Hello, St. Francis Xavier School Families!  We hope you are well.  Happy May!

In our beautiful Catholic faith, we honor Mary, our Mother during the month of May.  Did you know the word rosary has its roots in Latin and means a garland of roses?  Roses are traditionally used to symbolize the Virgin Mary.  Each time we say a Hail Mary, we are giving Mary a rose; each complete Rosary we say makes a crown of roses for Mary.

Saying the Rosary every day is a beautiful way to honor Mary, giving us an opportunity to reflect and meditate on the important events in the lives of Jesus and Mary.  When Mary appears in various parts of the world, she always asks us to say the Rosary. 

When we say the Rosary, each day we focus on a different mystery.

Glorious Mysteries:  The Resurrection, The Ascension, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption, The Coronation Sundays and Wednesdays

Joyful Mysteries: The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity, The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple Mondays and Saturdays

Sorrowful Mysteries: The Agony in the Garden, The Scourging at the Pillar, The Crowning with Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, The Crucifixion Tuesdays and Fridays

Luminous Mysteries:  Baptism of the Lord, Wedding Feast at Cana, Proclamation of the Kingdom, Transfiguration, Institution of the Eucharist Thursdays

You can pray the Rosary with this YouTube video:  EWTN Rosary.

In school, we will pray to Mary in a special way every day throughout the month of May.

As you know, our Grade 2 students will receive Jesus for the first time on Saturday, May 8 in our beautiful St. Francis Xavier Church.  Please join me in a prayer for them as they prepare for this special day.
 

Prayer for Our Communicants
Lord Jesus,
Bless the children coming forward
to receive Holy Communion
For the first time.

May this day be an initial step
Into a life-long love of the Eucharist.
Give them a hunger for this sacred food,
so that they turn to You for comfort, guidance, and wisdom
as they grow into full discipleship.

Thank You for their innocence and goodness.
May their hands,
extended in anticipation of Your Body and Blood,
inspire all of us to cherish this sacred sacrament.
Amen.
 

Mother's Day--Sunday, May 9

Happy Mother's Day to all our St. Francis Xavier mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, and all those who love, cherish, and guide our beautiful children.  
 

A Mother's Day Prayer

May God reward you
for the many ways you love--
for choosing wisely,
for accepting openly,
for giving freely,
and for teaching,
encouraging,
and reprimanding patiently.
May Mary make your
memories joyful as you
keep them in your heart,
and may she gain for you every
blessing from Jesus, her Son.
Amen.

Here is a list of things happening at SFX during the coming week.

Thursday, May 6
Grade 2 First Holy Communion Rehearsal

Friday, May 7
UPK—11:30 a.m. Dismissal
K—8—12:00 Noon Dismissal
Final MANDATORY Communion Rehearsal
SFX Exclusive Shopping Experience at Liebman’s--This is a private event for all SFX School families.  You can comfortably do all your uniform shopping in Liebman's store from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  For your convenience, we have posted Liebman's flyer, as well as the uniform requirements, here on the website.

Saturday, May 8
First Holy Communion—St. Francis Xavier Church

Monday, May 10
NWEA MAP Spring Assessment begins and will continue throughout the next three weeks.  Your child’s teacher will send home a detailed schedule.  ALL students, in-person and remote, will take the NWEA MAP Spring Assessment

Thursday, May 13
Ascension Thursday—Holy Day of Obligation
HSA Raffle at 8:00 a.m.

School Notes--K--8

I have received a few inquiries about the Summer Uniform.  The students may begin wearing their summer uniforms on Monday, May 3, 2021.

For your convenience, here are the guidelines as published in the Parent/Student Handbook:

Summer Uniform (September/October and May/June)

Girls     K-4 

• white blouse or white polo shirt
• khaki skort
• white knee socks/tights
• plain white sneakers.  
  • **No other  white shoes are permitted.**

• white polo shirt
• light blue skirt
• white knee socks or tights
• white skippys or Keds.  
  • **No other white shoes are permitted.**

• white uniform polo shirt
• khaki uniform pants or khaki shorts with SFX on leg
• black/white socks.

Boys can wear plain white sneakers or boat shoes with the summer uniform (shorts only).  Boys MUST wear a black belt.

Gym Uniform

The gym uniform for warm weather will be the gold St. Francis Xavier T-shirt and navy shorts with the Xavier logo.

2021 Summer Learning Experience

This summer, the Archdiocese of New York will sponsor the 2021 Summer Learning Experience!

As with all summer programs, this year’s experience prioritizes student safety, academic support, and fun. 

Registration opened the week of April 5^th. You received all registration materials via email. All registration happens virtually using a unique code each family will be provided.  It is anticipated the program will run from late June-mid August.

As in years past, the Archdiocese of New York will communicate with you using email, phone, text, and direct mail to ensure nobody misses the opportunity to register for programming.  
Be sure to monitor your email, so you don’t miss any details about this exciting summer program!

SNOW DAY MAKE-UPS

Because we have had several snow days, December 17, February 1, February 2, and February 18, St. Francis Xavier School will be in session for ALL on Wednesday, March 17, 2021,  Thursday, March 18, 2021, Thursday, April 1 (Holy Thursday). and Monday, June 1.  Please be sure to mark your calendars.  

Parent Referral Incentive Program

Do you love St. Francis Xavier School?  Please spread the good news!  The Archdiocese of New York has launched a Parent Referral Incentive Program for the 2021--2022 School Year.  This program is for referrals for Kindergarten through Grade 8.  If you recommend a student who subsequently enrolls in our beautiful school, in February, 2022, you will receive a one-time tuition credit of $250.00.  The student must remain enrolled in our beautiful school through February 2, 2022.  Need more information?  Check out the ADNY Parent Referral Incentive Program Flyer posted on the homepage of our website. 

School Notes--UPK & K--8

For the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff, and in accordance with CDC, NYSDOH, and ADNY guidelines, we keep the windows open in all classrooms.  Please be sure your child dresses in layers, so he/she is not cold during the school day.

We open all school entrances at 7:50 a.m.  Your child's temperature will be taken at that time.  Please be sure to escort your child to the door.  Here are the entrances for each grade:

Kindergarten:      Playground Entrance
Grades 1, 2, 3:    Main Building, Main Entrance (Red Doors)
Grades 4 and 5:  Van Nest Entrance
Grades 6, 7, 8:    Morris Park Avenue Entrance

There are signs to direct you if you are unsure about which entrance to use.  Your child will be dismissed from the same door at the end of the school day.  Dismissal times are:

2:35 p.m.     Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, and 3
2:45 p.m.     Grades 4 through 8

Please note while we are in Phase 1, there is NO Before School or After School Care.  

Thank you for choosing St. Francis Xavier School to partner with you to provide your child with the finest Catholic education possible.  It is always our pleasure to serve you!

Take care and be well.  God bless you and your family!

All the best,
 
Ms. Marie O’Shea
Principal
St. Francis Xavier School—A School You Can Believe In!
marieoshea@sfxschool.net