St. Francis Weekly Update Sept 2-5

St. Francis Update  
Week of September 2 to September 5  
  
Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families,  
 
It has been a wonderful few days welcoming our students back into the building, and we have had a smooth start to the school year.  Our priorities have been focused on building a sense of welcoming community within each class. Students are now settling into their routines, and the school has an atmosphere of positive energy and excitement for learning. It has been wonderful to re-connect with our returning students and to welcome many new students to our school. 
 
Prayer 
Loving God, thank you for the rest and relaxation we enjoyed over the summer. 
Today, we pray for our children as they begin their new school year. 
Bless them with joy at seeing friends, and a love of learning. 
Watch over all who learn, replacing fear with joy, anxiety with peace, and tiredness with energy. 
Grant teachers' wisdom, patience, and joy in serving their students. 
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 
 
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. 
 
Cafeteria 
The cafeteria is under renovation for this week. However, we will be serving a hot lunch from Leo’s Café. Starting tomorrow, students can purchase a meal punch card from the office. The punch cards are $20. The cost of meals will be $5. 
 
Field Trips 
Teachers are planning many off-site experiential activities for this semester. Please look out for any field trip forms that students may bring home, and promptly fill them in, sign them and return them to the school. Thank you. 
 
Outstanding School Materials 
There are many students who have not yet returned textbooks, library resources and English novels which were used last year.  These items remain on a student’s record and may prevent them from having access to new resources.  We ask for your help in having these items returned ASAP.  
 
Semester One X-Block and PLC Dates 
August 27 X-Block is 1 
September 3 X-Block is 5 
September 10 PLC 
September 17 X-Block is 7 
September 24 PLC 
October 1 X-Block is 3  
October 8 PLC 
October 15 X-Block is 4  
October 22 PLC 
October 29 X-Block is 6 
November 5 PLC 
November 12 X-Block is 4  
November 19 PLC 
November 26 X-Block is 1 
December 3 PLC 
December 10 X-Block is 6 
December 17 X-Block is 1 
January 7 PLC 
 
St. Francis Clubs and Athletics  
There are many clubs and sports teams that you can join here at St. Francis. As mentioned in the assembly on the first day of school, soccer and volleyball are just around the corner and some clubs are having their first meetings this week. Students who are interested should keep an eye out for posters in the hallways or announcements on the intercom that will tell you what is happening and where. Details will also be posted on Microsoft teams in the St. Francis Hallway.  
  
Grad  
The grad website is www.stfrancisgrad.com. Grads, please visit this website to stay informed. Also, grad parents, ensure that the school has a current email address for you on file, as that is how most grad related information will be sent out.  You will be notified when the first meeting is scheduled.  Until then, stay tuned. 
  
Student Tutoring  
All St. Francis students can receive tutoring from other students for assistance in course work, assignments or organizational skills. The students requesting tutors are self-identified or identified by their parents or teachers. To receive tutoring the student simply needs to fill in an application in the Skills Room (Room 3).   
Students in Grades 10, 11, or 12 can apply to be a tutor. Tutors can earn either service-learning hours or an hourly wage. Peer tutors are paid on a graduated scale, which increases with grade level and number of hours tutored. Potential tutors need to come in person to the Skills room and fill in an application. Students will be matched one on one by the Learning Assistance Teachers.  
At the present time, there are senior students who are experienced tutors who are willing to work with grade 8 and 9 students before school, at lunch time, or after school. If you have a junior student who would benefit from some academic support, organizational support, or even peer mentorship, please have them fill out the bright yellow form from the skills room and give it to Ms. Cann. For more information, or to get the form, parents can also email Ms. Cann at: [email protected] 
 
Agenda Planners 
All grade 8 and 9 students have just been given an agenda/planner that is specifically designed for students in junior high school. Ms. Cann led all classes through tips and tricks for how to effectively use this tool to help manage their time and help prioritize tasks. One tip was to first add in all the fun aspects of your life into the planner such as birthdays, sporting events, extra curriculars and family gatherings. Then, start by getting into the rhythm of putting in school tasks.  Please ask your student to see their planner and discuss with them how they plan to make the best use of this tool. If you have a student in the senior grades who would like a planner, ask them to come see Ms. Cann in the Skills Room. 
Most sessions on time management, effective study habits, work completion and test writing will be delivered to grade 8 and 9 students over the fall semester. 
 
Vision Screening 
To all parents of grade 8 students. It is tradition here at St. Francis to do a basic vision screen for each of our grade 8's.  At this age, teenagers' eyes and vision can change very quickly, and we use it as a tool to help decipher who may need to see an eye doctor, have their prescriptions re-evaluated or have preferential seating in the classroom.  We aim to get this done through the month of September and will send home a summary of the results during an October or November mail out. Please note that these vision screens are not intended to replace a traditional vision test with an eye doctor but are done by a staff member who has been given support and training from the vision specialist at the department of education. 
 
Catholic Education Association of Yukon  
The AGM will be on Sept 24 at the CYO Hall at 7:00pm. 
 
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 
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