PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Families,

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the families who made the extra effort to come to the 11 a.m. Mass last week and the Mardi Gras celebration.  I was so impressed by the quality of our students’ voices and their behavior.  We were so blessed to have Bishop Libasci join us for the Mardi Gras celebration and for those who stayed, perhaps you were as moved by his genuine interest in our families and school.  He made a point to say how sweet the spirit is in our school and how different his experience of Catholic education was as compared to our welcoming and joyful environment.

You can see pictures of the event in our photo gallery under February Photos.

Today we begin our lenten journey.  This season is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  We pray to be enlightened of any areas of our lives which hold us back from God.  We fast from things that draw our hearts and minds away from God.  We give alms (money) to those who are less fortunate than us to help us see and love each person as God does.  This season of Lent I would like to challenge our school community to find time each day to sit and be still with the Lord.  Even if for only 5 minutes – just turn off the noise and relax in God’s presence.  I pray that you all have a fruitful and meaningful Lenten journey.

Have a great week!

Penny Sale – IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Thank you to those who have volunteered to bake cakes for the Penny Sale. Please make sure to deliver your cake to the school by Friday morning.

Everyone is asked to bake for the bake sale at the Penny Sale.  Information was sent home this Tuesday regarding what we are looking for.  On Friday morning there will be parents helping to unload baked goods from the cars during drop-off.

Most of all – Have you purchased your tickets?  Please purchase your tickets and plan to attend this awesome fundraiser.  The money raised during this weekend will be shared with the school.  Your support increases our share.

We have 2 stuffed animal door prizes that are for the school only.  If you would like to use your door prize tickets to try for our door prizes, please make sure you bring them into school and place them in the appropriate box.

Prayer Opportunity – Make it a Lenten Sacrifice!

Join us each week on Friday mornings after drop-off to recite the Rosary.  We pray for the needs of our school, its faculty, staff, students and families.  Please consider joining us as we storm heaven for God’s grace and blessings.

Friday – Celebrate Reading

This Friday, the day before our February break, we will be celebrating reading throughout the day.  Classroom teachers have instructed students about special dress-up options as well as other items that should be brought from home that day.

IMPORTANT DATES

2/23 – No School Mass – Regular Uniforms
2/24 – Little Ninjas (3 & 4 year-olds) at 10:30 a.m.
2/25-26 – St. Francis of Assisi Parish and School Penny Sale
2/27-3/2 – February Vacation – NO SCHOOL!

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Families,

We have an exciting week ahead of us and we need your help!  This Sunday, February 19th, Bishop Libasci will be celebrating Mass with us at 11 a.m.  The school has been asked to provide the music and servers for the Mass.  We are truly honored to be able to participate in this Mass and would like full participation from our students and families.  PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MASS so that we will have a full ALL-SCHOOL choir.  

Immediately following the Mass, we ask you to join us for our Mardi Gras Festival in the school.  We are inviting all families who are interested in joining our school to attend as well.  Come show the Bishop and our visitors how much you love St. Francis of Assisi School.

As you know, we are at a critical place in our history.  Now, more than ever, we need your help to spread the word about our school.  In addition to registering for next year, please invite your friends and neighbors to consider sending their children to our school where they can receive an excellent Catholic school education.  Invite them to the Mass, to the open house, and to contact us for more information about our school.

Have a great week!

Rosary Prayer Group

• Support our School – Join us to pray the Rosary on Fridays after drop-off (8 a.m.)   We hope that those of you who have time to spare will join us as often as you can.  If you cannot make this time, please consider committing to praying the Rosary once a week for the intentions of the school.

Valentine’s Day

Students are invited to wear red or pink shirts and accessories with their regular uniforms to celebrate this day.

IMPORTANT DATES

2/14 – Valentine’s Day – Students may wear a red or pink shirt with their regular uniform.
2/16 – Mass at 8:15 a.m. – Dress Uniforms
2/17 – $1 Non-Uniform Day; Little Ninjas (3 & 4 year-olds) at 10:30 a.m.
2/19 – 11 a.m. Mass with the Bishop and special celebration - PLEASE ATTEND!
2/20 – Regular School Day!
2/22 – Ash Wednesday – Mass at 8:15 a.m. – Dress Uniforms
2/23 – No School Mass – Regular Uniforms
2/24 – Little Ninjas (3 & 4 year-olds) at 10:30 a.m.
2/25 – 26 – St. Francis of Assisi Parish and School Penny Sale – HELP WANTED!
2/27-3/2 – February Vacation – No School!

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Families,

We have just completed our Catholic Schools Week and it was amazing.  We started the week last Sunday with the all-school Mass at 11 a.m. and ended with the Family Dance at LMS on Friday night.  I have been through many Catholic Schools Weeks, but this one has impressed me the most.  The activities the students and families participated in were so well-planned and thought out that they all tied directly back to our theme for the week: Faith. Academics. Service.  Thank you to all who helped make this week so memorable.

We have completed our re-registration period and are open to enrolling any and all families who are interested in receiving a quality, Catholic education.  Please help us spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors to check us out.  We have great plans in store for next year and we are excited to meet new families who want to be a part of our community.

Thank you to all who attended the State of the School on January 26th.  I enjoyed sharing my vision for the future of the school and receiving such positive feedback.  We are truly in an exciting time at St. Francis of Assisi School.  As we continue to move forward, please let me know your ideas and suggestions.  Together we will build St. Francis of Assisi School into a destination for those looking for high academic standards, solid Catholic teaching and a nurturing community.

If you were unable to attend this meeting, please check your email.  I have sent out a recap of the presentation along with a link to the presentation itself.  If you would like to discuss the information presented, please contact the office to set an appointment.  I welcome your thoughts and feedback.

Have a great week!

Rosary Prayer Group

• Support our School – Join us to pray the Rosary on Fridays after drop-off (8 a.m.)   We hope that those of you who have time to spare will join us as often as you can.  If you cannot make this time, please consider committing to praying the Rosary once a week for the intentions of the school.

Bishop Libasci Visits on Sunday, February 19th

• Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend the All-School Mass on February 19th at 11 a.m.  Our new bishop will be celebrating Mass for us on this day.  We would like to take this opportunity to show him how much we appreciate him by having everyone present to participate in the Mass.  We will also be presenting to him a very special gift.
• There will be a Mardi Gras celebration in the school immediately following the Mass.  Each room will have a different theme and activity for you to enjoy.   The whole family is encouraged to attend.
• We will be welcoming prospective families to the Mass and celebration.  Please help us show those who are interested in coming to St. Francis of Assisi how much we love our school.

Penny Sale – 2/25-26 – Help Wanted!

Please support St. Francis of Assisi’s Penny Sale.  It will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Manchester on 2/25-2/26.  We need your help to make this a successful event.  The school benefits from this event, so the more we support this event, the better off we will be.  You will be receiving more information about how you can help in the White Envelopes on Tuesday.

Little Ninjas

The 3 and 4 year olds have a unique opportunity to participate in the Little Ninjas program during the school day.  We have received registrations from most of the students, so we have a class starting next Friday, 2/10 at 10:30 a.m.  This is a correction from the originally published start date of last Friday, 2/3.  The class will run once a week for 8 weeks – not including vacation and holidays.  Those students who are registered for the class may wear their gym uniforms on Fridays until the completion of the course in March.

IMPORTANT DATES

2/7 – PAC Meeting at 7 p.m.
2/8 – PAC Meeting at 8 a.m.
2/9 – Mass at 8:15 a.m. – Dress Uniforms
2/10 – Little Ninjas (3 & 4 year-olds) at 10:30 a.m.
2/14 – Valentine’s Day
2/16 – Mass at 8:15 a.m. – Dress Uniforms
2/17 – $1 Non-Uniform Day; Little Ninjas (3 & 4 year-olds) at 10:30 a.m.
2/19 – 11 a.m. Mass with the Bishop and special celebration – PLEASE ATTEND!
2/22 – Ash Wednesday – Mass at 8:15 a.m. – Dress Uniforms
2/23 – No School Mass – Regular Uniforms
2/24 – Little Ninjas (3 & 4 year-olds) at 10:30 a.m.
2/25 – 26 – St. Francis of Assisi Parish and School Penny Sale – HELP WANTED!
2/27-3/2 – February Vacation – No School!

5th Grade Roller Coaster Science,

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Welcome to 2012! I hope everyone had a great vacation and enjoyed the holidays.  We’ve been back to school for a week and the students and teachers have gotten back into the swing of things.  January is packed with lots of activities for the students, families and faculty.  Please see below and watch your white envelopes for important information.   

I am pleased to share that we are beginning our registration process for the 2012-2013 school year.  You will notice that there is an important change to the fee structure this year.  Detailed information can be found in your registration materials which were sent home in the white envelopes on January 11th.

A successful re-registration process is crucial to our planning for next year.  Before we can set our tuition rates for 2012-2013, we must complete our budgeting process based on our pre-registered enrollment numbers.  We appreciate your cooperation as we aim to secure a balanced budget without increasing, and possibly decreasing, tuition rates for next year.

Please plan to attend our “State of the School” information meeting on Thursday, January 26th, at 6 p.m. in the church.  We will share important information about the progress we have made during this school year and our outlook for next year.  Please plan to attend this important meeting.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Have a Great Week!

Important Changes to Share

• Our Lunch Program – it’s undergone a change, and we are thrilled with the results. Please read the article Lunch Program Announcement (16) for more information
• Because of the change in our lunch program, we are now able to include milk in your regular lunch price (this does not apply to single slice pizza orders).  If your child is ordering a lunch for $3.25, he/she will not have to pay an additional $.50 for milk.  We are pleased to pass this savings on to you!
• If your child is ordering the single-slice pizza and would like to order milk, please add $.50 to his/her order.
• New Opportunity to Support our School – We’re beginning a once-a-week Rosary prayer group to meet on Fridays after drop-off (8 a.m.) to recite the rosary and have some fellowship.  We hope that those of you who have time to spare will join us as often as you can.  There is no ongoing commitment to the group, we just would like some extra prayer and intercession for the needs of our church and school community.
• Changes to the Calendar – Please note that we WILL be in school next Monday, January 16th, and President’s Day, February 20th.

Catholic Schools Week

• We have exciting events planned for Catholic Schools Week this year.  Be on the lookout for a schedule of events coming soon.
• Catholic Schools Week will start off on Sunday at 11 a.m. Mass.  This is an all-school Mass which every student and family are invited to attend.  Our school choir (3rd-6th grade) will be providing the music for the Mass.  Please make every effort to attend this Mass as we kick off a fun-filled week and open our school to prospective families.
• We are looking for families to speak at our masses on the weekend of January 29th to share what they love about St. Francis of Assisi School.  The best advertisement we can get is from our families.  If you are interested in speaking at one of the masses, please contact the office as soon as possible.

THE BISHOP IS COMING!!!

• Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 19th at 11 a.m. Mass.  Our new bishop will be celebrating Mass with us.  We will be preparing a special presentation for him and giving him a unique gift.  Please plan to attend this very special event!   We would like our entire student body and their families to attend this Mass so that he can see the beautiful community we have at St. Francis of Assisi.

IMPORTANT DATES

1/24 – Report Cards Distributed
1/26- 6 p.m. State of the School Information Night – All families should attend.
1/27 – Re-Registration form and fee due to the office
1/29- 11 a.m. Mass to kickoff Catholic Schools Week (Grades 3-6 providing the music)
1/29-2/3- Catholic Schools Week

2/19 – 11 a.m. Mass with the Bishop and special celebration – PLEASE ATTEND!

Mrs. Jones’ Class performs the Christmas Story.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

St. Francis of Assisi School is ready for Christmas!  The students have been working on Christmas projects and gifts, rehearsing for the big Christmas Concert and Play this Tuesday night and working on their regular schoolwork  all while remembering there is an Elf on the Shelf helping Santa keep tabs on who belongs on the Naughty or Nice List this Christmas.  The anticipation and excitement is palpable.  I’m sure that you’ve been noticing the same at home.  There’s no other time of year like it.

We will be spending these last few days before Christmas Break recalling the true reason for the season of Christmas.  Students have been spiritually preparing their hearts for the birth of Our Lord by participating in Advent activities and partaking in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Fr. Ray generously gave of his time this week to hear the confessions of our 3rd-6th graders…one of the many blessings of being a Parish school is that we have a constant connection to the grace of the Church through the Sacraments.  We are grateful to have a dedicated pastor who values Catholic education.

Other exciting events that will be taking place this week include our long-awaited and diligently prepared for Christmas Concert and Play on Tuesday night at 6 p.m.  I hope that you can make it for this heart-warming demonstration of our talented students and dedicated music instructors.

Thursday will be an early-release day with students being dismissed at 11:30 a.m.  We will be having our final Mass before vacation and students will have their classroom Christmas parties following Mass.  To add to the festive nature of the day, the students are invited to have a Dress-UP non-uniform day.  (Dress UP does not include jeans, sneakers or other casual clothing) Students may wear their Christmas finery or Sunday best to mark this joyful occasion.  If they choose not to dress up, their dress uniform should be worn.

I pray that you have a peaceful week as you prepare for your own Christmas traditions and celebrations.  Take some time to remember what Christmas is all about.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK AND MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Mrs. Jones’ class did a fabulous job in their prayerful performance of the Christmas Story this past Friday.  View some pictures of the event here.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This Tuesday is our Christmas Concert (6 p.m.) – featuring our very own band and singers of all ages.
• This Thursday is an Early Release day (11:30 a.m. dismissal) AND a Dress UP day. No ASG this day.
• January 3, 2012 will be our first day back to school.
• January 16, 2012 will be a regular school day.
• January 29 – February 4 is Catholic Schools Week – More information will be coming soon.

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Greetings St. Francis Families!

The rich scent of fresh balsam pervades the entryway at school and the floor looks like the evergreen trees had an awful fight.  We are in the midst of our Christmas Wreath decorating!  

Thanks to the dedicated master coordinator – Mrs. Garand – and her many helping hands, many of you have received your decorated wreaths today.  The remaining orders of wreaths and kissing balls will be completed by the end of day tomorrow.  We did plan ahead for those who may not have gotten an order in on time, so we do have a few wreaths and one kissing ball available for order.

There is a lot going on at St. Francis of Assisi School.  Please take a few moments to review the information in this newsletter.  

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

DID YOU KNOW?

• This Thursday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Not only is it a Holy Day of Obligation, but our new bishop will be installed at the Cathedral.  Two students and I have been invited to attend.  This is a great honor and we are looking forward to the event!
• Our Meals on Wheels drive is going strong.  We are soliciting donations of small gift items such as fleece throws, playing cards, and personal items.  Our greatest hope is to provide many hand written Christmas Cards to those receiving meal deliveries over the Christmas season.  Many people have been touched by our efforts in the past to extend a hand of love and care through this simple act of kindness.  Please support this effort by assisting your child in creating as many cards as possible.
• The 3rd & 4th Grades have been working on a Christmas Play – Join us on Friday morning, December 16th to see what they’ve prepared.
• The all-school Christmas Concert – featuring our very own band and singers of all ages – will be held on Tuesday night, December 20th at 6 p.m.  It will be an auditory treat for certain.
• We are always in need of volunteers.  If you have time or talent that you would like to share with our community, please contact the office at your earliest convenience.

STAY TUNED – Coming Soon!

• Parents’ workshop with information and lots of laughs with a very special guest speaker.
• State of the School information night – Where we’ve been, where we are, where we’re going and how to get there.
• Re-registration in January.

AGENTS OF CHANGE

If you have concerns or suggestions about our school being the best it can be, please contact me directly via email or by phone.  Let’s work together for St. Francis of Assisi School to ensure its success for many more generations.

Halloween Parade