St. Francis de Sales
The Home and School Connection

August 10, 2026; Volume 29 - Issue 1
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Dear Parents,
On behalf of our Pastor, faculty, and staff, welcome to St. Francis de Sales Catholic School for the 2026β2027 school year!
As we begin this new school year, our school community will be guided by our theme, "Walk by Faith, Not by Sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). This verse reminds us to place our trust in God as we embrace new opportunities, overcome challenges, and continue growing in faith, knowledge, and service to others.
The start of a new school year is always an exciting time, full of new opportunities and fresh beginnings. We are grateful to be part of such a wonderful school community and look forward to another year of learning, growing, building friendships, and strengthening our faith together.
A special welcome to all of our new families! We are honored that you have chosen Catholic education and entrusted St. Francis de Sales with your child's education. We hope you quickly feel at home and become an active part of our vibrant parish and school community.
We also have many exciting updates to share as we begin the school year, including several campus improvements and new opportunities for our students. Please take a few moments to read my additional welcome letter (linked here) for important information and highlights for the year ahead.
Thank you for your continued support of Catholic education and for entrusting your children to our care. Together, as we walk by faith, we will inspire our students to grow academically, spiritually, and personally while becoming compassionate leaders rooted in Christ.
May God bless you and your family with a joyful, successful, and faith-filled school year. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year.
Respectfully,
Carol Wilson
Principal, St. Francis de Sales
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The Home and School Connection
To help strengthen communication between home and school, our weekly Home and School Connection will be emailed to families each Sunday and will also be available on our school website.
We encourage you to visit www.sfdslv.org regularly. Our website is your primary resource for important school information, including the weekly Home and School Connection, school calendars, lunch ordering, FACTS Student Information System, forms, and other helpful resources.
Be sure to check the Latest News, Upcoming Events, and Social Media sections on our homepage to stay informed about school announcements, important dates, and upcoming activities. You can also explore the navigation menus to find information about academics, athletics, admissions, and more.
Throughout the year, we'll also keep you connected through our social media channels, where you'll find student highlights, event photos, school news, and reminders.
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged in our school community. We look forward to partnering with you for a wonderful school year!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @sfdslvschool.
Our Theme for the 2026-2027 School Year
Walk by Faith, Not by Sight reminds us to place our trust in God, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Faith gives us the courage to face new challenges, embrace new opportunities, and move forward with confidence, knowing that God is always guiding our steps.
This year, we challenge ourselves to live each day with faith, hope, and kindness, trusting in God's plan while encouraging one another through our words and actions. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or throughout our community, may we walk with confidence, serve with compassion, and shine Christ's light in all we do.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7
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School is open - Drive carefully!
Please be sure to use the crosswalks and park in the designated parking areas (parking OR dropping off students in front of the school, parish, and religious education buildings is not permitted). We also ask that you obey our dedicated students who volunteer to serve as crossing guards - keeping everyone safe. We greatly appreciate your support and cooperation. Thank you!
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SCRIP PROGRAM: Updates and Reminders
Welcome back to the new school year and thank you for your participation and support of our Scrip Program! In addition to our monthly reports, please see our annual report (linked here) summarizing our Scrip fundraising for the 2025-2026 school year.
A General Observation: The more we use Scrip, the more profits there will be to cover the miscellaneous out-of-budget improvements and costs for our school. Other than some advanced planning, there are no costs to our families. The Scrip Program is a great way to raise additional funds for the school, without excessive tuition increases, or having to ask all of us to get involved in one labor intensive fund-raiser after another.
Returning Families: At this time we are reminding each of our returning school families to update your Scrip profiles in order to reflect your child(ren)'s current grade level(s). This will ensure that the proper credit is received for your child(ren)'s classroom(s).
Updating the correct grade level is very easy:
1. Sign in to shopwithscrip.com
2. Click on the Dashboard tab
3. Scroll down to the Change Profile/Password Link
4. This is where you will be able to update and enter the new Classroom/Group of each child
If you have any questions or require assistance, please let us know! Please remember, to purchase SCRIP through shopwithscrip.com. Thank you for your support of our school!
Saturday, August 15, 2026 is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the most beautiful and important feast days in the Catholic Church. On this day, we remember the spiritual and bodily assumption of Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. Because of her unique role as the Mother of God and her faithful "yes" to God's plan, Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.
The Assumption reminds us of the hope and promise of eternal life that Christ has won for all of us through His death and resurrection. Mary's life is a model of faith, humility, obedience, and unwavering trust in God. As we honor her today, we are invited to follow her example by saying "yes" to God in our own lives, serving others with love, and placing our complete trust in His plan.
May our Blessed Mother continue to intercede for our students, our families, and our school community, guiding us ever closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.
Monday, August 10, 2026 Welcome Back!
- Today is the first day of school!
- The Before School Program will be available in the STREAM Lab beginning at 7:00 AM. Please enter through the primary grades gate.
Arrival Procedures:
- Students in Kindergarten - 4th Grade will enter through the primary grades gate.
- Students in Grades 5th- 8th Grade will enter through the middle school gate.
Dismissal Procedures:
- Parents with students in K-4th Grades: Please plan to meet your student at their classroom door.
- Parents with students in 5th -6th Grades: Please wait at the Middle School gate as your student will be dismissed upon your arrival.
- Parents with students in 7th - 8th Grades: Students will be dismissed through the satellite parking lot off of Washington upon your arrival.
- For families with younger siblings: older students will go to the younger sibling(s) classroom to pick them up and will return to the proper pickup area.
Please remember, our students will be dismissed at noon each day during this week.
- The After School Program begins today in STREAM Lab. The After School telephone number is 725-264-1912.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
- First day for Choir Practice: 7:50-8:20 AM. Choir is open to students in Grades 4 - 8.
- Cheer Practice: 12:00 - 4:00PM
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Prayer and Flag Ceremony will be hosted by our NJHS this morning in our Courtyard at 8:20 AM. Parents are welcome to attend!
Cheer Practice : 12:00 - 4:00PM
Open House: will be held for parents with children in 1st- 5th Grades beginning at 6:00 PM.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
- Choir Practice: 7:50-8:20 AM
Open House: will be held for parents with children in 6th -8th Grades beginning at 6:00 PM.
Friday, August 14, 2026
- School Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 AM.
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AUGUST & SEPTEMBER- BETTER LUNCH MENU
To place orders on the Better Lunch system, you will be required to enter a SCHOOL CODE. The Code for our school is: SFDS. Please click here for the monthly menus.
We are excited to begin a new school year together with renewed energy and enthusiasm! As we continue to grow as a community of faith, we remain committed to helping our students develop strong character, make thoughtful decisions, and live out the values of our Catholic faith each day.
One way we support this is through our Life Skills. Each week, students will focus on a different life skill and have opportunities to practice it both in and out of the classroom. These lessons help build character, strengthen relationships, and encourage students to put their faith into action through their words and choices.
We will begin the school year by focusing on Tolerance as we work together to create a welcoming, respectful, and caring school community.
The Life Skill of The Week is...
βTolerance: To recognize and respect the opinions, practices, or behavior of others.β To be tolerant means that you accept other people's opinions and preferences, even when they live in a way that you don't agree with. Tolerance also means that you don't put your opinions above those of others, even when you are sure that you are right.
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Upcoming Dates
- August 15: The Feast of the Assumption
- August 22: The Queenship of Mary
- August 28: Inservice for all elementary school teachers in the Archdiocese - school will be closed today
- September 7: School will be closed in observance of Labor Day
- September 8: Happy Birthday to our Blessed Mother!
- September 11: Patriots Day
- September 11: School will be closed to permit all teachers to attend the Annual Archdiocesan Conference
- September 12: The Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- September 14: Happy Birthday, Pope Leo XIV!!!
- September 14-18: Terra Nova Test Week
- September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month begins
- September 20: Catechetical Sunday
Before and After Care Information
Volunteer at SFDS!
Please support St. Francis de Sales School with BOX TOPS for Education!
St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
Email: cwilson@sfdslvschool.org
Website: www.sfdslv.org
Location: 1111 Michael Way, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Phone: 702-647-2828
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sfdslvschool
Instagram: @sfdslvschool
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