Weekly Update to Families

Dear Academy Families,

Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! I hope this message finds you refreshed after a joyful Christmas season spent with loved ones. As we return to school and settle into the rhythm of the new year, I am filled with gratitude for this incredible community and all the blessings that lie ahead.

This week, we also celebrate the Epiphany, the beautiful feast that reminds us of the journey of the Magi as they followed the star to find the newborn King. Just as the Magi offered their gifts to Jesus, we are called to bring the unique gifts of our hearts—our love, faith, and generosity—to honor Him and serve others. At St. Francis de Sales, our shared mission is to guide each child to recognize and develop their God-given gifts. Let this sacred season inspire us all to recommit to that mission.

As we move into 2025, there is so much to look forward to: new learning opportunities, enriching experiences, and moments of joy that will continue to unite us as a faith-filled community. Your ongoing support and partnership are at the heart of all we do, and I am deeply thankful for the trust you place in us each day.

May the light of Christ, which guided the Magi, continue to guide all of us throughout this year. I look forward to sharing many wonderful moments with you and your children in the weeks and months ahead.

Wishing you a blessed Epiphany and a wonderful start to the new year!

We look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Monday January 6th.

Dr. Scharbach

Onto a few items for the week of January 5th.

Over the next week we will be sending out instructions to re-register for the 2025-2026 school year. All re-registration forms will be done via the FACTS Family Portal. Please note that all re-registration fees ($200 per student) will be added to your FACTS account. At that time you will have the option of paying through your checking account or being invoiced. Please note that all fees are non-refundable.

Please note for your re-registration to be complete you must fill out the form and pay the registration fee no later than 2/24/25 and be up to date on all tuition payments for the 2024-2025 school year. We do expect to have a waiting list in many grade levels once we open registration and cannot hold a seat unless your re-registration is complete. If there are any financial issues please let the school administration know as soon as possible.

Please note that all families that have a sibling (brother/sister) and filled out the intent form to register for the next school year will be receiving an email prior to 2/3/25 (if space allows) with a link to the registration portal for the 2024-2026 school year which officially opens on 2/7/25.

Our school year is rapidly moving along. As we begin to prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, we want to ensure that our plans maximize the benefit to your child/children. We have just completed a period in which our current Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten families filled out a letter of intent for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes for next school year.

We ask that if you have any sibling (brother or sister) of a current student here at St. Francis who plans on attending St. Francis in 2025 as a new Nursery, Pre-K, Kindergarten or Grade 1-7 student please complete the form below by Sunday January 5th. After that, we will be opening registration to the public in the Winter of 2025 (If space allows)

https://forms.gle/gho3LJmgiSB5pavx6

Please note we anticipate having waiting lists in many grades for next year. This intent form is for planning purposes only and does not guarantee your registration for the 2025-2026 school year.

Our school will be conducting a fund-raising candy sale during the month of January. We will be selling World's Finest Chocolate Products - truly delicious chocolates that have been sold for years by schools and organizations. This year we are hoping for All Families to assist with this sale in order to make it as successful as possible. If all 370 Families sell 1 box of chocolate, we will earn a profit of over $11,000.00. This year we are fundraising to help fund new shades in all classrooms and upgrading smartboards in all classrooms.

This week one of your children will be given a box of chocolate to take home.

If you would like to request more than one box please also use the google form below or click here.

If you would like to Opt-Out of this fundraiser please use the Google form below or click here before Monday January 6th 2025.

All Students of families selling a box of Chocolate will receive a dress down ticket to use on a day of their choice in February or March (Non Mass Day).

There may be times when the school must be closed, have a remote day, or have a delayed opening due to inclement weather or other emergencies.

Below, please find provisions established to maintain open lines of communication with St. Francis de Sales families:

• Once it has been determined that the school will be closed or have a delayed opening, faculty and staff will be notified. An email will be sent out alerting all families. (If you are currently not receiving weekly email communication from St. Francis, please get in touch with us electronically at ckenny@stfrancisschoolbh.net. in order to be placed on the distribution list.)

• The School will post its school closing status on the school’s website and social media accounts, www.stfrancisschoolbh.org

• The School will send out a text to all those families that have opted in to our text message system

When we return from Christmas break St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy will be collecting old Christmas Cards for Saint Judes Children’s Hospital. There will be a box outside the main office for children to drop off any front of the cards which are then sent to Saint Judes Children’s Hospital and they use them for their own arts and crafts projects. (No Picture Cards). Please note it is not only for Christmas cards but for all occasion cards. We will be taking cards until Friday January 10th 2025.

Congratulations to our 8th grade on beginning to receive your High School decision letters! All Catholic schools in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island will send their decision letters/emails during the week of January 13th. Schools in Manhattan will send their decision letters/emails during the week of January 20th. We are very proud of all of the accomplishments of our Class of 2025. If parents have any questions, feel free to get in touch with your child’s homeroom teacher, or Mr. Scharbach at admin@stfrancisschoolbh.net

Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Academy urges you to support our priority of student and traffic safety around our school. Safe driving around the school improves the safety for all children, including yours. Please consider the following tips:

1. Please drive slowly around Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Academy while children are present.

2. U-turns and K-turns increase the likelihood a child may get struck and significantly disrupt the orderly flow of traffic. They should be avoided, especially when children are present.

3. Drivers must STOP for pedestrians crossing at a marked crosswalk.

4. Pedestrians must use marked crosswalks to cross the street. Never leave your car unattended.

5. Do not block crosswalks, driveways, or fire hydrants.

6. Be courteous to fellow parents and neighbors.

7. Remain alert and encourage others to follow these safe driving tips.

Thank you in advance for your help with improving the safety of your children.

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.

We are excited to host an Open Gym Night for our 6th grade students.

This will take place on Friday, January 10th from 7-9 pm in the Gym. The Academy will provide games, crafts, music, basketballs/volleyballs, snacks & pizza.

Pre-registration is required, and forms are due by Wednesday, January 8th. The cost is $10 per child and should be pre-paid. Please send to the office in an envelope with your child's name and "Open Gym" on it.

We are looking forward to a great night and hope everyone can make it.

*Please note, Open Gym night is for students of St.Francis de Sales Catholic Academy only.*

**If your child is out sick on the day of Open Gym they will not be permitted to attend that night**

We are excited to be hosting our dinner dance for Grade 8 in our school gym on Friday, June 6th, 2025. Eighth-grade families are invited to join us for our second Dinner Dance meeting on Tuesday, January 14th at 7 pm here at the academy. All those parents who signed up to volunteer at our last meeting will get a more detailed invitation this week.

1/13/25-1/17/25- I Ready Mid-Year Diagnostic Test

1/22/25- St. Francis de Sales Parish First Reconciliation at 6:30pm

2/7/25-2/14/25- 2024 Catholic Schools Week (More information to follow)

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