Dear St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy Families,

Welcome back! I hope that this Easter season has brought your family peace, joy, and the renewal that comes with celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord. As we return from break, we enter the final stretch of what has already been an incredible school year—full of growth, community, and faith-filled moments.

This time of year is always a busy and exciting one. Over the next two months, we’ll be cheering on our students as they take their New York State Exams, celebrating the sacred beauty of First Holy Communions, and preparing to honor our graduates as they get ready to take the next step in their journey. There’s a unique energy in the building—one of perseverance, accomplishment, and anticipation.

As we return, our hearts are heavy with news from the wider Church and local community. This past Monday, we learned of the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. We will be keeping him in our prayers as a school community, asking God to welcome him into eternal peace. We also lift up in prayer the parish family of Blessed Trinity, who suffered a devastating loss when St. Edmund's Church was severely damaged by fire on Holy Saturday. In this season of resurrection and hope, we entrust both Pope Francis and the faithful of Blessed Trinity Parish to the loving mercy of our Risen Lord.

As always, we are so proud of our students and grateful to our teachers and families who walk beside them each day with unwavering support. Let’s keep that momentum going as we make the most of this homestretch—together, in faith and partnership.

With Easter joy and gratitude,
Dr. Christopher Scharbach
Principal

Students are invited to dress down in Red, White, and Blue on Monday 4/28 for just $1!
All proceeds will go to support the Timmy Klein Foundation 💙❤️🤍

🚫 Please note: NO SHORTS are permitted.

Thank you for helping us support this important cause while showing your patriotic spirit! 🇺🇸

When we return from Easter Recess, students in Grades 4, 6, and 7 will take the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) Tests on April 30th and May 1st, and the Mathematics Tests on May 7th and 8th. Students in Grades 5 and 8 will take the New York State Science Test on May 12th.

These assessments will be administered on Chromebooks using the computer-based format. Please note that the content of the computer-based tests is identical to the paper version.

Below is a brief overview of recent changes to the New York State ELA and Math Tests:

• The tests remain untimed, allowing students to continue working at their own pace within the school day schedule.

• Test content is developed by New York State educators. Hundreds of teachers from across the state have contributed to the creation, review, and selection of test questions for the 2025 assessments.

If you have any questions about the upcoming state assessments, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

It is with great joy that we share the upcoming celebrations of First Holy Communion for our 2nd-grade students. This special milestone in their faith journey will take place on both May 3rd and May 10th at St. Francis de Sales Parish and at Blessed Trinity Parish.

We are so proud of our students as they prepare to receive the Body of Christ for the very first time. This sacred sacrament marks a deepening of their relationship with Jesus and a fuller participation in the life of the Church. As Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of John, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35).

Families are reminded to refer to the directives and schedules provided by your parish’s Director of Religious Education regarding practice dates, attire, and other important details related to the liturgy.

We ask our entire school community to keep these young communicants in your prayers as they prepare for this holy and joyful day. May this be a moment of grace not only for the children, but for their families and all who gather to celebrate with them.

The Graduating Class of 2025 will be organizing a fun night for our Kindergarten through 3rd-grade students. This SFDSCA 8th Grade Babysitting Night allows you to enjoy two hours and 15 minutes kid-free on Thursday May 1st 2024 from 5:45 pm-8pm. Open to kids Kindergarten- 3rd grade. This opportunity is open to SFDSCA families ONLY. This will only be open to the first 150 students.

Your kids will be supervised by school staff, 8th-grade students, and 8th-grade parent volunteers (VIRTUS trained). Children will be treated to a movie, games, crafts, and organized sports and activities. We will provide the children with a snack (drinks and chips, etc.). Please be sure your child has dinner prior to coming.

The fee is $20 for the first child and for each additional child is $5. Please submit the form below and send in payment separately to the main office. in an envelope marked “8th Grade Babysitting Night”.

Please RSVP BY Monday April 28th. We cannot accept registration after the 8th for planning reasons. You will NOT be able to register the night of the event.

Join Council Member Joann Ariola and the Queens Culture & Arts Network for a magical evening of music and fun!

📅 Friday, May 2nd at 7:00 PM
📍 St. Francis DeSales School Yard, Belle Harbor, NY

Get ready to sing along to your favorite Disney hits with The Little Mermen, NYC’s premier Disney cover band!

✨ Bring a chair and enjoy the show outdoors. In case of rain, the concert will be held indoors in the school auditorium.

Don’t miss this fun-filled, family-friendly community event!

Please note this event is not school or parish sponsored and is open to the entire community.

YEEHAW, SFDSCA!

Get ready to sparkle at our "Boots & Bling" Sweetheart Dance

Friday, May 16, 2025

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

SFDSCA

All girls from Nursery to Grade 8 are invited to bring their sweetheart (dad, uncle, grandpa, or special role model!) for a magical night of dinner, dancing, a DJ, and lots of bling!

$50 per sweetheart pair

$10 for each additional girl

Get your tickets now:

https://ticketstripe.com/events/4722107039754562

Let’s dance the night away in true country style!

Get ready to dive under the sea and into the world of Bikini Bottom as St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy presents SpongeBob The Musical: Youth Edition on Saturday May 31st at 1:30PM and 6:30pm and Sunday, June 1st at 2:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now for $5 each and can be purchased by clicking the link below.

Based on the beloved animated series, SpongeBob The Musical: Youth Edition is a high-energy, family-friendly show packed with humor, heart, and unforgettable songs by some of the biggest names in music. When Bikini Bottom faces total annihilation from a looming volcanic eruption, it’s up to SpongeBob and his quirky group of friends to save the day. Along the way, they discover the power of optimism, friendship, and believing in yourself—even when the odds are stacked against you.

Just like SpongeBob, our student actors and crew have shown creativity, teamwork, and determination throughout this production journey. With students from grades 5–8 involved both on stage and behind the scenes, this show represents the best of who we are as a school community—faithful, joyful, and ready to rise to any challenge.

We are grateful to NYC Councilwoman Joann Ariola and the Diocese of Brooklyn Superintendent's Office for sponsoring this vibrant and enriching musical theater experience for our students.

Join us for a sponge-tastic adventure that proves the best day ever is the one we make together!

Please save the date of Friday, May 30th for our annual Msgr. Geraghty Golf and Tennis outing. This is a great day to get out on the course and courts to support our great Academy. Tickets and Sponsorships are on sale now by clicking on the link below.

The NYC Department of Education (DOE) has released the Parent Letter of Intent (Found below) for the 2025–2026 school year. You may have already received this letter via email from the DOE. This document is critical to ensure that your child receives the necessary services without delay. We are urging all parents to submit this letter as soon as possible to avoid any interruptions in services.

This year PNIs will only be accepted from parents or attorneys with a signed confidentiality release. PNIs submitted by schools or other entities will not be accepted.

What You Need to Do:

• Submit the signed PNI before June 1, 2025.

• Parents are asked to CC the school at mbuckley@stfrancisschoolbh.net for help in tracking to make sure all families are in compliance. If you have already submitted the PNI please the school at mbuckley@stfrancisschoolbh.net.

How to Submit:

• Email the signed PNI to your CSE Office at CSE4PNI@schools.nyc.gov

or

• Mail/Drop Off the signed PNI to your CSE Office at 82‐01 Rockaway Boulevard. 2nd Floor Ozone Park, New York 11416

CSE Confirmation:

You will receive written confirmation once your PNI is received.

Important Deadlines:

• The DOE has established a strict deadline of June 1, 2025. Letters submitted after this date will result in your child being ineligible for services until the following school year.

• Eighth-grade families: Please ensure you indicate the high school your child will attend. Even if your child is considering public school, submitting the Letter of Intent will preserve options for private or Catholic high schools.

• Pre-K families: If your child is entering kindergarten, you must also submit this letter.

We have seen the significant impact of delayed submissions this past year, and it is imperative that we meet this deadline to ensure there is no disruption in services for our students.

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at mbuckley@stfrancisschoolbh.net

Come and see our brand new online school store. We have some great items with our school name and Franny, our Mascot.

Choose your own designs! These are great items to wear on dress-down days, weekends, Blue and Gold Day, or just around the house.

Great brands (Nike, North Face, Under Armor, Puma, and more) and great quality. All orders are shipped directly to your home.

Please note that Friday, May 9th will be a half-day of school. Dismissal will be at 12:00 PM for all students. Thank you for planning accordingly!

Starting on Monday, May 12th students can begin to wear their summer uniforms. This is just a reminder if anyone needs to purchase summer uniforms you should think of ordering them soon.

On Thursday, May 15th, we will celebrate Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy. This special day is a chance for us to recognize the incredible dedication, passion, and care that our teachers, aides, and staff bring to our school community each and every day. We are grateful for their tireless commitment to nurturing the minds and hearts of our students, and we look forward to honoring them with small tokens of appreciation throughout the day.

The Second Grade Class is excited to be celebrating the Annual Academy May Crowning on Tuesday, May 20th at 11 a.m. in St. Francis de Sales Church. The children must come to school wearing their Communion dresses and suits. Of course, parents are encouraged and invited to attend this annual tradition. Please note that there will be limited seating in the choir loft, as our 1st—8th graders attend this event each year.

🎓✨ You're Invited to Celebrate Our Youngest Learners! ✨🎓

Join us at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy as we proudly honor the incredible growth and achievements of our Early Childhood students at their Step-Up Ceremonies!

📍 Location: School Gym
📅 Dates & Times:
👶 Nursery A – Monday, June 16th at 8:30 AM
🌼 Pre-K Step Up – Monday, June 16th at 10:30 AM
🧸 Nursery B – Monday, June 16th at 12:30 PM
🎒 Kindergarten – Tuesday, June 17th at 10:00 AM

Let’s celebrate the joy of learning and the journey ahead for our little ones! 🎉💛

🎉⚾️ SAVE THE DATE: SFDSCA School Spirit Night at the Brooklyn Cyclones! ⚾️🎉

On Wednesday, June 25th, 2025, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy is hosting a SCHOOL SPIRIT EVENT at Maimonides Park during the Brooklyn Cyclones game! The Cyclones will be taking on the Jersey Shore Blue Claws, with first pitch at 6:40 PM and gates opening at 5:30 PM.

👕🎓 Students, faculty, staff, families, and friends of SFDSCA are all invited to join us for a night of baseball, fun, and school spirit!

🎟️ Tickets are only $20 EACH!
➡️ For every ticket purchased, $2 goes back to support St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy!

💥 Want to upgrade your experience? Choose the $25 ticket option, which includes a Dr. Chris Scharbach and Mr. John O'Brien Bobblehead—part of the Brooklyn Cyclones Catholic Schools Night celebration!

🧢 PLUS: Everyone in attendance will receive a FREE Brooklyn Cyclones hat!

If you have any questions about the event, feel free to reach out to Helen Endall at (718) 634-2775 or via email at hendall@stfrancisschoolbh.net.

🎟️ To purchase tickets, please click the link below:
👉 https://www.gofevo.com/event/Stfranciscsn

Let’s pack the park with SFDS blue and gold spirit! 💙💛

St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy

Asst. Principal: Mrs. Maureen Hayes

Email: admin@stfrancisschoolbh.net
Website: https://stfrancisacademybh.org/
Location: 219 Beach 129 Street Belle Harbor, NY 11694
Phone: (718) 634-2775
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SFDSCA