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St. Francis Update
Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families, Summer holidays have arrived, and we would like to wish all our families a fun-filled summer! A Summer Prayer Long warm days, The pace of life slows, A time for picnics and rest in the shade, Lord, help me to rest awhile in the cooling shade of Your presence. Slow down my restless heart and fill me with gentle compassion for all Your people. Amen. We would like to congratulate our Grade 12 graduating class. Many of them have had a remarkable year! We wish them all the best as they embark on their future journeys! We’d also like to welcome the new Grade 8 families to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary and look forward to them joining us in August. For those students who are moving we wish you all the best in your new schools and community. As we leave for the summer, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our staff. Their dedication to student success and the many extras they provide mean a great deal to the students and make this a wonderful place to learn and grow. We would also like to thank the students, parents and others in our community for contributing their time, energy and positive efforts to supporting everyone who attends St. Francis of Assisi! Here are some information items:
We look forward to welcoming all students back on Monday, August 24, 2026. School will begin at 8:30 am and dismissal time will be at 3:15 pm. Blessings, The St. Francis of Assisi Admin Team, Alethea Wallace, Principal; Tanner Cassidy, Vice-Principal; Joe Cosgrove, Vice-Principal A message from our School Council
Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families, As we look ahead to enhancing our school environment, we are excited to announce a new community art project: a school mosaic dedicated to our patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis’s legacy offers so many rich themes – from his deep love for animals and nature to his profound teachings on peace, humility, and community. Because this mural will be a central part of our school's identity, we want our families to have a direct voice in how he is represented. We invite you to take 2 minutes to complete a quick survey to share your thoughts on the visual options and themes we are considering. https://forms.gle/Q4Q2S2dj4GDqoLzm8 Your feedback is incredibly valuable as we work to create a meaningful piece of art that inspires our students every day. Thank you for your continued partnership and creativity! Also, Bring your recyclables to Raven and donate the funds to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School Council! Your donations will go towards the development and installation of the mosaic of St. Francis in our school entryway this year. Tell the bottle depot staff this Donation Account Number: 193 OR the name of our account: St. Francis School Council and your bottle refund transaction will go into our account. Thank you for your support of this important project! Warm Regards, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School Council St. Francis Update
Week of May 25th to May 29th Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families, Prayer Dear Lord, As we step into the middle of this month of May, we thank You for the steady unfolding of spring – for the visible reminders all around us that renewal takes, time, patience, and purpose. In this specific week, we ask for clarity of mind and a steady heart. Where there is a long checklist of things to accomplish, grant us focus. Where there is weariness or the weight of heavy responsibilities, grant us Your sustaining energy and a deep sense of peace. Help us to see the people in front of us clearly today. Give us the grace to listen deeply, the wisdom to speak words that lift others up, and the patience to navigate moments of tension with equity and kindness. We trust You with the plans we are building for the future, and we ask for the grace to stay rooted in the present moment. Bless our work, our homes, and our community this week. Amen SWIS Services Just a quick heads-up that the final week for SWIS services at our school is this week, May 27th. If any students need a quiet study space or extra support as they gear up for exams, they are more than welcome to head over to MCY! Attached are the summer flyers for the MCY Youth Academy, click here. School Bus Registration An email was sent to all Whitehorse school families on May 22nd regarding 2026-27 school bus registration. Families can register online at Yukon.ca/bus or on the Standard Bus Yukon website. This year, registration is managed by Standard Bus Yukon and must be completed online. Paper applications are no longer accepted. Whitehorse high school students can choose to ride the school bus or receive a free City of Whitehorse transit pass. They cannot register for both. Please register your child by July 1, 2026. Exam Schedule The final exam schedule is now officially posted on the school website. Please click the link below to find specific dates and times: 👉 Click Here to View the Exam Schedule Please review the schedule carefully and keep the following important details in mind:
Important Dates May 27 – PLC, Grad Mass and Reception May 29 – Grad Cap and Gown Convocation May 30 – Prom June 3 – x-block is 8 June 1 to 5 – Review Week June 8 to 12 – Exam Week **Nine more days of class – Exam Week is June 8th to 11th** 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 The final week for SWIS services at our school is this week, May 27th. If any students need a quiet study space or extra support as they gear up for exams, they are more than welcome to head over to MCY!   St. Francis Update
Week of May 4th to May 8th Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families, Prayer In this month devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary we seek her courage as we pray: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Red Dress Day May 5, 2026, marked the 16th anniversary of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, also known as Red Dress Day. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the need to address the violence still faced by many in Canada. We recognize the courage and strength of families, survivors, and communities who continue to advocate for the dignity and justice of their loved ones. School Council Elections
CEAY Candidate Meet and Greet School Council candidates will have the opportunity to speak with electors in an informal and relaxed setting of small group or individual conversations in a mix-and-mingle style event. If you are interested in engaging in polite conversation with the candidates running for St. Francis of Assisi School Council, please join us on May 7th at 7:00 pm in the CYO Hall. PARISH TALK FOR PARENTS: How do I raise my kids Catholic?! Many Catholic parents worry: will my children keep the faith when they grow up? Join us Friday, May 8th at 7pm in the CYO Hall as Dr. Brett Salkeld will share key insights from both the Church and contemporary research on parenting—showing how certain parenting styles not only make it more likely that children remain in the Church, but also help them become happier, more resilient, and capable of strong relationships. Dr. Brett Salkeld is Archdiocesan Theologian for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, where he is responsible for deacon formation. Opportunities Yukon presentation about student employment Students and families are invited to come to an Employability Skills Program presentation happening next Wednesday, May 13 at 12:15 pm here at St Francis in the Textiles room. This presentation is for students and parents of students, who identify as having a barrier to employment (could be mental, physical or mental health, such as ADHD). The presentation is about a PAID training program offered this summer for youth. Please contact Opportunities Yukon if you have any questions. Important Dates May 6 – x-block is 3 May 13 – PLC May 15 – Day in Lieu – No School May 18 – Victoria Day – No School May 20 – x-block is 4 May 27 – PLC, Grad Mass and Reception May 29 – Grad Cap and Gown Convocation May 30 – Prom June 3 – x-block is 8 June 1 to 5 – Review Week June 8 to 12 – Exam Week 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 Dear 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 Changes 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 ([email protected]) 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. St. 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: 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 [email protected]. 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 Parents/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:
Avoidable Reasons to Miss School may include*:
*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! |
16 Duke Road
Whitehorse, YT Y1A 4M2 Phone: 867-667-5901 Upcoming DatesSemester Two X-Block and PLC Dates January 21: X-Block is 1 January 28: X-Block is 5 February 4: X-Block is 3 February 11: PLC February 18: X-Block is 5 February 25: X-Block is 4 March 4: PLC March 25: X-Block is 3 April 1 : PLC April 8: X-Block is 6 April 15: PLC April 22: X-Block is 8 April 29: PLC May 6: X-Block is 3 May 13: PLC May 20: X-Block is 4 May 27: PLC June 3: X-Block is 8 My child is feeling ill or has symptoms. Can my child go to school?
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