St. Francis de Sales School

We know from experience that teachers evaluate students by observing them in the classroom, evaluating their day-to-day classwork, grading their homework assignments and special projects, and administering unit tests. These classroom assessments show the teacher how well a student is mastering grade-level learning goals, and provide valuable information to the teacher that can be used to improve instruction. Standardized tests are yet another tool that is used to evaluate how students in a given class or school perform in relation to other students. Since the same test is given to a large number of students throughout the country, the results give school personnel a common yardstick or “standard” of measure to determine whether school programs are succeeding, as well as a “snapshot” of the skills and abilities of all its students.

As you know, here at St. Francis de Sales, Terra Nova testing begins today (Monday, September 16th). Testing is for all students in Grades 2 through 8. The Terra Nova is a standardized achievement test taken by students nationwide. Most of us are well aware that these test results do not equal intelligence. The main purpose of the test is to provide the school with information that can be used to help teachers make sound educational decisions about student learning and curriculum development. The score results allow us to monitor our students’ annual growth and also help us identify areas of achievement as well as needed areas of meaningful improvement. Our commitment to our students inspires us to want to provide the strongest and most effective instruction possible. Standardized testing is an important component in the data that is continuously disaggregated and analyzed as learning outcomes are being measured. We ask you to have your children arrive at school on time this week. Taking tests can be hard work – requiring lots of energy. We recommend that students get plenty of rest and eat a nourishing breakfast and lunch on test days. As always, thank you for your support and cooperation!

We greatly appreciate your taking the time to complete last week's survey in response to our foundational documents including: Mission, Philosophy, and Schoolwide Learning Expectations (SLEs)! Our families have shown overwhelming support, and affirm each of these, and strongly believe they are fully integrated into the lived reality of our school. We would also like to share the comments from numerous families (click here).

As a special thank you, our students enjoyed the extra recess and snow cones on Friday (pictured below)!

Monday, September 16, 2024

• Terra Nova testing is scheduled throughout this week for all students in Grades 2 through 8
• Soccer Practice - Grades 3&4: 3:00 - 4:00PM

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

• Choir Practice: 7:50-8:20AM

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

• Prayer and Flag will be hosted by our 5th Grade Class at 8:20AM

• Science Club Meeting: 3:00 - 4:00PM

• Soccer Game: SFDS vs SEAS at 3:45PM at SEAS

Thursday, September 19, 2024

• Choir Practice: 7:50-8:20AM
• Soccer Game: SFDS vs SVS at SFDS at 3:45PM
• Cheer Practice: 3:00-5:00PM

Friday, September 20, 2024

• School Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 AM
• Soccer Practice - Grades 3&4: 3:00 - 4:00PM
• Movie Night hosted by the 8th Grade class! Doors open at 6:00PM. Movie begins at 7:00PM!

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.

RESPONSIBILITY: To be accountable for your actions.

You can do it - Have a great week!

Here's what responsibility looks like:

1. Being accountable for what you do, for your actions and behavior.

2. Doing the right thing at the right time, so others can trust and depend on you.

3. Taking care of your property, yourself, and others.

4. To work to the best of your ability.

5. When you choose to make a poor choice, admit to it, apologize for it, and then take steps to change it.

• September 16-20: Terra Nova Test Week 📝
• October 4: Dismissal is at Noon - Faculty Meeting
• October 7-11: Parent-Teacher Conference Week!
• October 14: No School - Archdiocesan Retreat

• October 20: Parish Festival🎫

• October 21: Parish Festival Holiday - No School
• October 25: Nevada Day - No School
• October 31: Trunk or Treat! 🎃

Holy Hour - First Friday at 3:00 PM

Holy Hour - Every Thursday at 6:00 PM

Our Parish offers online giving in lieu of envelopes. Please click here to be directed to the website.

Box Tops are CLIP FREE! Please follow this link to learn how to download and scan your shopping receipts on the Box Tops app! Thank you for your support!

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
Twitter: @sfdslvschool