SFCS Weekly Howl - 9.16.24

Wow what an incredible week we had! The photos published in today's Weekly Howl say it all!

Thank you to everyone in our wonderful school community for coming together and supporting our school family in ways beyond all expectations. We are so grateful you are here! 💙🤍💛

Our MAP testing took place last week in most classes and will continue this week and next. Please be sure your student(s) get a good night's rest and healthy breakfast the morning of their testing. Our students continue to be engaged in a high standard of instruction as the teachers move from review to the introduction of new concepts. Progress reports went home on Friday if a student has a 77% or below in a core class. Please be sure you sign and return this form. This is a good time to review your student's progress in all classes and connect with teachers about suggestions for growth in and outside of the classroom. Please remember to sign up for Parent/Teacher conferences, scheduled for October 24 and 25! Mrs. Kessinger sent out communication last week with links to sign up to meet with your student's teachers. If you need the communication again, please contact lisa.kessinger@sfcshhi.com.

We are in the throes of planning for our 2nd Annual Feast Day Festival. If you are able to assist by donating items or volunteering, please sign up by clicking on the "here" link which leads you to the Sign-Up Genius (see the Feast Day feature below).

The interest form for Grandparents' Day was made available last week. Please be sure you complete this important form and return it to the School Office. Invitations to Grandparents and Grandfriends will be sent out based on these forms. This year, Grandparents' Day will be a ticketed event. We don't want anyone disappointed so please complete your form and return to the School Office today! This event is going to be a fantastic celebration of Grandparents and Grandfriends!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

Blessings,

Andrea

Andrea Smith, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

Principal

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

September 20 - 3rd & 4th Grade Retreat

September 27 - School Pictures

October 3 - 8th Grade Athletics Recognition Night

October 4 - St. Francis 2nd Annual Feast Day Festival & Pet Blessing

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

Wayback Burgers SFCS Give Back Promo (lunch and dinner)

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

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! 💙🤍💛

KINDNESS - "Expressing genuine concern for the needs of others."

OUR PRAYER

Dear Jesus,

Help me show kindness towards others through my thoughts, words, and actions.

Amen.

Get ready for School Picture Day on Friday, September 27. Students should wear their Mass Dress Uniform on this day.

Grab lunch or dinner after noon dismissal on October 9, while supporting our school. Simply mention St. Francis Catholic School when paying for your order and Wayback Burgers will donate 15% to SFCS! Thank you, Wayback Burgers! 💙🤍💛

Grandparents Day is Monday, November 11th! We are excited to honor our special guests with a Veteran's Day salute. We will also feature a school-wide performance by our SFCS students, showcasing "An Americana Celebration!"

Please complete the online Grandparent's Day Interest Form by accessing it here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1utO9uyvPcaBJHJpPGmBLtvQAIwty8W6z/view?usp=sharing

or print out below and submit to the School Office on or before Monday, September 16th. This form is required in order for us to have updated mailing addresses for Grandparents and Grandfriends.

This year, a ticket will be required for entry to the Grandparent's Day breakfast and student performance, so it is important you complete the form on or before September 16, 2024. We do not want anyone disappointed because their name and contact information were not submitted.

Invitations will be sent out based on the names and address we receive from you on the interest form. Thank you!

Join the fun at the 6th Annual 5K Reindeer Run sponsored by the SFCS FSA and the Salty Dog Cafe. A mega breakfast will be provided by the Salty Dog Cafe immediately following the event. The first 200 runners to sign-up will receive a custom St. Francis/Salty Dog - limited edition t-shirt. Sign up by submitting the registration form to the School Office with payment of cash or check (made out to SFCS), registering online by clicking on the link or scanning the QR code below.

https://sfcshhi.hometownticketing.com/embed/event/24?access_code=1ec19cd4e58a36183f93d3c418c8c9e77fc24a6f

October 20

November 17

December 15

January 26 (Catholic Schools Week)

February 9

March 16

No mass in April

May 18

If you are able to volunteer during any of our Sunday School Family Mass celebrations, please click on the Sign-up Genius link. Thank you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44AFA62EA4FCC61-50492637-allschool#/

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!

Thank you to all who have participated in our Cookie Dough Fundraiser! The top five classes based on total sales to date are:

1st Place - Mrs. Gaherty's 2nd Grade

2nd Place - Mrs. Wolfkiel's 1st Grade

3rd Place - Mrs. Burke's PreK

4th Place - Mrs. Watson's 4th Grade

5th Place - Ms. Nickles 3rd Grade

Congrats to these classes on your strong sales so far! 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! Let's go Wolves!! Only a few more weeks to finish strong and meet our goal!

💙🍪🤍🍪💛

The SFCS Spirit Shop is open by appointment. The Spirit Shop sells t-shirts, baseball caps, sweatshirts, sweatpants, insulated tumblers, Holy Bears, Tiny Saints, and accessories! Please contact the School Office (843) 681-6501 to shop. The SFCS Spirit Store takes cash, checks, and debit/credit cards. Happy shopping!

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!

The '24.25 Island Discount Cards, featuring discounts at a variety of businesses on the Island are still available. 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 continued learning about the letter "A" and apples! The students also visited the Church in preparation to attend Mass.

The kindergarten class celebrated God’s promise to always love us by painting rainbows. For math, the students focused on early addition through rolling dice. The students explored fun spaces to work (under their tables!) and learned to recognize the days of the week. It was a great week to be a St. Francis Kindergartener!

On Wednesday, the First Grade Class heard the story "Chrysanthemum", which focused on how we are all unique and special. The students made flowers out of tissue paper. Each flower was different as each of the students are. 💜

The first grade also finished up their unit on citizenship by making a "friendship salad".

The 4th Grade Class learned about their ministry partner, Friendly Visitors, from Mrs. Usher. The students created angel cards for all the people that the Friendly Visitor ministry visits.

Mrs. Brewster's 5th Grade Class enjoyed a unique activity using Playdough to answer questions posed by their friends. Examples included: What month is your Birthday? How many people are in your family? Make the shape of your favorite animal. A fun and creative approach to learning was had by all!

For the past two weeks, SFCS students participated in a volleyball unit. Students learned the basics of volleyball- a set, pass, block, spike, serve, and bump. Students engaged in volleyball stations and practiced game situations. They had a great time too!

Students continue to learn about the Spanish culture and practice conversations.

Our Middle School Houses have been preparing to compete in the Spirit Rally Competition on Thursday, 9/19. Students should plan to wear their House shirts on Thursday but may change into costumes for the competition. The first-place winner receives 50 House points, and the second-place winner receives 25 points. Good luck to all the Houses!

During last week's SFCS Middle School Leadership Academy, Captain Jeff Dougherty, Captain Delta Airlines, held the students' attention with his presentation on being an airline pilot for the last 27 years. "Captain Jeff" spoke about the team involved with the airlines and their roles; from pilots, to luggage handlers, to medical specialists, to air traffic controllers. "Captain Jeff" fielded many questions from the middle school students about safety information, type of medical training a flight attendant needs, and the team in place who deals with disruptive passengers. Thank you, Captain Dougherty for a wonderful and engaging presentation! 🛫

Would you like to speak at the Middle School Leadership Academy and share your expertise on leadership skills used in your profession? Click on the link below to sign up.

What a fun week at the SFCS Book Fair, sponsored by St. Ignatius Press! We sold about $2,800 worth of books and earned roughly $300 worth of books back for our school and classroom libraries! Thank you, Mrs. Keefer, for organizing this event, and to all who supported this year's book fair.

Donuts with Dad, sponsored by That Man is You, a ministry of St. Francis By the Sea Catholic Church, partnered with FSA, and put on an incredible morning event. Thank you to TMIY, FSA, and all the dads who took the time for fellowship as an SFCS community. 🍩

Students enjoyed their first Pizza Friday last week. If you'd like your student to participate in the Pizza Fridays, beginning in October through May, please contact the School Office. The cost will be $54.00 for the remaining eight months. Students will receive two slices of pizza on each Pizza Friday!

*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 9/16

Monday, 9/16

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

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

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

Tuesday, 9/17

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

4 p.m. - JV Volleyball Game AWAY at Cross

5 p.m. - Varsity Volleyball Game AWAY at Cross

Wednesday, 9/18

5 p.m. - Cross-Country Meet - hosted by Thomas Heyward, 1727 Malphrus Road, Ridgeland, SC

4 p.m. - JV Volleyball Game AWAY at HHCA

5 p.m. - Varsity Volleyball Game AWAY at HHCA

Thursday, 9/19

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

JV Volleyball - No Practice

4:30 p.m. - Varsity Volleyball vs. Lowcountry Montessori - HOME - SFCS Gym

Friday, 9/20

No practices or competitions

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.

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