Weekly Howl-1.9.23
St. Francis Catholic School
SFCS celebrates 26 Years of Growing Together in Faith & Knowledge
Dear SFCS Parents & Friends,
Happy New Year! We were delighted to welcome the students back last week and see so many smiling faces eager to get back into the routine of school. I'm sure mom and dad were eager too!
January is shaping up to be a month chockful of activities and events, with winter MAPS testing beginning today. The testing will go through Wednesday, January 18. Individual class teachers will communicate with you as to when each grade is testing. Please read about the other events during the month of January featured below under "Upcoming Events", including our School Family Mass on Sunday, January 29. This is the kick-off for Catholic Schools Week!
We look forward to seeing you during the many events on campus this month!
Blessings for a new year filled with good health, laughter, and love,
Andrea
Andrea Smith, M.Ed., LPC, NCC
Principal
Foresight
Foresight: Consider the consequences of your actions. Think ahead.
Our Prayer :
Dear Jesus,
Please send your Holy Spirit to guide me when I come upon situations that require serious thought.
Amen
School Office Closing at 3:00 p.m. on Mondays
Beginning January 9, the School Office will close every Monday at 3:00 p.m. for a staff meeting. Please make note of this change.
Empowering God's Children - January 13
St. Francis Catholic School will present a sexual abuse prevention program, Empowering God’s Children – Teaching Safety, to our students on January 13, with a make-up date of January 17. This program will be presented in individual classrooms and is provided to us by the Diocese of Charleston and is a part of our ongoing effort to help create and maintain safe environments for all children and youth in our care.
The scheduled lesson is being offered to all students at St. Francis Catholic School. As parents, you have the right to choose whether your student participates in the program. We encourage you to read the “overview” and “lesson plan” assigned to your child’s age group to understand exactly what your child will be taught.
It is important to note, this is basic prevention education and is in no way to be considered sex education or education on private body parts. Neither of these components fall within our educational mandate to provide your child with the information needed to keep them safe from those who would do them harm.
If you wish to “opt” your child out of the prevention education session, please complete the “opt-out” form available in the SFCS School Office no later than January 11.
To access the curriculum please go to : http://tncrrg.virtus.org/touchingsafety/charleston.cfm
Rally for Life - January 15
There will be a Rally for Life event on Sunday, January 15 in front of the St. Francis Thrift Store to peacefully pray and demonstrate for the unborn. Attendees are asked to wear red and will assemble at 2:00 p.m. for the Rally. There will be plenty of signs, but students are welcome to make their own sign(s) if they'd like.
Monday, January 16 - MLK Day - No School
SFCS will be closed on Monday, January 16, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Academic Awards Presentation - January 20
Parents, guardians, family and friends are invited to the SFCS Second Quarter Academic Awards presentation on January 20 at 2:00 p.m. in the Gym. We look forward to seeing you there to help us celebrate the students' achievements!
School Family Mass Dates
Join the St. Francis Catholic School community at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church for School Family Sunday Mass on the following Sundays:
January 29, 2023
February 19, 2023
March 19, 2023
April 16, 2023
May 21, 2023
SFCS Open House - January 22
SFCS will host an open house for new families interested in enrolling our PK - 8th grade academic program. Come and tour our campus, meet faculty and staff, and learn about our academic and enrichment classes, athletics, and club opportunities. Please RSVP by January 20 - 843-681-6501.
The 2023 SFCS GALA - SAPPHIRE BALL - January 27
We are excited for our 2023 SFCS Gala - Sapphire Ball, on January 27! Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased by clicking on the following link: https://www.sfcshhi.com/activities/tickets-for-events.cfm
Sponsorship opportunities are still available, so please check out the wonderful sponsorship packages to consider promoting your business and supporting the school. Please contact fsa.sfcs@gmail.com for more information.
Catholic Schools Week - Dress Up Days! - Jan 30 - Feb 3
Show your spirit and dress up in honor of Catholic Schools Week!
Monday - January 30: Crazy Socks Day with school uniform
Tuesday - January 31: Crocs Day with school uniform
Wednesday - February 1: School Mass - Mass Uniform
Thursday - February 2: Sports Team Jersey or T-shirt with uniform bottom
Friday - February 3: Silly hat day with SFCS spirit t-shirt and uniform bottom
Scholastic Book Fair - January 30 - February 3, 2023
Mark your calendar for our Scholastic Book Fair beginning Monday, January 30 of Catholic Schools Week! All books will be purchased through e-wallet. You may set up your e-wallet account by clicking on this link: How eWallet Works (scholastic.com). We will have preview times set up for each class to filter through and make wish lists. Parents will be able to shop prior to dismissal on all days and on a special time on Wednesday. On Wednesday, February 1, we will host "Pastries for Parents" from 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., as part of the book shopping experience! We are in need of parent volunteers to assist with the book fair throughout the week. If available to help, please contact Amanda Keefer to secure an available time (amanda.keefer@sfcshhi.com).
Friday, February 3 - School Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Friday, February 3 will be a half day for students. Dismissal will be at 11:30 a.m. There will not be a lunch period or Aftercare on that day. Students should bring a snack to get them through until their dismissal. Thank you for taking note of this important announcement!
Pottery Jam! - February 3 - 5
Get ready for Pottery Jam 2023 beginning on Friday, February 3 in the evening, through the afternoon of Sunday February 5! More details to follow.
Soup for Scholarships - February 21
Tickets will go on sale after all weekend Masses, beginning February 11 through February 19.
St. Francis By the Sea - Faith Formation Ministry Event - March 5, 6, & 7
St. Francis Catholic School Facebook Page
Our official Facebook page is "St. Francis Catholic School". In an effort to consolidate communication, and have one central Facebook page for SFCS families to find announcements and learn about upcoming school events, the "St. Francis Families (St. Francis Catholic School, Hilton Head Island)" Facebook page is now inactive. As a reminder, the use of St. Francis Catholic School, or St. Francis by the Sea names, logos, etc., must be approved before associating any group with either name or SFCS. We appreciate your cooperation and partnership with this important policy and ask you to contact Mrs. Smith for school related requests, and the SFBTS Parish office for church related requests. Please join our school Facebook page! (scroll down to the bottom of the newsletter and click on link)
Mrs. Betty Fick - Director of Aftercare Program
Mrs. Betty Fick - Director of Aftercare
Mrs. Fick lived in Ohio for 53 years with her late husband, Jim, before moving to South Carolina. Mrs. Fick has two children, Tim and Tami, and three grandsons. Mrs. Fick has lived in Hilton Head for 23 years and began working for St. Francis by the Sea's CCD program 22 years ago, becoming the SFCS Director of Aftercare 15 years ago. Mrs. Fick may also be found subbing in the kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classrooms, and the School Office! She loves working at St. Francis Catholic School and states "There is no other place I'd rather be." Mrs. Fick says that one of the best things that she has loved while working in the St. Francis community has been the opportunity to work with her daughter, Tami, for many years. We love you, Mrs. Fick, and we are grateful for your years of service and dedication to SFCS and Catholic education. We are so happy you are part of our SFCS family!
5th Grade - Science Scavenger Hunt
The 5th Grade Students went on a Scavenger Hunt around the school looking for clues to solve questions on our Human Body Science Unit. Their studies focused on Body Systems and their role in keeping us healthy.
Bake Club
The Bake Club will resume activities on Tuesday, January 10. There is still time to join for the second semester of the school year! Please pick up a form from the School Office and submit the $119.00 fee for the semester, no later than Friday, January 13. Meetings are held on Tuesdays after school. The Bake Club is a wonderful way for your child to learn baking skills and have a fun time too!
Athletic Events
Basketball*
1/10 – HOME vs HHP – 4 Jr Girls / 5 Jr Boys / 6G / 7B (4 games)
1/12 – AWAY vs HHCA – 4G / 5B / 6 Junior Boys
1/17 – HOME vs JPII – 4G/ 5B
1/19 – AWAY vs CHAA – 5pm - Senior Boys only
1/23 – AWAY vs Riverview – 5G/ 6B – Lady’s Island Middle School
1/24 – HOME vs Colleton Prep – 4 Jr Girls / 5 Jr Boys / 6G / 7B (4 games)
1/26 – HOME vs Bolden – 4G / 5B
2/1 – AWAY vs Cross – 4 Jr G / 5 Jr Boys / 6 Sr Girls / 7 Sr Boys
2/2 – HOME vs CHAA – 4:30G / 5:30B
2/4 (Saturday) – AWAY vs HHP – 9 Junior G / 10 Jr Boys / 11 Senior Girls
2/7 – HOME vs Beaufort Academy – 4:30G / 5:30B – Senior Night
2/9 – AWAY vs HHP – 4G / 5B
2/10 – AWAY vs Lowcountry Montessori (LMS) – 4G / 5B – Suzane Gonzalez
2/15-17 – Middle School Championships – HHP
2/24-26 - Diocesan Tournament – Charleston
*Please check the schedule often as games are subject to change.
Saturday Basketball Development Program
Now in its third year, the SFCS Basketball Developmental Program has over 100 local youth in Pre-K through 4th grade participating in the 8-week program! Each session includes high energy drill station work and small-sided games overseen by the SFCS Coaching Staff.
In addition, a big part of this program includes our “youth coaches” which are typically middle school students volunteering their Saturdays to give back to their community. Yesterday, our youth coaches represented three different schools!
THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS SPONSORS SUPPORTING SFCS ATHLETICS!
FSA NEWS!
If you would like to be a part of the FSA community, please contact fsa.sfcs@gmail.com to learn how you may get involved!
SFCS VALUE CARD IS HERE!
ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
St. Francis Catholic School
Email: school@sfcshhi.com
Website: sfcshhi.com
Location: 45 Beach City Rd, HHI, SC 29926
Phone: 843-681-6501
Facebook: facebook.com/sfcshhi