August 19, 2014

Dear St. Francis Families,

I want to officially welcome all of you to the 2014-15 school year!  Summer has come and gone and we must now move forward with the promise of an exciting school year ahead.  This school year has a special significance as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Francis de Sales Central Catholic School.  It is a favorable time for our current families, as well as alumni, to come together and recognize this once-in-a-lifetime historic occasion.  We intend to take full advantage of the momentous juncture by having poignant events throughout the year.  Our Family School Association (FSA) traditionally does an amazing job planning school community events, and this year offers even more possibilities.  It is my hope that you enjoy the community builders that are offered during this centennial year!

We have been busy in our building this summer with the integration of a new PreK3 program as well as an additional Kindergarten classroom.  The room formerly used as our computer lab is now temporarily housing our 3 year-old students.  In addition, the rooms formerly used as a teacher’s work room and conference room have been combined to complete our third Kindergarten classroom.  Both of those early childhood additions will undoubtedly bring new life to our school.  Further down the road, construction is set to begin for an extension to our existing building that will house two PreK3 rooms along with one PreK2 room.  In a time where so many Catholic schools are being consolidated or closed, we are truly blessed to still be showing signs of growth.

Our new Gifted And Talented Education (GATE) program will be supplementing our curriculum this year.  A considerable amount of time over the past year has been devoted to laying the foundation for our GATE program.  Testing has already begun for the students who initially qualified through their Terra Nova scores.  We are committed to having a stand-alone program that targets the needs of gifted children, and one that has no limits in its offerings and challenges for students.  Mrs. Rathbun-Thorn has been hired as the GATE teacher, and she will be leading our program.  I am eager to observe, and learn from, her creativity.  I have full confidence in her ability to advance the program and to make it an enriching experience for our students.

Technology in our building continues to be enhanced this year with the addition of 51 student chromebooks.  With the combined labor and collaborative work of our assistant principal, Mr. Swierkos, and our parent-tech consultant, J.P. Fielding, we have made tremendous progress over the course of the past year utilizing chromebooks in our building with efficiency.  Through additional donations and fundraising, it is a real possibility to have a one-to-one student/ chromebook ratio for grades 3-8 by the end of this school year.

In addition, all 27 lead teachers received a new chromebook last week.  The monies for the current student and teacher chromebook purchases have been acquired through private donations along with the technology fee paid by each family.

The safety of our children remains a constant priority.  The faculty and staff of SFCCS are continually being trained to appropriately respond to emergency situations.  As recently as last week, one of our staff development days was devoted to safety training.  Local law enforcement, state police officers, and FBI representatives were in house to provide a hands-on training and simulation experience that certainly distinguishes our staff as being prepared in measures to protect our children.  The simulations, in conjunction with the Q&A session, were highly productive for our faculty and staff.  We are aware that the greatest responsibility entrusted to us is keeping our children safe, and we are committed to honoring that.

Our opening day enrollment of 375 is the highest its been in three years and, projecting into the future, there are no indications of decline.  Within our building there is a sense of transformation; one that is full of faith and hope.  Our building has been full of synergy over the past few weeks with the new members joining the veterans of the faculty.  It has been inspiring and uplifting to witness.  The faculty and staff at St. Francis continue to work and function as a unit.  Without question, the new faces of our school community will certainly be welcomed by the veteran families in the same light.

Though this time of year is full of beginnings, it does mark the end of an era.  Today is the final day that Fr. Mark Ward serves in the capacity as Designated School Pastor.  For the past four years, he has led and stabilized our school through a very dynamic period.  His tenure at St. Francis de Sales Central Catholic School came at a time when leadership was needed and called upon.  I am fortunate to have known Fr. Mark on a personal level and I am extremely grateful for the lessons and truths that he taught me.  On behalf of the entire student body, faculty, staff, and parental community, I would like to wish Fr. Mark the very best on the new road that he is called to travel.  You will always remain part of our family.

Throughout the course of our school’s history, the one constant has been its mission statement- “Here to serve, not to be served.”  The centennial celebration of our storied school this year is, in essence, exactly what Jesus would love to be part of…..a community of disciples with common faith-filled interests, hoping to serve our students, as well as the world around us, to the best of our ability.  May God watch over us proudly as we display our love for him by doing the work he has made for us.  Peace and blessings to each of you and your loved ones.

 

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

 

Arthur Moore

Principal