Happy Summer 2025!

Dear Academy Families,

I hope this update finds you and your family healthy, well, and enjoying the beautiful summer days. As we move into the month of August, anticipation is growing for the reopening of our beloved school for its 113th year of faith-filled learning, friendship, and growth.

Recently, I heard a homily on one of Jesus' parables that feels especially fitting for this time of year:

In this parable, Jesus reminds us that even the smallest act of faith, kindness, or love can grow into something powerful and life-giving. What a beautiful image for the beginning of a new school year.

Every child who walks through our doors is like a mustard seed, full of potential and ready to grow. At St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy, our role as educators, parents, and community members is to nurture that growth. With care, encouragement, discipline, and faith, these small seeds will flourish, not only academically, but spiritually, emotionally, and morally.

This year, let us recommit ourselves to:

• Planting seeds of curiosity and a love for learning in each classroom

• Creating an environment where faith takes root and kindness branches out

• Trusting in the power of small moments, a kind word, a patient ear, a helping hand, to shape a child’s future

As the summer begins to wind down, I invite you to reflect on the ways your family can help our school continue to be fertile ground where students grow in wisdom, faith, and love.

Now, onto some important updates and reminders for the next two weeks of August…

Dr. Christopher Scharbach
Principal
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy

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 4th 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.

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

Please join us in welcoming: Ms. Lauren Suglia, who comes to us after teaching Nursery and Pre-K this past year. She will be joining our faculty as part of the Grade 2 team. Ms. Suglia brings with her a warm spirit, a deep love for childhood education, and a shared commitment to Catholic values and academic excellence.

As we welcome a new teacher, we also share some bittersweet news about two members of our faculty: Mrs. Trish O’Malley, who has been a member of our Grade 2 team, will be leaving St. Francis to continue her teaching career in the New York City public school system. We are grateful for her many contributions to our students especially preparing them for their sacraments and wish her continued success in this new chapter. Mrs. Meg Cronin, who has served our Academy with great dedication over the past few years will be retiring from teaching to spend more time with her family, especially her grandson. Her presence will be greatly missed by students and colleagues alike. We thank both Mrs. O’Malley and Mrs. Cronin for their many years of service and the impact they’ve made at St. Francis de Sales. Please join us in keeping them and Ms. Suglia in your prayers as we begin another exciting and grace-filled school year.

As we are now just under one month away from the beginning of the school year, I think it is important to remind families that come September we expect all students to be in full uniform. By sending your child to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy, you are agreeing to have your child wear the uniform that has been selected. Students are expected to be in complete uniform at all times unless something unusual happens and a note is sent in by the parent.

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!

Just a reminder to those 8th graders scheduled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this Fall at St. Francis that this Wednesday, August 6th 2025 there is a Confirmation Holy Hour at 6:30 pm. If you are unable to attend, please call the Religious Ed office (718-945-6911) so the absence can be noted. The parish looks forward to a beautiful, prayerful, and meaningful evening.

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.

📅✨ The 2025–2026 St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy Academic Calendar is here!
Plan ahead and stay in the know with all the important dates — from the first day of school on September 3rd to holidays, half-days, and our tentative last day on June 18th.

🟡 Faculty Days
🔵 Half-Days
⚫ School Closings

Take a look and download a copy to stay organized all year long!
📲 Subject to change

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!

We do ask that all parents of a new student to our school who has an IEP or IESP please arrange for a time to speak via phone over the summer with Mrs. Buckley at mbuckley@stfrancisschoolbh.net about the special education services that are offered at St Francis de Sales Catholic Academy. Mrs. Buckley is our Special Education Coordinator and will be your go-to person with any questions about Annual Reviews, IESPs, and testing accommodations for standardized tests.

Please note that the majority if not all of the services for our junior high students (Grades 7 and 8) occur before or after school and many times outside of our school building. Please note that all IEPs must be transferred to an IESP for services to be provided. This conversion usually takes place within the first three weeks of the school year.

Finally, if you have yet to provide the school with the most up-to-date IEP we do ask that you email that documentation to us ASAP. If you have any questions Mrs. Buckley will do her best to answer.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!