstripe.com/SFDSCA_2023_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.

Click below to purchase tickets.

https://ticketstripe.com/SFDSCA_2023_Summer_Concert

2023-2024 Yellow School Bus: Please fill out the following form if you are a parent of a new student, a returning Pre-Kindergarten going into Kindergarten student, or a student who needs to take the NYC Yellow Bus for the first time next school year.

Bus Request Form for the 2023-2024 School Year

All bussing questions can be directed to Mrs. Kenny at [email protected]

I-Ready End of the Year Diagnostic Test Results: Two weeks ago, your child’s i-Ready results from the 2023 Spring Diagnostic Assessment were 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.  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 mid-august..  Students and families can decide if they would like to continue to use the MyPath lessons in i-Ready this summer. 

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. Please note that students who are new to our school are not able to use this program over the summer, yet will take a diagnostic test in the first few weeks of new school year. 

2023-2024 Immunizations: Please see below the requirements from the NYC Department of Health in regards to Immunizations for all students

2023-2024 School Year Volunteering: For the safety and well-being of every child in our school, all volunteers must go through the following process:

1) Read and sign a code of conduct

2) Have a background check

3) Take part in the VIRTUS program. (Register at virtusonline.org. Download the registration guide.)

Please note that St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy will be offering two sessions of the VIRTUS program on 9/25 and 11/6.

After completing the VIRTUS Program we ask that you please bring to the office a copy of your certificate for us to keep track of in our database. We hope that this is not an inconvenience for anyone, but we need to be sure that all adults who interact with students are in compliance.

Have a great 4th of July! Our second summer update will be during the week of July 10th.