The Jaguar Journal
Volume 3 | Issue 9
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Dear SFX Family,
How nice is this weather? And a Saints win? This week is off to a great start. We are preparing for the Book Fair that begins on Thursday. More information is below.
THANK YOU to you, your families, and your friends for your support of our Boosterthon Fun Run! We had a blast and are only about $1,200 away from our goal of $35,000 for shades for our new windows. If we can reach it by this Thursday night, then Ms. Megan and I will be turned into ice cream sundaes, and the students will get to wear not-so-scary Halloween costumes to school on Halloween day!
This year, the Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation is seeking District Accreditation through Cognia (formerly AdvancEd and SACS/CASI) instead of schools doing it individually. I am actually fortunate to be on the Leadership Team for this process! Schools are asked to collect data through surveys and other means to provide the team with everything needed to submit with our application. I would be most grateful if parents and guardians could complete this survey by next Tuesday, October 18, 2022. If you have any issues with the link or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you!
Tomorrow we have vision screenings provided by the Lions Club. If you would like your child to be screened, please complete the permission slip that was sent home. It is also linked below. Additionally, we have School Mass at 9:00 A.M. tomorrow. The Men's Club Golf Tournament is this Friday, and Grandparents' Mass sponsored by the HSA is this Sunday at 10:00 A.M.
I hope you have a great rest of the week!
May God bless you and keep you,
Jessica
Jessica A. Dwyer, M.Ed.
Principal
P.S. To ensure you are able to receive our Parent Alert texts, please text START to 31706 from your mobile device. Any text alerts from our school will begin with SFX-LA.
WE ARE NOW ON AMAZON SMILE!
Who doesn't love and use Amazon? You can now earn money for the school each time you place an order! Follow the link below to choose St. Francis!
FR. JOE'S MESSAGE
SFX School Community,
Happy Tuesday. Attached is the Email Update for today. It's a very busy week in our parish.
Tonight we are hosting a Young Adult Event for the Archdiocese for those in their 20s and 30s -- details are in the update. Tonight is also the Monthly Meeting of the KCs. Tomorrow morning is That Man Is You and our weekly School Mass. Tomorrow evening the Pivotal Players Series featuring St. Thomas Aquinas. Advent Faith Classes are underway on Mondays and Thursdays.
The Golf Tournament and Walking with Purpose "Coffee Connect" are this Friday, the Bereavement Celebration of Life is Saturday, and Grandparents Mass, the Halloween Candy Collection and Chapel Appeal are this weekend. Whew!
Hope you find some things to participate in during the week. Enjoy the unbelievably beautiful weather.
In Christ,
Father Joe
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
- October 12 - School Mass, 9 A.M.; Lions Club Vision Screenings
- October 13-20 - Fall Book Fair
- October 14 - Men's Club Golf Tournament
- October 16 - HSA Grandparents' Mass & Book Fair Shopping
- October 19 - School Mass, 9 A.M.; Book Fair Parent Shopping Night, 3:30-7 P.M.
- October 20 - Picture Make-up Day; Black & Gold Day; Men's Club Meeting, 6:30 P.M.
- October 23 - SFX Parish Picnic, 1:00 P.M.
- October 26 - School Mass, 9 A.M.
- October 24 - Advisory School Board Meeting, 6:30 P.M.
- October 29 - Trunk or Treat, 6:30-9:30 P.M.
NOTE: The most up-to-date information is on the school Google calendar.
JAGUAR ATHLETICS
Girls in Grades 5-7: Please fill out this interest form if your child is interested in playing girls' basketball this season. Try-outs will be held on Thursday, 10/13 and Friday 10/14 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Mansfield Auditorium.
Grades 4-7: Please fill out this interest form if your child is interested in playing soccer this season.
Contact Mr. Kyle Manning with questions at athletics@stfrancisxavier.com.
THE BOOK FAIR STARTS THURSDAY!
The Fall Book Fair kicks off this Thursday, October 13!
We invite you to come shop with your child at the following times:
- during his/her class's scheduled time during the school day
- following Grandparents' Mass on this Sunday, October 16
- at Parent Shopping Night on Wednesday, October 19
If you would like to volunteer to work the Book Fair, please sign up here.
All volunteers must be up-to-date on Safe Environment.
OLD METAIRIE FEST
SFX IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!
Old Metairie Fest 2023
March 25, 2023
11:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Featuring KARMA
It's time to start looking for sponsors for Old Metairie Fest this year! Below is the sponsorship packet. If you or anyone you know is interested in being a sponsoring, please complete this packet. All sponsorship information must be in by January 4, 2023 to ensure proper recognition.
NEWS AROUND SFX
Upcoming Events:
- Grandparent's Mass is this Sunday, October 16th at 10:00 Mass with donuts in SJH and an opportunity to shop at the school's Book Fair after.
- We are still looking for volunteers to help with Trunk or Treat! Follow this link if you are interested in helping.
- Don't forget that the class that brings in the most candy for Trunk or Treat wins a class donut party! We are also collecting candy after all Masses this weekend. Please tell your family and friends!
- Tickets will go on sale next week for the Father-Son Pelicans Game on Sunday, December 11th at 2:30 p.m. Make sure to mark your calendars for this fun event!
Questions? Email Home & School at homeandschool.sfx@gmail.com.
- Upcoming events:
- SFX Old Metairie Golf Classic - THIS Friday, 10/14. Bayou Oaks at City Park – South Course, 1051 Filmore Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124. We look forward to seeing everyone soon. If you have any questions, please let us know.
- NEXT Men's Club Meeting - is Thursday, October 20, 2022, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be the annual Gumbo Cook Off. All members are invited to enter a gumbo, with no restrictions on the style of gumbo. If you would like to cook a gumbo, please provide us with a name of your gumbo, as the winning gumbo will be voted on at the meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting and eating some tasty gumbo!
- SFX Men's Club Bourbon Raffle - Drawing 11/3/22. Click here for more info.
Questions? Email the Men's Club at sfxmensclub@gmail.com.
GRANDPARENTS' CLUB
CALLING ALL GRANDPARENTS!
Our grandparents are integral parts of our lives, and we want them to be involved in our school. We are starting a Grandparents' Club! The funds we receive help enhance the school life of our grandchildren and help in planning and putting on activities for the school and our teachers. We are open to new ideas and activities as we want this club to be a success!
Meetings will be held either monthly or every other month. Even if you are unable to attend meetings, there are many ways we can use your help! Yearly Dues: $10 per person/ $15 per couple
Please send your membership form and check made payable to St. Francis Xavier School to the office with your grandchild.
OLD METAIRIE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Old Metairie Christmas Market
Saturday, December 3, 2022
9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
If you are interested in being a vendor, or know someone who would be, please see the link below.
Questions:
Brigette Starr, Christmas Market Chairperson
504.432.0601
ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL REMINDERS
- Please be respectful of our neighbors, driveways, and thru traffic!
- Do not line up more than 10 minutes prior to dismissal time.
- There is no direct turn onto Avenue B from Metairie Road.
- Cars must only enter Betz via Avenue B.
- We also ask that you share them with anyone who may drop off or pick up for your family.
COVID-19 GUIDELINES & PROTOCOLS UPDATE
We received the following from Dr. RaeNell Houston and will be following this update:
In accordance with the most recent guidance published by the CDC, as of August 17, 2022, at minimum the following updated COVID protocols shall be observed in our schools and parish schools of religion. In addition, please keep in mind that we must follow any future mandates, especially those that are more restrictive, that may be set forth by state and/or local civil authorities. Each school and/or parish community may impose more restrictive policies based on the conditions present in their community.
GENERAL REMINDERS
- All volunteers must be up-to-date with Safe Environment training and background check. You can take the class or renew online at www.virtus.org.
- Early check-outs are not allowed past 2:30 PM on a regular day or 1:00 PM on an early dismissal day. Please only use early check-outs when absolutely necessary.
- If anyone in your immediate family tests positive for COVID-19, please notify Ms. Dwyer immediately. You can call the school, 833-1471, or email if after hours.
- Students should be kept home if they have any symptoms and their doctor should be consulted. Please do not assume it is allergies or a cold or send them to school after giving medication.