Happy Summer 2025!

Dear Academy Families,

This week, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We remember when Mary was taken (“assumed”) into heaven, body and soul. Why would God take Mary’s body and soul into heaven? In part because Mary is special to God she said “Yes” to becoming the mother of Jesus. But God also wanted to show us that one day, all of us will share in the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Mary is the first person in the Church to experience the resurrection in its fullness.

As we honor this important feast day in our liturgical year, it also serves as a reminder that a new school year is about to begin a year filled with opportunities for growth, faith, and community.

Research continues to show that family involvement and open lines of communication are vital to student success. Positive partnerships between teachers and parents provide the strong foundation children need to thrive both academically and personally. At St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy, our goal is to create an environment where communication is open, respectful, and focused on helping every child reach their God-given potential.

To keep families connected and informed, we will continue to share updates through our weekly email blasts, SFDS Mobile App, school website, and our Facebook and Instagram pages. These tools ensure that families always know what is happening in our classrooms, on our campus, and in our parish. With this wealth of resources, we hope every parent feels like a true partner in their child’s education and faith formation.

We are confident that by working together, we will be able to best meet the needs of all our students and ensure that the 2025–2026 school year is one of joy, achievement, and growth.

As we count down to the first day of school, please make sure the following items are completed:

• ✅ Uniforms – Please ensure your child’s uniforms meet the guidelines. Remember, both the polo and quarter-zip options may be worn year-round.

• ✅ School Supplies – Check your child’s supply list and bring all items on the first day of school.

• ✅ Medical & Emergency Forms – Submit any outstanding health forms, updated immunization records, and emergency contact information to the school office.

• ✅ Summer Assignments – All summer reading assignments are due by the first week of school. All I-Ready math lessons should be completed by 8/15.

• ✅ Stay Connected – Download the SFDS Mobile App and follow our school’s social media accounts for ongoing updates.

As we have over the last few years we will be using the school management system; FACTS SIS (Student Information System). We’re in the process of setting up the FACTS Family Portal for the 2025-2026 school year. FACTS is a private and secure online platform that will allow you to see academic information specific to your child while protecting their information from others. All you need is an internet-capable device to view information such as attendance, daily grades, transcripts, discipline issues, school calendar, and tuition accounts. For returning families your username and password are the same as they were last year. For new families your username and password are the same that you used to fill out the application in the Spring. Just a reminder to both returning and new families that our District Code is SFDS-NY. Just a reminder that the FACTS Family Portal for the next school year will not be able to be accessed until around Labor Day weekend.

FACTS has created a five-minute Family Portal Overview video to introduce you to the system. Please watch it at your convenience by clicking here. The password to access the video is Portal (case sensitive).

There is a landing page for all information about the next school year that include Supply Lists and Summer Assignments. To access the landing page please click the link below.

Summer Assignments and Supply Lists

Please note that all returning students going into Grades 1-8 need to finish the I-Ready Math lessons assigned to them. For more information please click on your child’s grade level summer assignment. If your child has forgotten their password please reach out to the administration at admin@stfrancisschoolbh.net. All lessons have now been released.

ALL I-READY LESSONS MUST BE COMPLETED BY 8/15!

Please note that all summer assignments and school supplies are expected to be brought to school on the first day unless otherwise noted. The most important assignment is that of reading each night. The more your child reads and is read to, the more your child’s network of knowledge strengthens. It not only is “preparing them for the next grade,” but also improves their listening skills, builds early literacy skills, and strengthens their ability to make connections, draw conclusions, and better understand the world around them. Reading with a child each day is an investment for a lifetime.

Just a reminder that school will officially begin Wednesday, September 3rd for students in Grade 1 – Grade 8. Children in Kindergarten will begin on Friday, September 6th. Children in the Nursery and Pre-K will begin on Monday, September 9th.

The first week of school is now less then three weeks away. As we know early on there are many dates, such as ½ days, and meetings that all families should know about. Please click the link below to stay current with the schedule for all grade levels for the first days of school.

We are thrilled to welcome several wonderful educators to the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy community for the 2025–2026 school year!

Please join us in welcoming:

• Ms. Kerry Colberg, who will be teaching Grades 5 & 6 Social Studies and Religion. Ms. Colberg brings strong subject knowledge, a passion for engaging students in their learning, and a dedication to living out our Catholic mission.

• Ms. Mary Conroy, who will join our Grade 2 team, bringing enthusiasm, creativity, and a commitment to nurturing the whole child in faith and academics.

As we welcome new teachers, we also share some bittersweet news. Mrs. Kacie Ripepe will be leaving St. Francis to begin teaching in the NYC Department of Education next year. We thank her for her service to our Academy and wish her the very best in her new role.

This year, we are blessed to have quite a few new faculty members, each of whom will bring unique gifts, fresh ideas, and a shared commitment to our mission. We are confident that they will enrich our school community as we begin a new chapter at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy.

Please join us in keeping all of these teachers, both those arriving and those departing in your prayers as we start another exciting and grace-filled school year.

On Thursday, September 4th at 6pm all parents (Grades Nursery- Kindergarten), on Tuesday, September 9th at 6pm (Grades 1-4) and on Wednesday September 10th at 6pm (Grades 5-8 all parents are invited to meet their child's teacher(s). More information to follow on this special event in the coming weeks. We hope to have 100% attendance to this all-important night of the school year.

We ask that parents of Nursery-Kindergarten students bring all supplies for their children to Back to School Night in a labeled bag. Students in Grades 1-8 should bring their supplies on the 1st day of school. If there are too many supplies to bring in one day, please feel free to have your child bring the supplies on the first few days of school.

Please click here for a few helpful reminders when getting your children’s uniforms ready this summer.

For the full uniform policy please click here.

Some reminders as we go to the store for shoes.

Students may choose brown or black shoes to wear with the summer uniform (sneakers and sandals are not permitted; Sperrys/Boat shoes without design or bright colors may be worn with white/black socks). A frequently asked question this summer is: Are HeyDude's allowed?

HeyDudes are permitted as long as they are brown or black much like Sperry/Boat Shoes. Please note Sperry Boat Shoes and Hey Dudes are only permitted for the summer uniform.

Shoes for the winter uniform must be black leather dress shoes with black rubber soles. They can be tie or slip-on loafer style dress shoes. Please see the following suggested shoe styles for boys and girls in grades 1-8. The links are only to serve as samples of d styles. If you have questions regarding shoe styles, please email Mrs.Hayes at mhayes@stfrancisschoolbh.net. As always, the uniform is up to the discretion of the staff and administration of St. Francis de Sales. Black sneakers and/or black moccasins are not part of the school uniform. Families may be asked to purchase new uniforms and shoes if they do not follow the uniform policy.

In Nursery, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students wear sneakers all year long. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Below you will find approved shoe styles. You are not required to purchase from Amazon but taking a glance at these styles before you purchase, may be helpful.

Sperry Unisex-Child Authentic Original Boat Shoe - Tan or Black Only

Black Oxford

Black Leather Mary Janes (Girls Only)

Black Leather Loafers (Boys)

Flynn & O’Hara continues to be our only uniform supplier. If you need anything for next year, we suggest that you visit the store early in the summer to avoid the crowds. The store location is The Shops at Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Avenue, Lower Level, Glendale, NY 11385. Uniforms can also be ordered online at flynnohara.com,or by phone at 718-326-2704. It is recommended that all orders are placed no later than August 1st 2025 to make sure that uniforms are delivered for the first day of school.

Please email Mrs. Maureen Hayes mhayes@stfrancisschoolbh.net with any questions.

Thank you for your support!

We’re excited to announce the return of two wonderful after-school opportunities for our students this fall!

Chess Nuts (Grades 1–8)
The fall session of Chess Nuts begins Monday, September 22 and will meet from 2:30–3:30 PM on the following dates: Sept. 22, 29; Oct. 6, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24; Dec. 1.
Please register early as space is limited: Sign Up Here
On December 1, our final day, parents are invited to an awards ceremony to celebrate our players. More details will be shared closer to the date.

Paul Effman Band
Our Paul Effman Band program will once again be offering lessons on Tuesday afternoons this school year. Families who wish to register should do so by Tuesday, September 23 so we can plan accordingly. You can use the link or form below.

• Register Here

• Watch this short video about the instruments offered

We can’t wait to see our students sharpening their minds in Chess Nuts and making music in the Paul Effman Band! For questions about the band program, please contact Paul Effman Music at (800) 921-4543.

8th Grade Parents starting on Monday, August 25th, you can begin to register your child for the TACHS exam. If your child will take the TACHS exam (entrance exam for Catholic High Schools) please register as soon as possible. For more information including how to register please click here. Any questions please contact Mr. Scharbach at admin@stfrancisschoolbh.net.

We’re excited to share that all Special Lunch dates for the 2025–2026 school year have been added to the school calendar! Order forms will be sent home during the first week of school so families can sign up for their child(ren)’s lunches.

If you have any questions about Special Lunches, please contact Lisa Hayden at
📧 lhayden@stfrancisschoolbh.net

We’re looking forward to another great year of lunchtime favorites!

Just a reminder that Friday August 15th the first tuition payment is due for the 2025-2026 school year. All families should have a FACTS account. (https://factsmgt.com/) Here you can see how much is owed, dates when tuition or other fees are due, past payments, etc. Any questions regarding your account please reach out to our Bookkeeper Mrs. Marguerite Kazalski at mkazalski@stfrancisschoolbh.net

Now more than ever planning is so important and we will need to know as close as possible an exact number of students in each grade level. By not paying tuition we may not be able to hold a seat for your child. If there are any issues paying on 8/15 please let us know in advance so we can plan for your child(ren) to be joining us.

A list of tuition fees for the 2025–2026 school year can be found by clicking the link below.

Tuition is due on the 15th of each month from August through May. Payments are managed through FACTS and may be made online, by phone, or by mail. Auto-pay is also available. Emergency payments in person will only be accepted in rare circumstances.

You should have received an email invite from FACTS with information necessary to enroll if new to the school. Included in the invite will be the website you will need to access. If you have yet to receive this email, please email mkazalski@stfrancisschoolbh.net to let her know. She will be sure to respond to your request in a timely fashion.

For the safety and well-being of every child in our school, all volunteers must go through the following process:

1) Read and sign a code of conduct

2) Have a background check

3) Take part in the VIRTUS program. (Register at virtusonline.org. Download the registration guide.)

Please note that St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy will be offering two sessions of the VIRTUS program on 9/29 and on 10/27.

After completing the VIRTUS Program we ask that you please bring to the office a copy of your certificate for us to keep track of in our database. We hope that this is not an inconvenience for anyone, but we need to be sure that all adults who interact with students are in compliance.

We are happy to announce that continuing on Monday, September 8th we will be offering an Early Morning Drop off program from 7:00 am-7:40 am each day. For more information about this program please click here.

Please fill out the following form if you are a parent of a new student, a returning Pre-Kindergarten going into Kindergarten student, or a student who needs to take the NYC Yellow Bus for the first time next school year.

Bus Request Form for the 2025-2026 School Year

All bussing questions can be directed to Mrs. Hayes at mhayes@stfrancisschoolbh.net

Please see below the requirements from the NYC Department of Health in regard to Immunizations for all students

Catechetical Sunday is when those designated to serve as catechists are called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in passing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. All are welcome to join the Saint Francis faculty and Saint Francis Religious Education faculty at this very special liturgy at 12pm on Sunday, September 21st.

7th and 8th Grade Students and Families are invited to St. Francis de Sales

Catholic Academy Annual Catholic High School Night on Monday 9/22 at 6pm.

Come and meet with representatives (Students and Faculty) from various High Schools such as Holy Cross, Sacred Heart (Hempstead), Xavier, St. Francis Prep, Notre Dame, Christ the King, Archbishop Molloy, The Mary Louis Academy, St. Saviour, St. Edmund Prep, Cathedral Prep, Chaminade, McClancy, Fontbonne Hall Academy, Xaverian, and more.

Tickets Now On Sale!

Join us as we proudly celebrate the Inaugural Hall of Fame Class at the 2025 St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy Alumni & Friends Dinner Dance!

El Caribe | Thursday, November 6, 2025

Cocktail Hour: 6:00 PM

Dinner, Awards & Dancing: 7:00–10:00 PM

Honoring:

Mr. Martin McManus – Class of 1958

Rev. Peter Purpura – Class of 1995

Mrs. Rita Hayden (Posthumously) – P’89, P’91, P’92, P’94, P’95

Tickets: $175 per person | $1,750 Table of Ten

Early Bird Special: $150 per person | $1,500 Table of Ten

— Save $25 per ticket if purchased by Sunday, August 17!