<![CDATA[St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School

<![CDATA[St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School - St. Francis Weekly Newsletter]]>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:54:33 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[St. Francis Weekly Update - April 13-17]]>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:52:54 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/st-francis-weekly-update-april-13-17Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families,

Prayer
Lord God, our Father, 
We thank you for all the light you give us and for all your loving help in outward things as well.
We come into your presence and ask you to give us your light and your constant guidance for the path we must follow.
Grant that what is of heaven may be revealed on earth, that we may rejoice in the good and beautiful things you give to all people, Strengthening our hope for this goal.
Amen.

Statement from the Minister of Education
On Thursday, April 9the Minister of Education, Honourable Scott Kent, delivered an official acknowledgement and apology in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. This address was directed to former students and families who experienced harm at Jack Hulland Elementary School between 2007 and 2022. We recognize that this announcement, and the apology itself, may bring up difficult emotions and memories for members of our school community. If you feel like your child needs support following this apology, please reach out and we will connect them with our counselling staff of the school Wellness Specialist.

Student Led Conferences
Report cards will be available for pick up during Student Led Conferences on Wednesday April 22nd from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Please wait until 3:30 to come, so that teachers are able to set up their spaces for your arrival. See you there!

BC Assessments
A reminder that all grade 10 students will be writing their Numeracy assessments next week on April 21st. Ms. Segriff has posted where the students will be writing during each day – remind students to be on time and to check Teams hallway for more information. Students can find information about to prepare for the Numeracy 10 Assessment here: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/provincial/grade-10-numeracy-assessment

Yearbooks
Yearbook 2026 on sale now! Be sure to buy a collection of amazing things that have happened in and around SFA this year. Surprise your child with a Yearbook and give them something they’ll cherish for a lifetime. Follow the link above for ordering! 40$ a book, order now to secure your copy! *Grads do not need to purchase a book, as they have purchased one through their grad fees.

Please do not hesitate to call the school at 667-5901 if you have any questions or concerns. Join us on Instagram @stfrancisyukon.

Blessings,
The St. Francis of Assisi Admin Team,
Alethea Wallace, Principal; Tanner Cassidy, Vice-Principal; Joe Cosgrove, Vice Principal
]]><![CDATA[Changes to the Breakfast and Lunch Program]]>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:52:50 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/changes-to-the-breakfast-and-lunch-programChanges to the Breakfast and Lunch Program
Saint Francis is happy to announce the reopening of our school cafeteria on Monday, March 30, where YFNED staff will be serving a healthy breakfast and lunch daily.
All meals will be on a first come, first served basis. A limited number of complimentary breakfasts will be prepared daily and may include rice, sausage, wraps, croissants, and others. Lunch will be as it was before the closure. Students will be able to purchase a single lunch card for $5, or a five lunch card for $20. However, students who are currently on the YFNED list will receive a five lunch card at no cost. When that card is used up, another will be issued. YFNED has also extended this offer to those who may be experiencing financial difficulty. If you would like your student to receive a card, please call (867-667-5901) or email (sfacss@yukon.ca) the school. Your request will remain confidential.
We would like to thank YFNED for their flexibility and efforts as we navigated several system related issues in the cafeteria this year. We also want to thank the Facilities Division at the Department of Education for their assistance throughout these challenges.

]]><![CDATA[St. Francis Weekly Update - February 23-27]]>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:52:32 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/st-francis-weekly-update-feb-23-27St. Francis Update
Week of February 23rd to February 27th

Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families,

Prayer
Lord God Almighty,
Your eyes watch over the whole world. Shelter our lives in your hands.
Give us your strength to win through, even in suffering and need.
For we are yours, O Lord our God.
We beseech you to help us. May we feel your presence among us.
May your Word bear fruit in us to the everlasting honor of your name.
Amen.

Grade 9 to 10 Information
Parent Information Night - Thank you to the parents of grade 9 students who were able to attend the parent information night last week. If you were not able to come and would like to know the information that was discussed, you can view the PowerPoint on our website by clicking here.

Shrove Tuesday Feast
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Pancake Breakfast! The feast was provided by SFA Administration and Yukon Food for Learning with donations from Mandalay Farm – Little Red Hen Eggs. We would like to thank the students and staff who volunteered to set tables and serve and also thank Katherine Williams from School Council, Father Bartek and Mr. Lajeunesse and his Food Studies class, who all came in bright and early to flip pancakes. It was a great success, and we hope to see more families out next year! 

Attendance Matters!
Staying connected is key to academic success! Research shows that missing 10% or more of the school year - whether excused or unexcused - can make keeping up with schoolwork a bit of a challenge. Because we want to partner with you in your child’s learning, teachers will be emailing families of students with five or more absences this semester just to check in. If you have any concerns or need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day is February 25, 2026. Pink Shirt Day began in 2007 when a student in Nova Scotia was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. It has now become a national day of anti-bullying across Canada and other countries around the world! Bullying, cyberbullying and harassment jeopardize learning and can severely impact a child’s mental, emotional and physical health. On Wednesday February 25th, St. Francis students and staff are encouraged to wear pink to signify the stand against bullying. For additional support, please see the resources in the following links:

For Parents https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/support-for-parents-teachers.

For Youth https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/support-for-youth.

Grade 8 and 9 NET retreats
Grade 8 retreat: Wednesday March 25th
Grade 9 retreat: Thursday March 26th
Young adult missionaries from the National Evangelization Teams (NET Canada) will be running the grade 8 and 9 retreats at St. Francis both days. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to create meaningful memories with their cohort while reflecting on their faith. Students will be offered a simple, clear message of God’s love and a chance to experience the Gospel personally. Please ensure your child is at school on their respective class retreat days in order to participate in these mandatory, day-long retreats.

Parking
A reminder to parents and students regarding parking, morning drop offs and afternoon pickups. The drop off loop is on the north side of the building; the first turn off when travelling on Duke Rd from Lewes Blvd. We are asking everyone to use this location to ensure safety (the staff parking lot is not designed for drop offs). We would also like to remind students to park their cars in the student parking lot. Thank you all for your cooperation in this matter.

Lent at Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral will be offering a three week long series during Lent called The 99 Experience. It is a powerful mission series that will be a springboard for deepening our faith as we grow in identity, purpose, and community. Please join us on February 19, 26, and March 5 from 7-8:30pm in the CYO Hall. For more information, please contact the retreat coordinator Monica Best at bestjanzen@gmail.com. Everyone is invited!

OurSCHOOL Parent Survey
The OurSCHOOL Parent Survey captures parents' perceptions about areas of school climate that are critical to student success. The survey is based on a framework for fostering positive relations between schools and their community and the extensive research highlighting the benefits of parental involvement in their child's learning and their school's governance and activities. Please click here for more information.
To access the survey, click on the following link http://www.ourschool.net/sfa26

Please do not hesitate to call the school at 667-5901 if you have any questions or concerns. Join us on Instagram @stfrancisyukon.        
        
Blessings, 
The St. Francis of Assisi Admin Team,     
Alethea Wallace, Principal; Tanner Cassidy, Vice-Principal; Joe Cosgrove, Vice-Principal    ]]><![CDATA[Attendance Matters!]]>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/attendance-mattersParents/Guardians:
Please take a look at your child’s attendance. Research has shown that when students have missed 10% of classes for excused or unexcused reasons, they are critically at risk of falling behind.
10% equates to 2 classes per month.

Within the St. Francis School Handbook it states, "students who arrive more than 10 minutes late or who are away from class for more than 10 minutes will be marked absent.” Most teachers provide instructional material and expectations during the beginning of class. Missing this can negatively impact learning.

Unavoidable Reasons to Miss School may include:

Illness – vomiting, diarrhea, fever

Medical Appointments
Participating in religious observances, celebrations and activities
Participating in Yukon First Nations cultural activities

Avoidable Reasons to Miss School may include*:

Caring for Siblings
Oversleeping and missing the bus
Vacation
Non-medical appointments

*The school is not required to accommodate these absences, and academic standing may suffer.

For more information, check out these links and our School Handbook:
www.attendanceworks.org
www.safeandcivilschools.com
SFA School Handbook 2025-2026

If you have concerns or need support, please contact us!
]]><![CDATA[Grade 9 into 10 Parent Info Night]]>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 23:47:22 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/grade-9-into-10-parent-info-night3806709It was great to see all of the parents and guardians who attended the information night last night. As promised, here is the powerpoint.

course_selection_2026-27.pdf
File Size:	764 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

]]><![CDATA[St. Francis Weekly Update - February 16-20]]>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:06:06 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/st-francis-weekly-update-february-16-20St. Francis Update
Week of February 16th to February 20th

Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families,

Lenten Prayer
Almighty and Everlasting God,
You have given the human race
Jesus Christ our Saviour as a model of humility.
He fulfilled Your Will by becoming man
And giving His life on the Cross.
Help us to bear witness to You
By following His example of suffering
And make us worthy to share in His Resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Amen.

What is Lent?
Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It is a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection at Easter. During Lent we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. Lent can be an incredibly rewarding time in our faith lives. Please join us, if you are available, for our Liturgy on Wednesday February 18 between 11:15 and 12:15 in the small gym.

Shrove Tuesday Feast 
St. Francis Families, please join us for a free Pancake Breakfast Feast tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17th from 8:30 to 10:00am, provided by SFA Administration.  It will be held in the school cafeteria, and everyone is welcome! 

Grade 9 to 10 Information
Parent Information Night – The move into grade 10 is a big step.  This is when classes start counting toward graduation. There will be a presentation on graduation requirements/high school credits for the parents of students in grade nine going to grade ten this evening, February 16th from 6:30-7:30. Hopefully we can answer your questions and fill you in on the last, best three years of your student’s high school experience.

OurSchool Survey
St. Francis of Assisi students will be participating in an online school survey for students, and we will also have the OurSCHOOL Parent survey available this year. We invite you to review the information regarding the surveys on our website, please click here.

Lent at Sacred Heart Cathedral
The season of Lent will begin with Ash Wednesday on February 18 and we have a wonderful event coming to Sacred Heart Cathedral…
We would like to invite you to a retreat called The 99 Experience. This will be a powerful event that will happen over the first three Thursdays in Lent at Sacred Heart Cathedral from 7-8:30 PM. This retreat consists of prayer and scripture readings as well as watching short videos. We will have opportunities to engage in small group discussions, personal reflections or partner talking depending on your preference. It is our prayer that this will be a springboard for our entire parish to deepen our faith and grow in identity, purpose, and community. The parable of the 99 is the overarching theme of this retreat as we know that at different times and for different reasons any one of us could be the one who is lost and needs to be found. The 99 Experience, is for all of us, teens through seniors, even those who are currently not active in their faith and who would need you to invite them. We ask that you join us and that you prayerfully consider who you know who might benefit from attending and invite them to come as well!
Join us for the first three Thursday evenings in Lent, February 19, 26, and March 5 from 7-8:30 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Thank you,
Monica Best, Retreat Coordinator
Sacred Heart Parish, Whitehorse

Information on Pertussis in the Yukon
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued an information bulletin about active cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in the Yukon. Where cases have been identified in school settings, families and staff are being notified directly by school administrators in collaboration with Yukon Communicable Disease Control.
The safety and wellbeing of students and school staff is a top priority, and we have arranged extra cleaning of schools with confirmed cases and all Whitehorse school buses over the next few weeks.
We understand how important it is to all families for children to be at school. However, Pertussis is highly contagious, and we ask that families keep anyone who is ill at home and contact their health care provider.
Pertussis often begins with cold-like symptoms – such as sneezing, runny nose, and mild cough – which can make it hard to recognize early. Babies and young children may not cough. Again, it is very important that anyone who is ill does not ride on a school bus or go to school.
If families have questions about Pertussis and health care, they should reach out their primary health care provider or rural health centre. For more information on Pertussis, visit yukon.ca and search for “Pertussis” or “Whooping Cough.” You can also find information about Pertussis from the Canadian Pediatric Society.

Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day is February 25, 2026. Pink Shirt Day began in 2007 when a student in Nova Scotia was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. It has now become a national day of anti-bullying across Canada and other countries around the world! Bullying, cyberbullying and harassment jeopardize learning and can severely impact a child’s mental, emotional and physical health. Next Wednesday February 25th, St. Francis students and staff are encouraged to wear pink to signify the stand against bullying. For additional support, please see the resources in the following links:

For Parents https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/support-for-parents-teachers.

For Youth https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/support-for-youth.

No School on Friday - Enjoy Heritage Day!
Please do not hesitate to call the school at 667-5901 if you have any questions or concerns. Join us on Instagram @stfrancisyukon.        
        
Blessings, 
The St. Francis of Assisi Admin Team,     
Alethea Wallace, Principal; Tanner Cassidy, Vice-Principal; Joe Cosgrove, Vice-Principal  
]]><![CDATA[OurSchool Survey]]>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/ourschool-surveyDepartment of Education
PO Box 2703, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6

Feb. 9, 2026
Dear Parent/Guardian,

St. Francis of Assisi will be participating in an online school survey for parents and guardians called the OurSCHOOL Parent Survey. We invite you to review the information below and complete the survey using the login information provided.

Who: all parents/guardians
When: Feb. 23 - March 6, 2026
Where: at your convenience
The OurSCHOOL Parent Survey gives you the chance to provide your feedback anonymously into school initiatives. It’s voluntary, but we encourage you to participate, so we get a better understanding how you feel the school supports learning, positive behaviour and promotes a safe and inclusive environment.

This year, we will be asking for your perspective on limiting the use of personal mobile devices in school. Personal mobile devices include any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate or to access the internet, such as a cell phone, laptop, smart watch or a tablet. We want to hear from you about how this may impact you and your family.

The Government of Yukon is working to establish a policy and guidance for personal mobile device use in all Yukon schools in consultation with the Yukon Association of Education Professionals, school boards, school councils, and school communities.

The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and must be completed in one sitting. For more information about the OurSCHOOL Parent Survey, please visit The Learning Bar Inc.’s website: www.thelearningbar.com.

To access the survey, click on the following link
http://www.ourschool.net/sfa26

If you have questions or would like to request more information about SFA’s upcoming implementation of the OurSCHOOL Parent Survey, please contact David McInnes david.mcinnes@yukon.ca 867-667-5871.

Sincerely,

David McInnes
Director- Technology and Student Information
Yukon Department of Education]]><![CDATA[St. Francis Weekly Update Feb 9-13]]>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:43:55 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/st-francis-weekly-update-feb-9-13St. Francis Update
Week of February 9th to February 13th

Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families,

A Valentine Prayer
I said a Valentine prayer for you
and asked the Lord above
to fill your heart and bless your soul
With the precious gift of love.
I asked Him for sincere love
The kind that's meant to stay
Just like the generous love
You give to those you touch each day.
I prayed for love from family
And from every cherished friend
Then I asked the Lord to give you
His love that knows no end.

School Dance
Student Government is hosting a dance -- the February Func(tion)! Thursday February 12, 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Doors close at 8 p.m. SFA Cafeteria – admission $5 cash. Concession provided by the Grad class. If students want to bring guests from other schools, they must list them on the sign-in sheet by the end of the day on Tuesday.

Shrove Tuesday Feast
St. Francis Families, please join us for a free Pancake Breakfast Feast on Tuesday, February 17th from 8:30 to 10:00am, provided by SFA Administration. It will be held in the school cafeteria, and everyone is welcome!

Grade 9 to 10 Information
Parent Information Night – The move into grade 10 is a big step. This is when classes start counting toward graduation. There will be a presentation on graduation requirements/high school credits for the parents of students in grade nine going to grade ten on February 16th from 6:30-7:30. Hopefully we can answer your questions and fill you in on the last, best three years of your student’s high school experience.

Lent at Sacred Heart Cathedral
The season of Lent will begin with Ash Wednesday on February18 and we have a wonderful event coming to Sacred Heart Cathedral…
We would like to invite you to a retreat called The 99 Experience. This will be a powerful event that will happen over the first three Thursdays in Lent at Sacred Heart Cathedral from 7-8:30 PM. This retreat consists of prayer and scripture readings as well as watching short videos. We will have opportunities to engage in small group discussions, personal reflections or partner talking depending on your preference. It is our prayer that this will be a springboard for our entire parish to deepen our faith and grow in identity, purpose, and community. The parable of the 99 is the overarching theme of this retreat as we know that at different times and for different reasons any one of us could be the one who is lost and needs to be found. The 99 Experience, is for all of us, teens through seniors, even those who are currently not active in their faith and who would need you to invite them. We ask that you join us and that you prayerfully consider who you know who might benefit from attending and invite them to come as well!
Join us for the first three Thursday evenings in Lent, February 19, 26, and March 5 from 7-8:30 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Thank you,
Monica Best, Retreat Coordinator
Sacred Heart Parish, Whitehorse

Yukon First Nations Graduation
The 51st Yukon First Nations Graduation is set to take place on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre in Whitehorse at 2pm. There will be a reception prior to the ceremony which will begin at 12pm. Please contact St. Francis school counsellor colleen.segriff@yukon.ca to ensure your student is registered by March 19, 2026.
In order to participate in Yukon First Nations Graduation, you must be of First Nations, Inuit or Metis ancestry and be completing your academic grade 12, Adult Graduation or Leaving School Certificate. If you need more information about Yukon First Nations Graduation, please contact yfngraduation@gmail.com.
Artist Opportunity for Logo - Now accepting artwork to be considered for the 2026 Yukon First Nations Graduation logo. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 27, 2026.
Pixie Ingram - 2026 Yukon First Nations Graduation Coordinator

Please do not hesitate to call the school at 667-5901 if you have any questions or concerns.

Blessings,
The St. Francis of Assisi Admin Team,
Alethea Wallace, Principal; Tanner Cassidy, Vice-Principal; Joe Cosgrove, Vice-Principal   
]]><![CDATA[YFN Graduation]]>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:17:12 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/yfn-graduation

Artist Opportunity for Logo
We're accepting artwork to be considered for the 2026 Yukon First Nations Graduation logo.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 27, 2026.

Registration is now open for the 51st Yukon First Nations Graduation set to take place on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre in Whitehorse at 2pm. There will be a reception prior to the ceremony which will begin at 12pm.

Click here to register online for the 2026 Yukon First Nations Graduation.

Please ensure students are registered by March 19, 2026. Feel free to circulate this to interested parties.

In order to participate in Yukon First Nations Graduation you must be of First Nations, Inuit or Metis ancestry and be completing your academic grade 12, Adult Graduation or Leaving School Certificate. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you need more information about Yukon First Nations Graduation, please contact us at yfngraduation@gmail.com.

]]><![CDATA[St. Francis Weekly Update]]>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:42:11 GMThttps://www.sfacss.ca/st-francis-weekly-newsletter/st-francis-weekly-update-feb-5th-9thSt. Francis Update
Week of February 2nd to February 6th

Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families,

Prayer
Almighty God,
You are the only source of health and healing.
In you there is calm, and the only true peace in the universe.
Grant to each one of us your children an awareness of your presence, and give us perfect confidence in you.
In all pain and weariness and anxiety teach us to yield ourselves to your never failing care, knowing that your love and power surround us, trusting in your wisdom and providence, to give us health, strength, and peace when your time is best;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Shrove Tuesday Feast
St. Francis Families, please join us for a free Pancake Breakfast Feast on Tuesday, February 17th from 8:30 to 10:00am, provided by SFA Administration. It will be held in the school cafeteria, and everyone is welcome!

Grade 9 School Immunization Program
Whitehorse Health Centre Public Health Nurses will be conducting the annual Grade 9 school-based immunization clinic on February 19th.
Parents and students may review the school immunization program and consent process at: https://yukonimmunization.ca/get-immunized/grade-6-and-9-school-based-immunization
Information packages including a consent form and parent letter have been sent home last week by Mr. Cassidy.

Consent for immunizations
Consent to health care, under the Care Consent Act, applies to a person of any age. That means that a person of any age can consent to their own health care as long as they are capable of understanding and appreciating the consequences of that decision. (CCA s.6(4))
If a student presents with or without parent/representative consent, it is the health care provider's professional responsibility to inform them about their right to provide consent on their own behalf despite the consent/refusal to consent given by the parent(s).
Please feel free to contact Whitehorse Health Centre for any questions or concerns.

Grade 9 to 10 Information
Parent Information Night – The move into grade 10 is a big step. This is when classes start counting toward graduation. There will be a presentation on graduation requirements/high school credits for the parents of students in grade nine going to grade ten on February 16th from 6:30-7:30. Hopefully we can answer your questions and fill you in on the last, best three years of your student’s high school experience.

Lent at Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral will be offering a three week long series during Lent called The 99 Experience. It is a powerful mission series that will be a springboard for deepening our faith as we grow in identity, purpose, and community. Please join us on February 19, 26, and March 5 from 7-8:30pm in the CYO Hall. For more information, please contact the retreat coordinator Monica Best at bestjanzen@gmail.com. Everyone is invited!

Please do not hesitate to call the school at 667-5901 if you have any questions or concerns.

Blessings,
The St. Francis of Assisi Admin Team,
Alethea Wallace, Principal; Tanner Cassidy, Vice-Principal; Joe Cosgrove, Vice-Principal    ]]>