SFCS Weekly Howl - 2.5.24
SFCS celebrates 27 Years of Growing Together in Faith & Knowledge
Dear SFCS Parents & Friends,
We had an absolutely incredible week celebrating Catholic Schools Week. There is a lot to celebrate at SFCS! In spite of all of the planned activities, teachers carried on with their instruction and students continued to be engaged. I hope you had a chance to look at the special edition of the Weekly Howl, highlighting our Catholic Schools Week, which was emailed yesterday.
This week students will be immersed in Winter MAP testing. Please be sure your child(ren) eat a good breakfast and get plenty of rest, so they are prepared to do their very best.
As a reminder, this Friday most of the grades will be celebrating Valentine's Day. Students may wear jeans and a pink, red, purple, or Valentine print t-shirt or sweatshirt. We have moved the Valentine's celebration day up because Ash Wednesday, a Holy Day of Obligation, falls on February 14. Students will be in Mass Dress uniform on that day. We hope you will join us for the celebration of the Ash Wednesday Mass.
Here's to a wonderful week ahead!
Blessings,
Andrea
Andrea Smith, M.Ed., LPC, NCC
Principal
Meeting for Parents of Students Making their Confirmation
On Tuesday, February 6, at 6:00 p.m., Mrs. Mitzi Weaver will be leading a meeting for all Confirmation families in the School Library. Mrs. Weaver emailed notices to all families about this important meeting. Please plan to attend.
CHANGE IN TRAFFIC PATTERN EFFECTIVE 1.29.24
Effective Monday, January 29, we will have a new traffic pattern for morning student drop off (all grades) and dismissal (grades 3rd - 8th only). Our school road to Hospital Blvd will become a one way exit only. This change is necessary out of concern for safety, as we have witnessed many close calls due to congestion and confusion when cars are driving in from both Beach City Road and Hospital Drive, then meeting to turn onto School Loop Drive. This change will be in affect during the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 7:55 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday when school is in session.
In the morning, all cars should enter the School/Church parking lot from Beach City Road, snake around the parking lot (when necessary) and then approach the School Loop Drive for drop off. For afternoon pick up, only grades 3rd - 8th are affected as those students are picked up on School Loop Drive.
Please make every effort to drop your student(s) off in the morning, no later than 7:55 a.m. After 7:55 a.m., they will be considered tardy. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated as we continue to keep our students and campus safe and preserve instructional time with minimal disruptions.
BUY YOUR YEARBOOK!
Don't forget to order your student's 2023.24 yearbook! The cost of the yearbook without personalization is $20. To purchase, visit this link: Balfour and follow these steps:
1. Once you click on the link, go to Yearbooks
2. Buy your yearbooks
3. Enter the school - "St Francis Catholic School"
4. Click on our school
5. Enter your child's name and grade
6. Choose your package
7. Then click "Get Started"
8. Complete the teacher's name or homeroom teacher's name
9. Customize your yearbook by selecting icons, if you choose, this is optional.
10. Add to Cart and pay by credit card
Please contact the School Office with any questions.
Rev. Monsignor Martin T. Laughlin Scholarship
The Women of St. Francis has announced application for the Rev. Monsignor Martin T. Laughlin Scholarship for 2024.25 is now open! Applications are available in the School Office and must be submitted no later than March 22, 2024. Recipients of this scholarship will receive $1000 and will be notified on or before April 22, 2024.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Tuition Assistance Grant
The Diocese of Charleston has announced the application process for the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Tuition Assistance Grant for 2024.25 is now open! Applications are available in the School Office and must be completed and returned no later than March 15 to Mrs. Smith as signatures from both the Principal and Pastor are required. The Diocese must receive all applications in Charleston no later than March 27, 2024.
**FOR INFORMATION ON ATHLETICS, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE ATHLETICS SECTION. Due to changes impacting practice or competitions that may occur, please be sure you follow the email communication you receive from the coaches. That information will be the most current. **
February 5 - 23 - Winter MAP Testing (grades K - 8th)
February 6 - Bake Club - 3:15 p.m.
February 9 - Valentine's Day Dress Up
Middle School Dance
February 13 - Bake Club - 3:15 p.m.
February 14 - Ash Wednesday
February 15 - 5th Grade Field Trip
February 16 - Faculty PD - Students Asynchronous Learning Day
February 18 - School Family Mass - 9:00 a.m.
February 19 - Presidents' Day - No School
February 20 - Bake Club - 3:15 p.m.
February 21 - First Reconciliation - 2nd Grade
February 23 - 25 - Diocesan Basketball Tournament
February 27 - Bake Club - 3:15 p.m.
Middle School Dance - February 9
Middle School students are invited to the annual MIddle School Dance on Friday, February 9. The theme this year is "Glow in the Dark". Tickets are $10 per person. Checks should be made payable to "SFCS" and brought to the School Office no later than Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. Attendees should be in modest and appropriate attire for a dance. No low cut, high slit, short, or strapless dresses for the girls. Jackets and ties are optional for the boys but no t-shirts, jeans, or pants with holes, rips, or tears. If in doubt about your child's outfit, please email a photo to Mrs. Smith (andrea.smith@sfcshhi.com). Permission slips were sent home with the Middle School students last week.
Summer Camp 2024 Sign Ups!
The sign up for Summer Camp 2024 has been included in re-enrollment packets. Summer Camp will be is open for students who will be in the 2nd - 8th grades during the 2024.25 academic year. If you need another Summer Camp registration, please contact the School Office.
Re-Enrollment for the 2024.25 Academic Year
Re-enrollment packets went home with your youngest child. We are anticipating some classes to fill up so please get your re-enrollment forms and deposit in early to secure your student's place. Please note the re-enrollment fee includes a partial tuition deposit. Please contact the School Office for more information. Enrollment for new families will begin on March 1.
WASHINGTON, DC TRIP UPDATES
Please check back for information on a prep meeting, coming soon.
WEEKLY SCHOOL MASS - SIGN UP FOR USHERS/GREETERS
We would love to have you serve as an usher/greeter at our Weekly School Mass,. We have two slots available each week. Please click on the link below to reserve your date/time for the remaining school year during January - May 2024. We are grateful for your gift of time.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FA4AC2BA3FACE9-46679241-weekly
MONTHLY SCHOOL FAMILY MASS DATES
February 18, 2024
March 17, 2024
April 21, 2024
May 19, 2024
PARENT VOLUNTEERS - TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Are you new to SFCS or have free time and are searching for ways to get involved at SFCS? There are many opportunities for parents to get involved at our school. Opportunities to consider are:
- FSA (meetings, committees, events, Spirit Store)
- In individual classrooms (reading, tutoring, etc.)
- During lunch
- Athletics and athletic events (Coaching, concessions, gate admissions, etc.)
- Weekly School Mass Greeter
- School events (i.e. Middle School Dance planning and decorating, Advent Concert, field trips, International Day - Salute to America Show, 8th Grade graduation)
- Fundraising efforts (Pottery Jam, FSA sponsored Gala, Athletics)
- Uniform Closet
- Summer - distribution of classroom materials and supplies
Contact Mrs. Smith for more information (andrea.smith@sfcshhi.com). All parents must go through a background clearance through the Diocese of Charleston. Please contact the School Office for information on the background screening process. Together we can make a difference!
SFCS SPIRIT SHOP
Come check out the merchandise in our SFCS Spirit Store!
Debit and credit cards are accepted as well as checks made out to SFCS.
Please let the School Office know if you'd like to stop by the Spirit Store to shop.
FSA ISLAND DISCOUNT CARDS!
The Island Discount Card provides discounts at a variety of businesses on the Island. Each card is $25 or buy four get one free. Cards may be purchased from the School Office by check made out to SFCS or online through Hometown Ticketing. To purchase online, please click here SFCS ISLAND DISCOUNT CARDS. There is a small surcharge for processing when purchasing online. Thank you for supporting SFCS through the purchase of an Island Discount Card!
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten Class shares and shows their love for Jesus through their beautiful artwork. Kindergarten loves using all the gifts God has given to them. Thank you, Mrs. Anderson, for leading your students in a beautiful journey in art.
3rd Grade
Two students from the 3rd grade, Alex C., and Morgan W., cashed in their good behavior tickets this past week. They chose to have a pizza lunch with Mrs. Smith!
4th Grade
4th Grade Students read biographies on historical figures and then dressed up as that person to present to the class what they learned. Students presented a variety of people for their classmates to learn about including, Rosa Parks, Sacagawea, Anne Frank, Abe Lincoln, Jacques Cousteau, Georgia O'Keefe, Helen Keller, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Jane Goodall, Albert Einstein, and Bill Gates. Excellent job 4th graders!
HOUSES
The day finally arrived for the Houses Reveal. Students prepared during first semester, the legacy of the SFCS House System from here on out. The Houses are St. Adjutor, St. Sebastian, St. Joan of Arc, and St. Nicholas. Members from each house were given a t-shirt which they will wear every Thursday with their uniform bottom. Middle School students will begin earning points through academic and athletic competitions, donation drives, acts of kindness, and behavior. The House with the highest point total at the end of the semester will win the coveted House Cup and bragging rights for the year. Good luck to all the Houses!
St. Adjutor
St. Sebastian
St. Joan of Arc
St. Nicholas
House of St. Adjutor
House of St. Sebastian
House of St. Joan of Arc
House of St. Nicholas
St. Adjutor House Captains
St. Joan of Arc House Captains
St. Sebastian House Captains
St. Nicholas House Captains
🐴EQUESTRIAN - SFCS RIDING SHOW TEAM 🐴
It is time for spring sign up for the SFCS Equestrian Show Team. Please see flyer below.
⚾ BASEBALL⚾
We are working on participation packets, uniforms, and schedules for practice and games. Coach Szypczak will be getting in touch with those middle school families who showed interest during the preliminary sign up. We are very excited for the upcoming season of the SFCS Baseball Team! Play ball!
🏀 BASKETBALL 🏀
**Please be sure to check your email for the most up to date information on practices and competitions.**
Basketball practice and playing schedule for the week of 2/5:
Monday, 2/5-
Junior Varsity Girls’ - Away at St. Gregory - 4:00 p.m.
Junior Varsity Boys' - Away at St. Gregory - 5:00 p.m.
Varsity Girls' - practice 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Varsity Boys' - practice 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday. 2/6 -
Junior Varsity Girls’ - Away at Cross - 4:00 p.m.
Junior Varsity Boys’ - Away at Cross - 5:00 p.m.
Varsity Girls' - Away at Cross - 6:00 p.m.
Varsity Boys' - Away at Cross - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 2/7 -
Varsity Girls' - practice, 3:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Varsity Boys' - practice, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Junior Varsity Girls' - practice, 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
Thursday, 2/8 - Senior Night
Varsity Girls' - Home vs. Riverview - 4:00 p.m.
Boys' Varsity - Home vs. Riverview - 5:00 p.m.
Junior Varsity Boys' - practice, 6-7:30
Winter Basketball Camp
Week 4 of Winter Basketball Camp!
📣 CHEERLEADING 📣
Please follow email communication from the Cheer coaches for the most up-to-date information.
Cheer Game Schedule - 2024
February 8th (Thursday) 4pm (K&1st) and 5pm (2nd- 4th) SENIOR NIGHT
Go Wolves!
2023.2024 ATHLETIC SPONSORS
Thank you to our Athletic Sponsors for the 2023.24 academic year. We are grateful for your support!
Do you have any news about alumni from SFCS? If so, please contact Andrea Smith (andrea.smith@sfcshhi.com) with information to share. Please include the year of SFCS graduation.
St. Francis Catholic School, a ministry of St. Francis By the Sea Catholic Church, partners with several of the Parish ministries. Please refer to this section of the Weekly Howl for information and events of those ministries who have a partnership with our school.
Lent 2024 - "What Are You Searching For?"
The St. Francis by the Sea Church Lenten Mission Planning Committee has extended the opportunity for students at St. Francis Catholic School in grades 1st through 8th, to participate in a fun word search activity focusing on Lent. Once students complete the word search, their teacher will award them with a certificate for a free pass for their family to the St. Francis Lenten Parish Mission on February 25 - 28.
WOSF SOUP FOR SCHOLARSHIPS - February 20, 2024
Make plans for the annual Women of St. Francis' Soup for Scholarships event on February 20! This is a well-attended and enjoyable event so get your tickets early. Tickets will go on sale after all Masses on February 10th and 11th, as well as February 17th and 18th.
St. Francis Thrift Shop - Volunteer Opportunities
The St. Francis Thrift Shop is looking for volunteers to work in the store. Any amount of time you can give the SF Thrift Shop will fit your availability into a schedule. Interested volunteers should contact Eleanor Bell, Embell31@outlook.com.
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