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April 20, 2012
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ALL SCHOOL NEWS
KEEP FESTIVAL FUN on Sunday, April 29!
Join us for St. Francis Festival Day on Sunday, April 29, from noon–4 p.m! Invite your friends! Everyone is welcome. Remember, we have complimentary shuttles operating continuously from 10:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. from The Kinkaid School. Please park in the West Lot.
T-shirts went home with the youngest child this week. If you did not order a shirt, we will be selling a limited supply of surplus T-shirts at the main ticket booth (near the Festival entrance) at Festival.
Spirit Day will be on Friday, April 27. Students can wear any Festival or SFEDS shirt.
If you were not able to pick up your pre-ordered tickets, you can pick them up at the main ticket booth (near the Festival entrance) at Festival. You can also purchase tickets with cash or credit card at Festival. The credit card booth will be located in the FAC in front of the stage.
Dunk Tank: Parents, want to see your child make a real SPLASH? Bid to win them a 30-minute time slot in our Festival dunk tank! Parents can place bids via online auction for a time slot between noon and 4 p.m. on Festival day. Click here to bid. Users need to create an account in order to bid.
The auction will be open for one week, closing on Friday, April 28, and winners will be announced at their Division Pep Rally that day. Parents will also be notified via e-mail.
Big Board Items: Want to see your family name marking the driveway when you're in the carpool line? Or maybe you or your child has always wondered what it's like to be Head of School? Start keeping Festival fun this week by kicking off our Big Board auction and checking out what will be up for grabs next Sunday at Festival! Up for auction are the following:
Naming rights to our schools' driveways for the 2012–2013 school year:
- Piney Point Drive
- Lower/Middle School Drive
- Primary School Drive
- Primary School Circle
Unique leadership experiences for the 2012–2013 school year:
- Head of School for the Day
- Head of Middle School for the Day
- Head of Lower School for the Day
- Head of Primary School for the Day
Click here for full explanations and to start bidding!
We are counting on you to volunteer! It takes a community to run this event, so please consider donating an hour of your time to make Festival the best it can be for our children. Contact your homeroom parent to schedule a time to help out.
The Festival committee also needs volunteers to help with setup and take down:
Friday, April 27, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 28, 9:00 a.m. –3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 29, before and after Festival
Please contact Renee Davis at rdominguedavis@hotmail.com with any questions!
Bake Sale Volunteers: Kathryn Adkins and Amy Hartman are collecting your baked goods on Saturday, April 28, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the side door of the FAC across from the Primary buildings. You will not have to get out of your car—they will be waiting on the curb to receive your goodies! We are asking each volunteer to bring two dozen cookies/ treats, but if you want to make more please do! Depending on the size of the treat, include 2–3 in each zipper-lock baggie. If you can't put them in baggies, try putting them in a "shirt" box so they don't get smashed.
Questions? If you have any questions, contact Director of Special Events Abby Clark at 713.458.6116 or aclark@sfedshouston.org, or any of the Festival chairs: Renee Davis, Kathryn Adkins, Sallie Guerino, and Kelly Huff.
Let's KEEP FESTIVAL FUN!
Fifth and Sixth Graders Build Success With LEGOs!
They may be in Middle School, but six St. Francis students proved they can handle themselves on a construction site. Building houses out of LEGOS as part of the Habitat for Humanity Youth LEGO Challenge on March 31, a fifth-grade team and a sixth-grade team from St. Francis walked away with trophies for Most Realistic House. Their participation raised money and awareness for the Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity. Congratulations to fifth graders Matthew Drury, Chris Morrell, Jackson Miller, and Jeffrey Sun for winning in the 3rd–5th Grade Division, and to sixth graders James Talbott and Louis Morrell for winning in the 6th–8th Grade Division!
Spring Book Fair Is May 3–4
The Carnival continues! Spring Book Fair is just around the corner! It will take place in the Crum Library on Thursday, May 3, and Friday, May 4. Click here to access student account forms and the Book Fair Information Form, and here to view grade-level reading lists.
Reminder: First Tuition Payment
for the 2012-13 School Year is Due May 1
Please keep the following in mind regarding tuition-payment due dates for the 2012-13 school year:
- Per the terms of St. Francis' enrollment contracts for the 2012-13 school year, the first tuition payments are due Tuesday, May 1, 2012.
- If you chose the Annual Payment Option on your enrollment contract, your single annual payment is due on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.
- If you chose the monthly ACH Direct Debit Payment Option on your enrollment contract, your bank account will be drafted on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, for your first monthly payment.
For more information about the dollar amounts that are due to be paid or drafted on May 1, 2012, please refer to your enrollment contract.
Please also note that families who choose to withdraw from the school after May 1, 2012, but on or before June 29, 2012, will be responsible for paying a cancellation fee for the May, June and July payments that would be paid under the Monthly ACH Direct Debit Payment Option. They will also forfeit their enrollment deposits. Families that withdraw from the school after June 29, 2012, will be responsible for payment of the full year's tuition and will forfeit their enrollment deposit. If they choose to withdraw on or before the May 1 "drop dead" date, they will forfeit their enrollment deposit but will not be responsible for any cancellation fees. Please note that a withdrawal is not official until Dr. Lair receives a written, signed notification from the family.
For further details, please refer to your enrollment contract.
Reminders From Nurse Carla
Nurse Carla would like to remind you that St. Francis follows specific guidelines set up by the State of Texas regarding the administration of medications to students. The School Handbook has complete information on pages 97–98. Here are a couple highlights:
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications for your child must be sent to school in the original container, not loose in a baggie.
- Students are not allowed to carry their own medications, with the exception of emergency inhalers.
Reminders:
- Children with fever during the night need to be fever-free for 24 hours, without Tylenol or Motrin, before returning to school.
- If a child vomits during the night, he or she must stay home the next day.
Health Forms Due June 21
Make your doctor’s appointments now! Health forms are due to the appropriate division office by Thursday, June 21. If you have questions, please contact Nurse Carla at ccalloway@sfedshouston.org.
Physical Required for New and Middle School Students
Students who are new to St. Francis or are in Middle School during the 2012–2013 school year are required to have a physical that has occurred after March 1, 2012. The date of and doctor’s notes from the physical must be reflected on your child’s completed health form, which is due to the division office by Thursday, June 21, 2012.
Buy Wolf Wear at Festival!
Calling all Festival goers! Booster Club will be selling Wolf Wear at the Festival on Sunday, April 29. Look for our booth and get a head start on next year by buying your favorite items now! We’ll be having a raffle you won’t want to miss, and you can “shop and drop” your Wolf Wear purchases at the booth, to be picked up upon leaving Festival.
Need service hours? We need help! Come by Sunday morning before Festival and help us move merchandise from the concession stand to the OAC. Participants will be eligible for service hours. All middle schoolers are welcome.
Your Parents Association Dues at Work!
Next Friday, April 27, Cultural Enrichment will help the sixth graders experience their own Greek Festival right here at St Francis! Opa!
School of Music Spring Recital Is May 5
Students in St. Francis’ School of Music will have a spring recital at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, in the St. Francis Episcopal Church sanctuary. A reception will follow on Main Street. Students studying piano, violin, cello, clarinet, and vocals will perform.
Art Room Seeking Donations
The MS art room is seeking donations of the following items:
- School-appropriate magazines (specifically need Sports Illustrated or other boy-related magazines, although other magazines are also welcome)
- Storage containers—coffee cans, butter containers, yogurt cups, etc.
- Anything else that might be useful in an art room
Thanks!
Amy Chandler
Missing a Blazer? Check Lost and Found!
If your child is missing a school blazer, please be sure to check Lost and Found, as several have been left. The blazers will be kept in Lost and Found until the end of the school year, and then will be sold at the Uniform Resale.
Scrapbook Pickup Is Tuesday, May 1
The 2010–2011 scrapbook pages will be ready for pickup on Tuesday, May 1, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Main Street in front of the FAC. This is a one-day event! We still have some pages from the 2009–2010 school year that can also be picked up. Contact Christy Dull at christydull@hotmail.com with any questions.
Summer on the Point 2012: Register Online Now!
Registration for Summer on the Point is now open, and planning is under way. It’s going to be an exciting year, loaded with classic summer fun and all new adventures! Click here to view the catalog and to register online.
Annual Fund—It matters.
Every dollar. Every family. Every year.
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.
Questions? Contact Stacy Grace at sgrace@sfedshouston.org or call 713-458-6129.
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.
Take Advantage of the Last Safeguarding God’s Children
Training of the School Year!
If you’re planning to volunteer in the fall and need to take Safeguarding God’s Children when the 2012-13 school year begins, why not take it now? The last SGC session of 2011-12 will be held Friday, May 4, from 1–3 p.m. 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
Fourth Annual St. Francis Crawfish Boil, May 19
Let's start the summer off right with some hot and spicy fun! Join us for a Crawfish Boil on May 19 from 3:30–7:30 p.m. We'll have plenty of food, beverages, live music, and activities for the children.
Tickets are on sale now in the church office and will be available on Sunday mornings or at the event. You may also buy tickets online. (Questions about online payments? Call the church office.)
Adults—$25
Children—$15
Family Max—$75
Please RSVP even if you haven't purchased your tickets. We need to try to get as firm a number as possible so we can order the right amount of crawfish.
Hotdogs will be available for anyone who doesn't enjoy a good mudbug!
Be a Mud Buddy!
Sponsor a "bag of bugs" and get some great benefits at the boil!
The cost is $100 per bag, and includes a family pass to the event,
name recognition on a banner, VIP parking, and a Crawfish Boil cap.
Please contact Hollie Coerver at hcoerver@sfch.org or 713.458.6305
if you would like to be a Mud Buddy.
BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
Save the Date! Vacation Bible School 2012
Will Be Held June 18–22
Mark your calendars for St. Francis Episcopal Church’s Vacation Bible School 2012, which will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on June 18–22. Open to three-year-olds through rising fifth graders, this year’s VBS is themed “Operation Overboard: Dare to go deep with God!” Participants will explore God's underwater universe and what it means to live a life of deep faith.
Registration information will be available after Spring Break, but it's not too early to volunteer to be a part of this great week. Middle school– and high school–aged helpers will receive service hours. Adults are also needed to teach and help with registration.
For more information, visit us online at http://www.sfch.org/sf_children or contact Hollie Coerver at 713.458.6305 or hcoerver@sfch.org.
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PRIMARY SCHOOL
Division Calendar  Contact Us
A Note From the Head of Primary School
It has been a busy two weeks in Primary School! Assistant Head of Primary School Darla McNay and Primary II teachers Allyson Campsey, Whitney Clark, Cindy Blades, and Shannon Lewis have traveled to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to learn more about the Reggio approach to early childhood education. They are attending the Reggio Children International Study Group, and were awarded this opportunity through the Sarah W. Woolrich Fund for Faculty. The ladies are among 380 participants from 26 different countries! We are looking forward to hearing all about their trip when they return on Monday, April 23.
The Parents Association provided two wonderful opportunities for our students last week through their Cultural Enrichment Program. Our Bridge and Primary II students enjoyed “Bugs on Wheels,” presented by the Museum of Natural Science. Many interesting insects and an arachnid were available for inspection—a deer-horned stag beetle, hissing cockroach, and tarantula, to name a few! On Friday, Young Audiences visited and presented “The Dance of the Insects” to all of Primary School. The dancers performed as a caterpillar, a firefly, a butterfly, a ladybug, ants, and even a cockroach. Along the way, the children learned facts about insects and participated in some of the dances.
The past two Wednesdays we have enjoyed Motor Celebration in Primary I, Primary II, and Bridge. In Primary I, the well-known and often taught nursery rhyme “Hey Diddle, Diddle” formed the basis for a variety of motor activities demonstrated by the students. Many concepts were interwoven into activities that augment development physically, cognitively, and socially. The students showed us their confidence and pride in their accomplishments, and demonstrated self-management and positive interactions with others. Within the theme of “Circus,” our Primary II and Bridge students pantomimed the motions of circus performers and animals. The children were offered the opportunity to utilize creativity and choice as they created their own circus acts. In Motor Class, the students were taught safety and form. This, combined with imagination and newly developing motor competencies, provides much for the students to share! Mrs. Muxfeldt has done an amazing job working with the students in motor class this year and this was one opportunity for parents to have a glimpse into the magical world of motor learning. Thank you to all parents who were able to attend.
Last, but not least, we had two special visitors in Primary I, Primary II, and Bridge. Gabi de la Rosa used her environmental science background to organize a fun and informative presentation for the students. Terri League from Greenstar Recycling talked with students about the importance of Earth Day and recycling. Afterwards, “Lucky the Ladybug” (a.k.a. parents Gabi de la Rosa and Keri Herrin) made an appearance and reminded the students to take care of the environment by picking up trash and recycling. Thanks so much to Gabi de la Rosa and Keri Herrin for offering this opportunity to the children!
Things will continue to be busy in Primary School with the Pep Rally and Festival next week! We are enjoying every moment of these precious few weeks before summer. Click here to view a few photos of activities from the past two weeks.
Sincerely,
Michelle Symonds
Upcoming Dates in Primary School
April 20—Bridge Field Trip (Student Only)
April 26—T/Th Pre-Primary Pep Rally (Student Only)
April 27—PS Pep Rally (Student Only)
April 29—St. Francis Festival Day
April 30—School Starts at 9 a.m.
May 1—T/Th Pre-Primary Mothers and Others, 7:30 a.m. (Pre-Primary Building)
Bridge Mothers and Others, 9:30 a.m. (Chapel) & 10 a.m. (PS Dining Hall)
May 2—M/W/F Pre-Primary Mothers and Others, 7:30 a.m. (Pre-Primary Building)
May 3—PII Mothers and Others, 1:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)
May 4—PII Field Trip (Student Only); PI Mothers and Others, 1:45 p.m.
May 7—PI Sings in Chapel, 9:30 a.m.
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LOWER SCHOOL
Division Calendar Contact Us
Fourth Grade Class Trip Is May 8–10
The fourth grade class trip to the Bob Bullock Museum and Camp Balcones Springs is May 8–10. Information packets will be sent home next week and will include a permission slip, medical form, packing list, and general information regarding the trip. We will not have another parent meeting prior to our trip since we had one in September when the trip was originally scheduled. We are looking forward to a wonderful time together that will create lasting memories for all!
The Fourth Grade Team
Declamation Is April 23–26
St. Francis established the Lauren Angel Watson Declamation Program in 1987 in memory of this St. Francis student. Every student in grades one through four participates. Coinciding with National Poetry Month in April, students will study, create, publish, and recite various forms of poetry. The week will culminate with a Declamation celebration where each student recites an original work for parents, faculty, and classmates.
Declamation will be held in the Crum Library on the dates and at the times listed below. Please note that dress uniforms are required for students on their Declamation day.
First Grade—Monday, April 23
Grantham—8:45 a.m.
Pettiette—9:30 a.m.
Masini—11:30 a.m.
Symonds—12:15 p.m.
Third Grade—Tuesday, April 24
Smith—8:15 a.m.
Zauft—9:00 a.m.
Blair—1:15 p.m.
Partridge—2:00 p.m.
Second Grade—Wednesday, April 25
Barras—8:45 a.m.
Pickett—10:05 a.m.
Kasischke—11:35 a.m.
Cire—2:00 p.m.
Fourth Grade—Thursday, April 26
Porter—10:05 a.m.
Powell—12:00 p.m.
Plaia—1:00 p.m.
Kochel—2:00 p.m.
Lower School Birthday Chapels
Birthdays for the remainder of the year will be celebrated in Chapel on the following days:
Monday, April 23—For birthdays from April 22–28
Wednesday, May 2—For birthdays from April 29–May 5
Monday, May 7—For birthdays from May 6–12
Monday, May 14—For birthdays from May 13–19
Monday, May 21—For birthdays from May 20–31 & June birthdays
Wednesday, May 23—For birthdays during July
*August birthdays will be celebrated when school resumes in August.
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 last Lower School Parent Lunch for 2011–12 is Tuesday, May 1.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
Division Calendar Contact Us
Graduating Eighth Graders: Important Information
Senior Chapel Is Monday, May 7: Parents of eighth-grade students, please join us in celebrating our eighth graders at their final Eucharist Chapel. The service will begin at 11:10 a.m. in the St. Francis Church sanctuary.
Verification of Enrollment Information: If your graduating eighth grader will be taking Driver’s Education this summer, you will need to get a Verification of Enrollment Form from the Middle School Office. The high schools will not issue this form to you, as the student has not yet attended classes there.
If you need this form for the summer, please request it before the last day of school. This form may be obtained by speaking with Jennifer Carson in the Middle School Division Office. Once issued, it is valid until the first day of school for the 2012–2013 school year.
Please note that during the summer, we are closed every Friday and the first week of July.
If your child is taking Driver’s Education classes the first part of September, they may also be required to get the form from us, and you can request it beginning in August. The form (if issued during the school year) is valid for 30 days from issuance.
May 1 Is High School T-shirt Day: Tuesday, May 1, will be our Eighth Grade High School T-shirt Day. Students may wear a T-shirt that represents the high school they will be attending, along with regular uniform bottoms. If a high school decision is pending, they may wear a T-shirt from a high school to which they have applied. This event will kick off our celebration of the final weeks of their eighth-grade year. The day will conclude with an in-school celebration for the eighth-grade students, sponsored by the Middle School Administration. We are looking forward to a wonderful final stretch with such a terrific eighth-grade class!
Seventh Graders: Wear Dress Uniforms
for Visit to HCHS on April 23
The seventh-grade class will visit Houston Christian High School on Monday April 23, and dress uniforms are required. Students will depart SFEDS at 9 a.m. and return just after noon. While visiting Houston Christian, students will receive a tour and hear from school personnel regarding the high school application process. This event will kick off the high school application process for the 2012–2013 school year.
If you have any questions, please contact Christie Crummel at 713.458.6197.
Athletics Reminder:
2012-2013 Registration Forms Are Due Today!
Please turn in your 2012–2013 (next school year) Registration Forms for Athletics or Physical Education to Don Hicks. These have been sent home to you in the last two Wolf Watch publications, as well as in separate e-mails from Leslie vanArsdale. These forms are due to Don Hicks today. Thank you!
Fifth-Grade Field Trip:
City of Houston WaterWorks Education Center
Fifth-Grade Parents,
St. Francis fifth grader Ashley Dalton recently made a splash when her vibrant, imaginative artwork won the City of Houston Water Week T-shirt Art Contest. A representative of the Water Week committee said they “loved the way the work’s color, humor, and charming ‘critters’ represented the theme “Water=Life.” Ashley’s art will appear on the event’s T-shirts, and she and her grade level will attend Water Week on April 30 so that Ashley can be recognized during the event’s opening ceremony. Congratulations, Ashley!
In her honor, our entire fifth grade has been invited to attend the opening ceremony and enjoy a half day of interactive stations related to water at the WaterWorks Education Center. We would love for every fifth grader to attend; however, we have decided to make this event optional as it falls the day after the St. Francis Festival. If your child plans to attend, they need to be at school by 8:00 a.m.; we will depart at 8:20 a.m.; and we’ll return by 2:15 p.m.. All students need to wear their St. Francis World Water Day T-shirt and their uniform bottoms. We will also have a sack lunch at Gene Greene Park provided by Sage Dining. Dismissal from school will be at 3:00 p.m. for all students attending the field trip. If you need the dismissal time to remain 3:45 p.m., students will be supervised until that time. Pick-up will be at the Dining Hall, but please be aware that Lower School carpool will also be happening at that time.
PLEASE TURN IN THE PERMISSION FORM AND INTENT TO PARTICIPATE BY MONDAY, APRIL 23!
Interested in the TAEA Visual Art Scholastic Event?
Join us May 12.
The Texas Art Education Association’s Junior Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE) is Saturday, May 12, 2012. This competition is open to all students in grades 6–8. Students who are interested in competing may attend a brief meeting with Mrs. Chandler on Wednesday, April 18, at 7:30 a.m. in the MS Art Room. More details will follow. If you have any questions, please direct them to Mrs. Chandler at achandler@sfedshouston.org.
End of Year Exam Information
As you begin to prepare for the end of the school year, please note the following information concerning the last week of school:
- May 21–24 are early dismissal days for Middle School, with classes ending at 12:15 p.m.
- Fifth grade (all core subjects) and sixth-grade Spanish, history, and science do not take final exams. Rather, they will have regular tests as they would during the course of the school year.
- Exams will be conducted in Grade 6 English and math, and in Grade 7 and 8 English, math, Spanish, history and science.
- Please see pages 65–68 of the handbook for further information.
- More details will be coming in the next several issues of Wolf Watch.
- Here is the schedule, with more details to come:
- Monday, May 21: English
- Tuesday, May 22: Science and history
- Wednesday, May 23: Math and Spanish
- Thursday, May 24: Make-ups and Middle School field day (last day of school for Middle School students)
- The exact times and schedule for the day will be published in Wolf Watch soon.
News and Reminders From the Middle School Office
- Extra Academic Support
Please know that all of our teachers are very willing to help support any academic needs. If your student is in need of extra assistance beyond study hall time, our teachers are available. Please contact the teacher directly, and they will be happy to set up a time that is convenient for the student and their schedule. We are very eager to help with any issues that arise.
- If you have any questions about next year’s classes, please contact the department chair in that subject or any Middle School administrator.
- Announcements
Please share with the Middle School office any news, awards, recognition, etc. that your student receives outside of school. We certainly would like to be able to support and congratulate them for these efforts.
- Service Council Gearing Up for Spring Project
After a successful fall semester project, the St. Francis Service Council has again adopted Dakota Rescue, a no-kill animal shelter in Pinehurst, Texas. The council is creating “doggie bags” for adoptable rescues. The council needs old towels, leashes and collars, small bags of dog food, and treats to fill the doggie bags. Cleaning supplies such as Pine Sol or bleach are also useful. If you can help, please drop donations off at MS 235. Thank you!
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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ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL 335 Piney Point Road, Houston, Texas 77024  Phone: 713.458.6100 www.sfedshouston.org |
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