SFCS Weekly Howl - 5.20.24

Happy Monday!

We have made it to our last week in the academic year and there is still much to be done before we close out our year. An email was sent our yesterday providing a list of all events scheduled this week with times and venues. Please note the last day of school is Friday, May 24 with a noon dismissal. There will be no lunches or Aftercare on that day. Please contact the School Office with questions or for more information.

Congratulations to the 8th grade students who made their Confirmation yesterday at Holy Family Catholic Church! Ninety-one Confirmands from St. Francis Catholic School, St. Francis By the Sea Catholic Church, and Holy Family Catholic Church were sealed with the Holy Spirit! The Mass was celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune. (see feature below)

Thank you to the parents and students who attended our last School Family Mass! We had a wonderful turnout to celebrate Pentecost Sunday and a fantastic group of students who participated in the choir, and served as lectors, greeters, and cantors! Our next School Family Mass will be in August 2024.

For the 2024.25 academic year, we are partnering with EPI for school supply bundles. Most everything on your student's supply list for the 2024.25 academic year is included in the bundle. Please see the feature below on how to access ordering and pricing. The supplies will be bundled with your student's name on the pack and delivered to the classroom over the summer, so the supplies are ready for your student when they start school in August. The deadline to order the supply bundle pack is June 16.

The 2024.25 Master calendar has been updated with MAP testing dates for the next academic year. You may access the revised calendar below.

There will be one more Weekly Howl published before the summer commences. The final Weekly Howl for the 2023.24 academic year will have photos of our last week of school and 8th grade graduation.

Wishing you a fabulous last week of school!

Blessings,

Andrea

Andrea Smith, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

Principal

**Please check your RenWeb email for information on the following event times and locations. **

May 20 - 5th Grade Play

May 21 - Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony

4th Grade Field Trip

8th Grade Graduation Practice

May 22 - 8th Grade Last Day

8th Grade Graduation Practice

4Q Academic Awards Presentation

8th Grade Send Off

8th Grade Cap and Gown Distributed

May 23 - Talent Show

May 24 - Last Day of School - Noon Dismissal

Class Parties

Move up Day - Grades PreK - 7th

8th Grade Mass and Graduation Ceremony

Please be sure to check your closets and drawers for missing items. The items in our Lost and Found will be donated or thrown away if not picked up on or before the last day of school, which is May 24. Thank you!

Our 4th quarter academic awards program will be Wednesday, May 22. We look forward to seeing you there!

Our 8th grade will walk the halls as students of St. Francis for the last time on Wednesday, May 22. The prospective graduates will have their Send-Off as our students, faculty, and staff bid them goodbye. Caps and gowns will be distributed after the Send-Off.

The end of the year Talent Show will be on Thursday in the gym. Come and cheer on the students and their performances!

Just a reminder that our last day for the 2023.24 academic year is Friday, May 24, for students in grades PreK- 7th. All students will dismiss at noon. There will be no lunches or Aftercare on this day. Have a wonderful summer!

While we continue to accept applications for enrollment and re-enrollment, we are now reaching waitlist status in some classes. Please contact the school office for more information. (843) 681-6501.

Get ready SFCS readers! We are excited to announce the Summer Reading Olympics for 2024! Information and the reading log will be emailed to families this week. Please contact Mrs. Amanda Keefer (amanda.keefer@sfcshhi.com) for more information.

SFCS has partnered with EPI for a 2024.25 school supply sale. EPI packs contain teacher/grade specific supplies which are listed on the class supply list. The supplies will be bundled and are delivered to your student's classroom before school starts. When you buy from EPI you lock in pricing and avoid not being able to find everything on the student's class supply list. Click on the link to order your student's supplies today! The deadline to take advantage of the supply bundle service is June 16!

https://www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks

Our school code is: STF088 (3 letters/3 numbers)

Beginning the week of June 3 through August 2 the School Office will have the following summer schedule:

Monday and Friday - Closed

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Should you need special assistance outside of these hours, please call the School Office

(843) 681-6501 to arrange an appointment.

Thank you to all the students, parents, faculty and staff who attended the last School Family Mass for the academic year. Fr. Ray celebrated a beautiful Mass on Pentecost Sunday! We had many students who participated in the Choir, led by Mrs. Sweeney. Thank you, Mrs. Sweeney, for your time and talent you share with the students to help them grow as singers. Thank you to the students who sang so well for the Mass celebration! Thank you also to our altar servers, lectors, cantors, greeters, and gift bearers who helped to make this Mass a very special one.

Ninety one Confirmands were sealed with the Holy Spirit during the Confirmation Mass celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, and concelebrated with Fr. Mike and Fr. Ray (St. Francis By the Sea Catholic Church), Fr. Christopher and Fr. Jose (Holy Family Catholic Church). Congratulations to our 8th grade students - Lilly B., Rocco B., Michael B., Mariana C., Taylor K., Megan K., Claire O., Emmy O., Eva S., Anna S., Evie S., Kyle S., and Gwen W.

August 2024

Congratulations to eight of our Middle School students who were recognized last week at the Hilton Head Island Mayor's Youth Volunteer Service Award Ceremony. We are proud of their servant's heart and commitment to volunteering in our community! The following students were honored at the ceremony:

⭐Michael B, Eleanor B., Grady F., Lia G., Taylor K., Cadence S., Jude S., and Lewis W. ⭐

Thank you to Mrs. Amanda Keefer and Mrs. Carol Ryan for overseeing the student volunteers throughout the 2023.24 academic year!

The SFCS Spirit Shop will be open by appointment throughout the summer, beginning June 3. Please contact the School Office (843) 681-6501.

The Island Discount Card provides discounts at a variety of businesses on the Island. Each card is $25 or buy four get one free. Cards may be purchased from the School Office by check made out to SFCS 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 students had a lovely morning making red, white, and blue decorations for the residents at the senior centers, so they'll be festive for Memorial Day and 4th of July. The students are grateful for our ministry partnership with Grandma Usher. To thank Grandma Usher for all her help in guiding the Pre-K and Kindergarten students making projects and delivering crafts, the students made special cards for her!

The Pre-K class continued learning about all things "under the sea". Mrs. Burke and Ms. Jillian guided the students during their art time with opportunities for each student to make a seahorse and octopus. There was also much excitement in the Pre-K classroom as the students are watching the horseshoe crabs in their special classroom tank starting to hatch! It is fun to see the teeny tiny baby crabs swimming around. 🦀

This week kindergarten was busy working on graduation gifts for their 8th grade buddies! The students celebrated Mass with them and enjoyed bonus Imagination Stations with their special buddies. The Kindergarteners are so excited to wish the 8th Grade students good luck in High School!

There was much going on in 1st grade last week. The students learned about marine life on Hilton Head Island through an in-class presentation from the Coastal Discovery Museum. The students also partnered with their class ministry and made red, white, and blue decorations for the residents at The Pines. The students enjoyed a picnic lunch outside!

The 2nd grade class did a wonderful job with the annual May Crowning Mass. Mrs. Gaherty and Ms. Schoeppe work with the students to lead this beautiful Mass. Thank you to Fr. Christopher (Holy Family Catholic Church) for celebrating and for the beautiful Homily.

3rd Grade had a fantastic week presenting their book reports by making a board game or a diorama. The students also learned about heredity traits in their science classes this week, creating a pet, based on selected traits.

Working with their partner in ministry, the 4th Grade visited the residents of The Pines to assist with making patriotic crafts and decorations in preparation for Memorial Day and the 4th of July!

Throughout the year, the 5th grade class has invites parents to come in to speak to the class on careers. In the last two presentations for this year, Mr. Dougherty, and Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, shared meaningful and interesting information about their professions.

The 5th Grade welcomed Delta Airlines Airbus 220 Captain Dougherty to their classroom. The students were treated to a video tour of the aircraft as Captain Dougherty shared stories and insights from his 15-plus years as an airline Captain. The students had many questions, as they learned about the world of aviation. Flight Science and a strong grasp of Math, Engineering, and Meteorology are all subjects to aspire to when considering this exciting, global career. Thank you, Captain Dougherty for sharing your time with the 5th grade class!

The 5th Grade welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Taylor to the 5th grade classroom. As owners of the “Authentically Chic” Birdie James, students got a glimpse of the ins and outs of fashion retail. This fast-paced and creative arena requires knowledge of merchandising, buying and selling, marketing, customer service, accounting and networking. Birdie James is a boutique gem that boasts exceptional customer service, while offering a creative, classic, and modern aesthetic. The Taylors spoke of their journey in establishing this Hiton Head Island treasure. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, for sharing a part of your day with the 5th grade class!

The 8th graders are closing out their time at St. Francis Catholic School. This past week, students presented their Honors Science projects - Rube Goldberg machines. On Sunday, many of our 8th graders made their Confirmation at a special Mass celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune. The Confirmation Mass was held at Holy Family Catholic Church. Congratulations to the students on receiving this beautiful Sacrament! (see feature above under Mass Celebrations)

On Thursday, the Middle School Houses had their final competition to earn points towards the House Trophy Cup. Students enjoyed competing in "Name That Tune" so much that it will become part of our regular competition line up next year! Come to our 4Q Academic Awards Presentation to find out which House will win the 2023.24 House Trophy Cup!

Members of the Middle School Houses were able to participate in "Random Days" to earn extra points for their House towards their tally for the House Cup Trophy. Day one of "Random Days" provided an opportunity for students to answer a random question. Some questions were easy, and some were hard. On day two of "Random Days" students had the opportunity to wear accessories matching the color of their House. Students received one point for each accessory they wore on Spirit Friday. We saw fantastic participation and creativity! Way to go Middle School students!

Stay tuned for some exciting news about our courtyard! We can't wait to share it with you!!

Last week, we celebrated our student athletes and coaches who participated in Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Equestrian, Golf, Soccer, and Volleyball. We are proud of our student athletes and grateful for our coaches who selflessly lead, mentored, and poured into our students throughout the year. Thank you for a wonderful year of athletics!

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