St. Francis Weekly Update - February 16-20

​St. 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