The Jaguar Journal
Volume 3 | Issue 14
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Dear SFX Family,
Thank you to all who were able to come out to School House Rock LIVE! Jr. and Turkey Bingo this past weekend. We had great crowds for both and a ton of fun!
This week we are holding our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for Deacon Ed's Food Bank. Grade level items are listed below. Special thanks to members of our newly formed Grandparent's Club for helping with collection in the morning this week.
Please note that we do not have school Mass tomorrow. Instead, we will celebrate our Thanksgiving School Mass on Friday at 9:00 A.M. Please join us if you can.
Early giving is now open for iGiveCatholic! This year, the parish and school are working together to raise money for a keyless entry system on our entire campus. It is a top priority to ensure safety and security throughout our campus. iGiveCatholic Day is Tuesday, November 29. You can donate here. Please think about this as your Annual Fund donation since we moved it from August last year to alleviate some pressure in that month. The cost to educate a student is significantly greater than tuition. It is through generous donations that we are able to provide all that we do for our students.
The New Student Application will open on Thursday, December 1st on our website! Please help us spread the word!
We have had an excessive number of Early Check-outs lately. It is very disruptive to the learning environment when students leave early. We ask that you reserve early check-outs for emergencies or when absolutely necessary for a doctor/dental appointment. Please provide confirmation of the appointment when checking out early.
I hope to see you tonight at the HSA Meeting. Men's Club also has their meeting with Thanksgiving bites on Thursday evening.
Lastly, I wish you and your families a very blessed Thanksgiving. I am so grateful for our school family!
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.
iGiveCatholic ON GIVING TUESDAY
This year our school and parish are working together to ensure safety and security throughout our campus. Our goal is to install a KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM in all buildings on our campus. Thank you for your generosity!
Early Giving started yesterday, and iGiveCatholic Day is Tuesday, November 29.
> You can donate here. <
FR. JOE'S MESSAGE
SFX School Community:
Greetings. Below is the Email Update for Tuesday, November 15, with thank-yous for School House Rock, Turkey Bingo, and the Thanksgiving Basket Drive.
Our "iGiveCatholic" Campaign to upgrade the church sound system and provide keyless entry on all our buildings is underway. Check out the info and videos in the bulletin on IGC.
Tonight is the Home and School Meeting and Praise Him! Prayer Group meeting. Tomorrow is That Man Is You, the Young Adult Gathering, and the Presentation on Managing Grief during the holidays.
There are lots of other events and activities occurring soon. Read all about them in today's update.
Have a blessed week.
Father Joe
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
- November 15 - HSA Meeting, 6:30 P.M.
- November 16 - Middle School Field Trip
- November 17 -
- 1st Grade Field Trip
- Men's Club Meeting, 6:30 P.M.
- November 18 - School Thanksgiving Mass, 9 A.M.
- November 21-22 - Holiday Care
- November 21-25 - Thanksgiving Holidays
- November 28 - School Resumes
- November 29 - iGiveCatholic Day!
- November 30 - School Mass, 9 A.M.
- December 1 -
- New Student Application Opens Online
- Reconciliation, Grs. 3-7
- 1:30 P.M. Dismissal with No After School Care
- December 3 -
- Feast Day of St. Francis Xavier
- Old Metairie Christmas Market, 9 A.M. - 2 P.M.
- December 4 - 4th Grade Sponsoring Parish Mass, 10 A.M.
NOTE: The most up-to-date information is on the school Google calendar.
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY CARE
We will have Thanksgiving Holiday Care on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22 from 8:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
If you are still interested, please call or email Mrs. Denise as soon as possible so that we can be prepared. Mrs. Denise will give you the additional details.
NEWS AROUND SFX
- HSA Meeting is TONIGHT at 6:30 in the Mansfield Auditorium.
- Father-Son Pelicans Game tickets will be on sale through November 21st. Purchase your here tickets today.
Questions? Email Home & School at homeandschool.sfx@gmail.com.
- NEXT MEETING - 11/17/22 @ 6:30 P.M.
Questions? Email the Men's Club at sfxmensclub@gmail.com.
OLD METAIRIE CHRISTMAS MARKET
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
- Notification - Please be sure to notify your child's teacher and/or Mrs. Denise Secrest of an absence.
- Tardies - The school day begins at 8:00 A.M. sharp. Students who arrive after will receive a tardy. Please be reminded that per our handbook, "Students will be marked as absent from one day of school for every 5 tardies that they receive during the school year."
- Absences -
- Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education – to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build on the previous day’s learning, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, families should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences.
- A doctor's note must be provided when a student is absent for three or more days.
HANDBOOK UPDATE
Please note that the Archdiocese of New Orleans has revised our nondiscriminatory policy. Our handbook and website has been updated.
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or disability in violation of state law and federal law or regulation in the administration of its educational policies or programs. The information provided in the application process will not be used for any unlawful discriminatory purpose.
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.
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.
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!
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.