Weekly Howl

I know many are concerned about the storm that is moving our way. We are following the National Weather Service, Beaufort County School District, and are in contact with our Lowcountry Catholic Schools. We plan to make decisions tomorrow, so we will let you know! An email/text blast will communicate those plans.

Also, due to the upcoming inclement weather, the Lowcountry Soiree scheduled for Friday, September 30 will be postponed. As soon as a date is established, we will communicate the rescheduled date. If you have already paid for tickets, and the new date will not work in your plans, your check will be returned. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work on this community social event.

The 8th grade will have a full day class retreat on Wednesday, September 28. Students should wear their Mass uniform to school. After Mass, the 8th grade students will be allowed to change into jeans (no rips, holes, or tears) or dress code approved shorts, and a SFCS spirit top. Please commit to praying for a wonderful retreat for our 8th grade class!

Wishing you a safe week ahead!

Yours in Christ,

Andrea Smith, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

Principal

Gratitude: Count the blessings in one's life, express gratitude even when it is difficult.

Our prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Please give me a thankful heart, realizing that all I have comes from you. Amen.

School Mass - 10:00 a.m. - Blessing of the 8th grade crosses - students wear Mass uniform

Pet Blessing - 3:15 p.m. - The Blessing of the Pets will be a beautiful celebration honoring St. Francis of Assisi on his Feast Day. This event will take place following school dismissal, in the first row of the Church parking lot. Families are welcome to bring their pet, or photo of their pet to the blessing. All animals must be accompanied by an adult, leashed, or securely caged. We ask that school families with pets go through the carline to pick up their child, park in the Church parking, and walk up to the area sectioned off where the pet blessing will take place.

The 8th grade class will participate in PSAT 8/9 testing on Thursday, October 13 from 8:15 a.m. - noon. The PSAT is a standardized test published by College Board and tests students in 8th and 9th grade on reading, writing, language, and math. By taking the PSAT 8/9, students will learn through their score report, which skills to work on for continued success when preparing for high school and ultimately college.

Please be sure your 8th grade student gets a good night's sleep the night prior and breakfast the morning of the testing.

Join the St. Francis Catholic School community at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church for School Family Sunday Mass on the following Sundays:

October 16, 2022

November 20, 2022

December 18, 2022

January 15, 2023

February 19, 2023

March 19, 2023

April 16, 2023

May 21, 2023

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 will become inactive on October 1, 2022. Our official Facebook page is "St. Francis Catholic School". 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)

The week of October 3, our weekly school Mass will be moved to Tuesday, October 4 to celebrate our feast day honoring St. Francis of Assisi. Please be sure your child wears their Mass uniform on Tuesday, October 4, and regular uniform on Wednesday, October 5. Also at our Feast Day Mass, we will begin a new tradition of the blessing of the 8th grade crosses. We invite parents, guardians, family, and friends to attend our school masses, and ask that you sit on the left side of the church as you walk in.

Parents: please have your student check the lost and found bin, or stop by the School Office to go through the items left behind. The bin will be cleared out on Friday, September 30. Items will either be donated or tossed depending on their condition. Please come claim what is yours this week!

Click below to view the 2022.23 school calendar.

Born in Cali, Colombia, Senora Curry grew up in Panamá. She graduated from Northern Illinois University and has been teaching Spanish for 23 year. Senora Curry enjoys educating young minds in a second language and introducing them to the culture and traditions of the world around them. Senora Curry has been married 36 years to her husband Pat, and together they have two children, Christopher and Carolina. In her spare time, Senora Curry enjoys family and friends, playing pickleball, tennis, walking on the beach, and having fun with her corgi, Louis. We are so happy to have Senora Curry as part of the SFCS family!

Students went “shopping” in math class. We worked on adding the cost of various items and finding out how much change we would receive.

7th grade started studying the Renaissance and exploring the artists associated with it. Last Wednesday, the class discussed Leonardo da Vinci, as well as Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel. The students found out how challenging it would be to paint on their back when they attempted to draw upside down. The activity helped the students to appreciate Michelangelo's beautiful work!

The eighth grade studied the influence of missionaries in bringing Christianity to Africa and stopping the slave trade. The African jewelry has many meanings, from simple adornment , tribe, age and feats of bravery. From a simple paper mache dough and scraps of paper, the students created beautiful pieces of art. You may view them in the cases in the Fine Arts Lobby.

Members of the graduating class of 2023, in collaboration with their Religion and Art classes, will make their own individual crosses. These crosses will be blessed during our Feast Day Mass on October 4, and put on display for the year. Each eighth grade student will receive their blessed cross and diploma during their graduation ceremony in May 2023!

The 8th grade class is beginning to create their crosses for the Feast Day Mass blessing on October 4. Students are selecting their glass, coordinating colors, and then will create their design.

Our Annual Fund is underway! The annual fund is one of the most important gifts we ask of our St. Francis community. Gifts to the St. Francis Catholic School Annual Fund provide students access to opportunities that distinguish the SFCS educational, spiritual, and social experiences.

Despite a couple of races getting postponed due to weather in August, both SFCS Cross Country teams had a very successful month of September! The teams have come in first place in their respective divisions in the last TWO meets, including last night’s 7-team meet on Fripp Island.

Eighth grader, Nathan Gudaitis, found another gear and finished first overall in these meets by wide margins. With his “Terminator” racing glasses and hot pink socks, no one dares to stand in his way! Nathan and fellow classmate, Ellie Gutierrez, have taken the young teams under their wing and lead by example at practice workouts and on meet days! Both teams will challenge for the championship in late October. Great job, Wolves!!

We are having our first kids’ night (4pm) in the WOLF DEN! Come show your school spirit and support our athletic department. Please join Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Burke, and Mrs. Gloven on Tuesday Sept 27th at 4pm in the gym to cheer on our Lady Wolves volleyball team.

Coach Weaver will announce the kids’ names in between set #1 and #2 and have them come on to the court. The kids will also receive a “Halloween” frosted pretzel stick treat!

As a special treat for our little ones and their families we will only charge $2/parent (a savings of $5 per adult) and kids are FREE.

We hope to see you there!

Who: Pre-K and Kindergarten students and families

When: Tuesday Sept. 27 4PM tip off

Where: The SFCS gym

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!

https://www.facebook.com/sfcshhi

Email: school@sfcshhi.com
Website: sfcshhi.com
Location: 45 Beach City Rd, HHI, SC 29926
Phone: 843-681-6501
Facebook: facebook.com/sfcshhi