St. Francis Weekly Update - Sept 8-12

Dear St. Francis of Assisi students and families, 

Prayer 
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  

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 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.  

St. Francis Clothing 
The St. Francis clothing store is open until September 14th.  This is your chance to get some school merchandise for the year (and some volleyball gear too); Click here to purchase!  A portion of all sales will come back to the school to help support St. Francis Athletics and other programming.  If you have any questions contact Mr. Cassidy at [email protected] 

Grad Fundraiser 
On Wednesday, the Grad Class of 2026 will be selling pizza to fundraise for graduation. $3 per slice – Cash or meal punch card accepted!! 

Important Information Regarding Grade 8 and 9 Students:  
At St 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 organizational 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 10th 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.  

Grade 8 Parent Information Night 
We will be facilitating a presentation for grade 8 parents at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary on Tuesday September 16th at 6:30 in the Learning Commons (Library). This information session is in person and for grade 8 parents/guardians only. 
  
In this information session we will: 

• Discuss how to use Teams. Teams is the platform our teachers use to post homework and it is where students can keep track of missed assignments/content of instruction. 

• Homework Expectations and our PLC homework check procedures. We will also explain our schedule as it pertains to X-block vs PLC block. 

• Volunteer Hours. Parents/guardians will get information on what to expect for grade 8 and all the subsequent grades. 

• Exams (Exam Procedures and Exam Schedules for grade 8s). 

• Attendance. We will discuss the processes involved in signing your child in/out and also the processes involved when your child has an upcoming extended absence (1 week or more). 

CEAY
St. Francis School Council and the Catholic Education Association of Yukon will be having the annual general meeting on Wednesday, September 24 at 7:00 pm in the CYO Hall. There will be mass at 6:00 pm in the Cathedral for anyone who can attend. All are welcome. If you are interested in supporting our school councils and how we work together with the other schools, please come if you are available

The Chop Theatre: Playing Fields 
The Chop Theatre will be here September 12 to give our students a free performance. The description is as follows: Playing Fields is a youth driven, outdoor, participatory sound performance that takes place on your local field. Created using interviews with youth ages 13-17, this aural performance comes from communities around the world (Dublin, Hong Kong, Whitehorse, Yukon, Richmond, BC) that have experienced some form of colonization. Asking these teenagers questions about ownership and belonging, the focus is on where they have experienced freedom- the field itself. The recorded audio interviews of the teenagers are interspersed with live instructions from a local Whitehorse/Dawson teenager- who directs the audience on the field - each who are wearing individual headsets. This local teenager leads the audience through a series of movements that accumulates into what looks like they are playing a field game. This will be an Open Media event. If you would prefer your child not attend this performance, please reply to this email. 

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