February 3, 2012

ALL SCHOOL NEWS

Early Dismissal on Friday, February 10
Because next Friday, February 10, is Grandparents and Grandfriends Day, St. Francis will be dismissing early so that students have the freedom to spend the afternoon with their special visitors. The early dismissal schedule is as follows:

Primary School: 11 a.m.
Lower School: 11:30 a.m.
Middle School: 12 p.m.

Please also note that there is NO Encore after-school care on this day. 

Reminder: Deadline to Complete Application Process is February 6
If you have applied a sibling for admissions to St. Francis for the 2012–2013 school year, this is a friendly reminder about the file completion deadline that is around the corner! For those families that met the application deadline for first-round consideration (sibling application deadline of December 14, non-sibling application deadline of January 5), remember that February 6, 2012, is the deadline by which everything in your child’s application file must be complete. This means that all required documents and activities—including transcripts, teacher recommendations, testing, and a student visit (with the exception of applicants to Pre-Primary)—must be submitted or completed by that date. Follow this link to the application checklist to access and print the required forms.

Update Your Contact Information Online!
St. Francis parents may now update their contact information online. You will need to log in to the Parent Portal to do so, and we recently sent you an e-mail that provides your username and password. Please take a few moments to ensure that the information we have on file for you is accurate and up-to-date by following the steps outlined here. If you experience any technical difficulties while updating your information, please send an e-mail to technology@sfedshouston.org and we will be happy to assist you.

St. Francis Faculty Draw Inspiration From
ISAS Teacher Conference
The Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) is holding its 2012 Biennial Teacher Conference in Houston this week. This year’s theme is “Teaching Matters.” Yesterday and today, several teachers and administrators have been able to participate in this wonderful professional development opportunity, where prominent speakers explored topics ranging from brain research to gaming to 21st century education. Our faculty and staff also took advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with their colleagues in the field of education, and we already have heard our teachers talking about the wonderful ideas and insights they are gleaning from the sessions. Ultimately, our students are the ones who will benefit from the information and opportunities provided by this conference, and we are thrilled that our teachers were able to attend.

Grandparents & Grandfriends Day Is Next Friday!
Dear Parents,

Grandparents & Grandfriends Day is coming up February 9 for our Tuesday/Thursday students and Friday for all other students. This is such a wonderful day and we look forward to having many grandparents and grandfriends on campus. Hopefully, the following schedule of events will be helpful to you in coordinating with your parents:

Thursday, February 9 (Tu/Th Pre-Primary Only)

12:45 p.m.       
Registration and Refreshments, Hogan Board Room
1 p.m.              
Welcome by Susan B. Lair, Ph.D., Head of School
1:30 p.m.         
Classroom Visits and Valentine’s Day Parties
2:30 p.m.         
Students Dismissed

Friday, February 10

8:30 a.m.         
Registration and Refreshments, Fine Arts Center
9 a.m.              
Welcome by Susan B. Lair, Ph.D., Head of School
9:30 a.m.         
Primary School Classroom Visits
Lower School Classroom Visits
Middle School Chapel Service
10:30 a.m.       
Middle School Classroom Visits
Lower School Chapel Service

For more information, please call me at 713-458-6141 or e-mail me at achisholm@sfedshouston.org.

Anne Chisholm
Grandparent Coordinator

Save the Date! Woolrich Luncheon Is Thursday, March 1
SAVE THE DATE for Thursday, March 1, 2012, when we will host the Eighth Annual Sarah W. Woolrich Fund for Faculty Awards Luncheon. Click here to view the invitation.
Join us as we hear from our 2010–2011 Woolrich award recipients: Betty Babendure, Kindergarten; Maria Capecchi, Lower School Spanish; Don Hicks, Associate Head of School & Director of PE and Athletics; and Daniel Lewis, Sixth Grade History.

At the luncheon, we will also introduce our 2011–2012 Woolrich award winners and showcase their upcoming experiences: Primary II Teachers Cindy Blades, Allyson Campsey, Whitney Clark, and Shannon Lewis; Assistant Head of Primary School Darla McNay; Sarah Powell, Eighth Grade Math Teacher; and Senior Chaplain Rev. Bob Wismer.

The Woolrich Fund provides extraordinary opportunities that lead to inspired teaching and changed lives for both our faculty and our students. To learn more about the fund, click here. You may also contact Stacy Grace at 713.458.6129 or at sgrace@sfedshouston.org. 

Stop by Athletics for Lost and Found Items
As we near the end of the winter season in Athletics/MSPE, we have a large number of lost and found items in our area. These items—which are primarily clothing—will be placed on tables located in the hallway just outside the training room (across from the concession stand) today. These items will remain in the hallway on Monday, February 6, through our “Honor the Wolves” celebrations, since we want to make sure everyone has ample opportunity to claim these lost and found items. On Tuesday, February 7, these items will be moved out of our area by parent volunteers. Feel free to come by any day to claim your child’s belongings. Don Hicks, director of physical education and athletics, or Leslie vanArsdale, department assistant, will help you as needed. 

It’s Not Too Late to Participate!
Annual Fund—It matters. Every dollar. Every family. Every year.
Please remember…

Your employer may match donations you make to St. Francis. Matching gifts increase your impact on campus and may affect your gift level as a donor. Please check with your HR department to find out if your gift can be matched! If your employer matches, please complete the form your company will provide and send it to the Advancement Department. They’ll do the rest!

Also, it’s possible your employer will make a donation to St. Francis based on the hours that you or a family member volunteer.

Annual Fund provides unrestricted funds that essentially allow us to hire and maintain quality faculty members, enhance educational resources if needed during the year, and aid in the implementation of programs and/or technology. Please help us continue the advancement of our school by contributing, and know that your gift – no matter the size – makes a huge difference!

Click here to make your gift today or simply mail in your reply card.

Questions? Contact Stacy Grace at sgrace@sfedshouston.org or call 713-458-6129.

Summer 2012 at St. Francis
Summer on the Point is on its way! We’re busy planning an exciting summer for children of all ages at St. Francis. Many of our popular camps will return for another year, including “Decades and Dolls,” Primary School Discovery camps, gymnastics, LEGO robotics, basketball with Coach Wilkins, and our Middle School musical theatre camp—performing High School Musical. New science camps, special themed camps, fencing, and conditioning camps will be added to the line-up. It’s going to be an exciting year, loaded with classic summer fun and all new adventures! Registration opens February 27, 2012.

Save the Date: Parents Association Luncheon on March 29
The Parents Association will host its spring luncheon on Thursday, March 29. More details will be available via the Paperless Post invitation that will be e-mailed at the end of February, and reservations will also open at that time.

A Change in Accessing Athletics Schedules
We have made a change in accessing our athletics schedules. We are no longer using Schedule Star as our scheduling program, so you can delete www.highschoolsports.net from your contact list. To access the athletic schedule for any St. Francis team, simply:

• Go to the St. Francis home page at www.sfedshouston.org.
• Click on Athletics.
• Click on Seasons & Teams.
• Scroll down to Team Schedules and click on the desired team.
• The schedule for that team will appear on the screen, including results of contests already completed.
• If you click on Coach Info, you can see the coach’s name; click on the envelope picture and you can open a new e-mail to send to the coach.

If you have any questions about accessing athletics schedules, contact Don Hicks, athletic director, at 713.458.6135, or Vickie Lovejoy, assistant athletic director, at 713.458.6451.

Calling All Volunteers: Safeguarding God’s Children Training
At St. Francis, we take the safety and security of our students very seriously. One way we ensure student well-being is by requiring all of our employees and volunteers to participate in the Safeguarding God’s Children training program, a nationally mandated and certified child-abuse prevention course provided by the Episcopal Church. Volunteers must take the course prior to beginning their volunteer activities, and must retake it every five years. Training is offered on the school campus throughout the year and is free of charge.

The remaining 2011–12 Safeguarding God’s Children dates are as follows:

• Friday, March 2, 1–3 p.m.
• Friday, April 13, 1–3 p.m.

Classes are held in the early afternoon. For specific times and to sign up for the course, please contact Rose Ann Gregory at 713.458.6101 or rgregory@sfedshouston.org.

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ST. FRANCIS COMMUNITY NEWS

SFSA Now Accepting Spring Registration for
Baseball, Softball and T-ball
The St. Francis Sports Association is now accepting registration for spring baseball, softball and T-ball. Boys and girls in grades PII–5 are eligible to participate.
To register, please go to www.sfsportsassociation.org. For more information, contact Matt Seinsheimer, commissioner, at mseinsheimer@comcast.net or Marsha Gilbert, registrar, at marshagilbert1@yahoo.com.

Join Us for Scout Sunday on February 5
Calling all Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts! Scout Sunday at St. Francis Episcopal Church is this Sunday, February 5, at 9 a.m.

St. Francis Art Show: 40th and Fine!
Mark your calendars! The St. Francis Art Show: 40th and Fine will be held Friday–Sunday, February 10–12, at St. Francis Episcopal Church.

Get a sneak peak of the Art Show’s treasures at our Preview Party on Friday, February 10, from 6–9 p.m. Tickets to the preview are $25 per person or $50 per couple, and dinner and beverages will be served. Complimentary child care will also be available. Please RSVP to Hollie Coerver at hcoerver@sfch.org or 713.782.1270.

Then, join us Saturday, February 11, from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, February 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the St. Francis Art Show—an exhibition of artwork representing a variety of mediums. Whether you prefer oils, prints, photographs, historical maps, religious inspirations, nature themes, custom-designed jewelry, wood carvings or metal sculptures, the St. Francis Art Show will have something wonderful for you! Lis Faucher chairs this elegant event, and no sales tax will be charged.

Join Us for a Shrove Tuesday Celebration!
Our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Mardi Gras Party will be on Tuesday, February 21, from 5–7:30 p.m. in the Wheatcroft Parish Hall. We will feast on pancakes, sausage, gumbo, and jambalaya. There will be crafts for the kids and Zydeco music by Rick Keith and friends.

Tickets are on sale now in the church office and on Sunday mornings:

Children, $7
Adults, $12
Family max, $35

This event is fun for the whole family. We hope to see you there, and be sure to invite a friend!

Upcoming Events and Celebrations at St. Francis Church
February 5: Cub Scout Sunday
February 21: Shrove Tuesday
February 22: Ash Wednesday
February 10–12: St. Francis Art Show
March 3: Girl Scouts Father-Daughter Dance
March 2–4: St. Francis in the Woods

For more information, watch this space or call the church office at 713.458.6303.

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PRIMARY SCHOOL
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Important Upcoming Dates in Primary School
February 9: Grandparents and Grandfriends Day for T/Th Pre-Primary Only

• 12:45 p.m.: Registration (HBR)
• 1:30 p.m.: Pre-Primary Valentine Party with Grandparents and Grandfriends

February 10: Grandparents and Grandfriends Day

• 8:30 a.m.: Registration (FAC)
• 10 a.m.: Pre-Primary and Primary I Valentine Party with Grandparents and Grandfriends
• 11 a.m.: Early Dismissal for All Primary School

February 13: Re-enrollment Contracts Due
February 14: Primary II and Bridge Valentine Party, 1:30 p.m. (Student Only)
February 20: President’s Day Holiday (No School)
February 22: Ash Wednesday
February 23: T/Th Pre-Primary Texas Rodeo (Student Only)
February 24: Primary School Texas Rodeo (Student Only)

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LOWER SCHOOL
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An Important Note About Carpool
In order to help the flow of traffic and reduce the number of cars backed up on Piney Point, we ask that you not arrive to afternoon carpool to pick up your child before 2:50 p.m. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work together to make carpool more efficient.

New Faces at St. Francis
It has recently come to my attention that many in our community are not familiar with some of the new additions to our Lower School this year. Lori Taylor (Math Consultant) and Holly Plost (Technology Specialist) were hired in the fall of this year. Since their arrival, our Lower School math and technology programs have benefitted greatly. Most importantly, our students are being enriched through the expertise and dedication of Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Plost. Please read the following articles by Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Plost and join me in celebrating their arrival.

Ron Robinson
Assistant Head of Lower School

_________________

A Note From Lori Taylor, Math Specialist
In 1980, I moved to Houston from Allentown, Pennsylvania, after graduating from Kutztown University with a bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in art. I started my teaching career in Aldine ISD, and then moved to Katy ISD. After teaching for 31 years, I retired last year with very mixed emotions. In my years as an educator, I was fortunate to become a PRIME teacher (Promotes Results in Mathematics Education), and I received the highest honor in 1997 when I was named Katy ISD’s Teacher of the Year. I have taught students at all ability levels, from Special Education to the Gifted and Talented.

I am a strong advocate of students getting an excellent foundation in math and working from the concrete to the abstract. I am also a firm believer in making math fun through rhymes, songs, and hand movements that the children can enjoy while learning. “Hands-on” is crucial when we want students to fully comprehend a concept. Many students have a fear of math. When it is presented in a fun way, however, they grow to love it. Students need to feel confident and believe they can do anything they put their mind to. At the same time, a teacher needs to respect that each child learns differently.

My love of math stemmed from my fourth-grade teacher, who pushed me beyond the limits I had set for myself. This love was solidified even further as my education continued, and I began to look for ways to help others love math, too. During the summers of my college years, I was a counselor at a private girls’ camp in the Pocono Mountains. Little did my campers know that during “down” time I would drill them on their math facts! I made it into a game, and this solidified that my teaching techniques would always include an element of fun. I remember one of my campers saying, “You were born to teach!”

After I retired last year, the job as a math consultant at St. Francis became available, and I jumped at the chance. Not only do I still get to work with children by modeling math lessons and working in small groups, but also I have the privilege of working with the second-, third-, and fourth-grade teachers and with Technology Specialist Holly Plost. Holly and I work together to create meaningful lessons, and I am constantly pulling resources and devising stations that are stimulating so as to enhance our students’ education. I also try to motivate each teacher and student to achieve his or her personal best.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family. My oldest son is a junior at Texas State, and my youngest son is a junior at Katy Taylor High School. I love to attend all their sports events, travel, play the piano, paint, and do arts and crafts.

I am extremely fortunate to be part of the St. Francis family. It is an absolute joy to come to work!

_________________

A Note From Holly Plost, Technology Specialist
I have always known I wanted to be a teacher. I developed a love for working with children at a very early age. When I was in fifth grade, I worked with the second graders in the school during recess. We rehearsed and presented plays for their parents. The teachers would allow their students to work with me during recess. That was the beginning of a dream.

I earned my undergraduate degree in elementary education with concentrations in math and reading. I was honored to receive the Outstanding Student Teacher Award at the University of Texas at Austin when I graduated in 1981. Speaking at my college graduation is an event I will never forget!

After graduation, I began teaching in Alief ISD. I taught in the classroom for five years and then became a mathematics specialist. During this time, I earned my master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. In 1993, I made a move to Fort Bend ISD, where I was hired to teach fourth grade. The following year, I became a part-time math specialist, before Fort Bend had a math specialist program. It was exciting to watch the program develop over the next couple of years.

In 1996, I was asked to interview for a newly created position as instructional technology specialist. I loved integrating technology in my classroom, so I decided to go for it. My role was to teach the teachers how to use technology (hardware and software) and help them integrate their core curriculum with technology. I wrote lessons, planned with teachers, and created and implemented building and district staff development. For 14 years, I served two campuses in this capacity.

My last year in public education, I served in an administrative position in educational technology. I retired last May. I thought I would stay home for a while, but I really missed working with children and being in a school environment. At the end of the summer, I discovered the posting for the technology instructor position at St. Francis. I knew of the school’s incredible reputation, so decided I would check it out. It was definitely meant to be!

Currently, I teach eighth-grade Advanced Technology, the fifth-grade Technology rotation and fourth-grade Enrichment. I also work with the Lower School teachers to help them integrate technology into their curriculum. I meet with the teams each week to help them develop plans that use technology to advance the core concepts they will be teaching.

St. Francis is fortunate to have a wide variety of technology tools available. By integrating technology with the core curriculum, students will develop problem-solving, complex-thinking and collaboration skills. Technology can revolutionize the teaching process and afford educators a means to reach various types of learners. I am thrilled to be able to be a part of this process as well as part of the St. Francis faculty. I love working with the incredible students and staff that comprise the SFEDS family.

St. Francis School of Music Notes
The School of Music is happy to announce that we will be offering percussion lessons, beginning in February. For those interested in studying percussion, please contact Director of Summer and After School Programs Margaret Newsom at mnewsom@sfedshouston.org or 713.458.6467 for more information.

Spaces are still available for cello, clarinet, flute, viola, and double bass. Limited spots are open for piano, voice and violin.

School of Music teachers and some students will perform on Grandparents’ Day, February 10. Look for an announcement of a second concert, later this spring, with all of our School of Music faculty. Recitals for School of Music students will be announced later this spring.

Lower School Parent Lunch Dates
Lower School parents are invited to join their child for lunch on the first Tuesday of each month throughout the school year. The remaining Lower School Parent Lunch dates for 2011–12 are as follows:

• Tuesday, February 7
• Tuesday, March 6
• Tuesday, April 3
• Tuesday, May 1

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MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Early Dismissal on February 10
Friday February 10, 2012 is an early dismissal day for school. Middle School will release at 12:15 p.m. Please do not arrive to carpool prior to noon.

Swimming Conference Championship Results
Congratulations to our boys and girls swimming team on their performance at the conference championships this past Monday evening.

• Three new HJPC records were set: Cooper Wozencraft set new records in the 100 Free (53.81) and 50 Back (27.32), and Dylan Presswood set a new record in the 100 IM (1:06.00).
• The Boys Team—comprising Dylan Presswood, Cullen Thomas, Cooper Wozencraft, and Logan Eagle—placed third, missing second place by three points.
• The Girls Team, with Caddie Dull, Ally Ondarza, and Cameron Dasher, placed fourth.
• The following team members medaled:
• Caddie Dull: First Place, 100 IM & 100 Free
• Logan Eagle: Second Place, 200 Free Relay
• Ally Ondarza: First Place, 50 Breast; Second Place, 100 Free
• Dylan Presswood: First Place, 100 IM & 50 Breast; Second Place, 200 Free Relay
• Cullen Thomas: Second Place, 200 Free Relay
• Cooper Wozencraft: First Place, 100 Free & 50 Back; Second Place, 200 Free Relay

Call for Submissions: Doodle 4 Google Art Contest
The Doodle 4 Google Art Contest invites K–12 students to illustrate the theme, “If I could travel in time, I’d visit…” as creatively as possible using Google’s logo as their canvas. The fifty State Winners will win an all-expenses-paid trip to Google’s New York City office. This year’s winner, along with having his or her doodle featured on the Google homepage, will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for their school. As an added bonus, the winning doodle will be featured on a special edition of Crayola’s 64 box!

The contest allows one submission per child, and submissions must be accompanied by a completed Entry Form and received by March 8. MS students should turn their designs in to Mrs. Chandler, and LS students should turn their designs in to Mrs. Arnot.

Visit www.google.com/doodle4google for more details.

Update: Study Hall Trial
Last week during study hall our students worked in different groups as we conducted some trials of different study hall groups.  We are using this information along with other information gained from this school year to evaluate our study hall experience for students and faculty.  I appreciate everyone’s cooperation with this trial.  This week we have returned to our normal advisory study hall groups.  Over the course of the coming months, as we begin planning for the 2012–2013 school year, we will be making further evaluations of study hall and put a system in place for next year.   

You’re Invited! Reception for Mr. Lovejoy, February 6 at 3:45 p.m.
Although Stephen Lovejoy has been serving St. Francis as interim head of Middle School since last summer, he just recently accepted the lead role in Middle School on a more permanent basis. Now, it’s time to celebrate! Join us for a reception in his honor on Monday, February 6, from 3:45–4:15 p.m. in the gym. The reception will take place immediately after the Junior Varsity Honor the Wolves and immediately before the Varsity Honor the Wolves. We hope to see you there!

St. Francis School of Music Notes
The School of Music is happy to announce that we will be offering percussion lessons, beginning in February. For those interested in studying percussion, please contact Director of Summer and After School Programs Margaret Newsom at mnewsom@sfedshouston.org or 713.458.6467 for more information.
Spaces are still available for cello, clarinet, flute, viola, and double bass. Limited spots are open for piano, voice and violin.

School of Music teachers and some students will perform on Grandparents’ Day, February 10. Look for an announcement of a second concert, later this spring, with all of our School of Music faculty. Recitals for School of Music students will be announced later this spring.

A Note About the Spring Season Tennis Program
The Tennis Program for students in grades 6–8 is the latest addition to St. Francis’ athletics offerings. We currently have 18 students signed up for tennis. Each player is required to practice at an off-campus tennis facility under the direction of a certified coach for a minimum of 5 hours per week. The tennis players will be dismissed from school each day of the spring season at 3:00 p.m. (at the start of seventh period). Parents are expected to pick their children up from the People Place, unless the child is riding with a Lower School sibling. In that case, the athlete is to go directly to the Dining Hall to join the sibling for the 3:15 p.m. Lower School carpool. All tennis players, regardless of grade level, are considered members of the Varsity Tennis Team, which will be coached by Jennifer Henry. Team members will be expected to compete for St. Francis in the Houston Junior Preparatory Conference Tournament to be held in late April. The date and location of this tournament will be announced.

Important Information About Season Transition in Athletics/MSPE
As the Winter Season in Athletics/MSPE winds down, here is some information all parents in grades 6–8 need to know:

1. Honor the Wolves will be held on Monday, February 6. Sixth grade and JV teams will be honored from 3–3:45 p.m., and Varsity teams will be honored from 4:15–5 p.m. A reception for Stephen Lovejoy, head of Middle School, will be held from 3:45–4:15 p.m. that day.
2. Spring season athletic practices/MSPE classes begin on Tuesday, February 7. All practices except baseball practice will be held from 3–4:30 p.m.; the baseball team will practice from 3:30-5 p.m. All spring season athletic teams will practice on campus, with the exception of girls lacrosse (GLAX), which will practice at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (MDPC), and baseball, which will practice at Baseball USA. If your daughter plays GLAX, please plan to pick her up from MDPC on practice days at 4:30 p.m. If your son plays baseball, please plan to pick him up from Baseball USA on practice days at 5 p.m. The baseball players will be bussed to Baseball USA each day.

Talent Show Auditions Start January 24
The Middle School Talent Show is scheduled for Friday, February 24, from 8:30–9:30 a.m. Auditions will be held during study hall on January 24, 25, and 31, and on February 1. The audition sign-up sheet is located outside the Middle School Art Room. With questions or concerns, please e-mail Mrs. Chandler or Mr. Linhart.

National Junior Honor Society: New Membership Info
Current sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.67 or higher in the five core subject areas (math, English, history, science, and Spanish) will be invited to apply for membership in NJHS in February. Membership in NJHS is based on scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. We are looking forward to having many new prospective members for this upcoming year.  

Check out the Middle School Buzz
Head of Middle School Steve Lovejoy is blogging each day about things going on around campus. Called The Buzz, you can read the blog by clicking here or by visiting the Parent Portal on www.sfedshouston.org, then selecting Middle School, then Middle School Buzz.

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