St. Francis Weekly Email - August 28

Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families, 

Dear God,  
We thank you that you are powerful and loving, that out of your glorious riches you strengthen us through your Spirit in our inner being. We ask you for the fresh filling of your Holy Spirit, we ask for your power and love to fill us. We thank you that as believers we know that Christ dwells richly within our hearts through faith. We pray that you would strengthen our roots and establish our lives firmly in your love. Help us to love, and to keep on loving. By the power of your Spirit. Even when it seems impossible. Even when it does not make sense. May our lives be filled with your goodness and power, today and every day, as we walk together in the light of Christ.  
In Jesus’ Name, Amen 

It has been a very busy first week of school. On behalf of the Staff of St. Francis of Assisi we extend our warmest welcome to returning students, staff, and all those new to our school. We are committed to making the 2023-2024 school year one filled with rich opportunities for growth and learning in our faith-based community. 


Picture Day 
Thursday October 5th and Friday October 6th  
Students will take their school photos based on their last names. On Thursday, students with the last names from A-L will be called down to the Learning Commons during the day. On Friday, Students with last names from M-Z will have their photos taken. The Star Flower photo envelopes with all of the package details will be given to students during their first block class closer to picture day. 

Important Information Regarding Grade 8 and 9 Students: 
At Saint Francis of Assisi, we want to encourage and support the development of learning skills and good work habits by intervening early on with our grade 8 and 9 students. For many years now, we have provided a framework where students who have outstanding assignments are asked to stay during PLC instead of leaving during early dismissal Wednesdays. Students who have outstanding assignments/assessments will be informed by their teachers if they are asked to stay during PLC. This framework provides students with an opportunity to complete assignments and receive focused support so that they can stay on track academically. 
We have seen evidence that this framework helps students develop organizational skills and work habits that serve them further throughout their high school experience. Helping students develop organisational and work completion skills has often translated in an increase of self-determination and the initiation of study habits in our students. 
We will be starting this week on Wednesday the 30th from 2:10 pm to 3:13 pm. Grade 8 and 9 students who are not completing work in an assigned classroom can either be in the gym with supervision or go home/access public transit. 
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our administration. 
  
Mathematics Workbooks Clarifications 
In a previous email, we shared that we are collecting Workbook fees specifically for students enrolled in Mathematics. To clarify further, we do provide the classroom textbooks; however, students can also have their own workbook that they can fill and write in. Students get to keep the workbook at the end of the course.  
As indicated in our School Handbook (p.27), some teachers choose to use workbooks to accompany the textbook or will use the workbook rather than textbooks. Students/Parents/Guardians are required to pay a deposit for the workbooks which will be refunded if the workbook is returned in a condition that will allow it to be used by a future student (ie. no writing in the book). A refund will also be issued if the teacher has not utilized the workbook.  

Need Volleyball Coaches 
If you interested in coaching or helping coach volleyball, please contact Dwayne Stoker our Athletics Administrator at [email protected]. We have many students wanting to play and unfortunately, not enough coaches to support having more than one team per level. 

St. Francis Athletics 
There are exciting opportunities coming up to play some sports here at St. Francis! 

• Volleyball tryouts are happening this week in the gym – see you after school 
• Soccer – September 7 – See Ms. Clarke or Ms. Hamel for more details 
• Golf – September 12 – See Mr. McCarron for more details 

Parking 
Thank you to parents and those students who drive for using the appropriate parking lot and drop-off loop during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups. Thank you all for your cooperation in this matter. 

Lunch Hour 
We would like to remind students to be respectful of community members and property when out during the lunch hour. We have had complaints regarding students loitering on the porch steps of neighbouring apartment buildings, leaving a mess and not being kind. We would ask parents to remind their students about appropriate behavior, and thank you in advance; we will also remind students of our expectations this week. In addition, there are lawn chairs for students to use outside while we have enjoyable weather. 

Schedule Changes 
The last day for schedule changes will be Thursday August 31st.  

X-Block Dates 
Aug 23rd - x-block = 1 
Sept 6th - x-block = 3 
Sept 20th - x-block = 5 
Oct 4th - x-block = 3 
Oct 18th - x-block = 3 
Nov 1st - x-block = 5 
Nov 15th - x-block = 3 
Nov 29th - x-block = 5 
Dec 13th - x-block = 3 
Jan 10th - x-block = 3 

PD Days 
There is no school on Monday September 4th for Labour Day and October 2nd for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There will be days of professional development in late October for all Teachers and EAs, which means no school for students on October 27th.  

Vaping 
There are serious consequences for vaping at St. Francis 
 Vapes are not permitted on school property.  

1. The first time a student is seen with a vape, it will be confiscated (whether actually vaping or not), a call made home, and the vape confiscated until a parent comes in to claim the vape. 
   
2.  The second time a call home will be made, the student will be given a one-day dismissal and the vape confiscated until the end of the year at which point the parent may come in to claim the vape. 
3.  Subsequent infractions will see escalating suspensions that may result in removal from school. 

Attendance Procedures 
Attendance in classes is the biggest contributor to student success and we take attendance tracking seriously. It is the responsibility of all Parent/Guardians to inform the office of all excused absences from school. The office will call home for unexcused students missing first block. Automated phone calls are generated to call home for any unexcused absences after the school day has finished.  
Please inform the office of any absences by calling 667-5901 and speaking with any office staff, if you call after school hours you can leave a voicemail. Or, if it is more convenient, please feel free to email us at [email protected]. 

Service Learning Hours 
As members of a Christian community, we are called to work together to build a world of Peace, Justice, and Compassion. To accomplish this, we must reach beyond ourselves.  
The religious education program at St. Francis includes a service-learning component. Students are required to complete a number of volunteer/service hours as well as a small reflection assignment in order to receive their religions credits. These hours need to be completed outside of class time and during the current school year of each grade. Extra hours over and above what is required will not count toward future years. Students must not receive compensation in any form for their rime and effort. These hours are to be voluntary. 
School staff will remind and encourage students to seek contacts and opportunities for service, but ultimately it is the responsibility of each student to find a way to meaningfully reach out to their community. 

• For students in Grade 8 and 9, their hours are due at the beginning of January. If a student does not complete their hours by then, they must meet with Ms. Olejarz to ensure a plan is in place to complete the hours before May 1st.  
• For students in Grade 10, 11, and 12: Those taking their religion course in the first semester - logged hours and reflections are due at the end of the semester. (For students taking their religion course in the second semester - this requirement is due two weeks prior to final exams.) 
• The requirements are as follows: 

• Grade 8: 5 hours 

• Grade 9: 10 hours 
• Grade 10: 15 hours 
• Grade 11: 15 hours 
• Grade 12: Students need a total of 30 hours between grades 10, 11, and 12. Therefore if the have met the requirements in grade 10 and 11, they will not need to log hours in grade 12.  

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 and Mia Ouellette, Vice-Principal