SFCS Weekly Howl - 9.2.24

We hope you've enjoyed your three-day weekend! This past week was a whirlwind on our campus with five home volleyball games, the kickoff of our Cookie Dough fundraiser, the 6th Grade Spiritual Retreat, Middle School Leadership Academy skits, and students continuing to engage in excellent instruction and critical thinking skills in their classrooms and enrichment courses.

Our Greenhouse Classroom has welcomed its first plant, a beautiful orange tree surrounded by flowers donated by Thom and Lynn Hill. We are grateful for the work Mr. Hill is doing for our campus, with the assistance of Bryan Goll, Parish Facilities, especially in this heat. The irrigation system for the greenhouse is underway with hopes for completion in a couple of weeks. (see On Our Campus feature below).

Our Fall MAP testing window will open this week on Friday and go through September 23. Your student's teacher will communicate with you as to when your child will test for the MAP reading and math portions. Please be sure your student gets a good night's sleep prior to testing and eats a healthy breakfast, especially on the days of testing.

Please save the date for our Parent Teacher conferences scheduled for October 24 and 25. The sign up for conferences will be sent out this week. In order to accommodate parents working in or outside the home, conferences will be available in the afternoon/evening on 10/24 and all day on 10/25. All teachers, including enrichment teachers will be available for conferencing. Students will have a noon dismissal on 10/24 and an asynchronous remote learning day on 10/25. Please be sure to sign up early once the sign-up link becomes available.

Many of you have asked about my new baby grand daughter. Thank you for your kind words and congratulatory wishes. I've included a photo of baby Vivian Louise (8 lbs. 11 oz.) and big sister, 4-years old, Evelyn Mae (Evie) below. 💗

Wishing you a fantastic week ahead!

Blessings,

Andrea

Andrea Smith, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

Principal

***FOR ATHLETIC PRACTICES AND COMPETITIONS, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO ATHLETICS***

September 2 - Labor Day - No School

September 3 - Feast Day T-shirt Preorders Due!

September 4 - 6 - Volleyball Tip Off Classic Tourney (see Athletics feature below)

September 6 - 23 - Fall MAP Testing Window

September 6 - 5th Grade Retreat

September 11 - 15 - St. Ignatius Book Fair

September 12 - Donuts with Dad

September 13 - Themed Dress Up Day - Western

Pizza Friday Lunch

September 15 - School Family Mass

September 20 - 3rd & 4th Grade Retreat

September 27 - School Pictures

October 4 - St. Francis Feast Day and 2nd Annual Feast Day Festival

October 9 - 8th Grade PSAT Testing - Noon Dismissal for all

October 11 - Themed Dress Up Day - Neon

Pizza Friday Lunch

October 24 & 25 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 10/24 Noon Dismissal - 10/25 - Students Asynchronous Learning

Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus, for gifting the school with two new flags: a new U.S. flag, and a State of South Carolina flag. We are grateful to the KOC for their continued support and love for our school. SFCS is proud to have the flags flying in front of the school! 💖🤍💙

October 4th is our Second Annual St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day Festival! This event was a huge hit with the students last year and we cannot do it without your help. We are looking for supplies, monetary donations, and volunteers at the event. Please sign up here.

A special thank you to Holden’s Handyman Services, Inc. for sponsoring the 2nd Annual Feast Day lunch with hamburgers and hotdogs for the students, faculty and staff, and volunteers! 💙🤍💛

OUR PRAYER

Dear Jesus,

"Let me share myself with others as you share your life with me."

Amen.

PreK/K students are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Students in grades 1st - 8th are dismissed at 3:00 p.m. We recognize that there are times parents or the designated pick up person can run late. For the safety of our students, if PreK/K students are not picked up by 3:00 p.m. or 1st - 8th students are not picked up by 3:15 p.m., their designated pick-up person will be contacted, and the student(s) will be brought to Aftercare. Charges will be incurred depending on the length of time a student is in Aftercare. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Please be sure to have your student stop by the School Office to check the Lost and Found bench for any item(s) they may be missing. We will keep items until the end of the month, then, any unclaimed items will be donated or discarded. Labelling your student's clothing, lunchbox, water bottle, etc., is an excellent way to easily get an item back to their owner!

Come by the St. Ignatius Press Book Fair, September 11 - 15 in the SFCS Library. Students will have an opportunity to look at the books and build a wishlist. Families will be able to stop in after school and on Sunday, September 15, after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. We are excited to welcome this publisher of so many wonderful books for our school and families!

We are looking forward to celebrating the Feast of St. Francis on October 4th, with our 2nd Annual Feast Day Festival! Families will have the opportunity to preorder this year's t-shirt. Order forms and sales will also be available at Back to School Night on Thursday at the FSA table. The deadline to order your student's Feast Day shirt will be September 3. If you would like to order online now, please click on this link:

https://sfcshhi.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/18?access_code=928d3b5903d2b2dd337e16069f4256b29e190c34

There will not be additional sales of this limited-edition t-shirt after the presale deadline of Tuesday, September 3. On Feast Day, students may wear this year's t-shirt throughout the day. Let's unite together and be a community of pink, celebrating our Patron Saint, St. Francis of Assisi!

September 15

October 20

November 17

December 15

January 26 (Catholic Schools Week)

February 9

March 16

No mass in April

May 18

Are you part of a local business? Would you like to be involved in sponsorships and other fundraising opportunities at SFCS?

FSA provides an opportunity for parents to work together for the good of the school community. Please let us know if you or your company would like to participate and sponsor an FSA event or activity by completing this form. Exclusive and joint sponsorship opportunities are available to feature your business!

We are off to a fantastic start with the first week of our Cookie Dough Fundraiser! The top three classes with sales for the week of August 26 are:

1st Place - Mrs. Gaherty - 2nd Grade

2nd Place - Mrs. Wolfkiel - 1st Grade

3rd Place - Mrs. Burke - PreK

Congrats to these classes on your fabulous sales in week 1! The class with the highest sales at the end of the fundraiser will get a class party. The top three students who have the highest sales will receive prizes!

St. Francis Catholic School cookie dough fundraiser packets went home with your students last week. The packet features the products available for purchase and explaining the fundraiser, but you may follow the instructions below for selling. Our goal is to have each family sell at least $150.00!

Registering is as simple as 1, 2, 3!

1. Register at https://www.shopfund.com/

· Follow the link, click “Parents & Sellers”

· Register or log in

· "Join a New Fundraiser”

· Select “South Carolina”

· Type: St Francis Catholic School - Hilton Head 29926-2709– should pre-populate when typing.

· Add your student(s)!

2. Share custom student support links with family & friends.
3. Student Goal: 5 Online Supporters.

REGISTER-SHARE-WIN: Sharing gets you tickets for chances to win over $100,000 in instant prizes.

• Online orders usually ship within 1-2 weeks of shopping completed. The customer will get confirmation and notification when order ships.
• Frozen items will be shipped to St. Francis Catholic School between November 6th-15th. We will communicate as soon as we receive confirmation of the delivery date.
• Your Orders will have to be picked up that day.
• Non-frozen/Non-cold food items can be shipped to the person ordering.

Sponsored by "That Man is You", a ministry of St. Francis By the Sea Catholic Church, and the SFCS FSA, SFCS students, together with their dad, grandfather, uncle, or male guest of honor, are invited to enjoy a donut and fellowship in the Family Center on Tuesday, September 12! Students will be dismissed to get to class by 7:55 a.m. We hope to see you there!

The SFCS Spirit Shop will have regular hours soon, but for now, the Spirit Shop be open by appointment. Please contact the School Office (843) 681-6501.

We are happy to announce that the St. Francis Catholic School “Gridiron Gala" is slated for Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Poseidon’s Rooftop Bar. Put on your team colors for an evening of fundraising, food and fun. Information on sponsorships and ticket sales will be announced soon. See you at kickoff!

We are off to a fantastic start with the sale of our '24.25 Island Discount Cards, featuring discounts at a variety of businesses on the Island. Thank you to all who have purchased the cards. Each card is $25 or buy four get one free. Cards may be purchased from the School Office by check (made out to SFCS), at the Parish Office, or online through Hometown Ticketing. To purchase online, please click here SFCS ISLAND DISCOUNT CARDS. There is a small surcharge for processing when purchasing online. Thank you for supporting SFCS through the purchase of an Island Discount Card!

The PreK class had a terrific week! The students graphed their favorite vegetables, identified and counted letters in their names, practiced writing their names, and set time aside for mindful movement. Well done, PreK!

Kindergarten loved learning through hands on experiences this week. The class primary focus was differentiating letters, numbers and words! The children visited and learned about our beautiful church, St. Francis By the Sea, and are ready to join the other students at our first Mass on Wednesday!

The 1st Grade students are settling in nicely during their third week of school. Students checked out their first library book during Media time. One morning, the students created a spider web as they greeted each other! What a wonderful way to demonstrate kindness and collaboration! On another day, students began their morning with a stem activity. They create a shape to match a picture using different objects.

Students are getting a closer look at animal and plant cells in Mrs. Brewster’s 5th Grade Science Class. The scientific study of life and the story of Creation go hand in hand, as the students are discovering through NGSS Standards: “And God created every living thing and saw that is was good.” Genesis 1:21

The 6th Grade class had a wonderful spiritual retreat on Friday, lead by Mrs. Jenny, Director of Youth Ministry. Students attended Mass, participated in small and large group discussions and activities, watched videos on The Mystery of Life and The Story of Creation, prayed the Rosary, worked on watercolor crosses, and played the Saint game. Students enjoyed breakfast snacks, pizza and salad for lunch, and yummy snacks for an afternoon pick me up. It was a terrific day for the 6th Grade Class!

The eighth grade students created paintings representing the Holy Spirit.

The paintings are hung in the main hallway for all to enjoy. No two pieces are the same!

Well done 8th Grade!

Over the next several weeks, the Houses will prepare for their Spirit Rally Competition, competing on September 5. Which House will be first on the board with points for first, second, or third place?

Our Middle School Clubs meet weekly. Thank you to our sponsors, Susan Hudgins - Stock Market Club, Mike Adair - Business Club, Dave Klub - Chess Club, and Ron Angner - Robotics.

Brianna G. created a wacky robot during Robotics Club! Great job!! 🤖

During last week's SFCS Middle School Leadership Academy, Coach Adair grouped the middle school students to prepare a skit on different types of leadership. Students demonstrated what makes a good leader vs. a leader needing improvement. Students enjoyed collaborating and having the opportunity to challenge themselves creatively for this learning experience.

We would be grateful for you to share your wisdom on your career path and what leadership skills are/were needed during your career. Please click on the link below to sign up or contact Andrea Smith, Principal, (andrea.smith@sfcshhi.com) for more information.

Work continues on the Greenhouse Classroom. The installation of the irrigation system has begun! A beautiful orange tree surrounded by flowers, graces the center of the structure.

*Please be sure to check your email for any updates on practices and competitions from the Athletic Director or the team's coach, as changes may happen after the Weekly Howl is published.

WEEK OF 9/2

Monday, 9/2 - No School

8:00 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. - OPTIONAL Cross-Country Practice - Jarvis Creek Park

Tuesday, 9/3

5:00 p.m. - Cross-Country Meet at HHP

3:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. - JV Volleyball Practice - SFCS Gym

5:00 p.m. -6:30 p.m.- Varsity Volleyball Practice - SFCS Gym

Wednesday, 9/4

3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. - Cross-Country Practice - Jarvis Creek Park

JV Volleyball No Practice

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - SFCS to host Tip Off Classic Volleyball Tournament

7:00 p.m. - Tip Off Classic - Varsity Volleyball Home Game HHP vs. SFCS - SFCS Gym

Thursday, 9/5

3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. - Cross-Country Practice - Jarvis Creek Park

4:00 p.m. - JV Volleyball Home Away vs. St. Gregory - St. Gregory School

TBD- Tip Off Classic Varsity Volleyball - SFCS Gym

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - SFCS to host Tip Off Classic Volleyball Tournament

Friday, 9/6

TBD- Tip Off Classic Varsity Volleyball - SFCS Gym

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - SFCS to host Tip Off Classic Volleyball Tournament

The SFCS Boys Cross Country team came in 5th out of 12 teams last week. Malcolm O. came in 11th out of 140 male runners! Our SFCS Girls Cross Country Team can't compete as a team since we need five runners and we only have three, so no team placement counted. Diana C. was our top female placing 16th out of 76 female runners! Way to go Wolves!!

Congrats to our Varsity Lady Wolves who shut out Bolden on Tuesday in two sets in their home opener. On Wednesday, the Lady Wolves went up against the JPII Warriors for an excellent competition. On Thursday, the Varsity team won their first set but lost the second and third sets. The girls played with excellence and grit. We are proud of our Varsity team and Coach Adair and Coach Kristin.

The Junior Varsity Lady Wolves played their home opener against JPII last Wednesday. The girls played with excellence working together and supporting each other as a team. Unfortunately, SFCS lost both sets, in spite of the fantastic rallies our JV girls had! The JV team also played against Riverview, winning the first set. They fought hard to gain the wins but ended up losing the second and third sets. The team, Coach Kristin, and Coach Judy have much to be proud of!

Thank you to our families and businesses who have committed to an athletic sponsorship supporting the SFCS Wolves during the 2024.25 academic year.

Thank you to those families and businesses who have become '24.25 SFCS Athletic Sponsors! Sponsorships are still available! If you are interested in becoming an Athletic Sponsor for the 2024.25 academic year, please see information below. Our sponsors will be highlighted beginning next week in the Weekly Howl!

We have the need for parent volunteers to help at our home games. Parents of students participating in Volleyball are expected to volunteer at five games during the Volleyball season. We also welcome parents who don't have students participating in Volleyball for volunteer positions at our home games. To sign up, please click on the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094BA9A728A0F49-50857906-sfcs

We are grateful for the time you are able to dedicate to serving our school with our athletic program.

Registration for the Fall SFCS Equestrian team is still open. Please contact Moss Creek Stables (mosscreekstables.com) for more information.

Do you have any news about alumni from SFCS? If so, please contact Andrea Smith (andrea.smith@sfcshhi.com) with information to share. Please include the year of SFCS graduation.

St. Francis Catholic School, a ministry of St. Francis By the Sea Catholic Church, partners with several of the Parish ministries. Please refer to this section of the Weekly Howl for information and events of those ministries who have a partnership with our school.

The St. Francis Thrift Shop is looking for volunteers to work in the store. Any amount of time you can give the SF Thrift Shop will fit your availability into a schedule. Interested volunteers should contact Eleanor Bell, Embell31@outlook.com.

Email: school@sfcshhi.com
Website: sfcshhi.com
Location: 45 Beach City Rd, HHI, SC 29926
Phone: 843-681-6501
Facebook: facebook.com/sfcshhi